Nothing is more frustrating than finding out that the ESPN app is not working on your PS5 while the football match is about to start in a few minutes. ESPN on PS5 is one of the most popular sports apps on the console that gives you direct access to live matches. If you face a black screen, loading issues, or crashes on the ESPN app, it might be due to various reasons that can be fixed easily.
Some of the most common reasons are poor internet connection, outdated apps, system software, and other similar issues. With the help of this article, we can learn about the problems you may face and all the possible solutions you can use to fix the problems.
Possible Causes for ESPN App Not Working on PS5
ESPN may face errors on your PS5 because of various reasons. Here are a few.
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- Unstable or poor internet connection.
- Missed updates and outdated app.
- Pending software updates on your PS5.
- Temporary and cache files that are corrupted.
- Server outages and maintenance.
How to Fix ESPN Not Working on PS5
If you’re facing one of the above problems on your PS5 while trying to stream ESPN, try the following solutions to fix the issue.
Internet-related Issue Fixes | App-related Issue Fixes | Console-related Issue Fixes |
---|---|---|
Check your Internet Connection | Restart ESPN app | Update PS5 System Software |
Check ESPN’s Servers Status | Update ESPN on Your PS5 Console | Clear Cache and Temporary Files |
Check the Server Status of PSN | Delete ESPN Saved Data | Restart the PS5 |
Reboot the Modem and Router | Delete and Reinstall ESPN on PS5 | Reset Your PS5 |
Go for a Wired Connection | ||
Change DNS Settings |
Check your Internet Connection
A slow and unstable internet connection on your PS5 can be the main reason for the ESPN app not loading quickly. So ensure that your PS5 console is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or a wired connection to fix the issue.
1. From your PS5 console, open Settings and go to Network.
2. Within the Network, select Connection Status and click Test Internet Connection.
3. The console will run an internet test and display a detailed result, including speed, bandwidth, etc.
If your console is not connected to the internet, make sure you connect it to either a wired or wireless network with a steady speed of at least 10mbps.
Check ESPN’s Server Status
Server outages on streaming apps are a common problem for almost all streaming devices, including PS5 consoles. When the servers of streaming services are scheduled for maintenance, the servers might go offline for hours and there is nothing we can do except wait until the maintenance is complete.
However, you can always visit server monitoring websites like Downdetector, which will provide information and updates regarding the server status of ESPN.
Check the Server Status of PSN
Sometimes, PlayStation Network’s servers may be under maintenance or outages. You can’t stream ESPN on your console when PSN servers are down. There’s no optimal solution for these server issues. You have to wait till PSN resolves the issue.
But you can expect a speedy fix by the PSN team because of its reliability. You can go to the PSN’s official website to check the server status of PSN. Websites like Downdetector are also a better way to verify PSN’s server status.
Restart the Modem and Router
If there is any network issue with the modem or router, you might experience issues streaming ESPN on PS5. A better fix for the issue would be to restart the modem or router.
1. Disconnect your router or modem from a power outlet.
2. Wait for at least 20 seconds.
3. Reconnect the router or modem to the power source and power it on.
Go for a Wired Connection
At times, other devices can interfere with your wireless connection. Because of that, there could be network issues and thus, ESPN may not work on your PS5. You can go for a wired connection to get a stable network connection. You can use an Ethernet cable to connect PS5 to the internet and make ESPN work on the console without interference.
Restart the ESPN App
If none of the issues is related to the internet, try restarting the ESPN app to fix the issue. A restart can fix the software glitches or bugs in the app. Here is how to restart the app.
1. From your PS5 home screen, go to Media.
2. Highlight the EPSN app and press the options button on the controller.
3. Choose Close App to close the app.
4. Go back to your home screen and open Apple TV.
Update ESPN on Your PS5 Console
If you have a pending or missed update for ESPN on your PS5, you might face a lot of errors and compatibility issues. Follow these steps to check and update ESPN on your PS5.
1. Highlight the ESPN app on your PlayStation Media Tab and press the Options button on your controller.
2. Select Check For Update from the popup menu.
3. The PS5 will check for updates and display if you have any pending updates. Install and update your app to the latest version and check if the error persists.
Delete Saved App Data from your PS5
Sometimes, clearing out the ESPN app’s saved data will help you fix the issues on the app. Follow the steps below to clear out ESPN-saved data.
