Fortnite servers are currently down for scheduled maintenance ahead of the launch of Season 7 Chapter 2. Downtime began on March 19 at 6 AM GMT (2 AM ET / 11 PM PT on March 18) and is expected to last approximately three hours, with servers anticipated to come back online around 11 AM GMT (7 AM ET / 4 AM PT).
The update will introduce the new Battle Royale Season titled “Fortnite Showdown,” which features a narrative conflict between The Foundation and Ice King. Players can pre-download the update on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
Matchmaking ended shortly before the official maintenance window, as confirmed by Fortnite Status, which stated, “Downtime for v40.00 begins at 2 AM ET (6 AM UTC) with matchmaking ending shortly beforehand.” This aligns with the typical protocol for major updates.
The new season’s Battle Pass includes 100 tiers, with The Foundation skin as a primary tier reward. Additionally, V-Bucks pricing adjustments will affect most purchase tiers, a change that players will need to consider when engaging with the new content.
Historically, extended downtime during major releases has reached up to six hours, although the current maintenance is expected to be shorter. Server stability checks will be conducted in staged rollouts across different regions to ensure a smooth experience upon return.
Epic Games confirmed the downtime through their official channels, keeping players informed about the status of the servers. As the gaming community eagerly awaits the new season, players are advised to check official updates for any changes to the expected return time.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional features or changes that may accompany the launch of Chapter 7 Season 2. Observers are keen to see how the new narrative elements will unfold in gameplay.
