Are you a sports fan who loves to watch live games and highlights on ESPN through your Apple TV, but keeps encountering the frustrating error message “playback could not be started/authorization failed”?
This error can be caused by a variety of issues, from network connectivity problems to outdated software.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue.
How To Fix ESPN/ Apple TV Error “playback Could Not Be Started/ Authorization Failed”?
To resolve the issue of the playback or authorization on ESPN/Apple, you should check your internet connection and then verify if the server is working fine or not. Additionally, ensure that the app is up to date.
Down below, we have discussed the solution in step-by-step detail.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is crucial for streaming content. Ensure your Apple TV is connected to the internet and that the connection is strong.
You can try restarting your router or connecting your Apple TV to the internet via an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.
Here are the steps to Check your internet connection:
- Turn off your router or modem, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
- If the problem persists, you can reset your network settings on your device. Go to the network settings menu and look for an option to reset or restart network settings.
- If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired connection to rule out any potential wireless issues.
- Restart your router or modem to refresh the connection.
2. Check ESPN And Apple TV Server Status
It’s important to check if the issue is on your end or if it’s a widespread problem with ESPN or Apple TV services.
You can visit Downdetector’s ESPN status page or Apple’s System Status page to see if there are any known issues.
If there is a reported issue, it’s best to wait until it’s resolved by the service providers before attempting further troubleshooting.
3. Restart Your Apple TV And ESPN App
A simple but often effective solution is to restart your Apple TV device and the ESPN app. This can resolve temporary glitches that may be causing the error.
Here are the steps to Restart Your Apple TV and ESPN App:
- To restart your Apple TV, go to the Settings app, then System, and select Restart.
- To restart the ESPN app, double-click the Home button on your Apple TV remote to bring up the app switcher, swipe to find the ESPN app, and swipe up to close it. Then, reopen the app from the Home screen.
4. Check For Updates
Check for App and System Updates Ensuring your ESPN app and Apple TV software are up to date is crucial for optimal performance and security.
The ESPN app can be updated through the App Store on your Apple TV by checking for any available updates specifically for the app.
Similarly, for your Apple TV software, navigate to the Settings menu, select System, and then Software Updates to download and install any new updates that might be available.
Keeping both the app and your device’s software current can often resolve unexpected errors and improve your streaming experience.
5. Uninstall And Reinstall The App
If the above steps don’t work, you can try uninstalling the ESPN app from your Apple TV and then reinstalling it.
This can sometimes resolve any issues that are caused by corrupted app data.
For Android:
- Go to your device’s Settings and select Apps or Application Manager.
- Scroll through the list to find the ESPN app.
- Tap on ESPN and then select Uninstall.
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Search for the ESPN app.
- Select Install to reinstall the app on your device.
For iOS:
- Press and hold the ESPN app icon on your home screen until it starts to jiggle.
- Tap the ‘X‘ on the app icon to uninstall it.
- Open the App Store.
- Search for the ESPN app.
- Tap the download icon to reinstall the app on your device.
For Smart TV:
- Navigate to the Apps section on your Smart TV.
- Highlight the ESPN app.
- Depending on your TV model, select the option to Delete or Uninstall the app. This might be done by pressing a button on the remote or selecting the option on the screen.
- Go back to your Smart TV’s App Store or Google Play Store.
- Search for the ESPN app.
- Select Install to add the app back to your Smart TV.
6. Contact ESPN/ Apple TV Support
If none of the above steps work, there may be a more complex issue at hand.
In this case, it’s best to contact ESPN Support or Apple TV’s customer service for further assistance.
They can provide more detailed troubleshooting steps or inform you of any account-specific issues.