1. Go to Settings on your PS5 and select Storage.
2. Click Saved Data from Storage.
3. From the given list of apps, find ESPN and press the Options button on your controller.
4. Select Saved App Data File from the popup menu and press Delete.
5. When the deletion is complete, reboot your console, open the ESPN app again, and check if the issues continue.
Delete and Reinstall the ESPN App on PS5
If updating or deleting the saved data didn’t fix the issue. You can completely delete and reinstall the app to make it work on your PS5. Here is how to do it.
1. Select the ESPN app from your Media tab on the PS5 home screen and press Options.
2. Click Delete from the popup menu to uninstall ESPN from your PlayStation console.
3. Go to the PlayStation Store and install the ESPN app again.
4. After the installation is complete, log in with your credentials and check if the problems are still there.
Update your PS5 System Software
Besides using an outdated app, an outdated PS5 system software can also cause issues with streaming ESPN on PS5. Here’s how you can update the PS5 to fix the issue.
1. Open Settings from your PS5 and go to System.
2. Within System, select System Software and go to System Software Update and Settings.
3. Any new or pending updates will be displayed under Update System Software.
4. Update your console to the latest version and check if the issues on ESPN are fixed.
Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Even though your console creates Cache files to increase performance, some cache files tend to get corrupted, which will result in many performance issues and crashes. Follow these steps to clear the cache and temporary files by booting your PS5 in Safe Mode.
1. With your PS5 turned off, press and hold the Power button on your console for 7-8 seconds until you hear two beep sounds.
2. Connect your controller to PS5 with a USB to navigate through the safe mode menu.
3. From within the Safe Mode menu, scroll down and select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database to clear the cache on PS5.
4. The console will automatically restart after deleting cache files.
5. Open the ESPN app and check if the issue is still there.
Restart the PS5
ESPN not working on PlayStation 5 may also occur because of software glitches or minor bugs on the system. Just like the app, a simple restart on your console can fix these issues in a minute. Here’s how you can restart the PS5.
1. Press the PS button between the control sticks on the PS5 controller.
2. Select the Power icon and tap on the Restart PS5 option.
Your PS5 will restart, clearing all the minor bugs along the way. Go to the ESPN app on PS5 and check if you can stream live sports events smoothly.
Reset Your PlayStation Console
If none of the solutions given above fixed your problems, you can always reset your PS5 as a last option. However, by resetting your PS5, you will lose all your saved files, installed games, and other data, considering how your console will revert back to its default settings. On that note, follow these steps to reset your PS5 console to its factory settings.
1. Go to System Software in your PS5 Settings.
2. From System Software, select Reset Options.
3. Within the Reset options, click Reset Your Console.
4. You will be asked to enter your PlayStation console’s restriction Password. By default, the password will be ‘0000’ unless you’ve changed it.
5. Click Reset and your PS5 will automatically reset and restart.
6. Install ESPN from the PlayStation store and check if the issues are fixed.
Alternative Apps for ESPN on PS5
When none of the fixes work for you, you can use other streaming services for various sports content. Some of the best alternatives for ESPN include NBC Sports and Dazn on PS5.
Error Codes, Their Causes, and Possible Fixes
When codes with specific numbers are displayed on your ESPN app while you are trying to stream, they might be because of several reasons and each code indicates a different problem that is caused by certain factors. Let’s take a look at all the ESPN error codes and all the possible fixes for them.
ESPN Error Code 0033
Cause: This error code indicates that your cable provider’s package has changed.
Solution: To fix this, you must contact your Cable Provider and change your subscription plan accordingly.
ESPN Error Code 1008
Cause: This code indicates a problem within the ESPN Server. The cause of this problem is still undisclosed.
Solution: This error will automatically resolve itself in a while.
ESPN Error Code 311
Cause: This code indicates that the content you’re trying to stream is either geo-restricted or unavailable.
Solution: You can bypass a geo-restriction using a premium VPN service or a Proxy server.
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPN may not be working on your PlayStation 5 for several reasons. The most common ones are bad internet connectivity, missed app and system software updates, and server outages due to maintenance.
No. Clearing the cache will not fix a server issue, as you cannot access the server.
Yes, when you delete your app data, you will be logged out of your ESPN because all your saved information will be deleted. That also includes your login credentials.
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