Fortnite won't show up in Steam because Epic Games doesn't sell it there

Fortnite is published by Epic Games, which runs its own launcher. Steam doesn't carry Fortnite, so you can't buy it or download it through Steam itself. However, you can add Fortnite to your Steam library as a non-Steam game, which lets you launch it directly from Steam without opening the Epic Games Launcher separately.

This is a display trick, not a purchase or ownership change. Fortnite still runs through Epic's system — you're just creating a shortcut in Steam that points to it. Your progress, account, and everything else stays tied to your Epic Games account.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite must be downloaded through the Epic Games Launcher first; Steam cannot download it for you.
  • Adding Fortnite to Steam creates a shortcut that launches the game from your Steam library, but Epic Games Launcher still runs in the background.
  • You need the full file path to Fortnite's executable file on your computer to complete the setup.
  • Steam's Big Picture mode and controller support will work with Fortnite once you add it as a non-Steam game.

Download Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher first

Before you can add Fortnite to Steam, you need to have it installed on your computer. Open the Epic Games Launcher, sign in to your account, and find Fortnite in the store. Click the download button and let the installation finish completely. The default location is usually C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite on Windows or /Applications/Epic Games/Fortnite on Mac.

Do not skip this step. Steam cannot download Fortnite for you — it can only create a shortcut to a game that's already installed.

Find the Fortnite executable file location

Once Fortnite is installed, you need to locate the actual game file that launches it. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to where Fortnite is installed. Go to Epic Games > Fortnite > Binaries > Win64. Look for a file called FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe. Right-click it and select Copy as path — this copies the full address to your clipboard.

On Mac, the path is usually /Applications/Epic Games/Fortnite/Engine/Binaries/Mac/UE4Editor, but the exact location can vary depending on your installation. If you can't find it, open Finder, go to Applications, right-click the Epic Games folder, and select Show Package Contents.

Add Fortnite to Steam as a non-Steam game

Open Steam and go to the top menu. Click Games, then select Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library. A window will open with a list of programs on your computer. Scroll through the list to see if Fortnite appears — if it does, check the box next to it and click Add Selected Programs. If Fortnite doesn't show up in the list, click Browse at the bottom of the window.

When you click Browse, a file explorer window opens. Paste the file path you copied earlier into the address bar at the top, or navigate manually to the folder containing the executable file. Select FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe (or the Mac equivalent) and click Open. Steam will add it to your library immediately.

Customize the game entry in your Steam library

After you add Fortnite, it will appear in your Steam library under "Non-Steam Games." Right-click the entry and select Properties to customize how it appears and launches. You can change the name, add an image, or adjust launch options if you want to pass specific commands to the game when it starts.

Most players leave the default settings alone. The important thing is that Fortnite now launches from Steam instead of requiring you to open the Epic Games Launcher manually. When you click Play in Steam, the Epic Games Launcher will still open in the background — that's normal and necessary for the game to run.

Troubleshooting if Fortnite won't launch from Steam

If you click Play and nothing happens, the most common cause is an incorrect file path. Right-click the Fortnite entry in your Steam library, select Properties, and check the target path under Target. Make sure it points to the correct executable file and that the path has no typos. If the path looks wrong, delete the entry and add it again using the Browse method.

Another common issue is that the Epic Games Launcher needs to update before Fortnite can launch. If you see an error, open the Epic Games Launcher directly and let it finish any pending updates. After that, try launching from Steam again. If Fortnite still won't start, restart your computer — sometimes Steam needs a fresh start to recognize changes to your file system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy Fortnite again to add it to Steam?

No. Fortnite is free-to-play on both Epic Games and Steam (as a non-Steam game). Adding it to Steam doesn't change your account or cost anything — it's just a shortcut to the game you already have installed.

Will my Fortnite progress transfer if I add it to Steam?

Your progress doesn't transfer because it's tied to your Epic Games account, not to Steam. Whether you launch from Steam or the Epic Games Launcher, you're logging into the same account and playing the same game. Your skins, V-Bucks, and battle pass are always there.

Can I use a Steam controller with Fortnite after adding it?

Yes. Once Fortnite is in your Steam library, Steam's controller support and Big Picture mode will work with it. You can configure controller buttons and use Steam's overlay while playing. Keep in mind that Fortnite's native controller support may override some Steam settings.

What if I uninstall Fortnite from Epic Games?

The shortcut will stay in your Steam library, but clicking Play will show an error because the game files are gone. You can either reinstall Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher or delete the entry from Steam and add it again after reinstalling.

Does adding Fortnite to Steam mean I don't need the Epic Games Launcher anymore?

The Epic Games Launcher still runs in the background when you play, even if you launch from Steam. You can't remove it entirely, but you don't need to manually open it — Steam handles that for you.