Fortnite’s servers are about to go down for scheduled maintenance, marking the beginning of the highly anticipated v39.00 update. But here’s where it gets interesting: the downtime isn’t just about the update itself; it’s linked to the Zero Hour event, which is the final chapter in the Chapter 6 storyline and will also close off the remaining parts of Chapter 5. This event will trigger the server shutdown, and Epic Games has confirmed that the downtime is part of the transition to Chapter 7. So, get ready for some downtime, folks! Here’s what you need to know.
When Will the Downtime Start?
The new downtime period will begin when Epic Games starts the v39.00 update process. This update will roll out after the Zero Hour live event ends. The downtime notice was posted on November 29, 2025, at 14:13 UTC, and the servers will be offline from November 29, 2025, at 19:15 UTC until November 30, 2025, at 00:30 UTC. This scheduled window marks the official start of the Chapter 7 launch process.
The Zero Hour Event and Downtime Link
The Zero Hour live event is the final event for Chapter 6 and will also close the remaining parts of the Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 storyline. This event will determine the moment when servers shut down for the v39.00 update. Epic Games has said that servers will shut down as soon as the Zero Hour event ends. The Xbox event tab shows that the Zero Hour event will last about 30 minutes, meaning that downtime for Chapter 7 should begin at around 2:30 PM ET.
Expected Downtime Length for v39.00
Epic Games hasn’t given an exact duration for the downtime, but the official Fortnite Twitter account has said that maintenance will last several hours. Because this update marks the start of a new chapter, the patch will be large. Chapter updates usually require more time than regular season patches. Leaks from reliable community sources suggest that servers might be down for 7 to 8 hours. If this estimate is correct, players may be able to join their first Chapter 7 match at around 10 PM ET. These estimates are not confirmed by Epic Games, but they match previous chapter update patterns.
When Will Servers Come Back Online?
There’s no fixed time from Epic Games, but players should expect a long wait. Status updates will be available on the Epic Games status webpage, which shows real-time information about server maintenance and update progress. The server return time depends on the size of the update, patch testing, and rollout checks. Once maintenance is complete, players will be able to download the v39.00 update and enter Fortnite Chapter 7.
What Players Should Do During Downtime
Players can take simple steps to prepare for the update. They should preload Fortnite when the files become available on their platform. Preloading helps reduce the wait time when servers come back online. Players should also check the Epic Games status webpage, which will show when downtime ends. Players who want to stay updated can follow official Fortnite social accounts for real-time notices. Since this is a major update, players should also expect large download sizes and slower queue times when servers reopen.