Fortnite DOWN – How long are servers offline for LEGO Fortnite downtime

UPDATE: Fortnite developer Epic Games has started to disable matchmaking for Battle Royale and Creative, as LEGO Fortnite prepares to drop. With no warning of extra large file sizes or longer than usual downtime, there’s a good chance fans will be playing LEGO Fortnite by around 10am GMT UK time.

ORIGINAL: Fortnite fans will be unable to play Creative and Battle Royale, as Epic takes the game offline for extended maintenance as part of the launch of LEGO Fortnite. Coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, Android and PC, LEGO Fortnite will be available to download on the morning of December 7. The launch of the new experience will be preceded by a period of server downtime, which means you won’t be able to play Fortnite for at least a couple of hours. If you want to know when you can log back into Fortnite, check out the LEGO Fortnite server downtime schedule below.

The news was announced by Epic Games on Twitter, alongside details on when servers will be taken offline for maintenance.

“The adventure is building…” reads an Epic tweet. “Downtime begins at 3 AM ET with matchmaking disabled shortly beforehand.”

For UK fans, Fortnite will be taken offline in full at 8am GMT, while matchmaking will be disabled at 7.30am.

Epic hasn’t revealed exactly when downtime will come to an end, but maintenance typically lasts for around a couple of hours.

This means Fortnite should be back online by around 10am GMT UK time. However, because LEGO Fortnite appears to be a significant new game mode, there’s a chance downtime could last longer than expected.

The new LEGO Fortnite in-game experience is described as “ultimate survival crafting LEGO adventure”. 

“It introduces vast, open worlds where the magic of LEGO building and Fortnite collide,” Epic explains.

“Designed for people of all ages to enjoy together, the game will encourage creativity, experimentation, and collaboration through play.”

Judging by the official cinematic trailer, LEGO Fortnite looks like it might give Minecraft a run for its money.

The gameplay appears to combine town building with exploration, crafting, scavenging and survival.