Sep 256 min read

How to Wish the Fortnite Bus Driver a Happy Birthday in One Match

Fortnite is celebrating its 7th birthday, and it’s packed with exciting in-game events, flashy gifts, and cake scattered around the Island. However, amidst the celebrations, one crucial character often goes unnoticed – the Bus Driver. Sure, he never lands on the Island, but he plays a vital role in every match by dropping you off safely. Epic Games has included a fun quest in this update to honour the Bus Driver by wishing him a happy birthday seven times. Completing this quest may sound like a drag, but there’s a way to knock it out in one match by using a simple glitch. We’re here to show you how to accomplish this in record time and maximize your Fortnite 7th birthday celebration!

Wish the Bus Driver a Happy Birthday Quest

The Fortnite 7th birthday update introduces a list of birthday-themed quests, and one of the simplest – but most easily overlooked – is wishing the Bus Driver a happy birthday. For this quest, all you need to do is thank him seven times. Now, if you’ve been around Fortnite long enough, you know that typically, players thank the Bus Driver by pressing the B button (or equivalent) as they board the Battle Bus. But how can you do it seven times in just one match? Fortunately, a clever glitch discovered by players makes this possible. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process for completing this quest in one game using a high-ping glitch.

How the "Wish the Bus Driver" Glitch Works

This glitch allows you to thank the Bus Driver multiple times in one match by manipulating your in-game ping. Essentially, Fortnite registers multiple thank-you inputs when there’s enough lag due to high ping. Here’s how you can recreate this glitch for yourself and complete the quest with ease.

Steps to Complete the Glitch:

Open the Settings Menu: Start by pressing the pause button (Options/Menu) on your controller or keyboard to access the in-game settings menu. In the bottom right corner, you’ll see a cog icon—select this to enter the settings.
Navigate to the Game Settings Tab: Once you’re in the settings menu, look at the top of the screen for a tab with another cog icon. This is the Game Settings tab. Click on it to continue.
Change Your Matchmaking Region: In the Game Settings tab, the very first option should be for Language and Matchmaking Region. You’ll want to select a region with a high ping—this will cause enough lag for the glitch to register multiple inputs. Pro tip: Choose a region far from your actual location, like Oceania if you’re in Europe or Asia if you’re in North America. The further the region, the higher the ping.
Spam the Thank-You Button: Once you’ve selected a high-ping region, go ahead and start a new match. As soon as you board the Battle Bus, spam the button you usually press to thank the Bus Driver (B on keyboard, D-pad down on console). The high-ping will cause the game to delay registering your inputs, allowing you to thank the Bus Driver multiple times in one go.
Finish the Match or Leave: After successfully thanking the Bus Driver seven times, you can either play the match normally or exit and start another. The quest progress should show that you’ve completed the task in a single match.

Benefits of Completing the Bus Driver Quest

Wishing the Bus Driver a happy Fortnite birthday isn’t just a kind gesture—it’s also rewarding. Completing this quest is part of the birthday challenges, which will earn you special cosmetics, XP boosts, and the Birthday Medallion, a limited-time reward exclusive to Fortnite’s 7th birthday event.

Here’s what you’ll earn by completing all of the birthday-themed quests:

XP Boosts: As with most Fortnite quests, completing this challenge will net you some solid XP. This is especially helpful if you’re grinding your way through the battle pass and aiming for those upper-tier rewards.
Exclusive Birthday-themed Cosmetics: Fortnite loves to celebrate in style, and this year’s birthday event is no exception. You’ll unlock special cosmetic items like back blings, emotes, and sprays that feature the signature birthday theme of balloons, cake, and confetti.
The Birthday Medallion: One of the standout rewards for completing all the birthday quests is the Birthday Medallion. This unique item will only be available during the 7th birthday event, making it a must-have for collectors and Fortnite fans.

