Fortnite servers are going down on May 14 for a fresh update that will bring version v40.40 to the game, with Epic Games expecting downtime to begin at 4 AM ET and last about three to four hours. The company has not said exactly when the servers will come back online, but players should not expect a return before 7 AM to 8 AM ET.
The timing matters because Epic Games is already preparing for Chapter 7, Season 3, which is set to begin in early June. The May 14 patch is also the point where Showdown season enters Act 3, titled Answer The Call, and it is expected to start the build-up to the end-of-season live event.
That build-up will not include the event assets themselves. Those are expected to arrive later in a smaller v40.41 update in a few weeks, which suggests Epic is keeping the May 14 rollout focused on setup rather than the full reveal. The update also comes after the April 30 patch, fitting Epic’s regular two-week rhythm for Fortnite updates.
There is more ahead than the live-event lead-in. LEGO Fortnite Odyssey is getting Star Wars-themed content, including the Mandalorian and Grogu, while The Boys are expected to be part of future Fortnite collaborations. Those additions point to a busy run of content heading into the next season.
For players trying to follow the downtime, the most reliable check is Epic’s social media accounts. The servers should be back after the scheduled window, but until Epic confirms the exact return time, the safest assumption is that May 14 will be a morning shutdown that runs for several hours before Fortnite opens again.
