How To Unblock Fortnite at School — Easy 2025 Guide

Many schools use firewalls and IP bans to block students from playing Fortnite and other online games. The aim is to preserve network bandwidth, prevent congestion, and minimize distractions during school hours.

With a premium VPN, you can access Fortnite from anywhere. VPNs mask your real IP by encrypting your connection. This makes it look like you’re using Fortnite servers from outside the school, allowing you to play the game during free periods without issues.

How To Unblock Fortnite at School — Step-By-Step Guide

With a VPN, you can play Fortnite at school or on other restricted networks, like public libraries. A VPN also protects your data, and provides a smooth gaming experience by avoiding ISP throttling. Follow these simple steps to access Fortnite with a VPN and get back to gaming:

1. Download a VPN

Go to the VPN’s official website and download the app for your device. Using a VPN will help avoid blocks, ISP throttling, and keep your data safe and private while playing Fortnite.

2. Connect to a Server

Open your VPN app and connect to a server. For the best gaming experience, choose a server close to your actual location to minimize lag and establish a stable connection.

3. Launch Fortnite

Once connected to the VPN server, open the Fortnite app on your device. If you don’t have it installed yet, download it from the official Epic Games website or your device's app store. Log in to your Fortnite account with your credentials. If you’re a new player, create an account by following the on-screen instructions.

4. Start Playing Fortnite

You can now freely play Fortnite with enhanced privacy and security. Using a VPN helps you bypass geoblocks and network restrictions, allowing for a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience. For optimal performance, make sure to keep your VPN always connected while gaming.

Why is Fortnite Blocked at School?

Fortnite is often blocked at educational institutions for several reasons, a practice also common in some workplaces today. Here are some explanations of why some colleagues and universities don't allow students and faculty to access and play Fortnite:

• Minimizing distractions. Games can be very distracting, and schools aim to create a focused learning environment. Blocking them encourages students to concentrate on their studies.
• Prioritizing bandwidth. Online games consume significant internet bandwidth. Schools need to prioritize essential activities like research, online learning, and administrative tasks, which benefit from having more bandwidth available.
• Ensuring safety. Some online games have open chat features that might expose students to inappropriate content or behavior. Blocking such games helps provide a safer online environment.
• Policy compliance. Many schools have Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) that prohibit gaming to maintain academic focus and proper use of school resources.
• Parental control. Schools often consider feedback from parents worried about their children playing games like Fortnite during school hours. With reliable parental controls and strict privacy measures to secure children's data, blocking games helps students dedicate more time to their studies.

Fortnite Blocked: How Schools (And Other Networks) Achieve This

Schools today use several methods to block access to Fortnite, similar games, and even popular websites like YouTube and Facebook. Here's a breakdown of the common methods used:

• Network filters and firewalls. These block URLs, domains, ports, gaming-related keywords, and IP addresses associated with Fortnite to prevent connections to its servers.
• Content filtering software. Network filtering systems can block entire categories of content, like games or entertainment, making Fortnite inaccessible if it falls under a blocked category.
• Device management policies. Schools deploy policies restricting the installation and use of games on school-owned devices, including mobile devices, tablets, and computers provided to students.
• Application control (Deep Packet Inspection). This analyzes data packets to identify and block patterns associated with Fortnite traffic, such as game data or communication protocols. Popular VPNs use obfuscation to let you play games securely, even on restrictive networks.
• Bandwidth throttling. Schools might throttle bandwidth for specific types of traffic, like online gaming, making games unplayable due to extreme lag and disconnections. A good VPN can help you avoid throttling, allowing for smooth Fortnite gameplay.

How To Block and Unblock a Player in Fortnite

Blocking or unblocking a player in Fortnite is straightforward, and using a reliable VPN can help unlock the fun of playing during non-class time. Here’s a step-by-step guide for both actions.

Blocking a Player on Fortnite

• Launch Fortnite and navigate to the lobby screen.
• Access the social menu. Choose your Player Profile icon (circle with your current character outfit) and then click on the Social button.
• Find the player. Search for the player you want to block in your friends list or recent players list.
• Block the player. Select the Player's display name, choose More options, and then click the Block button.
• Confirm blocking. Approve the action to block the player. The Epic Blocked notification will appear under the Display Name of the player you have blocked. Blocking a player will prevent them from being able to communicate with you, join your party, or see your online status.

Unblocking a Person on Fortnite

• Launch Fortnite. Start the game and go to the main menu.
• Access the social menu. Click on the Social icon (a silhouette of two heads).
• Unblock the player. Search for the display name of the blocked player that you'd like to unblock. Next, click on the Player's name, choose More Options, and select Unblock.
• Confirm unblocking. Once unblocked, the player will be able to communicate with you and join your party again.

FAQs on Unblocking Fortnite With a VPN

Can I use a free VPN to unblock Fortnite at School?

While you can use a free VPN to unblock Fortnite at school, it's generally not advisable. Free VPNs often lack essential features for secure and seamless gaming. They typically deliver poor speeds, have limited bandwidth, and their servers are easily blocked. For a consistent gaming experience, consider using a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs also often have limited security features and may collect and sell your data for profit, which can severely impact your gameplay at school.

Can I download Fortnite from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store?

Fortnite isn’t currently available for download on the App Store or Google Play Store due to a legal and business dispute between Epic Games and both Apple and Google. However, you can still securely play the game at school on mobile devices with a reliable VPN. If you're an Android user, simply download the APK file directly from Epic Games' official website. Unfortunately, there's no equivalent download for iOS.

Nevertheless, you can play Fortnite on both iOS and Android devices through cloud gaming in your web browser. Current options for cloud gaming include Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna.

Is it legal to use a VPN for Fortnite?

Generally, using a VPN is legal in most countries and institutions. However, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with local laws and institution-specific regulations regarding VPNs. Some learning institutions, workplaces, and countries like China have restrictions on VPN usage. If your school allows online gaming during free time, a reliable VPN can help you safely play Fortnite without interruption.

That being said, my colleagues and I don't condone using a VPN to violate any rules or regulations. It's important to check your local laws, school policies, and Fortnite's terms of service to avoid any penalties.

What devices can I play Fortnite with a VPN on?

You can play Fortnite with a VPN on various devices, including PCs (Windows and macOS), gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch), and smartphones (iOS and Android). Many top VPN providers offer dedicated apps for these devices, making it easy to secure your connection.

Fortnite isn’t officially available on Chromebooks. However, cloud services like GeForce Now allow you to play Epic Games on a Chromebook via a browser. You can also sideload the Fortnite Android app on a Chromebook or use Chrome Remote Desktop to play remotely from your PC on your Chromebook.

Is Fortnite completely free to play?

Yes, Fortnite itself is free to play. You can download and play the core gameplay modes securely from school using a VPN without spending any money.

However, Fortnite offers in-game purchases via V-Bucks, the game's in-game currency, for optional items like character outfits, weapon skins, emotes, and other cosmetics. These customizations won't affect your gameplay abilities but can be tempting if you want to personalize your experience.