Fortnite Servers Going Offline for Major v37.00 Fortnitemares Update
Epic Games is shutting down Fortnite matchmaking ahead of the v37.00 update. Find out when servers go offline for Fortnitemares 2026.
Fortnite players need to wrap up their matches a bit earlier than usual. Epic Games has confirmed that the game servers are going offline for a major system update. Version v37.00 is finally on the horizon, and it is bringing the highly anticipated Fortnitemares 2026 event along with it.
This is not just any routine maintenance. Because of the sheer volume of content coming to the island, Epic is planning an extended period of downtime. Players should expect to be locked out of the game for several hours while the developers lay the groundwork for the spooky season.
When Do the Fortnite Servers Go Down?
The transition begins in the early morning hours. Epic Games announced that matchmaking will be disabled starting at 3:30 AM Eastern Time (ET). This gives players in active matches enough time to finish their battles without getting abruptly disconnected mid-fight.
Exactly thirty minutes later, at 4:00 AM ET, the servers will shut down completely. The developer shared the news on social media, reminding players to save their progress and log off before the deadline.
During this downtime, you will not be able to log in, browse the item shop, or access your virtual locker. Epic has not given a specific time for when the servers will come back online. However, major seasonal updates like this typically keep the game offline for anywhere between three to five hours. If everything goes smoothly, players can expect to jump back into the action by mid-morning.
What to Expect from Fortnitemares 2026
Fortnitemares is always a massive draw for the community, and this year is shaping up to be just as big. While Epic keeps its exact plans under wraps until the patch notes drop, community teasers have already given fans plenty to talk about.
Here is what is expected to arrive with the v37.00 patch:
- The return of classic Halloween-themed weapons, including the iconic Pumpkin Launcher and Witch Brooms.
- Spooky map alterations, featuring fog-laden areas and haunted decorations across popular points of interest.
- New collaboration skins in the Item Shop, alongside some highly anticipated spooky variants of original characters.
- Special limited-time challenges that offer free cosmetic rewards for everyone who participates.
Every year, Epic tries to raise the bar for its Halloween event. The v37.00 update is set to deliver a mix of nostalgic favorites and brand-new mechanics to keep the gameplay loop feeling fresh for veteran players and newcomers alike.
How to Prepare for the Update
Because of the new assets, map changes, and event files, the update size is expected to be significantly larger than a standard weekly patch. PC, console, and mobile players should make sure they have enough free storage space before the download begins to avoid any errors.
To speed up the process, you can enable auto-updates on your console or launcher. This way, your system will start downloading the patch files the moment Epic pushes them live, minimizing your wait time once the servers are back up.
Keep in mind that when the servers do reopen, log-in queues are highly likely. Millions of players will be trying to log in at the same time to see the new map and check out the shop. If you encounter a waiting room screen, your best bet is simply to stay patient and let the queue run its course. Do not restart your game, as this often resets your place in line.
