Fortnite players are set for a significant content refresh with the arrival of update 39.40, though the introduction of new features will be preceded by a period of unavoidable server downtime. Epic Games has officially announced the maintenance schedule, confirming the temporary suspension of online services to deploy the latest patch.
What's New in Fortnite Update 39.40?
The forthcoming update promises to inject a dose of romantic and musical energy into the battle royale experience. Central to the new content is a special crossover with musician Chappell Roan, which will introduce exclusive new skins and cosmetic items for players to acquire. Furthermore, the update will expand the Fortnite Festival mode with fresh musical tracks.
Running concurrently throughout the entire month of February is the themed 'Love and Legends' event, designed to offer limited-time challenges and rewards. However, access to this new seasonal content and the crossover items will only be possible once the scheduled server maintenance has been fully completed.
Fortnite Server Downtime Schedule and Status
Epic Games has communicated the precise timeline for the necessary server maintenance via its official social media channels and server status page. The developer confirmed that matchmaking for online games will be disabled shortly before the downtime commences.
Key Timings for UK Players
For players in the United Kingdom, the schedule is as follows:
- Matchmaking disabled: Approximately 8:30 AM GMT on Wednesday, February 5th.
- Server downtime begins: 9:00 AM GMT.
- Estimated conclusion: 10:30 AM GMT.
This 90-minute maintenance window translates to early morning starts for players in other major regions: 2:30 AM PDT on the West Coast of the United States, 5:30 AM EDT on the East Coast, and 11:30 AM CET in Central Europe.
When Will Fortnite Be Back Online?
According to the official plan, all Fortnite services, including core battle royale and companion modes like Fortnite Festival, are slated to return by 10:30 AM GMT. This follows the anticipated 90-minute maintenance period.
It is important to note that while Epic Games aims to stick to this schedule, there is always a possibility of unforeseen complications extending the downtime. Players are advised to monitor the official Epic Games server status page for any last-minute updates or changes to the maintenance window before attempting to log back in.
The brief interruption, while inconvenient, is the necessary precursor to accessing the new Valentine's Day-themed content and ensuring a stable gameplay experience for the millions of Fortnite fans worldwide.
