How to Fix Epic Games Launcher Error Code AS-3 (Sign In Failed)

Quick Fix

Most AS-3 errors are caused by your firewall blocking the launcher, or by a bad DNS/network connection. Try this first:

1. Check server status. Visit the Epic Games status page and expand Epic Online Services and Epic Games Store - if they show issues, just wait.
2. Restart your router/modem and your PC, then relaunch Epic Games Launcher.
3. Temporarily turn off Windows Firewall and any antivirus/VPN/proxy, then try signing in again. If that fixes it, add Epic Games Launcher as a firewall exception instead of leaving it off.

Step-by-Step Guide

What this error means

Error code AS-3 appears in the Epic Games Launcher when it cannot sign in or connect to Epic's servers, usually showing a message like 'Sign in Failed, Error Code: AS-3'. Those users see a "Sign in Failed Error Code: AS-3" message in the Epic Games software just after launching it. The Epic Games AS-3 error appears when the launcher fails to establish a connection with Epic's back-end services. This typically happens due to regional restrictions, incorrect network settings, or the absence of support for modern protocols like IPv6. In some cases, third-party applications or insufficient system permissions may also block the connection. This is a Windows-specific launcher issue - it is not tied to a specific game, and it is not an account ban or ownership problem.

Cause 1: Epic Games server outage

Sometimes the problem isn't on your end at all.

1. Check the Epic Games status page. Open your web browser and visit the Epic Games Status page. Click the + (plus) buttons for the Epic Online Services and Epic Games Store categories to expand their details. Look for any signs of non-operational or degraded services, which could indicate an issue with their servers.
2. Wait it out if servers are down. If players globally are getting the sign-in error code AS-3, wait for Epic Games to fix issues with its server. It usually takes a few hours.

Cause 2: Windows Firewall or antivirus blocking the launcher

This is one of the most commonly reported causes.

1. Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall. Go to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security. In Windows Security, select Firewall & network protection from the menu on the left. On the right, select your active network type (e.g., Private network). Click the slider for Microsoft Defender Firewall, switching it to the Off position.
2. Reopen the launcher and try signing in. Disabling your Windows Firewall can expose your computer to potential security risks, so it isn't a good idea to leave it off permanently. If Epic Games works after disabling it, however, you can then look to reconfigure it to allow access for Epic Games through it.
3. Whitelist the launcher instead of leaving the firewall off. Firewall or antivirus software might block the Epic Games Launcher from accessing the network. Add EpicGamesLauncher.exe as an exception in your firewall settings. If you're using third-party antivirus software, whitelist the entire Epic Games folder. Some guides also recommend whitelisting EpicWebHelper.exe specifically.
4. Disable third-party antivirus/VPN/proxy temporarily. Security programs, including antivirus and firewall tools, can mistakenly block Epic Games Launcher's network communication, especially if they detect unfamiliar ports or processes. Temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall helps identify whether they're interfering with the launcher. If the issue resolves while protection is off, you'll need to add Epic Games to the list of exceptions.

Cause 3: DNS or general network configuration issues

1. Run the Windows network troubleshooter. In Settings, go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find the Network and Internet troubleshooter and click Run. The troubleshooter will automatically detect any potential issues with your network connection and suggest possible solutions.
2. Switch to Google DNS. Open network adapter settings, go to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties, and set the DNS to 8.8.8.8 (preferred) and 8.8.4.4 (alternate). Switching to another DNS worked for 2 out of 5 users faced with Epic Games Launcher error code AS-3 on a Windows PC.
3. Reset your network stack. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time: ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset, then reboot the PC.
4. Alternatively, use the built-in Network reset. Press Win + I to open Settings. Navigate to Network & Internet, then click Advanced network settings. Select Network reset. Click Reset now and confirm the prompt by clicking Yes. Your PC will restart automatically.
5. Restart your router/modem. Exit your Epic Games launcher, turn off your router. After a brief gap of 10-15 seconds, turn it back on. Now start Epic Games launcher and check if the problem persists.

Cause 4: VPN, proxy, or regional restriction

1. Remove or disable VPN/proxy software. A VPN client or a Proxy server could trigger this error due to some kind of interference that ends up blocking communications between your Windows client machine and Epic Games server. In this case, you can try uninstalling your VPN software or remove any proxy server from your computer and see if that resolves the issue.
2. If your ISP or region is restricting access, try the opposite: connect through a reputable VPN. Sometimes, your internet provider or local network may restrict access to Epic's servers. A VPN allows you to route your connection through another region, bypassing these limitations and restoring access. Launch the VPN and connect to a server in a region where Epic Games services are fully operational, such as the USA or Europe.

Cause 5: Launcher permissions or corrupted local files

1. Run the launcher as administrator. To run the Epic Games Launcher as an administrator, right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut and select "Run as administrator".
2. Clear the launcher's web cache. Close the Epic Games Launcher completely. Navigate to C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalEpicGamesLauncherSaved. Delete the webcache folder. Restart the launcher.
3. Reinstall the launcher as a last resort. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter. Select Epic Games Launcher from the list of installed apps, and click on Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Similarly, uninstall any other Epic Games-related programs. Once done, reboot the PC and then reinstall Epic Games Launcher from the official website.

When to contact Epic Games Support

If you've tried the network, firewall, DNS, and reinstall steps above with no luck, the issue may be account-specific or a deeper server-side problem. If you are still getting the Epic Games AS-3 error code after trying all of the above steps, you may need to contact Epic Games support for further assistance. When you do, include your system specs, what you've already tried, and any error screenshots so support can diagnose faster.

Platform note: All steps above (Firewall, DNS, network reset, Command Prompt commands) are Windows-specific, since the AS-3 error and these fixes are reported almost exclusively on Windows 10/11 PCs.