Fortnite’s popularity among younger players has made parental controls an important feature for many families. These controls are designed to manage what a player can access within the game, including chat, purchases, content visibility, and screen time. However, there may come a time when players or guardians want to disable these restrictions either because the player has matured or because the limitations are no longer necessary. Understanding how to turn off parental controls in Fortnite requires access to the right PIN and a few steps within the settings menu. This guide will walk through everything you need to know about disabling parental controls on all major platforms.
What Are Parental Controls in Fortnite?
Parental controls in Fortnite are part of Epic Games’ broader system to ensure a safe and secure gaming environment, especially for younger players. These controls allow parents or guardians to limit features such as:
- Voice and text chat
- Friend requests
- Purchases and spending limits
- Access to mature content or emotes
- Gameplay with strangers or certain modes
These settings are tied to a unique six-digit Parental Control PIN, which is set when the feature is first enabled. Without this PIN, changes to the controls cannot be made. That’s why remembering or recovering the PIN is essential before any attempt to disable the controls.
Before You Begin: Requirements to Turn Off Controls
Before you can turn off parental controls in Fortnite, you will need the following:
- Access to the account where the controls were enabled
- The 6-digit Parental Control PIN
- Internet connection and device access (PC, console, or mobile)
If you don’t know the PIN, you’ll need to go through the Epic Games website to recover it using the registered email address. Without the correct PIN, you cannot turn off parental controls.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Parental Controls
1. Launch Fortnite
Open Fortnite on your preferred device whether it’s a PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile. Make sure you’re logged in to the correct Epic Games account associated with the parental controls.
2. Go to the Main Menu
From the Fortnite main lobby screen, look in the top-right corner and click on the three horizontal lines to open the menu. This will bring up a side menu where you can find various game options.
3. Open Settings
Select the gear icon to open theSettingstab. Scroll over to the far right where you’ll see theParental Controlssection. Click this option to proceed.
4. Enter the Parental Control PIN
Once you’ve selected Parental Controls, the game will prompt you to enter the six-digit PIN. Type it in carefully. If the PIN is correct, you will be granted access to the settings panel.
If you’ve forgotten the PIN, click the link to manage your account on EpicGames.com. From there, you can request a PIN reset, which will be sent to the email address used when setting up parental controls.
5. Disable Parental Controls
Within the Parental Controls screen, you’ll see a toggle that allows you to turn the feature off completely. After disabling it, confirm the action when prompted. The game may require you to restart or re-login to apply the changes.
Once disabled, all limitations previously set such as chat restrictions, content filters, and purchase controls will no longer be enforced. Be sure this is the decision you want to make, especially if the account belongs to a younger player.
Alternative Access: Via Epic Games Website
Sometimes, accessing Fortnite directly isn’t convenient. In that case, you can turn off parental controls through the Epic Games website:
- Go to EpicGames.com and log in
- Click on your username in the top-right corner
- Select Account from the dropdown menu
- Navigate to the Parental Controls tab
- Enter the PIN to access settings
- Turn off the control toggle and save changes
This method is especially useful if you’re on a mobile device or need to manage multiple accounts without opening the game itself.
Common Issues When Disabling Parental Controls
There are a few problems that users might encounter during this process:
Forgotten PIN
If you can’t remember the PIN, you’ll need to reset it via the email linked to the Epic Games account. Make sure to check your inbox and spam folders for the reset email.
Account Mix-Ups
Sometimes users try to disable parental controls on the wrong Epic Games account. Make sure you’re logged into the correct one where the controls were originally set up.
Console-Specific Restrictions
Note that disabling Fortnite’s parental controls does not affect console-wide restrictions. Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch all have their own parental control systems that operate independently of Epic’s settings.
Should You Turn Off Parental Controls?
Before turning off these controls, consider the reasons they were enabled in the first place. Parental controls are there to protect players especially younger ones from inappropriate content, unwanted social interactions, and excessive spending.
If you’re a parent or guardian, talk to your child about why these settings are changing. You might agree to lift some restrictions while keeping others. For example:
- Allow voice chat but keep purchase limits
- Enable new game modes but restrict mature content
- Adjust playtime hours without turning everything off
Disabling all controls at once can be a big step, so make sure it’s well considered and understood by everyone involved.
Re-Enabling Parental Controls Later
If you change your mind, parental controls can be reactivated at any time. Simply return to the same settings menu, re-enable the feature, and set a new PIN. This flexibility allows for evolving boundaries as players grow and demonstrate responsibility.
Control with Confidence
Turning off parental controls in Fortnite is a simple but impactful decision. Whether you’re doing it because your child has matured or you’re adjusting the settings to better fit your family’s needs, the process is straightforward if you have the correct PIN and account access. Always remember that you can customize the controls rather than removing them completely, and re-enabling them later is just as easy. By understanding how these systems work, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and age-appropriate Fortnite experience for everyone involved.