How to Permanently Delete Your Epic Games Account: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to permanently delete your Epic Games account? Perhaps you’ve moved on from gaming, or maybe you have another reason for wanting to say goodbye to your account. Whatever your reason, deleting your Epic Games account is a significant step, and it’s important to understand the implications and the process thoroughly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from preparing your account for deletion to the final steps of submitting your request. Please note that deleting your account is permanent, and you will lose access to all your games, purchases, and associated data.

Understanding the Implications of Deleting Your Epic Games Account

Before you proceed with deleting your account, it’s crucial to fully understand what you’re about to do. Deleting your Epic Games account is irreversible. Once the process is complete, you will lose:

• Access to all purchased games: This includes every game you’ve ever bought on the Epic Games Store.
• In-game purchases and progress: Any virtual items, skins, or game progress will be permanently lost.
• Friends list and connections: All connections you’ve made on the Epic Games platform will be removed.
• Epic Games Wallet balance: Any remaining funds in your Epic Games Wallet will be forfeited.
• Unreal Engine and other services: Access to any associated services, including the Unreal Engine and any content you may have created, will be restricted.

It’s absolutely vital to be certain that you want to permanently delete your account. If you only want a break from gaming, consider disabling your account or simply uninstalling the launcher instead of opting for deletion. Keep in mind that you cannot recover your account or any content associated with it once the deletion process is complete.

Preparing Your Account for Deletion

Before submitting your account deletion request, it is wise to prepare thoroughly. Here’s a checklist of things you should do:

1. Backup Important Information

While most of your data, such as game progress and purchases, will be lost upon deletion, it may be beneficial to backup other information that you want to keep. This could include:

• Screenshots and videos: If you have any screenshots or gameplay videos you want to save, be sure to back them up to a safe location such as your computer or a cloud storage service.
• Friend lists or contacts: If you want to stay in touch with your Epic Games friends, consider noting their usernames or adding them on other platforms.
• Any specific game data: For some games, you may be able to download saves or character data from within the game itself. Check individual game options if needed, though not all games support this feature.

2. Verify Your Email Address

Epic Games will use your registered email address to verify your deletion request. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have access to the email address associated with your account, and that your email address is up to date. You can verify your email in your account settings. This step is crucial for verifying your identity during the deletion process.

3. Cancel Active Subscriptions

If you have any active subscriptions through Epic Games (e.g., Fortnite Crew), you will need to cancel them manually. You can usually do this within your account settings or through the platform through which you purchased the subscription. Failure to cancel subscriptions may result in recurring charges even after account deletion, so take the time to review any recurring charges before you proceed.

4. Consider Alternatives to Deletion

If you are considering deletion because of a temporary break from gaming, or another reason that is not fully permanent, make sure you have explored alternatives to account deletion. For instance:

• Disabling your account: Some platforms offer account disabling options which pause your account until you return, without deleting your data. However, Epic Games does not provide this feature.
• Uninstalling the launcher: If you just want to free up space on your system or take a break from gaming, uninstalling the Epic Games launcher and all its games might be a sufficient action.

Again, keep in mind that deleting your account is permanent and will result in the irretrievable loss of data. Once you are absolutely certain that deletion is the right step for you, proceed to the deletion steps.

Detailed Steps to Delete Your Epic Games Account

Now that you have taken all the necessary preparatory steps, you can proceed to the actual account deletion process. Note that the process needs to be initiated on the Epic Games Website, you cannot do this from within the launcher. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log into Your Epic Games Account

Go to the official Epic Games website ( https://www.epicgames.com ) in your preferred web browser. Click on the “Sign In” button located in the upper right corner of the screen and log in using your associated email and password or your preferred third party login method.

It’s crucial to log into the account you wish to delete. Double check your username once you have logged in to avoid any confusion if you have multiple Epic Games accounts.

Step 2: Access Account Settings

After logging in successfully, click on your account name that appears on the top-right section of the webpage. A dropdown menu will appear. From this dropdown, select “Account”.

This will redirect you to your account settings page. Here, you can manage various aspects of your account, such as security settings, email preferences and more. In this particular case, we are looking for the area associated with account closure.

