How to sit out in Fortnite: A gamer's guide to taking a break in the heat of battle
Craving a break? Here's how to sit out in Fortnite to get your strengths back up.
It is good to know you wonder about how to sit out in Fortnite and find our step-by-step guide! Because, amidst the fast-paced mayhem of Battle Royale, taking a breather becomes crucial.
In the intense world of Fortnite, "sitting out" is like hitting the pause button in a heated battle. It is your way of saying, "Hey, I need a break!" When you choose to sit out, you are signaling to your squad that you are taking a break and won't be joining the next few rounds. It's a bit like going AFK (Away From Keyboard), giving yourself a moment to recharge amidst the non-stop action.
Imagine this: after a couple of intense matches, the combat pressure can really get to you. Sitting out lets you step back, relax, and take a break from the screen. Activating this feature, you have given yourself a timeout you need for a while.
Explained: How to sit out in Fortnite
When you are knee-deep in the action of Fortnite's Battle Royale, sometimes you need a moment to catch your breath. We know you deserve it! So, we explained how to sit out in Fortnite in our step-by-step guide:
- Access the menu: While in a Fortnite lobby, locate the Menu button. It is typically represented by three horizontal lines in the top left corner of your screen. Give it a click to open up your options.
- Find your profile: Within the menu, look for your Fortnite profile icon. Clicking on this icon will lead you to your personal settings and preferences.
- Navigate to participation: Once you are in your profile settings, seek out the "Participation" tab. It’s usually among the options available, often alongside settings like audio, graphics, and other gameplay preferences.
- Switch to "Sitting Out": Within the Participation tab, you will likely see an option that says "Playing." Click on this to toggle it, switching your status to "Sitting Out."

Remember, this feature isn't just useful for taking breaks between matches. It can also come in handy if your squad gets eliminated, and instead of returning directly to the lobby, your teammates prefer to Ready Up for another round. Sitting out gives you the chance to regroup and join the action whenever you're ready.
So, the next time you're in need of a breather amidst the high-energy battles of Fortnite, just a few clicks will grant you the peace and quiet you seek within the bustling Fortnite lobby.
Why can't I sit out on FN?
If you can’t sit out or spectate in Fortnite, it might be because these features are temporarily turned off or there’s a problem with your game settings.
Reasons
- Sometimes, the ability to watch friends in a match is disabled by the game developers while they fix issues.
- You might have trouble opening the menu to select options like “Return to Lobby” or “Sit Out.” This can happen due to glitches or settings.
- Certain game modes or events may not allow sitting out or spectating.
Fixes
- Wait for updates from the game, as the developers often fix these problems quickly.
- Check your game settings to make sure spectating is allowed.
- Restart the game to clear any temporary glitches.
- If the problem continues, contact Fortnite support for help.
These steps usually solve most issues with sitting out or spectating.
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