How to Optimize Your Fortnite Birthday Event Participation

Beyond the Bus Driver quest, the Fortnite 7th birthday event comes with plenty of other challenges that you’ll want to complete while the event is live. Here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your fun and rewards:

Collect Birthday Cake Around the Island: Epic Games has placed birthday cakes at various points of interest (POIs) across the map. Consuming these cakes will give you health and shield boosts, making them not only a part of the quest but a strategic advantage during gameplay.
Use the Birthday Presents: Scattered around the Island are birthday presents filled with high-tier loot. Keep an eye out for these oversized gifts as they contain valuable items that could change the tide of battle.
Play in High Traffic Areas: Playing in more congested areas like Tilted Towers or Frenzy Fields during the birthday event will increase your chances of encountering fellow players completing birthday quests, making it easier to pick up loot from eliminated players and cake spawns.

Common Issues and Fixes for the "Wish the Bus Driver" Glitch

While the glitch is straightforward, some players might run into issues. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:

High Ping Not Registering: If the game isn’t registering your thank-yous despite the high-ping region, double-check that you’ve selected a faraway matchmaking region. You may need to experiment with a few different regions to find one that’s laggy enough.
Thank-You Button Doesn’t Work: Ensure that you’re pressing the correct button for your platform (B on PC, D-pad down on consoles). If it still doesn’t work, try rebinding the action in the controller settings.
Game Crashing or Lagging Too Much: If your game becomes unplayable due to excessive lag, try lowering the ping slightly by choosing a closer region. You need enough lag to trigger the glitch but not so much that your game freezes.

Maximize Your Fortnite 7th Birthday Celebrations

Fortnite’s 7th birthday event is filled with challenges, rewards, and festive fun. Don’t miss out on the chance to complete the "Wish the Bus Driver a Happy Fortnite Birthday" quest in just one match using the high-ping glitch. It’s a simple and effective way to finish this task while enjoying all the other activities Fortnite has to offer during its birthday celebration. Be sure to explore the entire event, from eating cake to using birthday presents, and make the most out of your time in the game. Happy Fortnite birthday to you and, of course, to the ever-faithful Bus Driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I wish the Bus Driver a happy birthday in Fortnite?

To wish the Bus Driver a happy birthday in Fortnite, press the B button on PC or the D-pad on consoles before jumping from the Battle Bus. This option appears after the 7th Birthday update, which includes special quests and challenges. Wishing the Bus Driver a happy birthday is part of the event. For a glitch that allows you to complete this quest multiple times in one match, switch to a high-ping region, and repeatedly press the button while still on the Battle Bus to increase your chances of success.

Q2. Can I complete the Bus Driver birthday quest in one match?

Yes, there’s a known glitch that allows you to complete the Bus Driver birthday quest in one match. To do this, you need to switch to a high-ping matchmaking region in your Fortnite settings. Once on the Battle Bus, spam the B button on PC or the D-pad on consoles multiple times. Due to the lag caused by the high ping, each input may register more than once. This makes it possible to wish the Bus Driver a happy birthday seven times in a single match, fulfilling the quest requirement.

Q3. What is the Fortnite Birthday update?

The Fortnite Birthday update is an annual celebration that marks Fortnite’s anniversary. This event typically includes unique in-game quests, rewards, and festive decorations across the map. For the 7th birthday update, players can complete special quests like wishing the Bus Driver a happy birthday, collecting birthday cake slices, and unlocking the new Birthday Medallion. Players also enjoy themed cosmetics, XP boosts, and limited-time items. Each year, the event provides new challenges, making it a fun and rewarding experience for Fortnite fans worldwide.

Q4. Why is my game lagging when wishing the Bus Driver?

Your game lags when you switch to a high-ping matchmaking region in Fortnite. This is an intentional strategy used to complete certain quests faster, like the one where you wish the Bus Driver a happy birthday seven times in one match. By changing to a high-ping region, your game experiences latency, allowing multiple inputs (like pressing B or the D-pad) to be registered. However, switching to a high-ping region can make gameplay sluggish and unresponsive, which is only recommended for completing specific challenges.

Q5. What are some other Fortnite Birthday quests?

In addition to wishing the Bus Driver a happy birthday, the Fortnite Birthday update includes other exciting quests. Players are tasked with consuming birthday cake, collecting birthday presents, and completing special objectives that unlock festive cosmetic items like back bling, pickaxes, and sprays. Completing these quests can also earn players the Birthday Medallion, which is part of the event's major rewards. Keep an eye out for other anniversary-themed challenges that change every year, adding variety and new ways to celebrate Fortnite's birthday.