According to a source review from TechRadar, the Epic Games Launcher has been playing unexpected 'party chimes' randomly on user PCs. These sounds, intended for in-game party actions, occur even when users aren't engaged in parties or have the launcher minimized, and currently there is no direct toggle to disable them, sparking user complaints.
- Epic Games Launcher emits random party-related notification sounds.
- No current user option to mute the sounds, though an update is planned.
- Temporary workaround involves deleting sound files but updates may restore them.
Product angle
The source review from TechRadar highlights an issue with the Epic Games Launcher where it triggers party-related notification sounds erratically, even without users participating in game parties. This behavior causes confusion as the sounds occur silently in the background, without associated pop-up notifications, making it difficult to identify the source. Epic has confirmed awareness and states a forthcoming update aims to limit the frequency of these sounds while the launcher runs in the background.
Despite this acknowledgment, the review points out that Epic has not yet introduced or prioritized a dedicated setting to allow users to fully disable or mute these notification chimes. Currently, frustrated users resort to manual deletion of the sound files, although this approach is temporary since launcher updates can restore them. The review uses publicly shared user feedback and official Epic statements, not firsthand testing, to inform these findings.
Best for / avoid if
The Epic Games Launcher remains suitable for users deeply engaged with Epic’s ecosystem of games, especially Fortnite players who value built-in party audio cues during gameplay sessions. Those who rely heavily on background notifications as part of social connectivity might appreciate the audio signals when actively using the launcher in party mode.
However, users sensitive to unexpected sounds or those who prefer cleaner, quieter background processes on their PCs may want to avoid using the Epic Games Launcher until a user-friendly mute option becomes standard. The random audio alerts, currently unavoidable and unaccompanied by clear visual alerts, can be disruptive and perplexing for general PC users who do not regularly engage with Epic’s party features.
Pricing and alternatives to check
The Epic Games Launcher is provided free to users and serves as a gateway to purchase and play games available on Epic’s platform. While the launcher itself does not come with a direct cost, the inconvenience caused by unmanageable notification sounds may affect user satisfaction and engagement.
For users seeking a more stable and customizable PC gaming platform experience, alternatives such as Steam could be considered. Steam is recognized for its minimal background glitches and more robust user options to control notifications. This contrast is noteworthy as some users affected by the Epic Launcher sounds have expressed preference for alternatives where unexpected notification issues are rare.