Fortnite Goes Down Before Big Update: Here’s the Reason
Fortnite servers are temporarily offline for scheduled maintenance as the game prepares for the launch of its new season. The downtime, expected to last five hours, comes ahead of the highly anticipated Chapter 6, Season 2, which includes exciting new content like heists, betrayals, and a Mortal Kombat crossover. Players can also pre-download the update to dive straight into the action once it’s live.
Scheduled Maintenance and Update Details Epic Games took Fortnite offline at 12:30 PM IST (7:00 AM GMT) on February 21, disabling matchmaking shortly before. This maintenance is necessary to apply the “Lawless” update, which introduces Big Dill, the rapping pickle character.
- Earlier Downtime: Fortnite went down two hours earlier than usual. This adjustment likely aimed to reduce disruptions by scheduling maintenance during off-peak hours.
- Previous Blackout: In 2019, Fortnite faced a massive 36-hour blackout during a major season update, highlighting the scale of updates.
How to Pre-Download the Update Epic Games has made it easy for console players to pre-download the update, ensuring they can jump into Chapter 6, Season 2 as soon as it’s live.
- For Xbox: Navigate to My Games & Apps > Manage > Updates to start the pre-download process.
- For PS5: Keep your console connected to the internet in Rest Mode. Enable auto-download and auto-install by going to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates.
What’s New in Fortnite’s Latest Season Fortnite’s new season takes inspiration from heists and betrayals, with a focus on high-stakes action.
- New Characters: Big Dill returns, joined by fan-favorite Midas, a group of female outlaws, and a new anthropomorphic wolf villain.
- Mortal Kombat Crossover: Sub-Zero, the iconic Mortal Kombat character, is joining Fortnite, with abilities that may allow players to freeze enemies in ice blocks.
- New Map & Weapons: Fans can expect high-stakes heists on a Las Vegas-inspired map and new weapons, including dual-wield shotguns, a plasma burst rifle, and an armored wall for added defense.
The update brings exciting new content, setting the stage for a thrilling chapter in Fortnite’s ongoing evolution.
