If you’re an avid Escape From Tarkov fan, this question starts to lurk inside your head once every so often: ‘When is the next Tarkov wipe?’ It’s a monumental event – that game-wide refresh that resets everyone back to level pegging instantly, and it often brings a flood of white-hot content updates into the game.
When is the next Escape from Tarkov wipe, and what will it look like? I always get excited around wipe time – learn why below.
What is a Wipe in Tarkov?
When Escape From Tarkov ‘wipes’, every player is reset to level one, and their entire ‘stash’ – which is their collection of weapons, equipment, money, and so on – is completely pushed back to the state it was when they first purchased the game. From there, players must once again climb the ladder, build their empire, complete early-game tasks, and rebuild their in-game hideout.
Read More: Is Escape From Tarkov Single-Player?
It’s a balancing mechanic, as it ensures that all players will, at one point, be matched in terms of equipment and opportunities. It also ensures that the game is kept somewhat fresh, as there is a point when the most experienced Escape From Tarkov players will simply have nothing left to do in the game but play it.
When a wipe hits, it typically brings with it a major update. These updates change the face of the game, often introducing entirely new maps, modes, characters, weapons, and even new movement mechanics and physics elements.
Does Tarkov PvE Wipe?
In 2024, Battlestate Games opened up Tarkov’s PvE offering much more universally, giving players worldwide the ability to take advantage of this ‘offline’ platform. It works differently compared to the ‘traditional’ game, as it doesn’t wipe automatically. Players can trigger a manual wipe whenever they’d like, but otherwise, they’re free to keep playing on the same character for as long as they like.
When is the Next Tarkov Wipe 2026?
Escape from Tarkov’s wipe mechanic has been altered since the game hit the 1.0 launch on November 15. It will still wipe, but this will now follow a ‘seasonal’ operating model for PvP servers. Every five or six months, fresh seasons with new content will start, and the game will wipe, offering players new rewards on a live-service path every time the game resets.
As always, PvE will remain persistent and won’t be forced into this seasonal wipe model, but players can still wipe manually if they’re interested in starting afresh.
Read More: Why Is Escape From Tarkov So Hard?
Tarkov Wipe History
Here’s some data about the last Escape From Tarkov wipes, such as how long they lasted and when they took place:
- November 15, 2025, ongoing wipe (1.0)
- July 9, 2025, lasted 195 days
- December 26, 2024, lasted 128 days (shortest Tarkov wipe ever)
- August 20, 2024, lasted 236 days (longest Tarkov wipe ever)
- December 27, 2023, lasted 139 days
- August 10, 2023, lasted 225 days
- December 28, 2022, lasted 183 days
- June 28, 2022, lasted 198 days
- December 12, 2021, lasted 165 days
- June 30, 2021, lasted 188 days
- December 24, 2020, lasted 210 days
- May 28, 2020, lasted 214 days
- October 27, 2019, lasted 201 days
How To Tell When Tarkov Is Going To Wipe
Traditionally, Battlestate Games, the developer of Escape From Tarkov, will start scheduling special events just before a wipe is due to hit. In the past, Escape From Tarkov’s wipe events have been:
- Maximum-value loot spawns in very specific locations on the map
- All the game’s bosses spawn on the same map
- Players spawn in a poisoned state and need to find a cure
- Players are spawning in with a ‘stim’ injector that could give them ‘super soldier abilities’
- In-game traders offering their wares for just a few coins
- Multiple loot airdrops are falling at once
If the Tarkov events start ramping up, then you know that the next Escape from Tarkov wipe is starting soon.
Read Next: Is Escape From Tarkov Free To Play?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the longest wipe in Tarkov?
- The longest wipe in Tarkov lasted 236 days, running from December 28, 2023, to August 20, 2024.
- What was the shortest wipe in Tarkov?
- The shortest wipe in Tarkov lasted just 60 days, running from October 27, 2017, to December 26, 2017.
- Do you lose everything when Tarkov wipes?
- Yes, when Tarkov wipes, you lose everything, including game progress, money, and stash contents.
- Does the Tarkov wipe delete your hideout?
- Yes, when Tarkov wipes, you’ll lose your entire hideout and will need to rebuild it from scratch.
- When is the next Escape from Tarkov wipe?
- See above!
Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord server what your favorite Escape from Tarkov moment has been over the years.
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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