Step 3: Locate the “Request Account Deletion” Option

On your account settings page, you’ll typically find several tabs at the left side or on top of the screen. You should see tabs such as General, Password & Security, Transactions, etc. Navigate to the “General” tab. Now, scroll down the page towards the bottom until you reach the section labeled “Delete Account” with the subtitle “Permanently delete your Epic Games Account and all of your data.”.

This section is typically clearly marked, and it often contains a warning that this action is irreversible. Read all information carefully before proceeding.

Step 4: Initiate the Account Deletion Request

Under the “Delete Account” section, you will find a button that will state something such as “Request Account Deletion” or something similar. Click on this button to begin the account deletion process.

Please note that the text on this button might differ slightly, but it will typically always relate to deletion request. Once you click the button, you will likely see one or more additional confirmations that seek confirmation that you are aware of the consequences before proceeding.

Step 5: Verify Your Identity

Once you have initiated the account deletion request, Epic Games will send an email to the address associated with your account. This email will contain a verification link or a code that you need to click or enter to confirm the deletion. This is a vital step to prevent unauthorized account deletions.

Check your email inbox (including your spam folder) for this email. The email will clearly state that it is about your deletion request and require your prompt attention. Click the verification link within the email or enter the provided code in the prompt on the page as applicable.

Step 6: Final Confirmation

Once you have verified your email, you will likely be presented with a final confirmation screen on the Epic Games website. This screen will ask you to once again confirm that you understand the implications of deleting your account, reminding you of the loss of access to your games, progress, and all other related data. You will likely be required to check a box or click a button to finalize the request.

After this step, the deletion process will be initiated. It is important to be aware that the deletion process can sometimes take up to several weeks to complete. You will receive a confirmation email once the deletion process is complete.

What Happens After You Request Account Deletion

Once you’ve initiated the deletion request, your account will enter a pending deletion state. Here’s what you can expect:

• Account Unavailability: You will be unable to log into your account during the deletion process.
• Account Status: You will be able to see that the account is pending deletion. You may see a message stating “Deletion Initiated,” “Pending Deletion,” or something similar.
• Processing Time: The deletion process can take time to complete. It can take from a few days to a few weeks. The precise time may vary depending on various factors at Epic Games.
• Confirmation Email: Upon successful deletion of your account, you will receive a final confirmation email from Epic Games confirming that your account has been permanently deleted.

Remember that once this process is complete, your account and all of its data are gone permanently. There is no way to retrieve your account or data, therefore ensure you are fully committed to your action before proceeding with the deletion steps.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Occasionally, you might encounter issues during the account deletion process. Here are some common issues and their possible solutions:

• Verification email not received: If you do not receive the verification email, check your spam or junk folder. Make sure that the email address associated with your account is correct and that you have the ability to receive emails from Epic Games. If you still cannot find the email, contact Epic Games support.
• Error messages during deletion: If you encounter error messages during the deletion process, contact Epic Games support directly. They may be able to help you resolve the issue or explain why deletion is not possible.
• Difficulty navigating the website: If you are having difficulties finding the relevant menu options, double-check the instructions and make sure you are looking at the correct page. Clearing your browser cache might also help.
• Deletion process taking longer than expected: Keep in mind that the process can sometimes take up to several weeks. If you have not received confirmation of deletion in a reasonable amount of time, contact Epic Games customer support to inquire about the status of your deletion request.

For any unresolved issues, always refer to Epic Games support. You can typically find their contact information on their official website under a section titled “Support” or “Help” center. Provide them with as much information as you can about your issue and the steps you have already taken.

Conclusion

Deleting your Epic Games account is a permanent action that should not be taken lightly. It is a process that will result in the loss of all of your purchases, game progress, and associated data. Therefore, you should take every possible precaution before proceeding, including backing up any valuable data and verifying your email. If you are certain that deletion is the correct option for you, carefully follow the steps outlined in this guide. Remember, once the process is complete, your account and all its data will be permanently deleted and non-retrievable.

This guide is intended to be as comprehensive as possible, but Epic Games may make changes to their website or account deletion process over time. If you notice any inconsistencies, always refer to the official Epic Games website for the most up-to-date information. If you are facing issues during this process, remember that you can always contact Epic Games customer support for direct support and assistance.