UEFN island suddenly unable to create matchmaking servers – old private versions also affected

General Issues and Bug Reporting
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Summary

After changing my previously working UEFN island from Unlisted to Listed and publishing it to make it eligible for Discover, the island became unable to create matchmaking servers. The public island code, newly generated private versions, and even older private versions that previously worked are now stuck on “Finding Server”. Another UEFN project on the same account works normally.

Please select what you are reporting on:

Creative

What Type of Bug are you experiencing?

Matchmaking

Steps to Reproduce

Enter the public island code or any private version code, or public of LORAN: ERUPTION in Fortnite.
Start matchmaking.
Wait for Fortnite to find and allocate a server.
Matchmaking remains stuck on “Finding Server” indefinitely.

The issue can be reproduced with the public island code, the latest private version code, newly generated private versions, and older private versions that previously worked.

Expected Result

Matchmaking should successfully find and allocate a server, allowing players to load into and play the island using both the public island code and private version codes.

Observed Result

Matchmaking remains stuck on “Finding Server” indefinitely, and no server is allocated.

The issue affects all tested versions of this specific island, including older private versions that previously worked.

As a control test, a private version from another UEFN project on the same Epic account, PC, Fortnite client, internet connection, and matchmaking region successfully finds a server and starts normally.

Platform(s)

PC

Island Code

9499-4473-5751

Additional Notes

PC

2

Update – Issue Resolved

I found the cause of the matchmaking issue.

The island’s Minimum Players setting was set to 2. When only one player attempted to join the island, matchmaking remained stuck on “Finding Server” indefinitely.

As soon as a second player attempted to join, matchmaking successfully created the server and both players were able to enter the island.

Changing Minimum Players to 1 allowed the island to create a matchmaking server normally even when only one player was searching for a match.

The issue was reproduced on different PCs, different Epic accounts, and different matchmaking regions. Other UEFN projects on the same account worked normally.

Solution:
Set Minimum Players = 1 if the island should allow matchmaking sessions to start with a single player.

After changing this setting and publishing a new version, matchmaking started working normally.

I hope this helps other creators who encounter the same behavior, since the game remaining indefinitely on “Finding Server” can appear to be a server-side or publishing issue.

It would be helpful if Fortnite displayed a message indicating that matchmaking is waiting for the Minimum Players requirement instead of remaining indefinitely on “Finding Server”.