Fortnite servers are down today for the highly anticipated Chapter 7 launch, and players are eagerly waiting to find out when they’ll be back up. The Zero Hour live event concluded at 2 PM ET on November 29, 2025, with servers taken offline immediately after to release the v39.00 update. Epic Games confirmed servers will remain offline for several hours while the new content deploys.
🔥 Quick Facts
Downtime Started: 2:15 PM ET on November 29 after the Zero Hour event finale
Expected Duration: 4 to 7 hours of scheduled maintenance for v39.00 release
Estimated Return Time: Servers expected back online between 5 PM and 7 PM ET on Saturday
Chapter 7 Launch: Official launch scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025, with new Pacific Break theme
When Will Fortnite Servers Be Back Up Today?
According to Epic Games’ official status page, the downtime is scheduled to last several hours while the v39.00 update deploys. Players can expect servers to return online sometime between 5 PM ET and 7 PM ET on Saturday, November 29, though the exact timing may vary depending on deployment progress. For Pacific Time players, that’s between 2 PM PT and 4 PM PT.
The massive downtime is necessary because Chapter 7 represents a complete overhaul of Fortnite’s battle royale experience. This isn’t a minor seasonal update—it’s an entirely new chapter with a completely redesigned map, new mechanics, and major gameplay changes. Epic Games typically doesn’t announce the exact server return time, but a 4 to 7-hour maintenance window is standard for chapter transitions of this magnitude.
What Caused the Fortnite Server Downtime?
The downtime was triggered by the conclusion of the Zero Hour live event, which served as the dramatic finale to Chapter 6. The event kicked off at 1:20 PM ET with lobbies opening 40 minutes early to allow players to load in. Once the event concluded around 2 PM ET, Epic Games immediately took servers offline to begin deploying the massive v39.00 update.
This scheduled maintenance is entirely expected and planned. Epic Games announced the downtime in advance, and there’s even a live countdown available in-game showing players exactly how long until servers are back online. The studio emphasized that Chapter 7 is a massive chapter update, so extended downtime is necessary to implement all the new features, map changes, and gameplay mechanics.
Chapter 7 Pacific Break: What’s Coming to Fortnite
Feature
Details
Theme
Pacific Break – West Coast/Hollywood inspired aesthetic
New Map
Completely redesigned island with desert regions and river-cut city
Surfing Mechanic
New water surfing gameplay element for traversal
Wingsuit Flying
New flight mechanic for dynamic movement across the map
Self-Revive Mechanic
Ability to revive yourself during matches
Reboot Vans
Driveable vehicles for reviving eliminated teammates
Boss Transformation
New feature allowing players to transform into boss characters
Dedicated Bot Mode
New game mode focused purely on bot matches
The Return of The Seven and Major Lore Updates
Chapter 7 marks the return of The Seven, a major faction in Fortnite’s storyline that hasn’t been prominently featured in recent seasons. The Pacific Break theme introduces a tsunami storyline element, with players experiencing a massive wave that transforms portions of the map. This dramatic environmental change sets the tone for the new chapter’s narrative arc.
The new map is completely redesigned compared to Chapter 6, featuring desert regions, floating balloons, a massive river-cut city, and various West Coast-inspired locations. Building mechanics have also been refined, with the return of Simple Building mode as an option for players who prefer streamlined construction gameplay. These changes fundamentally alter how matches play out compared to previous chapters.
Are You Affected by the Fortnite Server Downtime Today?
If you’re reading this on November 29, 2025, and have been unable to play Fortnite since roughly 2 PM ET, the answer is yes—you’re experiencing the scheduled Chapter 7 launch downtime. The outage is worldwide and intentional, so there’s nothing wrong with your connection or account. You can check the official Epic Games status page at status.epicgames.com to verify the current downtime status and get real-time updates on when servers are coming back online.
The best strategy while waiting? Watch Fortnite content creators on YouTube exploring the new Pacific Break map, or read through the official Chapter 7 announcement to prepare for what’s coming. Season 1 of Chapter 7 launches Sunday, November 30, 2025, so be ready to experience the next evolution of Fortnite Battle Royale tomorrow morning when servers go live.
Follow the Countdown
Check the official Epic Games server status page for live updates on when Fortnite servers will return to service.
Watch: Fortnite Chapter 7 Official Gameplay Trailer
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dV9z9BV6MU0
Sources
Epic Games Public Status – Official server status and downtime announcements
Forbes – Chapter 6 end time and Chapter 7 start time analysis
ComicBook – Server downtime coverage and player information
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.