If you tried logging into Fortnite today and found yourself staring at a “server offline” message, you’re definitely not alone. Epic Games has taken Fortnite offline for its latest round of maintenance, kicking off the rollout of update 36.20. But unlike the usual brief downtime windows, this one is dragging on, and players are starting to wonder just how long they’ll be locked out.
What Time Did Fortnite Go Down?
Fortnite officially went dark at 1 AM PDT / 4 AM EDT / 9 AM BST on Tuesday, July 15. As usual, Epic Games gave players a heads-up through their @FortniteStatus Twitter account, adhering to the routine they follow whenever a significant update is released.
Typically, downtime like this lasts a couple of hours at most, but today? Things are not going as planned. As of now, the servers have been down for more than five hours, and the community is buzzing with questions (and plenty of conspiracy theories) about what’s taking so long.
Fortnite servers have been down for over 5 hours now pic.twitter.com/anOjimdGgw
— Harvey (@hehesiu69) July 15, 2025
Why Is This Update Taking So Long?
The prolonged downtime has led to rumours circulating across social media. Some players have pointed out that Fortnite’s backend version number appears to have decreased, not increased, according to data shared by game tracking site Osirion. That kind of change isn’t typical and has, in the past, been linked to lengthy maintenance windows lasting 12 to 24 hours.
Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re in for a full-day wait this time, but Epic may be pushing some significant under-the-hood changes along with the new content.
What’s Coming in Fortnite Update 36.20?
Epic has been tight-lipped about the full contents of update 36.20, but players are expecting a mix of new content drops and much-needed fixes.
The past few months have been packed with new modes and collaborations, including the fan-favourite Blitz Royale mode and the Squid Grounds Reload event. Still, the game hasn’t received a traditional content patch since Epic’s summer break began back in June.
With the devs now back from vacation, 36.20 is set to mark the return of regular updates, and according to community chatter, there’s plenty in the pipeline.
Early Patch Notes: What’s Getting Fixed?
Epic hasn’t officially dropped the full patch notes yet, but the Fortnite Trello board is giving us an early peek at what’s coming! Imagine it as a hidden whiteboard where developers discreetly note what they will address next.
A significant problem being addressed is the strange Nanite Buzzsaw Pickaxe glitch. If you’ve tried it, you likely recognise the situation: occasionally, when you take it out, it appears distorted or misplaced to other users. It seems the game simply can’t determine its intended direction! But the good news is that this visual glitch will soon be fixed in the upcoming update. No more oddly-shaped pickaxes!
Currently, there are no specific solutions available for LEGO enthusiasts who are also fans of Fortnite. But we’re all still anticipating smoother gameplay and those minor quality-of-life adjustments that have a significant impact.
In the meantime, players of Save the World celebrate
The annoying bug where chests and loot containers in the Hit the Road event appeared as if they were open or empty is finally being fixed. While you still have your Cassette Tapes, even with the duds, it’ll be nice to have looting feel normal again.
What are you most excited to see fixed in the next update?
What About New Content?
While bug fixes are nice, everyone is really looking forward to Fortnite update 36.20 because of the new content it might bring. Epic hasn’t officially announced anything yet, but people who dig through the game’s files and share early information are already finding hints.
Here’s what the community thinks is coming:
- New weapons or items, probably with a summer theme
- Special in-game events linked to the ongoing Summer Splash season
- Possible collaborations or fresh cosmetic bundles
- And maybe, just maybe, a new map zone, though that one’s still just a rumour
Since Epic’s been on a bit of a break since June, players are hoping this update packs more than just minor fixes. Expectations? Sky high.
When Will Fortnite Be Back Online?
Right now, there’s no firm timeline for when Fortnite servers will come back up. If previous patches are anything to go by, it’s possible the servers could stay offline for up to 12 hours if Epic is making major backend adjustments. However, players are hopeful things will be resolved sooner rather than later.
For the latest status updates, your best bet is to keep an eye on the @FortniteStatus Twitter account, where Epic typically posts live maintenance updates.
Stay Tuned for More
Whether this extra-long downtime means something significant is happening behind the scenes or it’s just a typical patch gone sideways, we’ll have to wait and see. But one thing’s sure: Fortnite players are more than ready to dive back in the moment the servers come back online.
We’ll keep you updated with the full patch notes and all the details as soon as Epic makes everything official.
