Fortnite Competitive Players Must Enable Secure Boot & TPM (June 2026 Guide)

Fortnite competitive players are currently required to have both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) enabled on their PCs to access ranked tournaments. This security enforcement, driven by the BattlEye anti-cheat system, prevents players using older hardware configurations or modified operating systems from entering competitive playlists to maintain competitive integrity.

If you are seeing the “Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are required” error message, your PC does not meet the current security standards set by Epic Games for tournament play. Below is a summary of the requirements and how to fix them.

Requirement	Status	Purpose	Affected Modes
TPM 2.0	Mandatory	Hardware-based security/cryptographic keys	All Ranked/Tournaments
Secure Boot	Mandatory	Prevents unauthorized OS loading	All Ranked/Tournaments
Windows 11	Recommended	Natively supports above requirements	All Modes
Casual Modes	Optional	Not strictly enforced on public lobbies	Battle Royale, Zero Build

Why Is Fortnite Enforcing TPM and Secure Boot?

In a move to tighten security and combat cheaters, Epic Games updated the requirements for the Fortnite competitive client. This initiative aligns the game’s security protocols with modern operating system standards, specifically those introduced with Windows 11.

The Anti-Cheat Connection

The primary driver behind this change is the BattlEye anti-cheat software. BattlEye, a third-party anti-cheat solution used by Fortnite (alongside Easy Anti-Cheat), released a driver update that mandates these security features. By requiring Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, Epic Games ensures that the operating environment hasn’t been tampered with at the kernel level. This makes it significantly harder for cheat developers to inject malicious code into the game client, a persistent issue in the competitive scene.

Impact on the Player Base

While this is a win for competitive integrity, it caused significant disruption for a portion of the player base:

• Hardware Limitations: Players using older motherboards that lack TPM 2.0 modules or UEFI support found themselves locked out of tournaments.
• Dual-Booters: Players who dual-boot operating systems (such as Linux for other games or privacy reasons) often disable Secure Boot, making them ineligible for Fortnite competitive play.
• Casual vs. Competitive: Crucially, this requirement is strictly for Competitive Playlists and Tournaments. Casual matches (public Battle Royale and Zero Build lobbies) do not currently enforce this, allowing players on older setups to continue playing non-ranked modes.

What is Secure Boot and TPM 2.0?

To understand why you need these features, you first need to understand what they actually do. These aren’t just arbitrary hurdles; they are fundamental security layers of modern computing.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0)

TPM is a specialized chip on your computer’s motherboard (or firmware integrated into modern CPUs). Its primary function is to secure hardware through integrated cryptographic keys. In simpler terms, it creates a safe vault for your passwords, encryption keys, and certificates.

• Why Fortnite needs it: It helps verify that your hardware hasn’t been tampered with. It prevents “HWID spoofers”—tools cheaters use to bypass hardware bans.

Secure Boot

Secure Boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that a device boots using only software that is trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

• Why Fortnite needs it: When your PC starts, Secure Boot checks the signature of each piece of boot software, including firmware drivers and the OS. If a “rootkit” or unauthorized bootloader is detected, the system refuses to boot. This stops cheaters from loading kernel-level exploits before Windows even starts.

How to Check If You Have Secure Boot and TPM Enabled?

Before you dive into your BIOS, you can easily check the status of these features right inside Windows.

Step 1: Check TPM Status

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type tpm.msc and hit Enter.
3. Look at the Status window.
   • If it says “The TPM is ready for use,” you are good to go.
   • If it says “Compatible TPM cannot be found” or “TPM is disabled,” you need to enable it in BIOS.

Step 2: Check Secure Boot Status

1. Press the Windows Key + R.
2. Type msinfo32 and hit Enter to open System Information.
3. Look for the item labeled Secure Boot State in the right-hand panel.
   • If it says On, you are compliant.
   • If it says Off or Unsupported, you must enable it in BIOS.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Secure Boot and TPM in BIOS

If your checks above came back negative, you need to access your motherboard’s BIOS (UEFI) settings. This process varies slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock) or if you are on a laptop (Dell, HP, Lenovo).

1. Access the BIOS/UEFI

• Restart your PC.
• As it boots up, repeatedly tap the setup key. Common keys include DEL (Delete), F2, F10, or Esc.
• Pro Tip: On Windows 10/11, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. This will boot you directly into BIOS.

2. Convert Partition Style to GPT (If necessary)

Secure Boot requires a UEFI mode BIOS, which in turn requires a GPT (GUID Partition Table) hard drive. If your drive is MBR (Master Boot Record), you cannot enable Secure Boot.

• Warning: Converting MBR to GPT wipes the drive. Back up data first.
• Windows 10/11 allows conversion without data loss via the command mbr2gpt /validate and mbr2gpt /convert in the recovery environment command prompt.

3. Finding the Settings

Once in the BIOS, look for these tabs: Security, Boot, or Advanced Mode.

