TL;DR Summary
If your ESPN+ isn't working, first check if the ESPN servers are down using Downdetector. Next, confirm the game isn't affected by a regional blackout. Most issues can then be solved by checking your subscription status in your ESPN account, restarting your device and internet router, or clearing the app's cache in your device settings. These steps resolve the most common streaming errors.
Nothing's more frustrating than settling in for the big game, only to be met with a black screen or a cryptic error message on ESPN+. I'm Steve Collins, and in my years covering streaming media, I've seen every playback error imaginable. The good news is that most problems are fixable.
In this guide, I'll walk you through a step-by-step process, from the quickest checks to device-specific fixes, to get you back to the action. We'll also clear up the most common point of confusion: the difference between watching ESPN with your cable login and streaming with your standalone ESPN+ subscription.
This Content is Unavailable
If you're using a mobile ESPN app and fail to play a specific game here, the reasons may lie in the following 2 aspects:
- A regional blackout;
- Insufficient information about your TV provider.
First, ESPN+ applies a clear blackout policy. If a participating team is in-market for your location, certain involved games will be unavailable (a black screen) through ESPN+ for you. This rule applies to some out-of-market games from NHL, MLB, and other leagues. For example, if you live in Philadelphia, you likely can't stream a Phillies game on ESPN+ because a local sports network owns the broadcasting rights in that market.
For more information, you can refer to the blackout page for different leagues.
I have attempted to bypass blackouts using a VPN, but I find that it is often unreliable. Streaming services are actively working to block VPN traffic, so you may find your "ESPN+ VPN not working" even if it worked before.
Second, you need an active subscription with a TV provider that has full access to ESPN network content. Therefore, before streaming on ESPN+, please make sure that you can log into ESPN through the provider, in order to get access to the full library of ESPN+. Or you can only access the content only allowed for your ESPN+ account.
Unable to Access Your Plan
This error is common and often stems from confusion about what your subscription actually includes.
Many users (like me) don't realize that the ESPN app houses two kinds of content: ESPN and ESPN+. The first type of content is from the cable channels (ESPN, ESPN2). And the second is a separate, paid subscription service with exclusive content like live games, original shows, and on-demand videos
Remember that only an active ESPN+ account with a subscription can watch games here.
If you do have an ESPN+ subscription but still can't log in or stream content, you can check the following items:
- Double-check your login details in case you might be using an incorrect username/email or password. If you forgot your password, click on "Forget Password" and follow the guide.
- Another reason could be that your ESPN Plus subscription has expired or there is an issue with your payment details. In this case, re-subscribe to your desired ESPN Plus plan. You can also update your payment details and credit/debit card information by going to your ESPN Plus account profile.
If you have the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle, activation issues can occur. The best fix is to log out of all three apps, then go to your Disney+ account page on a web browser and re-activate the ESPN+ portion of your bundle from there.
The Universal Troubleshooting Checklist: Your Go-To Fixes
I have collected from the forum the majority of app-related issues and verified fundamental steps that resolve them.
Step 1: The Simple Restart (Your Device & Your Internet)
It sounds too simple, but rebooting your device can resolve temporary communication glitches that cause apps to fail.
- Streaming Devices/TVs: Turn off your device and unplug it from the power source. Wait a full minute before plugging it back in and restarting. This is often called a "power cycle."
- Router/Modem: Do the same for your internet router. A fresh connection can solve many streaming problems.
Step 2: Clear the ESPN App Cache
The app stores temporary data, or a "cache," to load things faster. Sometimes, this data can become corrupted and cause playback issues
Step 3: Update or Reinstall the ESPN App
An outdated app can cause compatibility problems.
- Update: Check your device's app store for any updates to the ESPN app and install them.
- Reinstall: If updating doesn't work, delete the app completely, wait a few minutes, and then reinstall it from the official app store. This ensures you have the cleanest, most current version.
Device-Specific Solutions: ESPN Plus Not Working on TV
Here are some special tips for specific devices and problems, such as the activation not working or the ESPN Plus not working on TV problem. Televisions can be particularly finicky. If your problem is primarily on a smart TV or a connected device, try these targeted solutions.
ESPN Activate Not Working
Yes, ESPN supports TV-connected devices, which means that you can enjoy your favorite teams' games on a bigger screen. However, when activating your ESPN account on TVs, especially the Roku TV, things might not go so well. Common Problems on Roku and Amazon Fire Stick can have their own quirks.
Based on my experience and investigation, the ESPN activate not working problem may be caused by your phone, your TV, and even the Roku/app interface. I also looked up related info on the official Roku site, but there is no official answer for this problem.
No worries! I still collected several possible methods to fix ESPN Plus not working on TV, and all of them are verified useful:
- Activation Not Working: If the activation code isn't working, try opening an incognito or private browser window on your phone or computer to enter the code.
- Login Loops: If you're stuck in a loop asking for your TV provider, try this fix from user reports: On your smartphone, go to Settings > TV Provider, and temporarily uncheck ESPN's access. Relaunch the app on your TV and try to sign in again, ensuring both your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
ESPN Plus Not Working on Samsung TVs
Samsung Smart TVs sometimes require a "cold boot," which is more thorough than a standard restart. If you're using smart TVs other than DirecTV, try to follow the 8 steps above to troubleshoot the ESPN Plus not working on TV problem.
