How to Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in Fortnite (March 2026) Complete Guide

Are you ready to compete in Fortnite tournaments but getting blocked by security requirements? You’re not alone. Epic Games has implemented strict anti-cheat measures requiring PC players to enable Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and IOMMU to participate in competitive events.

As a long-time Fortnite player and tech enthusiast, I’ve helped dozens of gamers navigate these requirements. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your tournament-ready PC configured correctly.

Quick Overview: Fortnite Security Requirements

Security Feature	Required For	Typical Location in BIOS	Alternative Names
Secure Boot	All Tournaments	Boot/Security Section	UEFI Secure Boot
TPM 2.0	All Tournaments	Security/Advanced	Trusted Platform Module
IOMMU	All Tournaments	CPU/Chipset Settings	VT-d (Intel), AMD-Vi (AMD)

Why Epic Games Requires These Security Features?

Epic Games implemented these requirements starting February 19, 2026, expanding from previous partial implementations. The goal is to combat sophisticated cheating methods that operate at the hardware level, beyond what traditional anti-cheat software can detect.

Secure Boot prevents malicious software from loading during your PC’s startup process. Many advanced cheats attempt to load before anti-cheat software can detect them, and Secure Boot blocks this by only allowing digitally signed software to run during boot.

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is a dedicated security chip that provides hardware-based security functions. It can verify that Secure Boot and other security settings remain enabled, making it extremely difficult for cheats to tamper with these protections.

IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit) controls how hardware devices access your system’s memory. This prevents cheats that attempt to manipulate game data through peripheral devices or direct memory access.

How to Check Your Current Security Status?

Before diving into BIOS settings, let’s check what’s currently enabled on your system.

Checking Secure Boot Status

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter
3. Look for “Secure Boot State” under System Summary
4. If it shows “On,” you’re good to go for this requirement

Checking TPM 2.0 Status

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type tpm.msc and press Enter
3. Check the Status section
4. “The TPM is ready to use” means you’re set
5. If it shows “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” you’ll need to enable it in BIOS

Checking Your System Information

1. Open System Information (msinfo32)
2. Note your:
   • BaseBoard Manufacturer (motherboard brand)
   • Processor model (Intel or AMD)
   • BIOS Mode (should be UEFI, not Legacy)

This information will help you navigate your specific BIOS settings later.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Secure Boot

Prerequisites for Secure Boot

Before enabling Secure Boot, ensure:

• Your system uses UEFI boot mode (not Legacy BIOS)
• Windows is installed in GPT partition style (not MBR)

How to Check Partition Style?

1. Right-click Start button and select Disk Management
2. Right-click your C: drive and select Properties
3. Go to the Hardware tab, click Properties
4. Select the Volumes tab
5. Check the Partition style – it should be GPT

If it shows MBR, you’ll need to convert to GPT first (backup your data first!).

Enabling Secure Boot in BIOS

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS setup
   • Common keys: DEL, F2, F10, or F12 during startup
   • Watch for “Press [key] to enter setup” message
2. Navigate to Boot/Security Settings
   • Look for tabs like “Boot,” “Security,” “Authentication”
   • Location varies by motherboard manufacturer
3. Enable Secure Boot
   • Find “Secure Boot” option
   • Change from “Disabled” to “Enabled”
   • May need to set “Secure Boot Mode” to “Standard” or “Windows”
4. Save and Exit
   • Press F10 (usually) to save changes
   • Confirm and restart your PC

Note: Some systems may require you to reset BIOS to default settings first, then enable Secure Boot.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable TPM 2.0

Physical TPM vs. Firmware TPM

Most modern systems (2016+) have TPM capabilities built into the firmware (fTPM). Older systems might require a physical TPM chip.

