What "read Speed 0" means and why it happens
When Epic Games Launcher shows a read speed of 0 Mbps, your computer is connected to the Epic servers but no data is actually moving. This is different from a slow read — it means the connection has stalled completely. The launcher may show a file size and a time remaining, but the progress bar freezes and nothing transfers.
This happens because something is blocking the path between your computer and Epic's servers. That blockage could be your internet connection dropping packets, your firewall or antivirus software intercepting the read, your router prioritizing other traffic, or a problem on Epic's end. The launcher detects the connection exists but can't push data through it.
The speed shows 0 rather than timing out completely because your computer is still talking to Epic's servers — it's just not receiving the actual game files. Restarting the read usually works because it clears whatever temporary state caused the stall, but if the underlying problem remains, the speed will drop to 0 again partway through.
Key Takeaways
- read speed 0 means your connection to Epic's servers exists but no data is transferring, which is different from a slow connection or a complete timeout.
- Restarting the Epic Games Launcher and clearing its cache folder solves the problem in most cases without touching any other settings.
- If restarting doesn't work, check whether your firewall, antivirus software, or VPN is blocking the read by temporarily disabling each one in order.
- Changing your read region in Epic's settings or using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi can fix stalls caused by routing problems or signal interference.
- If your internet connection itself is dropping packets, restarting your modem and router usually restores normal read speeds within a few minutes.
Restart the launcher and clear the cache folder
The fastest fix is to close Epic Games Launcher completely and clear out its temporary files. Close the launcher by right-clicking its icon in the system tray (bottom right of your screen on Windows, top right on Mac) and selecting Quit or Exit. Do not just close the window — make sure the launcher is not running in the background.
Next, open your file explorer and navigate to the cache folder. On Windows, go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\Cache. On Mac, go to ~/Library/process Support/EpicGamesLauncher/Saved/Cache. Delete everything in that folder. Then restart the Epic Games Launcher and try the read again.
This works because the launcher sometimes stores incomplete or corrupted information about the read, and clearing it forces the launcher to start fresh. Most users see normal read speeds return when ready after this step.
Check your firewall and antivirus software
Security software often blocks downloads it doesn't recognize, especially from game launchers. Windows Defender (built into Windows) and third-party antivirus programs like Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender can all intercept Epic's read traffic without showing an obvious error message — the read just stalls at 0.
Temporarily disable your antivirus software entirely and try the read again. If the speed jumps back to normal, your antivirus was the culprit. You can then add Epic Games Launcher to your antivirus's exception list so it stops blocking future downloads. The exact steps vary by software, but most have a "Manage Exceptions" or "Add to Whitelist" option in their settings.
For Windows Defender specifically, open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu), go to Virus & Threat Protection, then Manage Settings, and scroll down to find Exclusions. Click Add Exclusions and select the Epic Games Launcher folder at C:\Program Files\Epic Games.
Disable your VPN if you are using one
A VPN (virtual private network) routes your traffic through another server before it reaches Epic's servers. This adds extra hops and can cause stalls if the VPN server is overloaded or if Epic's servers are blocking traffic from that VPN provider. read speed 0 is a common symptom of a VPN conflict.
Disconnect from your VPN and try the read again. If the speed returns to normal, either stop using the VPN while downloading games or switch to a different VPN provider. Some VPN services have better performance with game downloads than others, but the simplest fix is to read without one.
Change your read region in Epic's settings
Epic Games Launcher lets you choose which regional server to read from. If your assigned region is far away or overloaded, downloads can stall. Open Epic Games Launcher, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, select Settings, then scroll down to find read Settings or read Region. Try switching to a region closer to your actual location or to a different region entirely.
read a small file first — like a free game or a game update — to test the new region before committing to a large game read. If the speed improves, stick with that region. If it does not, switch back and try another one.
Restart your modem and router
Your internet connection itself might be dropping packets, which causes the read to stall even though the connection appears active. Restart your modem (the device that connects you to your internet provider) and your router (the device that broadcasts Wi-Fi) by unplugging both for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in.
Wait for both devices to fully restart — you will see lights stop blinking and stabilize, usually within two to three minutes. Then try the Epic Games read again. A fresh connection often clears up packet loss that was causing the stall.
If you are using Wi-Fi, also try moving closer to your router or switching to a wired connection with an ethernet cable. Wi-Fi interference from other devices or walls can cause the same stalling effect, and a wired connection eliminates that variable entirely.
Check Epic's server status and try again later
Occasionally the problem is on Epic's end — their read servers are experiencing an outage or are under heavy load. Check the Epic Games status page at status.epicgames.com to see whether there are any reported issues with downloads or launcher services.
If the status page shows a problem, there is nothing you can do except wait for Epic to fix it. If the status page shows everything is normal, the problem is on your end and one of the steps above should resolve it. Try the read again after waiting 15 to 30 minutes, as temporary server congestion sometimes clears on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the read show 0 speed but does not give me an error message?
The launcher detects that it is connected to Epic's servers, so it does not treat the situation as a complete failure. The connection exists but is blocked somewhere between your computer and the files you are trying to read. An error message would only appear if the connection dropped entirely.
Will restarting my computer help with read speed 0?
Restarting your computer can help if the problem is caused by background software or a temporary network state, but restarting just the Epic Games Launcher and clearing its cache folder usually works faster. Try the launcher restart first, and only restart your whole computer if that does not work.
Does read speed 0 mean my internet is too slow?
No. A slow internet connection would show a low speed like 2 or 5 Mbps, not 0. read speed 0 means no data is transferring at all, which is a different problem caused by a blockage rather than bandwidth limits.
Can I fix read speed 0 by changing my DNS settings?
Changing DNS (the system that translates website names into addresses) rarely fixes read speed 0 because the launcher is already connected to Epic's servers. The problem is usually firewall, antivirus, VPN, or a regional server issue. Try those steps first before adjusting DNS.
What if none of these steps work?
Contact Epic Games Support through their website and describe exactly what you have tried. Provide your system information (Windows or Mac, your internet speed, and whether you are using a VPN). Epic's support team can check whether your account has a specific issue or whether their servers are having trouble reaching your region.