If you're a DirecTV user, unfortunately, there is no way to watch ESPN online content currently because of a contract dispute between AT&T (DirecTV's parent company) and Disney (the company owning ESPN).
I recommend choosing Sling TV, YouTube TV, NFL+, or Hulu + Live TV to continue your entertainment on ESPN+ during the standoff period.
ESPN UFC Not Working
If you faced issues with ESPN UFC not working, contact ESPN Plus for a refund at support@espnplus.com. Here are additional solutions for potential issues related to UFC streaming:
| Problem | Fix |
| Can't find your purchased UFC PPV events | Check if there is a receipt on your account. Select ESPN+ Subscription in the app, tap Purchase, and tap the Restore button. |
| Can't find PPV event in the ESPN app | It will take 30 minutes for your purchase to be validated if you get it from a third-party app store. You can try to re-login or reinstall the app to fix the problem. |
| Can't buy the event? | Check if you have an active ESPN+ subscription. If the problem remains, contact ESPN+ Support. |
| Have playback issues? | If there is still a problem after trying the above steps, contact ESPN+ at 800-727-1800. |
ESPN Sign-in with TV Provider Not Working
If you can't log in to ESPN on TV through the TV provider option, first try to refresh the connection information on your phone by following these steps (from Reddit user mrscott619):
- Open the Settings on your iPhone;
- Tap "TV Provider", and uncheck ESPN under "Allow TV Provider to Access";
- Close and restart the ESPN app. Make sure that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your TV;
- When the activation window prompts, enter your TV Provider details.
The problem may also lie with your ad blocker. If there is any one installed on your device or browser, try to disable it for a moment and try signing in again.
Is ESPN Plus Down? How to Check the Live Server Status
If your ESPN Plus isn't working despite trying all the tips mentioned, the problem may be on ESPN's end. It's common for websites and streaming platforms to experience technical issues, which can result in difficulties accessing or streaming content on ESPN Plus.
There's nothing you can do during an ESPN Plus outage except wait. To check the ESPN outage status, visit ESPN Plus's official Twitter page or a server down detector site (I recommend Downdetector, you can also see the latest posts from @espn here).
What to Do When "Unable to Play Video" Appears on Your TV
One of the most common reasons ESPN Plus may not work is due to an unstable internet connection. If your device isn't connected to the internet, you won't be able to access ESPN Plus at all.
ESPN+requires a stable internet connection of at least 7 Mbps for streaming HD videos and 25 Mbps for 4K quality. To check your Wi-Fi signals, open another app on your phone or a web browser. You can also run a quick speed test to check your internet speed.
If your speed is fine, the issue is likely a corrupted cache on your TV, so follow the cache-clearing steps mentioned earlier.
Always ask these questions for yourself: Are the signals strong and stable enough for uninterrupted streaming? Is there any loose wiring on your Wi-Fi modem?
FAQs: Most Pressing ESPN+ Questions
Q1. Why is my ESPN+ constantly buffering or freezing?
A1. This is almost always an internet connection issue. It can be caused by slow Wi-Fi, other people on your network using up bandwidth, or your internet provider having a temporary problem. Try restarting your router or moving it closer to your streaming device.
Q2. What about ESPN On Demand not working?
A2. On-demand content is different from live streams — it should be accessible pretty much all the time, unless there’s a big server issue. If it’s not working for you, the problem is almost definitely on your end. Here’s what to try: restart your device, clear out the cache, or uninstall and reinstall the app.
Q3. Why does my ESPN app just show a black screen?
A3. A black screen when using the app is usually caused by one of two things: either the live game is blocked in your area, or there's a problem connecting to ESPN's servers.
First, check if it's a regional blackout (meaning the game isn't available where you are). If that's not the case, it's probably a small technical issue. Restarting your device and then reopening the app will usually fix it.
A Contingency Plan: How to Watch ESPN+ Content Offline
If you're frequently plagued by buffering due to inconsistent internet or want to save a game to watch while traveling without Wi-Fi, downloading content for offline viewing is a reliable alternative. While the ESPN+ app offers limited downloads on mobile devices, other tools can provide more flexibility.
Take KeepStreams for ESPN Plus, for example. It’s made to save ESPN videos so you can watch them offline. You can download the content as MP4 or MKV files, which work with most devices. Then you can move the files to a USB drive and plug it right into your TV. The software supports downloading in high quality (up to 1080p) and even includes a feature to schedule automatic downloads of new games or episodes. More function details:
With KeepStreams, you can directly download videos from ESPN and thus avoid any possible troubles, no matter whether they happen on your phone, TVs, or the ESPN end. It's also pretty easy to use it, just follow these steps:
- Install and launch KeepStreans on your Windows laptop;
- Find ESPN from the VIP Services section;
- Login to your own ESPN account to get access to the full library here;
- Play the live streaming or the games you've purchased before;
- Set download options in a pop-up window, and click on "Download Now";
- If you want to set the auto-download schedule, tickle "Download new episodes automatically" and set the time.
Final Thoughts
Streaming technology can be fickle, but I hope these steps have resolved your ESPN+ issues and put you back in the game. From a simple server outage to a corrupted app cache, the solution is usually within your grasp. By working through these checks logically, you can diagnose and fix the vast majority of problems yourself.
If you want to learn about other available ESPN+ video downloaders, continue to read Best ESPN Plus Downloaders Ranking.