Enabling TPM in BIOS

1. Enter BIOS setup (same method as above)
2. Find TPM Settings
   • Look in “Security,” “Advanced,” or “PCH Configuration”
   • May be labeled as:
     • “TPM Security”
     • “fTPM Switch”
     • “PTT” (Intel Platform Trust Technology)
     • “AMD fTPM”
3. Enable TPM
   • Change from “Disabled” to “Enabled” or “AMD fTPM”
   • Some systems require selecting TPM version (choose 2.0 if available)
4. Configure Additional Settings (if present)
   • Set “TPM Device Selection” to “fTPM” or “dTPM”
   • Enable “TPM Support” if available
5. Save and Exit BIOS
6. Verify in Windows
   • Run tpm.msc again
   • Should now show “The TPM is ready to use”

Step-by-Step Guide to Enable IOMMU

IOMMU settings vary significantly between Intel and AMD systems.

For Intel Systems (VT-d)

1. Enter BIOS setup
2. Navigate to CPU/Chipset Settings
   • Look for “CPU Configuration,” “Chipset,” or “System Agent”
3. Enable Virtualization First
   • Find “Intel Virtualization Technology” (VT-x)
   • Enable this setting first (required for VT-d)
4. Enable VT-d
   • Look for “Intel VT-d” or “VT-d”
   • Enable this setting
   • May be under “Advanced” or “System Agent Configuration”

For AMD Systems (AMD-Vi)

1. Enter BIOS setup
2. Find CPU Settings
   • Look for “CPU Configuration” or “Northbridge”
3. Enable SVM
   • Find “SVM Mode” or “AMD Virtualization”
   • Enable this first
4. Enable IOMMU
   • Look for “IOMMU” or “AMD-Vi”
   • Enable this setting

Additional IOMMU Settings

Some systems have additional options:

• Above 4G Decoding: Enable if available
• Resizable BAR: Can be left as is
• Memory Mapping: Set to “Enabled” if present

Manufacturer-Specific BIOS Navigation

Different motherboard manufacturers organize their BIOS differently:

ASUS Motherboards

• Advanced Mode: Press F7
• Secure Boot: Boot → Secure Boot
• TPM: Advanced → PCH Configuration
• VT-d: Advanced → System Agent Configuration

MSI Motherboards

• Secure Boot: Settings → Advanced → Windows OS Configuration
• TPM: Settings → Advanced → Integrated Peripherals
• VT-d: OC → CPU Features

Gigabyte Motherboards

• Secure Boot: BIOS Features → Secure Boot
• TPM: Peripherals → Trusted Computing
• VT-d: MIT (Motherboard Intelligent Tweaker)

Dell Laptops

• Secure Boot: Boot → Secure Boot
• TPM: Security → TPM Security
• VT-d: Virtualization Support

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Issue 1: Secure Boot Grayed Out

Solution:

• Check if Windows is in UEFI mode (msinfo32 → BIOS Mode)
• Convert from MBR to GPT if needed
• Reset BIOS to default settings
• Update BIOS to latest version

Issue 2: TPM Not Detected After Enabling

Solution:

• Clear TPM in Windows Security → Device Security
• Restart and re-enable in BIOS
• Check for BIOS updates
• Some systems require cold boot (shutdown completely, wait 30 seconds)

Issue 3: System Won’t Boot After Changes

Solution:

• Enter BIOS and reset to defaults
• Disable Secure Boot first, then re-enable properly
• Check boot order (ensure Windows Boot Manager is first)
• Some systems require CSM (Compatibility Support Module) disabled

Issue 4: Fortnite Still Shows Requirements Not Met

Solution:

• Restart PC completely (not just restart)
• Verify all three features are enabled
• Check Windows Update for security patches
• Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat if needed

Windows-Specific Considerations

Windows 10 vs Windows 11

• Windows 11: Most systems already have these features enabled
• Windows 10: May require manual enabling
• Both versions support the requirements

Windows Security Settings

1. Open Windows Security
2. Go to Device Security
3. Check Security processor details
4. Ensure Security processor is ready

Updating Your System

• Install all Windows updates
• Update motherboard drivers
• Update BIOS to latest version
• Update chipset drivers

Performance Impact

Good news: These security features have minimal impact on gaming performance:

• Secure Boot: No performance impact (only affects startup)
• TPM 2.0: Negligible impact (uses dedicated hardware)
• IOMMU: Minimal impact (may add <1% latency in some scenarios)

The security benefits far outweigh any minimal performance considerations.

