Fix Apex Legends Infinite Loading Screen

Apex Legends sometimes gets stuck on the loading screen, spinning forever without entering a match or even reaching the main menu. This usually happens because of a corrupted cache, an outdated driver, or a server-side hiccup. The steps below walk you through the most effective fixes, from quick restarts to deeper file repairs, so you can get back into the game quickly.

What You’ll Need

Access to your game installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\EA Games\Apex Legends or wherever you installed it)
Administrator rights on your PC (to run commands and modify game files)
Your EA account login details (in case you need to re-verify)
An internet connection stable enough to download updates or verify files

Step-by-Step

Restart the game and the launcher completely. Close Apex Legends, then close the EA app or Steam entirely (check the system tray for icons and right-click to exit). Wait 30 seconds, then relaunch. This clears temporary memory locks that sometimes cause the loading screen to hang.
Check server status. The infinite loading screen often appears when EA’s servers are down or under maintenance. Visit the official EA Help Twitter/X account or the EA Help website’s server status page. If servers are down, you can only wait – no local fix will work.
Run the game as administrator. Right-click the Apex Legends shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This gives the game the file permissions it needs to write temporary data without being blocked by Windows User Account Control.
Update your graphics drivers. Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are a common cause. Go to the NVIDIA or AMD website, download the latest driver for your graphics card, and install it. Restart your PC afterward.
Repair the game files.
- On Steam: Right-click Apex Legends in your library, go to Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- On EA app: Go to My Library, click the three dots on Apex Legends, select Repair.
This re-downloads any corrupted or missing files that could be causing the loading loop.
Clear the game cache. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata% and press Enter. Look for folders named Apex Legends or Respawn and delete them. Also delete the ProgramData/Electronic Arts/EA Services folder (you’ll need to show hidden files). This forces the game to rebuild its cache from scratch.
Disable fullscreen optimizations. Right-click the Apex Legends executable (r5apex.exe in your game folder), select Properties → Compatibility tab, check “Disable fullscreen optimizations,” then Apply. This fixes a known Windows 10/11 issue where the game gets stuck on the loading screen when it tries to switch display modes.
Change your DNS server. Sometimes the loading screen hangs because the game can’t connect to EA’s login servers due to a DNS issue. Open Network Settings → Change adapter options → right-click your connection → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties → Use the following DNS server addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google’s DNS). Then restart your PC.
Reinstall the game. If nothing else works, uninstall Apex Legends completely (including the folder in Program Files), then reinstall it. This is a last resort but often fixes persistent file corruption that verification misses.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the launcher restart. Many players close only the game window but leave the EA app or Steam running in the background, which keeps the broken session alive.
Deleting the wrong folder. When clearing cache, make sure you’re in %localappdata% and not %appdata% (Roaming). Deleting the wrong folder can cause other issues.
Not waiting long enough. The loading screen can legitimately take 2-3 minutes on first launch after an update. Give it at least 5 minutes before assuming it’s stuck.
Ignoring Windows updates. An outdated Windows version can cause compatibility issues with the game’s anti-cheat and network stack. Install all pending Windows updates.

Tips

Use a wired connection. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try plugging in an Ethernet cable. Unstable connections can cause the loading screen to hang while trying to sync data.
Close background programs. Overlays like Discord, GeForce Experience, or Razer Synapse can interfere with the game’s loading process. Close them before launching Apex.
Set a static DNS. If the DNS change worked, consider setting it permanently to avoid future issues.
Keep your game updated. Apex Legends releases frequent patches; always let the launcher update the game fully before playing.

Troubleshooting

If the infinite loading screen persists after trying all the steps above:

Check if it’s a server-side issue. If the EA server status page shows problems, the loading screen will remain until they resolve it. You can’t fix that locally.
Try a different account. Log in with another EA account (or create a temporary one) to see if the issue is tied to your profile. If the game loads fine on a different account, the problem is in your account’s save data – contact EA Support.
Run a system file check. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted Windows system files that might be blocking the game.
Check for overheating. If your PC shuts down or the loading screen freezes completely, your hardware might be overheating. Monitor temperatures with software like MSI Afterburner.
Contact EA Support. If you’ve tried everything, submit a ticket at help.ea.com. Include your system specs, the steps you’ve taken, and any error codes you saw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Apex Legends get stuck on the loading screen?
The most common causes are corrupted game files, outdated drivers, server outages, or a conflict with background software. The steps above address all of these.

How long should I wait on the loading screen before closing the game?
Give it at least 5 minutes. After a major update, the game may need to compile shaders, which can take several minutes on slower PCs.

Will reinstalling Apex Legends delete my progress?
No. Your progress is saved on EA’s servers, not locally. Reinstalling only removes the game files from your PC.

Does the infinite loading screen happen on console too?
Yes, but it’s less common. On consoles, the fix is usually to restart the console, clear the cache, or reinstall the game.

Can my antivirus cause the loading screen to hang?
Yes. Some antivirus programs block the game’s network access or memory scanning. Add Apex Legends and the launcher to your antivirus’s exception list.

Is there a way to skip the loading screen?
No, but you can reduce the wait by installing the game on an SSD instead of a hard drive. SSDs load the game much faster.

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