Fortnite Downtime: 5 Things You Need to Know About the v40.20 Update

Epic Games took the Fortnite servers offline on April 16, 2026, to deploy the massive v40.20 update across all platforms. The maintenance window marks a historic shift for the franchise as the long-awaited Showdown Act II arrives alongside a major pivot for the game's original mode.

The Full Story

If you tried to log in this morning and were met with a connection error, don't panic—it’s not just you. Epic Games officially pulled the plug on the servers around 4:00 AM ET to begin the rollout of v40.20. While we usually see these updates every few weeks, this one is pulling double duty by wrapping up the current season's narrative and launching new content for competitive players.

The downtime is expected to last anywhere from three to five hours, which is standard for a patch of this scale. During this window, players are completely locked out of Battle Royale, Creative, and LEGO Fortnite. Here’s the thing... this isn't just a bug-fix update; it's the foundation for the end-of-season event that everyone has been whispering about.

The biggest headline for long-time fans is the transition of 'Save the World.' After years as a paid early-access or pack-only experience, the PVE mode is finally going free-to-play, including a surprise launch on the Switch 2. This move aligns with Epic’s vision of Fortnite as a singular, accessible platform rather than a collection of separate paywalled modes.

The Main Players

• Epic Games: The developer managing the global server infrastructure and content rollout.
• The Fortnite Community: Millions of players currently tracking the live status to be the first to drop in.
• Switch 2 Owners: A new demographic of players getting their first taste of the optimized Save the World experience today.

Key Statistics

The update size is significant, so you might want to check your storage before the download hits. v40.20 clocks in at approximately 12GB to 18GB depending on your console or PC. Historically, server maintenance that starts at 4 AM ET usually sees players back on the Battle Bus by 9:00 AM ET, though delays are common when major new modes are introduced.

What This Means

For the local gaming community in the US, this update represents more than just new skins. The launch of Showdown Act II shifts the competitive meta, introducing new weapons that will likely change how the final circles play out for the rest of the season. What's interesting is that Epic is leaning heavily into the narrative side again, using this downtime to "prep" the world for a major environmental shift.

The move to make Save the World free-to-play on all platforms, including the Switch 2, is about making the entire Fortnite ecosystem truly universal.

What to Expect

Once the servers are back up, players can expect the following immediately:

• The release of Showdown Act II challenges and rewards.
• Immediate access to Save the World for all users without a purchase requirement.
• New shop rotations featuring the latest collaborative items.

FAQ

When will Fortnite servers be back up today?
Maintenance usually lasts 3-5 hours. Expect the servers to be online between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM ET on April 16, 2026.

Why is Fortnite down right now?
Epic Games is deploying the v40.20 update, which includes the Showdown Act II launch and making Save the World free-to-play.

Is Save the World free on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, as of today's update, Save the World is free-to-play and officially supported on the Switch 2 platform.