For Intel Users (PTT):

• Navigate to Security or Trusted Computing.
• Look for Intel PTT (Platform Trust Technology).
• Set it to Enabled. This acts as the TPM 2.0 firmware.

For AMD Users (fTPM):

• Navigate to Settings > Misc or Security.
• Look for AMD fTPM switch.
• Set it to Enabled. This is the firmware TPM for AMD processors.

4. Enabling Secure Boot

• Go to the Boot tab.
• Set Boot Mode to UEFI (disable CSM/Legacy mode if active).
• Find the Secure Boot option.
• Set it to Enabled.
• Note: Sometimes you must set a “Secure Boot State” to “Standard” or “Custom”. Stick to Standard unless you are loading custom keys.

5. Save and Exit

Press F10 to Save & Exit. Your PC will reboot. Once Windows loads, return to the tpm.msc and msinfo32 tools to verify the changes were applied.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even after enabling these features, players often encounter specific hurdles. Here is how to resolve the most common “Fortnite TPM error” fixes for 2026.

“Unsupported” Errors in BIOS

If you cannot find the TPM or Secure Boot options, check the following:

1. Update BIOS: Motherboard manufacturers frequently release BIOS updates that add TPM support or fix compatibility bugs. Download the latest BIOS version from your manufacturer’s website.
2. CPU Compatibility: While most modern CPUs (Intel 8th Gen / AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer) support TPM 2.0, older CPUs do not. If you are on an ancient rig, you might be permanently locked out of tournaments until you upgrade.
3. Laptop Restrictions: Some budget laptops have TPM chips but hide the toggle in BIOS. Check your laptop manufacturer’s specific support guide for enabling “Virtualization” or “Security Device.”

Fortnite Still Shows Error After Enabling

If you enabled everything but Fortnite still kicks you out:

1. Reinstall BattlEye: Go to your Fortnite install directory (FortniteGame > Binary > Win64 > BattlEye). Run Install_BattlEye.bat as Administrator.
2. Verify Game Files: Open the Epic Games Launcher, click the three dots next to Fortnite, select Manage > Verify. This ensures the anti-cheat files recognize your new hardware settings.

Community Reaction and The Future of Competitive Fortnite

The enforcement of these requirements sparked a massive debate within the Fortnite community. On one side, pro players and content creators celebrated the move. Cheating in high-stakes tournaments—where millions of dollars are on the line—has been a plague for years. The “controller vs keyboard” or “aim assist” debates often pale in comparison to the frustration of losing to a confirmed hacker.

On the other hand, accessibility advocates pointed out that this raises the barrier to entry. Esports should ideally be about skill, not hardware privilege. Players from regions where PC hardware availability is scarce or expensive found themselves effectively retired from the competitive scene overnight.

However, as we move through 2026, the dust has settled. The standard has been established. Players looking to compete in FNCS or Cash Cups must now treat a modern, secure PC setup as part of the standard “equipment,” much like a controller or mouse.

External Resources for Help

If you are still struggling to get your system compliant, here are the best places to seek help:

• Epic Games Support: For account-specific or client-side errors.
• Microsoft TPM Documentation: Deep dive into TPM technology.
• Fortnite Competitive Reddit: A community hub where players often share BIOS fixes for specific motherboard models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Fortnite Competitive without Secure Boot?

No. As of the enforcement update, BattlEye will block you from entering any ranked or tournament playlist if Secure Boot is disabled. You can still play casual modes (public matches).

Do I need Windows 11 to play Fortnite Competitive?

Technically, no. You can run Windows 10 with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled. However, Windows 11 requires these features by default, so upgrading to Windows 11 is the easiest way to ensure you meet the requirements automatically.

Is TPM 2.0 required for just Fortnite or all games?

Currently, this is a BattlEye enforcement specific to Fortnite’s competitive playlists. However, games like Valorant (Vanguard) also have strict TPM and Secure Boot requirements. It is becoming an industry standard for competitive shooters.

What if my PC is too old to support TPM 2.0?

If your motherboard lacks a TPM header and your CPU does not support fTPM (firmware TPM), you cannot play competitive Fortnite on that machine. You would need to upgrade your motherboard and CPU to participate in tournaments.

Does enabling Secure Boot affect game performance?

No. Secure Boot is a pre-OS check. Once Windows is loaded, Secure Boot has no impact on CPU or GPU performance. There is no FPS loss associated with enabling these security features.

Conclusion

The requirement for Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in Fortnite Competitive is a definitive step by Epic Games to sanitize the tournament environment. While it requires players to navigate BIOS settings and potentially update hardware, the long-term benefit is a more secure and fair playing field.

If you are preparing for the next Cash Cup or grinding the Ranked ladder in June 2026, use the guide above to ensure your system is verified. Don’t let a BIOS setting be the reason you miss out on a Victory Royale.

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