If your ESPN Plus app won’t play videos, this can be due to your internet connection being too slow, or unstable.
ESPN requires at least 25Mbps in order to stream without any playback issues. Have you encountered buffering or freezing problems? If so, your network service provider could be problematic.
If the ESPN Plus database has incurred a system error, it can sometimes interfere with your account details and cause videos to not play under your profile.
Fortunately, if the ESPN server is not down, you can troubleshoot your device to help fix the streaming issue you’re experiencing.
With this guide, we will provide you with all the methods that you’ll be able to execute on your device that should get rid of the streaming error. We will also explain why ESPN Plus won’t play videos, as well as touch base on any login issues you might have.
Why is ESPN Plus not playing?
ESPN Plus won’t play if the server is down. This can occur if there’s been an outage, or if there’s scheduled maintenance. Once the server goes down, the app you use on your device won’t be able to access the ESPN database. This is because your request to stream content will not get processed successfully.
Other factors that will stop ESPN from playing include;
Slow internet connection
ESPN Plus requires at least 25Mbps to be able to play content without any issues. If your internet connection is too slow or has connectivity issues, the app won’t be able to play.
Does ESPN+ constantly buffer or freeze? These are additional signs that will show your network connection affects your ESPN app.
Faulty app
If the ESPN Plus app downloaded on your device is problematic, it will interfere with how well it plays content.
Corrupt software can transpire from a faulty installation or damaged files.
Cache files
Every time you launch ESPN Plus, cache files will download onto your device. This is to quicken the processing times and improve the app’s performance.
However, after a while the cache can become too full, or obtain malicious software.
Outdated ESPN Plus app
If you don’t update your app when ESPN releases a new version, problems will start to occur when you launch content to stream. This is because the request that the ESPN server receives from your device will come from an incompatible app version.
Conflicting antivirus program
ESPN Plus won’t play through your browser if you have an antivirus program enabled. This software can create conflict with your web page when it tries to reach the ESPN server.
User account issue
ESPN Plus may be unable to play a video under your account details. This could be an issue with your profile settings, or there’s been a random software error that stops your device from being able to stream under your ESPN information.
How to fix ESPN Plus won’t play
If you suspect the ESPN server is down, you can check the service status to confirm if the ESPN app won’t play videos due to an outage, or planned maintenance. If you receive confirmation that it is down, you won’t be able to complete any troubleshooting methods to fix the problem. You will need to be patient, and wait until the ESPN technicians resolve the outage, or finish their work before you can access the database again.
If the ESPN server is not down, you’ll be able to complete the following steps to help fix your Plus videos from not playing;
Refresh internet connection
Refresh your internet connection to help improve the signal strength, and to erase any intermittent connectivity issues.
To refresh your network, simply unplug your router for a few minutes before you plug it back in. Remember to turn the modem off before you remove it from the wall socket.
Once your internet is back up, relaunch ESPN Plus, and try playing a video.
Tip, check your internet speed to make sure you’re receiving the required bandwidth amount.
Reinstall ESPN Plus app
Uninstall and reinstall ESPN Plus on your device to get rid of any faulty files. Before you re-download, restart your Smart TV to make sure you erase any leftover data from your current application.
Clear cache files
It’s always a good idea to erase the build up of cache files on your device. This will free up storage space, and get rid of any corrupt data that has been downloaded.
The following steps are based on an Android device;
Step 1. Launch ‘Settings’ followed by ‘Apps’
Step 2. Find the ‘ESPN Plus’ app and click on it
Step 3. Press ‘Storage’ and then ‘Clear Cache’ at the bottom
Confirm you want to go ahead. Power your device off and on again before you open ESPN Plus.
Update ESPN Plus app
Check to see if an update is available for your ESPN Plus app. This will improve the performance, and get rid of any previous system glitches that transpired in the current ESPN Plus app version.
Open your Google or Apple play store and get onto the ESPN app. If there’s an ‘update’ button available, click on it and allow the latest version to download.
Once complete, launch ESPN Plus, and attempt to play a program.
Disable antivirus program
Disable any antivirus program you may have active. This will prevent any conflict when you try and use ESPN Plus through your browser.
Create another user profile
There may be an issue with your profile on the app. Create a secondary profile, and see if ESPN Plus still won’t play videos.
Check to see that all the information on your account is correct. Edit any details that have changed, and refresh your profile to help get rid of a possible system error.
Why is my ESPN app not working on my iPhone?
ESPN Plus won’t play on your iPhone if you haven’t given the app network permissions on your device. If this setting has not been enabled on your iPhone, the ESPN app won’t be able to access the internet, and therefore be unable to load any content for you to view. When you first downloaded the ESPN app, you should have been prompted to grant the service access to the internet. If you rejected this request, you will need to amend the permission settings.
Another reason why ESPN Plus won’t play on your iPhone is if your date and time settings are incorrect. Because the app streams live content, the device you use needs to match the ESPN database, otherwise there will be conflicting information between the two platforms.
To ensure ESPN Plus will work on your iPhone, check that the ‘Network Permissions’ has been turned on and that your iPhone has the correct date and time set.
If you’ve made any amendments, restart your mobile before your relaunch the ESPN Plus app.
Why won’t ESPN Plus let me log in?
ESPN Plus won’t let you log in for the first time to stream if you are unable to provide the correct details from your TV provider. This is because the available TV package through ESPN requires you to submit valid information that will confirm you are eligible to watch the ESPN content. Once you input this information, you shouldn’t be prompted again.
If you haven’t verified your log in information, this will be another reason why ESPN Plus won’t let you log in.
How do I verify my ESPN login details?
To verify your details, all you need to do is;
Step 1. Through your browser, launch the ESPN Plus app
Step 2. From the account icon, click on ‘ESPN Profile’ in the drop-down menu
Step 3. Here, you will need to verify your account information
Once your details have been confirmed, you should be able to log into your app and play your desired program from ESPN Plus’s selection.
Conclusion
With this informative guide, we hope you now know why your ESPN Plus won’t play, and that you were able to fix this playback error with one of the seven easy solutions provided.
If you’ve tried every method and the issue persists, we suggest you contact ESPN directly as there may be a problem with your actual account. You can make use of their Help Guide where you will be able to search for answers. Alternatively, you can utilize their two forms of contact, either by online chat or a call.
Besides your account, there could be a hardware issue with your device that is interfering with ESPN Plus not being able to play videos. In this case, we would recommend that you troubleshoot your mobile, or smart TV.