1. Check System Requirements
Make sure your PC meets or exceeds the requirements for UE 5.6, especially RAM and GPU.
2. Run as Administrator
Right-click the Unreal Engine shortcut and select “Run as administrator” — sometimes this resolves file access or permission issues.
3. Clear Derived Data Cache
Corrupted cache can cause freezes:
- Go to:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\UnrealEngine\Common\DerivedDataCache - Delete the contents of the folder.
- Restart Unreal.
4. Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily
Some antivirus programs can block file operations. Try disabling them temporarily and test again.
5. Check Plugins
Disable any third-party or experimental plugins. Some may cause freezing during file operations.
6. Check Disk Permissions
Ensure Unreal has permission to access:
- Your project folder
- The engine installation folder
- Any external drives or network locations involved
7. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers can cause UI or I/O freezes. Update them from the official NVIDIA/AMD/Intel site.
8. Use a Different Project
Test with a new blank project:
- If it works, the issue may be related to your current project.
- Try migrating your content gradually to the new project.
9. Look at Logs
Go to:
<ProjectFolder>\Saved\Logs\YourProject.log
Check for warnings or errors around the time of freezing.
10. Reinstall UE 5.6
If nothing works, uninstall and reinstall Unreal Engine 5.6.