Fortnite is offline right now as Epic Games rolls out its v39.20 update, and players are feeling the downtime. Scheduled maintenance began on January 9, 2026, taking servers offline so that the latest content can drop smoothly.
The update includes a huge South Park crossover, a free Mini Pass, map changes like Cartmanland, and even a new five-player limited-time mode. It also removes the remaining Winterfest content from the game. But before players can dive in, servers need to get back online.
Based on past updates, Fortnite maintenance usually lasts three to four hours, though Epic hasn’t confirmed an exact return time. If history is anything to go by, servers could be back up between 5 AM and 8 AM ET, depending on how smoothly the rollout goes. During the downtime, matchmaking is unavailable, gameplay is offline, and players can’t log in to live services, but everything should return automatically once the update is complete.
Emmanuel Umahi
As always, Epic Games will post full patch notes and detailed content breakdowns once the servers are live, so keep an eye on official Fortnite channels for the all-clear. Once the update goes live, all the new content, including the South Park collab, Mini Pass, Stick of Truth Mythic item, and the updated points of interest, will be ready to play across all platforms.
Even after a jam-packed Winterfest, Chapter 6 Season 1 still has a lot to offer, and this update adds some of the most talked-about content of the season.
The Takeaway
The v39.20 update proves that Fortnite isn’t slowing down in 2026. While downtime can be frustrating, it’s the price of entry for one of the biggest collaborations of the season, complete with new cosmetics, a free Mini Pass, and a fresh game mode. Once servers are back, fans can jump straight into a chaotic South Park-infused Fortnite experience, so set your alarms and get ready for the mayhem.
Emmanuel Umahi
