Trying to play Fortnite together on one TV, but player two won’t join? You need two controllers, separate accounts, and a supported experience on PlayStation or Xbox. Get both players into the lobby with the steps below, then tackle the setup checks if you get stuck.
What you need before joining together
Split screen works on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. You can use it in Battle Royale, Zero Build, LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, and LEGO Fortnite Brick Life.
Start with Fortnite installed on your console, two controllers, and a stable internet connection.
Have each player use their own console account and Epic account. Guest and Quick Play accounts aren’t supported.
Choose a supported experience. For Battle Royale, Duos and Squads are typical supported choices; Solos, Ranked, Creative, Limited Time Modes, and Save the World are excluded. PC, mobile, and Nintendo Switch don’t support split screen.
Connect the second player in the lobby
Grab the second controller and set up both players inside Fortnite.
Open Fortnite and enter the Lobby with player one.
Connect the second controller. If it’s already paired, press its PlayStation or Xbox button to wake it.
Select player two’s console account using the second controller.
Complete that player’s Epic account linking prompts.
On PlayStation, follow the Triangle join prompt when it appears.
Once player two appears in the Lobby, launch a supported game. Split screen starts automatically during gameplay, with no separate settings switch to turn on.
The lobby stays on one screen, so wait until the game starts to check the result.
Find experiences that support local play
With player two connected, open Discover and browse Great for Local Multiplayer. That’s where to look for experiences to play together on the same console.
Open an experience’s Game Details and check for the Local Players tag before selecting it. Use this tag to confirm support for experiences beyond Epic’s named examples.
LEGO Fortnite Odyssey and LEGO Fortnite Brick Life both support split screen. If you’ve seen older advice saying only Battle Royale Duos and Squads work, those instructions leave out both LEGO options.
If setup fails, match your language settings
This fixes a language mismatch that blocks local multiplayer setup.
For player one, open the Profile icon.
Select Settings, shown as a gear.
Open Game.
Find Language and Region.
Use the arrows beside Language to choose your language.
Select Apply.
Repeat these steps for player two with the same language selected.
Check controllers and account connections
Check that both controllers are connected to the console, especially if the PlayStation Triangle join prompt is missing.
Confirm that each player is using a separate Epic account with permission to play the selected experience.
Sign into the relevant Epic Games account on Epic’s website.
Open Linked accounts.
Check the display name beneath the connected PlayStation or Xbox platform to confirm which console account is linked.
Repeat the account check for the other player.
Tip: Use the website to check account connections, then start split screen from Fortnite’s console Lobby.
Update Fortnite and retry
If the lobby setup still fails, check for an update on your console.
- 1.On PlayStation, open Library and highlight Fortnite. Press the controller’s Options button and select Check for Update.
- 2.On Xbox, press the Xbox button and open My Games & Apps → See All → Games → Fortnite. Select Update if an update is available.
- 3.After updating, return to Fortnite’s Lobby and repeat the second-controller setup. If the PlayStation Triangle join prompt is still missing, also check that your console’s system software is up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if one player leaves a Fortnite split-screen session?
Either player leaving ends the split-screen session.
Can you use an existing LEGO Fortnite Odyssey world in split screen?
Yes. Split screen supports existing and new worlds, including Survival, Sandbox, Cozy, and Expert options.
Can parental controls stop the second player from playing?
Yes. Content ratings and time limits can block access. A parent can open Parental Controls in the child’s Epic Account Portal and manage Fortnite Content Ratings. Authorizing a restricted experience requires the parental PIN. Console restrictions operate separately and also limit access or playtime.
How does a parent add more Fortnite playtime?
Open the Sidebar’s main menu in Fortnite. Select Time Limits & Reports, then Add More Time. Enter the parental PIN and select the time increment. This grants extra playtime; split-screen setup still happens in the console lobby.