Fortnite fans were ready to jump into lightspeed for the all-new Star Wars-themed season, Galactic Battle, but there’s one holdup: the servers are down. As is tradition, Epic Games has taken Fortnite offline for scheduled maintenance to roll out the highly anticipated seasonal update. So while players gear up for lightsabers, new skins, and intergalactic mayhem, many are asking the same question: When will Fortnite be back online?
Here’s what we know so far—and what to expect from this exciting crossover event.
Why Fortnite Is Down
Fortnite’s server downtime isn’t unusual. Every major season update comes with a temporary outage, typically lasting between four to six hours. However, because Galactic Battle marks the start of a brand-new season, it could take even longer. Past seasonal launches have seen players waiting as long as 18 hours, such as during the Chapter 5 Season 2 update.
As of now, the earliest estimate for servers to come back online is around 3 AM PT / 6 AM ET. That’s assuming everything goes smoothly. Any hiccups in the patch rollout could extend the wait, so if you’re planning to set an alarm, keep your expectations realistic.
What’s Coming in Galactic Battle?
Although you can’t play just yet, there’s plenty to be excited about. Epic Games has gone all-in with Star Wars content this season. The new battle pass is packed with skins from across the galaxy, including a much-hyped Captain Phasma skin. And it’s not just the battle royale mode getting the Star Wars treatment—Lego Fortnite is joining in too with a fresh Lego Pass featuring themed builds and content.
For those who don’t celebrate May the 4th, worry not—modes like Reload and OG will still be available, just without any force powers or Star Wars storylines (though you’ll still spot other players rocking their galaxy far, far away fits).
A Shorter Season, Bigger Hype
What sets Galactic Battle apart is its compact, five-week format. Epic typically rolls out longer seasons, but this one is more of a fast-paced event—likely meant to capitalize on the buzz surrounding May the 4th and the broader Star Wars Celebration. The company revealed the season two weeks in advance during Star Wars Celebration Japan, a rare move that signaled something big was coming.
Season 2 wrapped up recently with the popular Kneecapper and Rocket Drill items and even featured pop star Sabrina Carpenter in Festival mode. But now, that chapter is closed, and the new adventure is ready to launch—just as soon as the servers do.
What To Do While You Wait
If you’re refreshing your login screen every 10 minutes, you’re not alone. But you can use the downtime wisely. Check out previews and leaks from the update, dive into patch notes when they go live, or prep your crew for co-op missions in Lego Fortnite. You can also spend time planning which battle pass tiers to prioritize once the game returns.
And if you’re really struggling to pass the time? Well, Epic cheekily suggests you try something radical like going outside—or catching up on sleep.
Final Thoughts
Fortnite may be temporarily offline, but anticipation is higher than ever for what Galactic Battle will deliver. With a tighter season timeline, an abundance of Star Wars content, and Epic going full-throttle on promotion, this limited-time event could be one of the most memorable yet.
Until the servers come back, keep your blasters charged and your credits ready—it’s almost time to battle among the stars.