To play split screen in Fortnite, connect and switch on a second controller on a PlayStation or Xbox console, stay in the lobby, and have the second player select their own account when prompted; split screen then switches on by itself when the match starts. It works in team modes such as Battle Royale, Zero Build and LEGO Fortnite, but not on PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 or mobile, and not in Solos, Ranked or Creative.
Below we cover where split screen works, the exact setup, the settings that quietly stop it, how to exit, and Fortnite Festival’s separate four-player local mode.
Which Version This Covers
This guide reflects Fortnite as of Chapter 7 Season 4, Fortnite Override, on the v42.20 update. Split screen is a standing feature rather than seasonal content, but Epic adds and removes modes every season, and the list of supported modes below comes from Epic’s help center. Epic excludes limited-time modes, so seasonal event modes in Override are not covered.
Where Split Screen Works
Epic calls the feature Local Multiplayer, and its help center limits it to PlayStation and Xbox consoles. That covers PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
It is not available on:
- PC, whether you play through the Epic Games Launcher or another store.
- Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Epic’s help center lists Switch as unsupported, and Nintendo’s own Switch 2 store listing gives Fortnite one player on a single system.
- Mobile, on phones or tablets.
Which Modes Support Split Screen
Per Epic’s help center, Local Multiplayer covers Battle Royale, Zero Build, LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, LEGO Fortnite Brick Life and more, in team modes.
It does not cover:
- Solos.
- Ranked.
- Creative and limited-time modes.
- Save the World.
Before you queue, pick a supported mode and a team size of Duos or larger, because a second local player needs a team slot.
How to Start Split Screen
Epic’s steps are short, and the order matters:
- Start Fortnite on the first player’s console account and go to the lobby.
- Connect the second controller and switch it on. Both controllers must be connected and on.
- The first player invites the second player to select their account. Player guides describe an on-screen prompt at the bottom of the lobby that asks the second player to press a button (Triangle on PlayStation, Y on Xbox) to join.
- The second player picks their console account and signs in. That account needs its own Epic Games account linked, since that is where their Locker and progress live.
- Once the second player appears in the lobby, choose a supported mode and team size and start the match. Split screen turns on automatically when the match loads.
Each player plays on their own account, so each keeps their own skins and progress. If you are both grinding XP, our guide on how to level up fast applies to each of you.
Requirements That Quietly Block It
When split screen will not start, Epic’s help center points to a short list of causes:
- Language settings must match. Both players need the same language setting, or split screen will not work.
- A stable internet connection. Epic says Local Multiplayer only works when the connection is stable.
- Separate accounts. The second player needs their own console account and Epic Games account; per Epic’s Festival help, platform guest accounts do not work for local play.
- Updated software. For PlayStation problems specifically, Epic’s troubleshooting adds updating Fortnite and the console, then restarting the console.
Two more things surprise players. First, split screen only exists inside a match: Epic says the lobby and sub-menus are not shared. Second, the second player appears under their own account name, which on PlayStation and Xbox is their console name rather than their Epic display name; our guide on changing your name explains the difference. To keep online friends from dropping into your couch session, set your party to Invite Only, covered in our guide on whether you can appear offline.
How to Exit Split Screen
Per Epic’s help center, hover over the second player’s icon at the top of the lobby screen and choose the option to remove them. You return to a single-player screen. Player guides add that switching off or disconnecting the second controller also ends the session, but removing the player from the lobby is the clean way to do it.
Festival: Four Players, One Screen
Fortnite Festival has its own local mode that works differently. Since Festival Season 7, Main Stage supports local multiplayer for up to four players on the same PlayStation or Xbox console, per Epic. It is not split screen: everyone plays on a shared screen. Every player must be signed in to both a platform account and an Epic Games account, and each Epic account must allow T-rated experiences. Party up in the lobby first, then have the host switch to Festival Main Stage. Epic’s v42.10 known issues list notes that the green fret on guitar peripherals can stop responding during Local Multiplayer, so expect that bug for now.
For everything else, see every Fortnite guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Fortnite split screen on PC? No. Epic’s help center limits Local Multiplayer to PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Is Fortnite split screen on Switch 2? No. Epic lists Switch as unsupported, and Nintendo’s Switch 2 listing gives Fortnite one player per system.
Can you play split screen in Ranked? No. Epic excludes Ranked, Solos, Creative, limited-time modes and Save the World.
How many players can play split screen in Fortnite? Two in Battle Royale, Zero Build and LEGO Fortnite. Festival Main Stage allows up to four on a shared screen.
Why won’t split screen start? Check that both players use the same language setting, that the connection is stable, and that you picked a supported team mode.