In her new command Western approaches Fleetwood helped in escorting Atlantic convoy's until 6 August 1941 when she was taken in hand at Middlesbrough for a refit. Completed 19 September. On returning to the Western Approaches she joined Group 44 of the Londerry Sloop division later re-designated 44th Escort Group. She now escorted convoy's from the UK to Freetown and Bathurst and returning convoy's to the UK>

In November 1942 Fleetwood Began escorting convoy's involved in the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. In December 1942 she was transferred to the 82nd Escort Group based at Gibraltar. Here she carried out patrol and  escort duties for the follow up convoy's for the operations in North Africa. On December 9 a torpedo exploded near the Fleetwood and in company with HMS Velox carried out a search but with no success.

Late in February 1943 Fleetwood returned to Londonderry to join the 39th Escort Group to escort convoy's to and from Freetown. On 11 May 1943 while escorting Convoy OS47 the Fleetwood together with HMS Migonette attacked and sank U528 45 of the crew were taken prisoners and Fleetwood detached to Gibraltar to refuel and land the prisoners. On the 26 June Fleetwood entered Dundee for a refit. and was out of action until August 1943.

Back in action HMS Fleetwood resumed her escorting duties. Early in October 1943 she was reallocated to the 41st Escort group, based in Liverpool. Towards the end of that month the group was loaned to Gibraltar to give local escort cover to convoy's. On  1 November 1943 in company with HMS Active and Witherington the Fleetwood was escorting the convoy OS56 when submarine contact was made South West of Cape Spartel and the three vessels attacked. The U Boat was sunk and 48 of the crew of 49 were rescued and made prisoners at Gibraltar Unfortunately whilst she was firstly in collision with the US patrol craft PC473 then struck a jetty whilst berthing . Damage confined her to Gibraltar dockyard..

From 19 November till 19 February 1944HMS Fleetwood continued to give convoy's escort cover from Gibraltar until the beginning of April 1944 when she was transferred to 46th Escort Group based in Alexandria, being the Senior Officers ship in the group. In September 1944 Fleetwood was transferred to the 50th Escort Group, still in the Mediterranean. In November 1944 it was decided that Fleetwood should be re allocated to the East Indies Fleet and she sailed for the   U.K. at the beginning of December to arrive at Portsmouth on 20 December. Owing to a resurgence of U Boat activity in home waters it was decided that Fleetwood should be temporarily allocated to the Portsmouth Command where she joined the Portsmouth patrol, operating in the channel in support of the many convoy's which were being run. She remained on these duties until the end of the war. She was then placed in Reserve  Fleet at Hartlepool