Honestly, trying to keep track of Epic’s schedule feels like a full-time job sometimes. You think you’ve got it figured out, then a random hotfix drops or a leak flips the script. If you’re staring at the launcher wondering when the next big download is hitting, you aren't alone.
The short answer? Thursday, January 22, 2026.
💡 You might also like: Why Candy Land Still Matters Even if You Hate Playing It
That is the date everyone is circling for the v39.30 update. We just moved past the chaos of the v39.20 patch that dropped on January 9, which brought that wild South Park collaboration to the island. But if you’ve already finished those quests or you’re just bored of seeing Cartman running around with a shotgun, the next big shift is just around the corner.
What’s actually coming in the next update?
Usually, middle-of-the-month patches are a bit of a toss-up. Sometimes they’re just "maintenance" (boring), but v39.30 is looking like a heavy hitter.
The biggest rumor—and it’s a loud one—is the Warner Bros. partnership mode. Leakers like ShiinaBR have basically confirmed that influencers were already at Epic HQ earlier this month testing a new game mode. Word is that we’ll see gameplay footage go live on January 21, exactly 24 hours before the update actually hits our consoles and PCs.
Is it a Multiversus-style brawler? A racing expansion? Nobody knows for sure yet, but the timing is too perfect to be a coincidence.
Then there’s the Chainsaw Man stuff. People have been hunting for Denji in the files for what feels like an eternity. With the South Park "Born in Chaos" mini-event winding down by early February, v39.30 is the prime slot to drop the next major anime collab. If it doesn't happen here, the community might actually riot.
Timing and downtime: When the servers go dark
If you’re planning a late-night grind, don't. Fortnite updates almost always follow the same pattern, and unless there’s a massive technical meltdown, January 22nd will look like this:
- Matchmaking disabled: Around 3:30 AM ET (8:30 AM UTC).
- Servers offline: 4:00 AM ET (9:00 AM UTC).
- Back online: Usually between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM ET.
Sometimes big mode additions (like the rumored Warner Bros. one) make the downtime stretch a bit longer. Don't be surprised if the servers stay red until 8:00 AM ET. It happens.
Looking further ahead: The road to Chapter 7 Season 2
We are currently deep in Chapter 7 Season 1, also known as "Pacific Break." It’s been a weird one, right? But the clock is already ticking on the Battle Pass.
🔗 Read more: How gta sa ps4 cheats Change the Game on Modern Hardware
If you check the in-game timer or look at the official Epic Trello boards, the end is in sight. March 4, 2026, is the hard cutoff. That is when the v40.00 patch will drop, effectively nuking the current map or at least giving it a massive facelift for Season 2.
Before we get there, we still have a few stops:
- v39.30 (Jan 22): The Warner Bros. mode and potential Chainsaw Man drop.
- v39.40 (Feb 5): Likely the Valentine's Day event or "Love and War" style challenges.
- v39.50 (Feb 19): The "End of Season" patch. This usually contains the event files for whatever live spectacle Epic is cooking up to transition into the next season.
Why you should care about the v39.30 patch notes
Aside from the skins, these mid-season updates are where Epic usually messes with the meta.
The South Park "Stick of Truth" mythic is fun, but it's polarizing. There’s a lot of chatter among the pros about the storm manipulation mechanics being a bit too broken for ranked play. Expect some serious balancing here. We’re also hearing whispers about the "Solo Leveling" collab, though that might be held back for the February update.
If you’re an XP hunter, this next update is basically mandatory. New quest lines usually drop with these patches to help people who are lagging behind on their level 100 (or 200) goals.
Actionable steps for the next 48 hours
Don't just wait for the download bar to move. Do these three things to make sure you're ready:
- Check your storage: These Chapter 7 patches have been chunky. Make sure you've got at least 15-20GB of free space.
- Finish the South Park Mini-Pass: If you haven't grabbed the Professor Chaos skin (Butters), get on it. Once the v39.40 window approaches, these themed items get a lot harder to track down.
- Mark January 21st: Keep an eye on YouTube around 9:00 AM ET that Wednesday. That's when the "influencer gameplay" for the new mode is supposed to leak, and it'll give you a head start on understanding the mechanics before the patch even finishes installing.
Fortnite isn't just a battle royale anymore; it’s a rotating door of "what the heck is happening next?" Between the Warner Bros. rumors and the march toward Season 2, January 22 is going to be a busy day.
Stick to the schedule, keep your V-Bucks ready for the Chainsaw Man drop, and maybe don't stay up all night on the 21st. You'll need the energy to sweat through the new mode the next morning.