Is Fortnite down? Server downtime schedule and what's new in update 34.40

Fortnite has a major new change on the way, but before then, there are unvaultings and cosmetics galore to expect after the next bout of Fortnite downtime.

It looks like we’re locked in at this point – the next season is going to be themed. We hope you like a lobby full of Darth Jar Jars. After we took a look at the , leaks and teasers gave way to a major reveal of a new teaser trailer, revealing heaps of new skins set to come to the game, a look at some Star Wars spaceships and a new customizable Wookie Team Leader cosmetic that players will no doubt be scrambling for.

It’s going to be a big deal, but before then, there is one more update set to hit Fortnite, and according to leakers, we’re in for a real treat with a big unvaulting and the arrival of some exciting new cosmetic crossovers. That doesn’t mean we won’t be in for a little chaos, though, as has promised a major unban wave since it changed its terms of service, announcing when it revealed a that players who were once banned for life would be able to revisit the island once more.

Only time will tell if repeat offenders will be making the most of their return or keeping themselves to themselves, but for now, there’s at least a lot of content to get excited for. So, what precisely is there yet to come in Chapter 6 Season 2? Here’s what you need to know about the incoming Fortnite downtime.

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Is Fortnite down?

Fortnite downtime begins at 1am PDT / 4am EDT / 9am BST on Tuesday, April 22. The date was confirmed by leakers when we first took a look at the , and we estimated the start time based on previous update downtimes and it's since been confirmed by the official

Downtime for v34.40 begins at 4 AM ET with matchmaking ending shortly beforehand. pic.twitter.com/jliTb63eXY

— Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) April 21, 2025

.

Fortnite has thankfully been quite consistent with its downtimes, and we can expect the downtime to last for around two hours, putting the update’s release time at 3am PDT / 6am EDT / 9am BST. The game will shut off its matchmaking for half an hour before the update begins in order to allow existing games to finish before the entire game goes temporarily kaput.

What’s new in Fortnite update 34.40?

We took a look at everything new across leaks and confirmed bug fixes in the early patch notes for Fortnite update 34.40, but new unvaultings and a new cosmetic appear to have been confirmed for after this bout of Fortnite downtime. Leaker

WHAT TO EXPECT IN TUESDAY'S UPDATE 🔥

- New Cosmetics
- TMNT Villains
- Potential Teasers for S3
- Skin inspired by Jenna Ortega
- May Crew Pack
- Season 3 Datamining Leaks
- New Monks Reskin
- Old Collabs updated for shop return
- Shield Breaker EMP unvaulted
- Business Turret… pic.twitter.com/jg8ntjI0n3

— Shiina (@ShiinaBR) April 20, 2025

has taken to Twitter to add a claim that the Business Turret and Shield Breaker EMP will be unvaulted, and has also revealed that a new Jenna Ortega-inspired skin, first revealed in the key art for will be coming to the game with a new Monks reskin.

We can also, as was the case last week, expect the arrival of a new TMNT crossover, more teasers for Chapter 6 Season 3, a reskin for Rebel Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper for original owners and more. The leaks have truly ramped up, and they’re now revealing the new update to be a particularly packed one once this Fortnite downtime has concluded. Brace for impact before the arrival of Darth Jar Jar and his minions.