Fortnite enthusiasts across the United Kingdom are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a substantial new game update, with developer Epic Games confirming the release of version 39.40 on Wednesday, February 5, 2026. This major download will introduce a wealth of fresh content, including a dedicated Valentine's celebration, alongside necessary server maintenance that will temporarily take the game offline.
Fortnite Update 39.40 Release Date and Server Downtime Schedule
Epic Games has officially announced that update 39.40, one of the final updates for the current season, will go live on February 5. The deployment will be preceded by a scheduled period of server downtime to facilitate the installation of new features and fixes.
In a post on social media platform X, the company stated: "Love and Legends come together in February!", providing clear timing for the maintenance window. Downtime is set to commence at 4 AM Eastern Time (ET), with matchmaking services disabled shortly before this time.
For players in the UK, this translates to server downtime beginning at 9:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Matchmaking will be disabled at approximately 8:30 AM GMT. According to the official Epic Games server status page, the maintenance period is expected to last for around 90 minutes.
This schedule means Fortnite should be back online for British gamers by 10:30 AM GMT. Equivalent times for other regions include 2:30 AM Pacific Time, 5:30 AM Eastern Time, and 11:30 AM Central European Time.
Love and Legends Event and New Content Highlights
The centrepiece of update 39.40 is the Love and Legends event, a Valentine's-themed celebration running throughout February. The event roadmap promises weekly Power Hours, free unlockable items, new purchasable skins, and various gameplay alterations.
Significant content additions include the Pink Storm Shield, the return of Nitemare Island, the OG Ice Storm event, and the Lantern Fest for the Reload mode. Furthermore, the South Park collaboration is concluding, leading to the return of the Wonkeeland Point of Interest (POI).
Major Crossovers and Skins
A headline feature is the introduction of new content centred around musician Chappell Roan. This includes the Chappell Roan skin in the item shop and a dedicated crossover within the Fortnite Festival musical mode.
Players can acquire the Roan of Arc outfit, inspired by her iconic 2024 VMA performance, and another outfit featuring a bodysuit and cowboy hat with customisable colour schemes. Purchasing the Chappell Roan Outfit also unlocks the Pink Pony Star Back Bling, Midwest Princess Keytar, Subway Serenader Mic, and Drumset Supernova items.
Additional crossover content confirmed for the update includes new items from Honkai Star Rail, more content from Marvel Rivals, and the second wave of K-Pop Demon Hunters items.
Fortnite Update 39.40 Early Patch Notes
Alongside the new content, update 39.40 will implement a series of quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes designed to enhance the player experience across all supported platforms, including PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Quality of Life Updates
- Fixes for lag issues in the lobby, locker, and emote wheel.
- Introduction of a new "Favourites" tab within the Emote Wheel for quicker access.
- Unified tile presentation for Battle Royale, Reload, and OG modes, displaying options for Battle Royale, Zero Build, and Ranked or Unranked playlists.
Bug Fixes
- Restoration of Mantling and Hurdling sound effects to their normal volume levels.
- Correction of weapon audio issues that occurred after playing Creative or UEFN maps.
- Resolution of a recoil bug that was incorrectly resetting weapon reticles.
- Fixes for issues related to the Crown Jam emote, including locker and audio problems.
- Adjustments to mobile vehicle button functionality for older HUD layouts.
This comprehensive update marks a significant moment for Fortnite's ongoing evolution, blending seasonal festivities with substantial technical refinements for its vast player base.
