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Fortnite Battle Royale update v17.40 was released on August 17, 2021; it is not a current update, and its announcement does not show whether Fortnite is down today. Epic’s official post confirms the release date and changes but gives no downtime hour or end time. A community repost of the timing announcement put downtime at approximately 4:00 a.m. ET, with matchmaking disabled about 30 minutes earlier. For a present-day outage, check Epic Games Public Status and FortniteStatus.
When did Fortnite v17.40 release, and how long was downtime?
Epic published its official v17.40 Battle Royale update post on August 17, 2021, a date also reflected in Epic’s news archive. The official patch post does not give an exact downtime start or finish time.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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FORTNITE - Darkfire & Ice Bundle - Nintendo Switch 2 (Code in Box) | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fortnite Video Game for Switch Pack Transformers (FR) Download Code | $37.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fortnite - PlayStation 4 | $193.06 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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FORTNITE | Darkfire & Ice Bundle | XBOX Digital Code | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
A Fortnite Battle Royale community post reproducing the timing announcement reported that downtime would begin at approximately 4:00 a.m. ET on August 17, with matchmaking disabled roughly 30 minutes beforehand. That start time is secondary-source reporting, not a time stated in Epic’s patch notes. No v17.40-specific downtime duration or end time is established in the official post.
What changed in the v17.40 patch notes?
Coral Castle’s Mothership abduction
The Mothership moved to Coral Castle. Players could enter its low-gravity tractor beam and move between uprooted sections of the point of interest. Epic said the abduction would take as long as the one at Slurpy Swamp and encouraged players to return during the week to see how the location changed.
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- Darkfire Bundle: Including 3 outfits (with LEGO Styles) and back blings; Dark Power Chord, Dark Six String, Molten Omen, Molten Battle Shroud, Shadow Ark, Shadow Ark Wings, plus 3 wraps, 3 dual-wielding pickaxes, and an emote!
- Deep Freeze Bundle: Cool off with the Deep Freeze set and 1,000 V-Bucks. Includes the frostbite outfit (with LEGO Style), freezing point back bling, chill-axe pickaxe, and cold front glider.
- The Fortnite – Darkfire & Ice Bundle includes 10+ cosmetics and 1,000 V-Bucks!
Burst Pulse Rifle
Kymera offered a Pulse Rifle variant that fires two-round bursts while aiming down sights and has a larger clip.
Impostors in public matches and parties
Epic said Impostors could be played in public matches or in private parties of four to ten players.
Rank #2
- Platform Compatibility: Fortnite Video Game designed specifically for Nintendo Switch console
- Visual Design: Multicolor presentation featuring vibrant graphics and engaging visual elements
- Compact Dimensions: Measures 17 x 0.8 x 10.2 cm for convenient storage and handling
- Product Reference: Reference number S7193683 for easy identification and ordering
- Digital Download Code: Includes Transformers Pack content delivered via download code for instant access
Sneak Week began later that week
Sneak Week was scheduled to start on Thursday, August 19, 2021—not immediately with the August 17 update. For the event, Epic planned to replace Epic-or-higher pistols and assault rifles, as well as all Bolt-Action Sniper Rifles, with suppressed variants. Epic also said the Aliens would increase Prop-ifier production.
Bug fixes and competitive-play restrictions
- Epic fixed a Preferred Item Slots issue affecting double-slot items such as the Chug Cannon.
- Epic fixed Cosmic Chests becoming impossible to open after a teammate left.
- Prop Disguise services were re-enabled after being disabled previously.
- Sneak Week and the Burst Pulse Rifle were excluded from competitive playlists.
Is Fortnite down now?
The August 2021 v17.40 announcement describes a historical update; it cannot establish Fortnite’s current service status. For a current interruption, consult Epic Games Public Status and the FortniteStatus account for service updates and emerging issues. Epic Support says in-game emergency messaging is posted approximately 24 hours before planned downtime; that guidance is not a v17.40-specific schedule.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #4
- DARKFIRE & ICE BUNDLE — Expand your Fortnite locker with 10+ cosmetics from the Darkfire and Deep Freeze sets, plus 1,000 V-Bucks.
- DARKFIRE BUNDLE — Includes Dark Power Chord, Molten Omen, and Shadow Ark outfits with LEGO Styles, along with Dark Six String, Molten Battle Shroud, and Shadow Ark Wings back blings.
- MORE DARKFIRE GEAR — Customize your loadout with three wraps, three dual-wielding pickaxes, and an emote included in the Darkfire Bundle.
- DEEP FREEZE BUNDLE — Cool off with the Frostbite outfit with LEGO Style, Freezing Point back bling, Chill-Axe pickaxe, and Cold Front glider.
- 1,000 V-BUCKS — Get 1,000 V-Bucks with the Deep Freeze Bundle to use in Fortnite.
Rank #3
- Heroes - play as four hero classes, each with thousands of variations to recruit and unlock.
- Skill tree/RPG - points put into the skill tree allow you to unlock new hero abilities, upgrade weapons, Boost your team health, and more.
- Enemies - defend yourself against hordes of monsters that come from the mysterious Storm.
- Building System - The revolutionary building system allows you to quickly build structures while also juggling frenetic combat.
- Schematics/Crafting - Use the resources you find in the world to craft weapons, traps, health packs, and more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
