Fortnite has long been one of the most popular battle royale games worldwide, attracting millions with its fast-paced battles and seasonal updates. However, with the recent v34.20 patch, many players suddenly noticed their in-game ping skyrocketing to an absurd 9999ms. Social media and community forums were instantly flooded with confusion and complaints, with players fearing their connection or even their internet provider was to blame. Thankfully, Epic has officially confirmed that this is just a display bug and does not actually mean your real ping is that high.
What’s Behind the 9999ms Ping Display?
After the v34.20 update, some players saw the ping counter in the top left corner shoot up to 9999ms under certain conditions. Despite the shocking number, movement and shooting often felt normal. According to Epic’s community managers, this happens because certain network settings were reset or misread during the update, causing the display module to show the maximum possible value.
That said, not every player is completely unaffected. Some have reported occasional stutters, input delays, or short connection drops. So, even though the huge ping number is just a visual glitch, taking extra steps to keep your connection smooth is still a smart idea.
Common Signs of Fortnite Ping Issues After v34.20
You might be dealing with this bug or related network problems if you notice:
Ping locked at 9999ms but character movement feels fine
Minor delays when switching weapons or firing
Slow loading into the lobby or random disconnects
If this sounds familiar, don’t panic — with a few practical tools and tweaks, you can ensure a stable connection throughout your matches.
How Pro Players Deal With High Ping (and Why It’s Risky)
Veteran players sometimes tweak their DNS settings, manually select closer servers, or use advanced router QoS to prioritize gaming traffic. While these tricks can help, they’re often complicated and can mess up your network if done incorrectly.
A much safer and easier option for most players is to use a dedicated gaming optimizer like GearUP Booster. It’s designed specifically for Fortnite and other competitive games. With one click, it automatically analyzes your routing, picks the fastest nodes worldwide, and locks onto the most stable server — no manual configuration needed.
The latest GearUP Booster version includes smart traffic control and high-availability backup routes. This means even during peak hours or cross-region matchmaking, your ping stays stable. You also get a built-in ping checker so you can see your real latency in real time — no more panicking over a fake 9999ms display. Many streamers and pro players trust it to stay ahead in competitive matches.
Extra Tips for Maximum Stability
Besides using GearUP Booster, here are two more simple tricks to reinforce your connection:
Restart your router regularly and use a wired Ethernet cable whenever possible to avoid Wi-Fi interference.
Shut down bandwidth-heavy background apps, like updates or streaming videos, while gaming.
Combined with GearUP Booster, these tips help ensure you stay smooth and lag-free even if the in-game ping meter goes haywire.
Final Thoughts
In short, the Fortnite ping showing 9999ms is just a harmless visual bug in v34.20 and shouldn’t cause major lag for most players. To stay worry-free and play at your best, GearUP Booster is the easiest and most reliable solution. Add a few smart tweaks and you’re all set to claim that Victory Royale without a hitch!
