Fortnite Esp-Dist-001 Error: How to Clear Your Cache and Reconnect

Esp-Dist-001 is a connection error that stops Fortnite from loading you into the game, even when your internet looks completely fine. It usually appears right after an update, when your system still holds onto cached data from an older version of the game and trips over a version mismatch with the Epic Games servers.

Quick answer: Clear your console or PC cache for the platform you play on, then relaunch Fortnite. If the error sticks around, switch your DNS to Google’s public servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

Fortnite Esp-Dist-001 Error — Image credit: Epic Games

What causes the Esp-Dist-001 error in Fortnite

Epic Games classes ESP codes as connection errors. The catch is that they can show up even when nothing has changed with your home network. The most common trigger is outdated cache data sitting on your device after a Fortnite update has rolled out.

When you launch the game, your system tries to validate your login, pull your account data, and sync your inventory. If the cache still references the previous version, your device thinks it is running an incompatible build and the server blocks access. Clearing that cache resets the temporary login data without touching your locker, V-Bucks balance, or Battle Pass progress.

Note: Esp-Dist-001 is purely a connectivity issue. It is not caused by a ban.

Clear the cache on Nintendo Switch

From the Home screen, open System Settings using the cog icon on the bottom bar.

Nintendo Cache Reset 1 Fortnite Esp-Dist-001 Error — Head to Settings.

Scroll down and select System.

Nintendo Cache Reset 2 — Scroll to System.

Open Formatting Options.

Nintendo Cache Reset 3 — Select Formatting Options.

Select Reset Cache, choose the user profile you play Fortnite on, and confirm. This clears saved IDs, passwords, cookies, and other cached website data, but it does not affect your downloaded games or save data.

Hold the Power button for three seconds, choose Power Options, then select Restart. Reopen Fortnite once the console boots back up.

Clear the cache on PS5

Hold the PS button on your DualSense controller, open the Power menu, and select Turn Off PS5. Wait for the power light to switch off completely, and do not use Rest Mode.

With the console off, press and hold the front power button for about seven seconds until you hear a second beep. That second beep means you are in Safe Mode.

Connect your controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.

Choose Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, then select Clear System Software Cache. The console restarts on its own when it finishes, and you can relaunch Fortnite.

Power cycle PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One

On PS4 and Xbox consoles, a full power cycle clears the cache and almost always resolves the error. Shut the console down completely first, and never use Rest or Sleep mode for these steps.

Console	What to do
PS4	Fully power off, wait for the top light to go dark, unplug the power cable for 1–2 minutes, then plug back in and start Fortnite.
Xbox Series X\|S	Turn off and unplug the console, remove any accessories, hold the power button for 5–10 seconds while unplugged, wait two minutes, reconnect everything, and boot up.
Xbox One	Power off and wait for the console and power-brick lights to go out, unplug the cable for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn the console on.

Clear the cache and verify files on PC

Close Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher completely.

Press Windows + R to open the Run window, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.

Find the FortniteGame folder and delete it. If Windows refuses to delete it, restart your PC and try again.

Restart your computer, then right-click the Epic Games Launcher and choose Run as Administrator.

Open your library, click the three-dot menu next to Fortnite, select Manage, then click Verify and let the launcher repair the game files. Launch Fortnite when it finishes.

Switch to Google DNS if the error continues

If clearing the cache does not fix the connection, changing your DNS to Google’s public servers often clears stubborn cases. This step helps most on PlayStation and PC, where the error tends to be more persistent than on Xbox or Switch. The primary address is 8.8.8.8 and the secondary is 8.8.4.4.

PlayStation DNS settings

Go to Settings, then Network, then Set Up Internet Connection, and pick Wi-Fi or LAN depending on your connection.

Choose Custom. Set IP Address to Automatic, DHCP Host Name to Do Not Use, and DNS Settings to Manual.

Enter 8.8.8.8 as the Primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as the Secondary DNS. Set MTU to Automatic and Proxy Server to Do Not Use, then test the connection and reopen Fortnite.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 DNS settings

System	Steps
Windows 10	Open Network and Sharing Center, click Change adapter settings, right-click your connection and pick Properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4, click Properties, choose Use the following DNS server addresses, then enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Windows 11	Go to Settings, Network & Internet, Ethernet, click Edit next to DNS server assignment, set it to Manual, enable IPv4 (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or IPv6 (2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844), then save.

Tip: Before you replace any existing DNS entries on PC, write down the originals so you can restore them later if needed.

Check Epic’s servers and restart your router

Sometimes the error is not on your end. If Fortnite or Epic Online Services are down, your platform can throw an ESP error too. Check the official Epic Games server status page before changing anything on your network. If services show degraded performance, wait for Epic to deploy a fix.

If Epic’s services are healthy and the cache reset did not help, your router may have a DNS or IP glitch. Unplug your modem and router, leave them off for 30 seconds, then plug them back in and wait for the lights to stabilize before launching the game again.

How to confirm the fix worked

You know the fix worked when Fortnite loads past the connection screen and logs you in without the Esp-Dist-001 message. In most cases, clearing the cache for your platform is enough, and the error turns out to be a temporary inconvenience. If it persists after that, switching to Google DNS is the next step that resolves the lingering connection problem on PlayStation and PC.