How to Detect Installed Games on Epic Games
If the Epic Games launcher can’t detect an installed game, you’ll need to troubleshoot the problem using this guide.
With a name like Epic Games, you can expect big things from this gaming platform. It has a number of exclusives you’re guaranteed to want to play, whether it’s Fall Guys or Fortnite.
What happens if Epic Games doesn’t recognize an installed game? If you can’t play a game you’ve installed in the Epic Games launcher, you’ll need to troubleshoot the problem further.
If you’re unsure how to detect installed games on Epic Games, you can follow the steps we’ve outlined below.
Begin a New Game Installation
If Epic Games isn’t recognizing an installed game, you can usually fix the problem by forcing the client to start a new installation.
However, as Epic Games might wipe any existing files if it doesn’t believe the game is already installed, you might want to use a workaround. You can use a new installation directory for your game installation. This will allow you to move your game files to the new folder during the installation process.
To begin a new game installation on Epic Games:
- Open the Epic Games launcher and sign in.
- Select the Library tab.
- Locate the game that isn’t recognized and press the Install button.
- In the Choose Install Location pop-up, select a new location for your game installation that doesn’t match the existing game installation location. You don’t want to overwrite the existing files.
- Make note of the installation location and open it in File Explorer or Finder.
- Press the Install button.
- Allow 30 seconds (approximately) for the game to begin downloading before pressing the Pause button.
- Exit the Epic Games launcher at this point. Make sure the launcher is fully closed and isn’t minimized.
- In File Explorer or Finder, copy or move your existing game files to the new game installation folder you selected. Allow time for this process to complete.
- Once the files are moved, relaunch the Epic Games launcher and select the Library tab.
- In the Library, press the Resume button on the game installation to begin the process again.
Epic Games will detect and verify the new files in the new game installation location. If the files are acceptable, the game installation will rapidly complete, and you’ll be able to play the game without downloading the files again.
Verify Your Game Files
It’s a good idea to make sure that your game files are in working order after following the steps above. Corrupted game files might be the cause of Epic Games not recognizing installed games.
While Epic Games should verify the game files automatically, you can manually check them from the launcher itself.
To verify your game files on Epic Games:
- Open the Epic Games launcher and sign in.
- Click the Library tab on the left.
- Locate the game you’ve installed and right-click the game image. Alternatively, press the three-dots icon next to the game name.
- In the pop-up menu, select the Manage button.
- Next, select the Verify button next to the Verify Files option.
- Allow time for Epic Games to verify your game files. If it detects any issues, it will attempt to resolve them.
- Once the files are verified, press the Launch button to begin playing your game.
Playing Games on Epic Games
Using the steps above, you can quickly detect installed games on Epic Games if the Epic Games launcher stops working properly. By forcing Epic Games to start a new installation and moving your files across, the client should recognize the existing files and start working again.
Are you still having trouble? You can always uninstall the Epic Games launcher and reinstall it if you feel the issue is with the launcher itself.
Want a bit of privacy while you’re playing? You can appear offline on Epic Games to hide from your friends during those secret gaming sessions. You can also block (or unblock) users on Epic Games to block out any negativity you’re facing from other users on the platform.
