If you’ve tried logging into Fortnite today and found yourself staring at an error screen instead of the Battle Bus, you’re not alone. Players all over the world are experiencing downtime—and it’s not your Wi-Fi acting up. Epic Games has taken Fortnite offline for a scheduled update, but it looks like things haven’t exactly gone as planned.
Let’s break down what’s going on with the Fortnite servers, when they might be back up, and what to expect once the game is live again.
Why Are Fortnite Servers Down?
Fortnite went offline early this morning (July 15) for the rollout of the v36.20 update. The downtime began at 08:00 UTC—that’s 4 AM Eastern or 1 AM Pacific time. These scheduled maintenance windows are a normal part of Fortnite’s update cycle. What’s unusual today is just how long it’s taking.
Originally, players expected servers to return after about 2–3 hours, but as of now, we’re several hours into downtime with no confirmed return time. Epic has officially stated that they’re working on an issue discovered during offline testing, and they’ve extended the downtime until further notice.
You can keep tabs on the official status via Epic Games’ server status page, which currently shows Fortnite’s major services—like matchmaking, login, and the item shop—as under maintenance.
What’s Included in the v36.20 Update?
Although the patch notes haven’t dropped yet in full, several leaks and teasers have hinted at what’s inside v36.20. One major highlight is the long-awaited Superman crossover, which includes themed cosmetics and possibly even a new limited-time event.
Other features expected to be part of the update include:
- Balance changes in Zero Build and Battle Royale modes
- Stability improvements for Creative mode
- Bug fixes related to building lag and inventory glitches
Sites like GameSpot and Beebom are already reporting on the hiccup with the update rollout, and both note player frustration is growing as downtime stretches on.
How Long Will the Servers Be Down?
Initially, the downtime was estimated to last about 3 hours. However, several sources—like FreeJobAlert—are now suggesting it could stretch to 6 hours or more.
As of now, Epic hasn’t offered a new ETA for when servers will be back online. Their latest update on @FortniteStatus on X (formerly Twitter) simply confirms that the team is still investigating and working to bring the game back.
What You Can Do in the Meantime
While the game’s down, here are a few things you might want to do:
- Check the Fortnite Status page.
- Follow @FortniteStatus for the latest info
- Catch up on the Fortnite community via Reddit, like the r/FortNiteBR subreddit
- Revisit past update notes and prep your loadouts for the upcoming content
Some players are also taking this time to explore other Epic Games titles, like Rocket League or Fall Guys, both of which remain unaffected by today’s downtime.
Final Thoughts
Yes, Fortnite servers are still down as of now. And while server outages are nothing new, today’s delay is longer than expected. Hopefully, the wait means v36.20 will deliver a smoother experience once it goes live.
For now, stay tuned to Epic’s official channels and give your fingers a break—you’ll be back dropping into Mega City soon enough.
Don’t forget to check out our guide on Marvel Rivals Error Code 211 Fix, How to Boost Your Xbox Game Performance: Real Tips That Actually Work, How to sign up for Resident Evil Survival Unit pre-registration for more fun gaming.