Tournament-Specific Information

Which Events Require These Features?

• All Fortnite tournaments starting February 19, 2026
• FNCS (Fortnite Championship Series)
• Cash Cups
• Platform-specific tournaments
• Custom tournaments with anti-cheat requirements

What If You Don’t Meet Requirements?

• You won’t be banned
• Tournament entry will be blocked
• You can still play casual and ranked modes
• Error message will indicate which feature is missing

Verification Process

1. Fortnite checks requirements at tournament start
2. Easy Anti-Cheat verifies hardware security
3. Results are cached for the session
4. Re-verification may occur for major tournaments

Advanced Tips and Optimizations

BIOS Optimization

• Enable Fast Boot after security setup
• Disable unused devices in BIOS
• Set XMP for memory (if applicable)
• Update microcode for CPU

System Hardening

• Enable Windows Defender
• Install chipset drivers
• Keep GPU drivers updated
• Use administrator account for initial setup

Monitoring Tools

• Use Task Manager to verify security features
• System Information for detailed status
• BIOS monitoring software for enthusiasts

Future-Proofing Your System

Hardware Considerations

• Intel 8th gen+ or AMD Ryzen 2000+ processors
• Motherboards from 2018+ typically support all features
• Windows 11 compatible systems are ideal

Regular Maintenance

• Check BIOS updates quarterly
• Verify security settings monthly
• Monitor Windows Security notifications
• Keep backup of BIOS settings

FAQ

Q: Do I need these features for casual Fortnite play?

A: No, these requirements only apply to tournament participation. Casual and ranked modes don’t require these security features.

Q: Will enabling these features affect my other games?

A: Generally no. These are system-level security features that don’t impact gaming performance. Some older games might need compatibility mode adjustments.

Q: What if my motherboard doesn’t support TPM 2.0?

A: You may need to upgrade your motherboard or use a TPM add-on module. Most systems from 2016+ support TPM 2.0 via firmware.

Q: Can I play tournaments on a console instead?

A: Yes, console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch) don’t need to worry about these PC-specific requirements.

Q: How often do I need to check these settings?

A: Once properly configured, they should remain active. However, BIOS updates sometimes reset settings, so verify after major updates.

Q: Will these features slow down my PC startup?

A: Secure Boot may add 1-2 seconds to startup time but has no impact on gaming performance once Windows is loaded.

Q: What if I forget my BIOS password?

A: You may need to reset BIOS via jumper on motherboard or contact manufacturer support. Document passwords when setting security features.

Q: Are these requirements permanent?

A: Epic Games may adjust requirements over time, but these security features are becoming industry standard for competitive gaming.

Additional Resources

For more gaming optimization tips, check out our Windows 11 Clean Install Guide which includes detailed TPM configuration steps. If you’re building a new gaming PC, our Best CPU Setup for Gaming article covers processor compatibility with these security features.

For more Fortnite-specific content, visit our Fortnite Guides section for the latest tips, tricks, and event coverage.

Final Thoughts

Enabling Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and IOMMU might seem technical, but it’s a one-time setup that ensures fair competitive play in Fortnite. These features not only protect the integrity of tournaments but also enhance your system’s overall security.

Remember, Epic Games isn’t trying to make things difficult – they’re protecting the competitive experience for everyone. By following this guide, you’ll be tournament-ready and better protected against various security threats.

Bookmark this guide for future reference, as BIOS settings sometimes reset after updates. And if you encounter any issues not covered here, don’t hesitate to reach out to Epic Games support or your motherboard manufacturer’s help desk.

Happy gaming, and may your shots be true in your next Fortnite tournament.