Genshin Impact 7.1 Launches September 23

The next major chapter of Genshin Impact is almost here. HoYoverse has confirmed that Version 7.1 arrives on September 23, 2026, marking the beginning of the game's sixth year. For North American players, the update becomes playable a little earlier, on September 22.

Version 7.1 is shaping up to be an important update for anyone following the Snezhnaya storyline. Two new five-star characters, Vesna and Vodyanitsa, are joining the banners, while the Archon Quest continues with new areas, bosses, events, and a highly anticipated confrontation involving Dainsleif.

For fans of blockchain games, Genshin Impact remains an interesting example of how large-scale live-service RPGs keep players engaged through regular content drops, collectible characters, and evolving progression systems. Here's everything travelers need to know before the servers go offline.

Genshin Impact 7.1 Release Date and Time

The official launch window depends on your region. HoYoverse will take the game offline for approximately five hours while Version 7.1 is installed.

North American players get access first, with the update going live on September 22 at 8:00 PM PST. Most other regions receive the update on September 23.

Here are the expected release times:

• USA: September 22 — 8:00 PM PST

• Canada: September 22 — 11:00 PM EDT

• Brazil: September 23 — 12:00 AM BRT

• United Kingdom: September 23 — 4:00 AM BST

• Italy: September 23 — 5:00 AM CEST

• India: September 23 — 8:30 AM IST

• China: September 23 — 11:00 AM CST

• Japan: September 23 — 12:00 PM JST

• South Korea: September 23 — 12:00 PM KST

• Australia: September 23 — 1:00 PM AEST

• New Zealand: September 23 — 3:00 PM NZST

So, depending on where you live, the new content could be waiting for you first thing in the morning or late at night.

Five Hours of Maintenance

Before Version 7.1 goes live, Genshin Impact will enter its standard maintenance period. The downtime is scheduled for five hours across all servers.

For North America, maintenance starts at 3:00 PM PST on September 22 and ends at 8:00 PM. In China, maintenance runs from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST on September 23.

The maintenance schedule is:

Region	Maintenance Start	Maintenance End
USA	Sep 22 — 3:00 PM PST	Sep 22 — 8:00 PM PST
Canada	Sep 22 — 6:00 PM EDT	Sep 22 — 11:00 PM EDT
Brazil	Sep 22 — 7:00 PM BRT	Sep 23 — 12:00 AM BRT
UK	Sep 22 — 11:00 PM BST	Sep 23 — 4:00 AM BST
Italy	Sep 23 — 12:00 AM CEST	Sep 23 — 5:00 AM CEST
India	Sep 23 — 3:30 AM IST	Sep 23 — 8:30 AM IST
China	Sep 23 — 6:00 AM CST	Sep 23 — 11:00 AM CST
Japan	Sep 23 — 7:00 AM JST	Sep 23 — 12:00 PM JST
South Korea	Sep 23 — 7:00 AM KST	Sep 23 — 12:00 PM KST
Australia	Sep 23 — 8:00 AM AEST	Sep 23 — 1:00 PM AEST
New Zealand	Sep 23 — 10:00 AM NZST	Sep 23 — 3:00 PM NZST

As usual, players should make sure their game is updated before trying to jump back into Teyvat.

300 Primogems Are Coming

There is also a small reward waiting after maintenance.

Players who meet the required Adventure Rank 5 threshold will receive 300 Primogems in their in-game mailbox following the update. That compensation can be particularly useful with two new five-star characters arriving at the same time.

And if you're saving for one of the new banners, don't forget to check available Genshin Impact codes before maintenance. A few extra Primogems can make a difference when every pull matters.

Vesna and Vodyanitsa Arrive

The biggest attraction of Version 7.1 is undoubtedly the character banners.

Vesna arrives as a new Snezhnayan character connected to the Tsaritsa and her inner circle. Her role in the ongoing Snezhnaya storyline has made her one of the update's most anticipated additions.

Vodyanitsa also joins the roster during Version 7.1, giving players another five-star character to consider.

Having two major characters appear during the same update means Primogem management becomes especially important. Players interested in optimizing their teams will need to decide which banner deserves their resources.

For those following the Stellar Glimmer meta, both characters could bring interesting possibilities to team-building and future strategies.

Preload Version 7.1 Now

The good news is that players don't necessarily have to wait until maintenance ends to start downloading the update.

The Version 7.1 preload is already available, allowing Travelers to prepare their devices ahead of time.

The download sizes are approximately:

• PC: 10 GB

• Android and iOS: 4 GB

Preloading is particularly useful if you're planning to play immediately after the servers come back online. Getting the files downloaded beforehand means you can spend less time staring at an update screen and more time exploring the new content.

Snezhnaya Story Continues

Version 7.1 isn't only about new characters. The update pushes the Snezhnaya Archon Quest forward with additional story content and new locations to explore.

Players can also expect new bosses and limited-time events to keep the world busy between the major story moments.

One of the most talked-about developments is the confirmed Dainsleif vs. Ronova battle. Dainsleif has been part of Genshin Impact's larger mystery since the early days of the game, so longtime Travelers have plenty of reasons to pay attention to this storyline.

For players who have followed the narrative since Version 1.0, moments like this help connect years of lore and character development.

New Events Fill the Gap to 7.2

As always, Version 7.1 won't be limited to the main quest. New events and limited-time activities will give players plenty of reasons to return throughout the update.

That ongoing content cycle is one of the defining features of Genshin Impact. A major version arrives with new story material, characters, exploration, events, and rewards before the game moves toward the next update.

With Version 7.2 waiting on the horizon, 7.1 has plenty of content to keep Travelers occupied.

Get Ready for Genshin Impact 7.1

Version 7.1 launches for North American players on September 22 at 8:00 PM PST, followed by the global rollout on September 23.

With Vesna and Vodyanitsa, new Snezhnaya story content, additional areas and bosses, the Dainsleif storyline, limited-time events, and 300 Primogems after maintenance, this is a substantial update for returning and active Travelers alike.

If you haven't started the preload yet, now is the time. Download the files, check your Primogem balance, and decide which banner deserves your attention. Year six of Genshin Impact is officially getting underway.