- 7 min read

ESPN Plus Not Working? Here’s How to Fix it

How to fix ESPN Plus not working

If ESPN Plus is acting up and preventing you from watching your favorite sports, you’re not alone!

ESPN Plus not working can be frustrating, but many of these problems have easy fixes.

Here’s a simple guide to help you troubleshoot and fix ESPN Plus errors, so you can get back to the action.

1. ESPN Plus Error Code 1008: Connection Issues

Error Code 1008 is usually related to internet connection issues or temporary server outages on ESPN+’s end.

How to fix:

  1. Check ESPN’s Server Status: First, make sure ESPN Plus isn’t experiencing any outages by visiting a service status website like DownDetector.
  2. Restart Your Router: Power off your router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on to reset your internet connection.
  3. Clear Cache and Data: Try clearing your browser, or ESPN app cache and data.
  4. Ensure Good Internet Speed: ESPN Plus requires at least 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming. Run an internet speed test to confirm your connection meets this requirement.

2. ESPN Plus Error Code 0033: User Not Authenticated

This code often appears when ESPN+ can’t verify your account details even you are an active subscriber, possibly due to login, connectivity issues, IP ban, or ESPN+ server is down.

How to fix:

  1. Sign Out and Back In: Log out of your ESPN Plus account, then log back in using the correct credentials. This can resolve temporary authentication issues.
  2. Clear App Cache: On Android, go to Settings > Apps > ESPN > Storage and clear the cache. For iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > ESPN and select “Offload App.”
  3. Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart of your device can clear up minor glitches.
  4. Blocked IP address: Sometimes ESPN Plus bans a user IP address due to multiple logins on different devices. The only way to fix this is to contact ESPN support.

3. ESPN Plus Buffering and Playback Errors

Buffering issues and poor playback are often related to your device compatibility, app updates, or background apps using too many resources.

How to fix:

  1. Check Your Internet: Test you internet speed and check if the connection is stable and make sure that you are getting at least 5 Mbps uploading speed.
  2. Restart Your Device: Power off your streaming device, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. This helps refresh the system.
  3. Close Background Apps: Apps running in the background can slow down your device. Close any unneeded apps before opening ESPN Plus.
  4. Update the ESPN App: Go to your app store and check if there’s an available update for ESPN Plus. Running the latest version is essential for optimal performance.

4. ESPN Plus Error Code 1009: App Not Updated

This error appears when you’re using an outdated version of the ESPN Plus app.

How to fix:

  1. Update the App: Check for ESPN app update on your iOS, Android, Roku, FireStick/Fire TV, Apple TV, Smart TV or Xbox.
  2. Reinstall if Necessary: If updating doesn’t solve the problem, uninstall the app, restart your device, and reinstall it to clear any potential corrupted files.

5. ESPN Plus Connection Errors on Roku

When ESPN Plus is having trouble on Roku, it could be due to a slow internet connection, VPN or ad blocker interference, or outdated software.

How to fix:

  1. Restart Your Roku: Go to Settings > System > System Restart on your Roku to refresh its connection.
  2. Disable VPN or Ad blocker: VPNs or ad blockers on your network may interfere with ESPN’s content. Check your router settings and disable any that may be active.
  3. Update Roku and ESPN Plus App: Make sure both your Roku device and the ESPN app are up-to-date.
  4. Check Your Internet: Ensure your internet speed meets ESPN Plus’s minimum requirements (7 Mbps for HD). Restart your router if necessary.

6. Can’t Watch UFC on ESPN Plus

This issue can arise from app glitches, outdated software, or account verification problems.

How to fix:

  1. Restart the App: Close and reopen the ESPN Plus app to refresh your session.
  2. Sign Out and Back In: Logging out and back in can help fix account verification problems.
  3. Update the ESPN App: Check for updates in your app store and install any that are available.
  4. Contact ESPN Support: If you’re still having trouble, ESPN’s support team can help you troubleshoot further.

7. ESPN+ not working on Browser

Web browsers store cache and cookies that, when outdated or corrupted, can interfere with ESPN Plus.

How to fix:

  1. Clear Cache and Cookies: In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data and remove all ESPN cookies.
  2. Allow Pop-Ups for ESPN: Ensure that pop-ups are allowed on ESPN’s website, as they are sometimes essential for streaming.

8. ESPN Plus Not Working with VPN

This happens when you try accessing ESPN Plus with a VPN while traveling abroad or for online privacy.

How to fix it:

  1. Try a Reliable Streaming VPN: Unfortunately, not all VPNs work with ESPN+. So always use the recommended ESPN Plus VPNs to stream while traveling.
  2. Connect to US Server: ESPN Plus is only available in the USA due to content licensing. So make sure always connect to US server if you are using VPN while streaming ESPN+.
  3. Try Changing Server: Try connecting to different VPN server if the current connected server is not working with ESPN Plus.

9. ESPN Plus Not Working in Canada

ESPN Plus is only US sports streaming service and geo-blocked in Canada due to content licensing and content distributions rights.

This is why when you try accessing ESPN+ in Canada or anywhere outside the USA, instead of streaming option, the following page appears:

Illustration of ESPN+ is not working due to geo-restrictions outside the USA

How to fix:

  1. Use a VPN: To watch ESPN Plus in Canada or anywhere outside the USA, you need to change your IP address to the USA from Canada using a VPN.
  2. Use Smart DNS: You can also use Smart DNS services to unblock ESPN Plus anywhere outside the USA, including Canada.

How to Avoid ESPN Plus Not Working Errors in the Future?

There is no one answer to avoid ESPN Plus not working issues.

Occasionally, these issues occur due to slower internet, app updates, device compatibility, unauthorized user, or using ad blocker and VPN.

However, to avoid ESPN+ errors in future, you can take the following steps:

  1. Always check your internet speed or Wi-Fi range before using ESPN Plus.
  2. Make sure to check the ESPN app as well as your streaming device updates regularly.
  3. If you are traveling abroad and still want to access ESPN+, always use premium and recommended VPNs to get smooth streaming experience.
  4. Always sign out from devices that you don’t use to watch ESPN+ on regularly.
  5. Clear your cookies, cache, or data regularly.

Final Thoughts

While streaming your favorite sports on ESPN Plus, there is a possibility of errors due to various reasons, including connectivity issues, app updates, user authentication, device compatibility and more.

But by following the mentioned above step-by-step instructions, you can easily fix ESPN+ not working errors easily.

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