Fortnite players are currently unable to access the game as Epic Games rolls out the v39.50 update. The scheduled server maintenance began on February 19, 2026, at 4 AM ET (1 AM PT / 9 AM UTC), and matchmaking was disabled shortly before the downtime window started.
There is no confirmed time for when the servers will return. However, based on past mid-season updates, players can expect the downtime to last roughly three to four hours. That puts the estimated return window somewhere around 7 AM to 8 AM ET.
It is worth noting that the actual length of downtime can vary. If Epic Games encounters any unexpected issues during the deployment or if the patch is larger than usual, the maintenance window could extend beyond the typical estimate. Players should keep an eye on the official Fortnite Status account on social media for real-time updates on when servers come back online.
What Is New in the Fortnite V39.50 Update?
The biggest addition in this update is the launch of the Lantern Fest event. This annual in-game celebration is tied to Ramadan and features themed cosmetics, community challenges, and limited-time activities. Epic Games has teased a brand new Ramadan-themed skin for this year’s event, which may be available for free through the Lantern Fest Cup.
Lantern Fest Reload Map
A major highlight of the v39.50 patch is the introduction of a new Lantern Fest-themed map in Reload mode. This new map will support teams of up to eight players, giving squads a fresh battleground to explore during the event.
Alongside the new map, Reload ranks will also be reset with this update. Players will need to complete a match to re-establish their rank based on their previous performance, giving everyone a clean opportunity to climb toward Unreal rank once again.
Players can also expect Lantern Fest Reload quests, which will reward free cosmetic items upon completion.
Solo Leveling Collaboration
The v39.50 update is also expected to bring a collaboration with the popular anime series Solo Leveling. Epic Games confirmed the crossover through a teaser that references the main character Sung Jin-woo’s status as an E-Rank Hunter. Leaked information suggests that cosmetics inspired by Sung Jin-woo, Cha Hae-in, and Igris the Bloodred could appear as part of this collaboration.
Honkai: Star Rail Collab and More
Further details about a Honkai: Star Rail collaboration are expected to surface with this update. On top of that, the Love and Legends event schedule previously confirmed the return of the DeLorean in this patch. Story quests related to The Seven and the Dark Voyager are also anticipated, pushing the Chapter 7 Season 1 narrative forward as the season nears its end.
How Long Will Fortnite Be Down?
Mid-season updates in Fortnite generally result in downtime lasting between two and four hours. Based on this pattern, the v39.50 servers should come back online somewhere around 6 AM to 8 AM ET on February 19.
For context, Epic Games has maintained a consistent schedule for major updates throughout Chapter 7 Season 1. The previous update, v39.40, launched on February 5 and followed a similar downtime window.
The longest Fortnite downtime in history remains The Blackout from 2019, when the game was completely unavailable for two full days. Players do not need to worry about anything close to that happening with this update.
How to Check Fortnite Server Status
There are a few reliable ways to check whether Fortnite servers are back up:
The Epic Games Public Status page provides real-time information about the condition of all Fortnite services. Players can visit this page to see which components are operational and which ones are still under maintenance.
The official Fortnite Status account on X (formerly Twitter) posts updates when matchmaking is disabled and again when the servers return after maintenance.
Third-party tools like Downdetector can also help players see if others are reporting connection issues, which is useful for spotting unplanned outages outside of scheduled maintenance windows.
What Comes After V39.50?
According to the current Fortnite 2026 roadmap, the next update is expected to be v39.51, a mini update tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2026. The much larger v40.00 update, which will mark the launch of Chapter 7 Season 2, is currently expected on March 19, 2026.
The v39.50 patch is likely one of the final major updates for Chapter 7 Season 1, as the start of Season 2 has been delayed from its originally planned date.
Last Updated: February 19, 2026