Yes, you can change your Epic Games username, but only once every 14 days

Epic Games lets you change the username on your account through your account settings. The change takes effect when ready, but you cannot change it again for 14 days after you make the switch. Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after a waiting period.

The username you see in games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys is the same one tied to your Epic Games account. When you change it, the new name appears everywhere you play across Epic's games and services.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through the Epic Games website in your account settings, not through the game itself.
  • The 14-day waiting period starts after you confirm the change, and you cannot change it again until that time passes.
  • Your new username takes effect right away in all games and on your profile, but other players cannot see the change until they refresh their friends list or search for you again.
  • If you forget your username or cannot access your account, you will need to contact Epic Games support through their help portal.

Where to find the username change option

Log into your Epic Games account on the Epic Games website. Go to Account in the top right corner, then select Account from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click General.

You will see your current username displayed near the top of the page. Next to it is a pencil icon or an Edit button. Click that to open the username change field. Type your new username and click Save. Epic Games will ask you to confirm the change — click the confirmation button in the popup or check your email for a confirmation link if one is sent.

Rules for your new username

Epic Games has restrictions on what characters and words you can use. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or $.

Epic Games will reject usernames that contain slurs, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or brands. If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, the system will tell you it is unavailable and ask you to pick something else. The name also cannot already be in use by another active account.

What happens to your old username

After you change your username, your old one does not disappear when ready. Epic Games holds it for a set period — usually 30 days — before it becomes available for other players to claim. During that time, if you change your mind, you cannot switch back to it because the system treats it as taken.

If you want to keep a username you used before, you need to change back to it before the 30-day window closes. After that, someone else can take it.

The 14-day cooldown between changes

Once you change your username, you are locked out of making another change for 14 days. This cooldown is per account, not per username. If you make a mistake or choose a name you do not like, you have to wait the full 14 days before you can try again.

The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first click edit. If you change your username on a Monday at 3 p.m., you can change it again on Monday of the following week at 3 p.m. or later.

If your username change does not work

If you see an error message when you try to save a new username, the most common reasons are: the name is already taken, it contains forbidden characters or words, it is too short or too long, or you are within the 14-day cooldown period. The error message usually tells you which rule you broke.

If the website shows an error but does not explain why, try clearing your browser cache and logging in again. If the problem persists, contact Epic Games support through their help portal at support.epicgames.com. You will need to describe what error you saw and provide your account email address.

How other players see your username change

Your new username shows up when ready on your Epic Games profile and in-game. However, other players may not see the change right away in their friends lists. They might still see your old name until they refresh the game, restart their console or computer, or search for you by your new name.

In Fortnite specifically, your username appears above your character in matches and in the lobby. Teammates and opponents will see your new name in the next match they play with you after the change goes live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if you do it within 30 days of changing it the first time. After 30 days, your old username becomes available to other players and you cannot claim it again unless no one else has taken it. You still have to wait 14 days between any username changes.

What if I cannot log into my account to change my username?

Go to the Epic Games login page and click "Forgot your password?" or "Having trouble signing in?" You can reset your password using your email address or phone number. If you cannot access your email, contact Epic Games support and provide proof of account ownership, such as the email address or phone number linked to the account.

Does changing my username affect my game progress or cosmetics?

No. Your username is just a display name. All your skins, battle pass progress, V-Bucks, and game data stay exactly the same. The change only affects what other players see when they look at your profile or play with you.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Epic Games only allows letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, commas, and symbols like @, #, or $ will cause the system to reject your choice.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in the game?

It appears when ready on your profile and in your next game session. If you are already in a match when you change it, you may need to restart the game or wait until the next match for other players to see the new name.