Fallout 4 update release time expectation and countdown clock to launch (Updated)

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It’s launch day!

• Fallout 4 next-gen update is now available for download on Steam, Playstation and Xbox.

The Fallout series is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, but it has become super hot once more without the release of a new video game thanks to the hit Amazon Prime TV show. In conjunction with the brand new series comes the arrival of Bethesda’s long-awaited next-gen update. Here you will find the release date and expected release time for when the Fallout 4 next-gen update will come out along with how to download for PS5, Xbox, and PC.

We’ve been waiting a while for the Fallout 4 next-gen update to come out as it was previously delayed. However, now that it’s following the excellent Amazon Prime series, the timing really couldn’t be any better. The series’ player count has substantially grown following the TV show’s launch, and the next-gen update is free for everyone who already owns Fallout 4.

With launch date finally here, there are already in-game clues pointing to when the update could drop – athough an official release time has not yet been announced. Here’s what you need to know.

Fallout 4 next-gen update release date

The release date for the Fallout 4 next-gen update is April 25th. This is officially confirmed by the publisher on the BethesdaStudios Twitter account.

As mentioned by Bethesda, it is a free update, but you need to own a copy of the game to download the patch. It will be released across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. There will also be an update for PS4 and Xbox One, but this will merely fix stability and login issues.

When does the Fallout 4 next-gen update come out?

Update (25th April 17:18 GMT) – the Fallout 4 next-gen is now live on Steam, Playstation and Xbox. It seems the Fallout 4 next gen went live at 15:20 GMT, with a member of our team reporting the update was available to download in game.

Earlier fans spotted a message within the game saying that the Mods and Creation Club will undergo maintenance at 6am EDT (10am UTC) on April 25. This suggests that maintenance for the update will begin at 3 AM PT/ 6 AM ET/ 11 AM BST. There’s no mention of how long maintenance will last.

Some have also stated on Reddit that the daily reset time for FO76 is 10 AM PT/ 1 PM ET/ 6 PM BST, so this is possibly when the patch will fully release for FO4.

Expected Fallout 4 next-gen update maintenance release time US

• 3 AM PT on Thursday, April 25th
• 6 AM ET on Thursday, April 25th

Expected Fallout 4 next-gen update maintenance release time UK

• 11 AM BST on Thursday, April 25th

Expected Fallout 4 next-gen update release time countdown

Below is a countdown to the expected release time of 10 AM PT/ 1 PM ET/ 6 PM BST. Remember that no official launch time has been shared by Bethesda.

How to download Fallout 4 next-gen update

As mentioned earlier and explicitly by Bethesda, you will need to already own Fallout 4 to download the next-gen update. This download will be entirely free for all existing owners whether on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC.

If you already have the game installed on any system, the download should happen automatically when it is released on April 25th. If the download doesn’t happen automatically, then you will need to manually begin the installation. Below is how to manually check for updates to download on PS5, Xbox, and Steam:

PS5:

• Start your PS5
• Scroll to Fallout 4 on the home screen
• Select Options on your DualSense controller
• Click ‘Check for Updates’

Xbox:

• Start your Xbox Series X/S
• Select My Games & Apps
• Click Manage
• Choose Updates
• Select Fallout 4 if listed

Steam:

• Open Steam
• Right click Fallout 4
• Select Properties
• Click Updates
• Choose Always Keep This Game Update or Only Update This Game When I Launch It

Again, provided you have Fallout 4 already installed on your platform, the update should download automatically when it is released. Unfortunately, no download size has been announced, and Bethesda has warned that some PC mods that rely on version-sensitive content may be affected.

New improvements for PS5 and Xbox

Below is all of the improvements included in the Fallout 4 next-gen update for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S:

• Native applications
• Performance and Quality mode settings
• Stability improvements and fixes
• 60 FPS and increased resolutions

If you are still stuck on last-gen and own Fallout 4 on either PS4 or Xbox One, a free patch will be released delivering stability improvements, login and quest fixes.

New improvements for PC

As for PC, the game will become Steam Deck verified, and the next-gen update will deliver the following improvements for PC players across Steam, Microsoft store, and GOG:

• Widescreen and ultra-widescreen support
• Fixes to Creation Kit
• Variety of quest updates
• Stability, mods and bug fixes

Lastly, Fallout 4 will become available to buy from the Epic Games store.

New content

In addition to all of the improvements and fixes listed above, the Fallout 4 next-gen update will deliver more content including free Creation Club items.

There will be a new quest called Echoes of the Past. Bethesda says players will need to ‘stop The Enclave from spreading their dangerous ideology and gaining a foothold in the Commonwealth’.

Workshop items and the Enclave Colonel uniforms will be included along with the following previously released Creation Club content:

• Enclave Weapon Skins
• Enclave Armor Skins
• Tesla Cannon
• Hellfire Power Armor
• X-02 Power Armor
• Heavy Incinerator

Lastly, there will be a Makeshift Weapon Pack and Halloween workshop. Below are what’s included in each bundle:

Makeshift weapon pack:

• Baseball launcher
• Nail gun
• Piggy bank

Halloween workshop:

• 38 new Halloween decorations

You can watch Fallout Season 1 by subscribing to Amazon Prime. For more Fallout 4 content, you can find our guide to all of the cheats and console commands, along with a guide for how to install mods on console.