fortnite servers to go offline Feb. 19 for update 39.50 — downtime window and what’s coming
Epic Games will deploy a major mid‑season update on February 19 that temporarily takes fortnite servers offline. The maintenance ushers in the Lantern Fest event, new crossovers and map changes. Below are the expected windows in Eastern Time (ET), what the patch brings, and how long you may be locked out.
Downtime schedule and expected return (ET)
The developer has set downtime to begin on February 19 at 4: 00 AM ET, with matchmaking disabled shortly beforehand — roughly 3: 30 AM ET. The initial status listing gives a 90‑minute window for maintenance, which would put a planned return at about 5: 30 AM ET. That timeline represents the stated target for servers to come back online.
Keep in mind that mid‑season updates can be unpredictable. While the official window is 90 minutes, past deployments have at times extended into multi‑hour maintenance if issues or larger patches are required. If complications emerge, fortnite servers could remain unavailable beyond the target return time; players should plan for some variability on launch morning.
What’s in update 39. 50
The update marks the start of the Lantern Fest event, running from February 19 through February 25. Lantern Fest injects a new tempo into the Reload mode with eight‑player teams and a fresh map rotation designed for larger squads. Completing event quests unlocks cosmetics such as the 'Bring it!' Spray and the 'Love the Game' Emoticon.
Crossovers are a headline attraction in this release. New Solo Leveling items — including a Sung Jin‑Woo skin — are being added, alongside the long‑awaited Honkai: Star Rail collaboration. Expect additional themed additions to inventories and reward tracks as the event window progresses.
On the main Battle Royale front, leaks and previews point to returning signature items and story beats that will lead into the season finale. Players may see the Delorean return to the island and other event hooks that hint at what’s coming when the season concludes in early March.
If downtime runs long: tips and what to watch
If you find yourself logged out after the stated return target, remain patient and check in later. Extended outages typically stem from server issues or last‑minute fixes pushed to protect match integrity. When fortnite servers extend beyond the initial window, developers often follow up with updated maintenance estimates and a revised bring‑back time.
For players planning events or streams, avoid scheduling anything immediately after the target return time. If you’re aiming to claim time‑limited Lantern Fest rewards on day one, try to log in later in the morning if initial attempts fail. Keep an eye on in‑game notices once servers return for any additional resets, rank adjustments in Reload, or temporary fixes that may follow a larger deployment.
In short: mark February 19 at 4: 00 AM ET as the maintenance start, expect a 90‑minute window as the target, and be prepared for possible extensions. The payoff should include Lantern Fest content, new crossovers, Reload changes for eight‑player squads, and fresh hints toward the season finale.
