Change your username through the Epic Games website, not through Switch settings

Your Fortnite username lives on Epic Games' servers, not on your Switch console. This means you cannot change it from the Switch itself — you have to go to the Epic Games website, sign into your account, and change it there. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite, including Switch.

You will need a computer or phone with a web browser to make this change. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to restart Fortnite or your Switch.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to www.epicgames.com and sign into the account linked to your Switch copy of Fortnite.
  • Click your account name in the top right, select Account, then choose Display Name to change your username.
  • You can change your display name once every 14 days, so choose carefully.
  • The new name appears in Fortnite within seconds and shows to other players in matches and on your friends list.

Step-by-step: changing your display name on Epic Games

Start by opening a web browser on your computer or phone and going to www.epicgames.com. In the top right corner, you will see your current username. Click on it to open a dropdown menu.

From that menu, select Account. This takes you to your account settings page. On the left side, you will see a list of options. Click on General (it may be the first option listed). Look for the field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username that other players see.

Click the pencil icon or the edit button next to your current display name. Type in the new username you want. Epic Games will tell you right away if the name is already taken or if it breaks their naming rules (no offensive language, no impersonation of real people). Once you see a green checkmark, click Save or Confirm.

What happens after you change your username

The new name shows up in Fortnite within a few seconds. You do not need to restart the game or your Switch. When you load into a match, your new username appears above your character, and your friends see it on their friends list.

If you are in the middle of a match when you change your name, you may need to restart Fortnite to see the change reflected in that session. Starting a new match will definitely show the new name.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games limits you to changing your display name once every 14 days. This rule prevents people from constantly switching names to avoid consequences or confuse other players. If you try to change your name before 14 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again.

Plan your new username carefully, because you are stuck with it for at least two weeks. If you make a typo or change your mind when ready, you cannot fix it until the 14 days are up.

Naming rules and restrictions

Your display name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. It can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols. Epic Games also blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people or brands in a way that looks like impersonation.

If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, the website will reject it and explain why. You can try a different name when ready — the rejection does not count against your 14-day limit.

Making sure your Switch account is linked to Epic Games

Before you can change your Fortnite username, your Nintendo Switch account must be connected to an Epic Games account. If you created your Fortnite account directly on Switch without linking it, you may not be able to change your name from the website.

To check if your accounts are linked, go to www.epicgames.com/account/connections. Sign in with the Epic Games account you use for Fortnite. Look for Nintendo Switch in the list of connected platforms. If it shows as connected, you are good to go. If it does not, click the button to connect your Switch account, and follow the prompts to link them.

Troubleshooting: name change is not showing up

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it is not showing in Fortnite on your Switch, try closing Fortnite completely and opening it again. Sometimes the game needs to refresh to pull the new name from Epic's servers.

If the name still does not appear after restarting, sign out of your Epic Games account on the Switch (go to Settings, Users, your profile, and look for account connections), then sign back in. This forces the Switch to sync with Epic Games' servers again. After you sign back in, launch Fortnite and your new username should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Switch without going to the Epic Games website?

No. Fortnite usernames are stored on Epic Games' servers, not on your Switch. The only way to change it is through the Epic Games website. Changing your Switch profile name does not change your Fortnite username.

What if my desired username is already taken?

The Epic Games website will tell you when ready that the name is unavailable. Try a variation — add a number at the end, use an underscore, or pick a different name altogether. You can test as many names as you want before you save, so there is no penalty for trying.

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

Usually within seconds. If you are already in a match when you change your name, you may need to finish that match and start a new one to see the change. Restarting Fortnite guarantees the new name appears.

Can I change my username more than once every 14 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a 14-day cooldown between display name changes. The website shows you exactly when you can change it again if you try before the time is up.

Do my friends see my old username or my new one?

They see your new username when ready on their friends list and in matches. There is no delay — once you save the change on the Epic Games website, that is what shows everywhere in Fortnite.