So, you’re staring at the launcher and wondering when you can actually jump back into the island. We’ve all been there. Whether you’re waiting for the next big collab or just some balance changes to stop that one mythic from ruining your day, timing is everything.
Honestly, the schedule for what time is the update for fortnite is pretty consistent, but Epic Games likes to keep us on our toes with the occasional curveball. If you’re looking for the short answer: downtime usually kicks off at 4 AM ET (1 AM PT / 9 AM GMT).
The Standard Downtime Routine
Usually, Epic shuts down matchmaking about 30 minutes before the actual maintenance starts. You don’t want to be mid-fight in a 1v1 and get booted to the lobby because the clock struck four. If it's a Tuesday or a Friday—the two days Epic loves most for patches—plan to be offline for a bit.
Maintenance generally lasts anywhere from two to four hours. If it’s a massive mid-season patch like the recent v39.20 that brought the South Park collab to Chapter 7, expect it to lean toward that four-hour mark. If it’s just a "hotfix" or minor stability patch, you might be back in within 90 minutes.
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When is the next one?
Right now, we are sitting in the middle of Chapter 7 Season 1, "Pacific Break." The last big update was v39.20 on January 9, 2026. If you're checking the calendar, the next major milestone is v39.30, which is officially slated for January 22, 2026.
Here is how that timing breaks down globally:
- Eastern Time (ET): 4:00 AM
- Pacific Time (PT): 1:00 AM
- UK (GMT): 9:00 AM
- Europe (CET): 10:00 AM
- India (IST): 2:30 PM
- Japan (JST): 6:00 PM
Basically, if you live in the US, you're sleeping through it. If you're in Europe, it’s your morning coffee break.
Why does it take so long?
A lot of people think they just flip a switch. It's way more complicated. They have to migrate server data, update the "discovery" tabs for Creative, and push the actual file to platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
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The v39.30 patch is particularly hyped because leakers like ShiinaBR and HYPEX have been pointing toward a massive new game mode codenamed "Pimlico." Rumor has it this mode involves some wild physics-based basketball or perhaps a deeper integration with Fall Guys assets. When the update time for Fortnite hits, the "Pimlico" gameplay is expected to drop almost immediately after the servers breathe again.
What about the big Season 2 shift?
If you're looking further out, the really big "don't miss it" update time is March 4, 2026. That’s when Chapter 7 Season 1 ends and Season 2 (v40.00) begins. Season transitions are a different beast. Instead of a 2-hour nap, the game usually goes dark for 8 to 12 hours. Sometimes more if the "live event" (like the Zero Hour event we saw recently) breaks something on the backend.
Pro-Tips for Update Day
- Auto-Update is your friend: If you’re on console, leave it in Rest Mode. There is nothing worse than waking up, seeing the servers are "Live," and then realizing you have a 45GB download waiting for you.
- Check the Status Page: Don’t just trust the in-game message. The official @FortniteStatus Twitter (or X) account is the only place that will tell you if the downtime is being extended.
- Clear your cache: If the game feels "stuttery" right after a patch, it's often because of old shader cache files. A quick restart of your PC or a full power cycle of your console usually fixes the "post-update jank."
Keep an eye on January 21, as well. That’s when content creators are supposedly allowed to show off the new stuff, just 24 hours before the actual v39.30 patch goes live. If you see your favorite streamer playing a new mode, you know the downtime is coming the very next morning.
Make sure your Battle Pass is moving along. With the end of the season set for early March, these bi-weekly updates are your best chance to snag those limited-time "Power Hour" XP boosts, like the one happening today, January 17, at 3:30 PM ET.
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Check your storage space now. These 2026 patches are getting chunky, especially with all the high-res textures for the new Pacific island POIs. If you have less than 20GB free, that update is going to hang, and you'll be stuck in a "Copying..." loop while your friends are already dropping at Golden Coast.