Few things can be as annoying as loading up Fortnite and experiencing the dreaded “servers not responding” message. Most of the time, it’s not your setup at fault. Instead, it’s usually due to scheduled Fortnite server downtime for a new patch or a major seasonal update.

This guide walks you through the next scheduled Fortnite server maintenance and how long it lasts. We’ll also include a quick server downtime schedule and a couple of tips on what you can do if you can’t access the game even after the servers go live again.

When Is The Next Fortnite Server Downtime?

The next scheduled Fortnite server downtime is linked to the v39.00 update (Chapter 7, Season 1). Although Epic Games has not yet locked in the maintenance time, reliable leaker HYPEX suggests it will begin after the Fortnite Chapter Finale: Zero Hour live event.

• Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
• Start time: 1 AM PT | 4 AM ET | 9 AM UTC (speculated)
• Server downtime duration: TBD (likely 4–5 hours)

DOWNTIME CONFIRMED @ 4am ET

• Event Files & Countdown added
• Minimal/Encrypted Cosmetics
• Homer Clones on the map
• Purple Springfield Lakes
• NEW Makeup Shotgunpic.twitter.com/U7qmRb9D5i

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) November 19, 2025

There will also be a Chapter 7 event server stress test on November 20 and 21, 2025, at 10:40 AM PT | 1:40 PM ET | 6:40 PM UTC. There is an 80,000 XP reward if you participate in it.

Note: Matchmaking will be disabled about 30 minutes before downtime begins. If you’re planning to play Fortnite around this time, it’s probably best to skip matchmaking entirely to avoid unexpected interruptions to your game.

How Long Does Fortnite Server Downtime Last?

It’s hard to say for sure, but there is a clear pattern depending on what kind of Fortnite update you’re dealing with.

Routine Fortnite Updates

For smaller mid-season patches, Epic Games usually aims for downtime to last for around 90 minutes to a couple of hours:

• Fortnite v38.10 (The Simpsons content update on November 11, 2025): downtime was scheduled from 09:00 to 10:30 UTC (1.5 hours), but the Epic status page lists the maintenance as completed at 11:14 UTC. That’s roughly 2 hours and 14 minutes of actual downtime.
• Fortnite v38.11 (The Simpsons mini-update): downtime was scheduled from 09:00 to 10:30 UTC (1.5 hours), but the official Epic status page lists the maintenance as completed at 10:54 UTC (2 hours).

New Fortnite Season And Chapter Launches

When Fortnite introduces a new season or a chapter-scale update, server downtime tends to be significantly longer.

• Fortnite v38.00 (Fortnite x The Simpsons season launch on November 1, 2025): downtime started at 3:30 PM UTC. The official schedule revealed that the maintenance would last at least 4 hours.
• Fortnite v39.00 (Fortnite Chapter 7, Season 1 on November 29, 2025): Downtime is expected to last for 4–5 hours based on previous updates, though Epic has not yet confirmed the exact Fortnite server downtime start and end times.

In general, whenever a new Fortnite season or chapter drops, it’s safe to assume that you’re looking at multiple hours of Fortnite server downtime—not just a quick reboot.

Unexpected Outages

Not every Fortnite server downtime is planned. Like many other live service games, Fortnite occasionally goes offline for various unexpected reasons:

• On August 14, 2025, an unexpected login outage affected a couple of games, including Fortnite, and lasted about two hours.
• A large AWS (Amazon Web Services) outage on October 20, 2025, also affected Fortnite and other online games for a couple of hours.

Fortnite Server Downtime Schedule (Recent Examples)

To make the pattern a bit clearer, here’s a simplified Fortnite server downtime schedule for the most recent updates:

Note: These figures are based on Epic’s official status page. We expect future patches to follow the same general template, but they may run a bit longer or shorter depending on what’s changing.

How To Check Fortnite Server Status

If you’re unsure if there’s Fortnite server downtime, the safest route to rule out any problems on your end is to check Epic’s official tools:

• Epic Games Public Status page: Go to status.epicgames.com → Find the Fortnite row → Check server status.
• @FortniteStatus on X (Twitter): This account posts scheduled downtime and follow-up announcements when services become available again.

How To Fix “Fortnite Servers Not Responding”

Occasionally, the Fortnite server status may say everything is fine, but you still won’t be able to get into the game. Unless there’s scheduled maintenance, that’s usually when it’s worth troubleshooting. Here are some basic steps you can take:

• Restart Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher on PC, or fully close and re-open the game on console.
• Restart your device to clear temporary processes.
• Power cycle your router or modem by unplugging it for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Make sure Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher are fully updated.

FAQs

How long is server downtime for Fortnite?

Fortnite server downtime for routine patches usually lasts 1–2 hours; however, new seasons and chapters can push downtime to 4–5 hours or longer.

When is Fortnite server downtime?

Most Fortnite server downtime typically begins from around 4 AM ET | 9 AM UTC, with matchmaking being disabled 30 minutes prior.

Why are Fortnite servers down right now?

Fortnite servers typically go down for scheduled updates, hotfixes, new seasons, or platform issues, such as AWS and ISP outages.

Does Fortnite always go down for updates?

Yes. Fortnite utilizes planned downtime to deploy patches, address bugs, and introduce new content.

Can I play Fortnite while servers are down?

No. You can’t bypass Fortnite downtime because the official matchmaking servers are put offline by the developers. Your only option is to wait until maintenance ends.

References

1. Epic Games Public Status (Epic Games)
2. Fortnite Status’s posts (X)