Seeing the error message “There was an unexpected error while processing your request” on Ticketmaster can be frustrating. As an event-goer, you want to quickly and seamlessly purchase tickets to see your favorite artist or sports team. When technical issues get in the way, it’s normal to feel annoyed. However, there are usually some simple troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem.
Why You Might See This Error Message
There are a few common reasons why you may encounter this error on Ticketmaster:
- High traffic – If an event is very popular, the Ticketmaster website can get overwhelmed with the number of users trying to purchase tickets. This can cause errors.
- Connectivity issues – Problems with your internet connection, like a weak WiFi signal, can interrupt the ticket buying process.
- Incorrect info – If any of the information you entered is inaccurate, like an invalid promo code or wrong credit card number, you may see an error.
- Browser problems – An outdated browser, cookies/cache errors, or browser extensions/add-ons can sometimes interfere with Ticketmaster’s website.
- Glitch in the system – Even large sites like Ticketmaster can occasionally have a technical glitch that causes an error.
First Steps to Fix the Problem
Don’t panic if you encounter this error – there are a number of troubleshooting tips you can try to resolve it:
- Refresh the page – A quick refresh can help clear out any temporary glitches.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies – This cleans out any outdated Ticketmaster files stored on your computer.
- Try a different browser – Switch to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc if you were using Internet Explorer.
- Disable browser extensions – Add-ons like AdBlock could be interfering.
- Try incognito/private browsing mode – This eliminates other tabs and extensions.
- Log out and log back in – You may need to re-authenticate your Ticketmaster session.
Taking one or more of these basic steps will fix the problem about 75% of the time. The issue is usually temporary and easily resolved on your end.
Troubleshooting Your Internet Connection
If the error persists, the next thing to check is your internet connection. Ticketmaster requires a stable connection for the checkout process. Here are some things to try:
- Restart your wifi router and modem – This refreshes the connection.
- Connect via ethernet instead of wifi – Wired connections are more reliable.
- Try your cell service if you can’t connect another way – Disconnect wifi and attempt checkout using your mobile data.
- Test your speed at speedtest.net – This checks for network issues that could cause errors.
- Contact your ISP if you continue having connection problems – There could be an outage in your area.
Double check that you have no issues with bandwidth, latency, DNS, or ISP outages. Using a different network than the one you first tried is also recommended.
Ensure Your Information is Correct
Another possibility is that the information you entered on Ticketmaster is incorrect or invalid. Check the following:
- Billing address matches credit card – The address should align with your card issuer’s records.
- Card number, expiration date, and CVV are all accurate – Even a single typo will cause problems.
- Card is active and has funds available – Make sure it hasn’t expired or been reported lost/stolen.
- Promo code is eligible for your event – Some codes have restrictions.
Carefully re-enter all details. You can also try a different payment method if you suspect issues with your initial card. Contact your card issuer directly if the card was declined to understand why.
Avoid Peak Times and High Traffic Events
For extremely popular events, the Ticketmaster website gets an abnormally high amount of traffic. Their servers can only handle so many customers at once. To avoid overloaded systems, try these tips:
- Get online right when tickets go on sale – Be ready on your computer ahead of the sale time to purchase as early as possible.
- Avoid the first hour after tickets go on sale – Let the initial surge pass before you try to checkout.
- Don’t wait and buy tickets last minute – The site traffic is highest right before a concert or game.
- Use your smartphone app – Mobile apps can sometimes work better than desktop sites during high traffic.
- Consider presale tickets – Many events have presales for members that are less crowded.
Planning ahead helps you avoid the peak loads on Ticketmaster’s system. Purchasing as soon as tickets are available or well in advance lets you skip the last minute rush.
Contact Ticketmaster Customer Support
If you still are unable to complete your ticket purchase after trying all troubleshooting tips, reach out to Ticketmaster directly via:
- Live chat at support.ticketmaster.com during business hours
- Email at support.ticketmaster.com with full details of your issue
- By phone at +1 800 653 8000 (toll free)
Describe the specific error message you are receiving. Include the date and time, event you were trying to buy tickets for, and any steps you already took to try to resolve the problem. The Ticketmaster support team may be able to identify issues on their end and provide specialized assistance.
Use an Alternative Ticket Site
In rare cases, you may need to purchase tickets on a different resale site if Ticketmaster is completely unusable. Some popular alternatives include:
- StubHub – Large ticket exchange with a focus on sports, concerts, and theater.
- VividSeats – Allows sorting by price or seat location, helpful tools for deals.
- SeatGeek – Consolidates listings from many sellers, comparable to Kayak for travel.
- TickPick – A no-fee exchange that can help you save on additional charges.
Make sure to compare ticket prices across multiple platforms, as pricing and availability may differ. These alternative marketplaces buy and sell tickets just like Ticketmaster. Use them as a last resort if you need tickets and Ticketmaster continues to give you errors.
Get Help from the Box Office
For select events, you may be able to circumvent Ticketmaster altogether and get tickets directly from the venue’s box office. Benefits include:
- Avoid online fees – Box offices don’t charge the extra processing fees Ticketmaster does.
- Immediate ticket in-hand – No need to wait for shipping.
- Personal customer service – Speak face-to-face with a representative.
The one key drawback is box office hours are limited. You’ll need to visit when they are open for sales. Also, the box office typically only sells tickets to events at that specific venue – so it won’t work for things like sporting events at external arenas.
Wait it Out and Try Again Later
One of the simplest fixes is to just wait awhile and give Ticketmaster’s system time to recover. Unless it is an extremely hot event that will sell out instantly, you can usually try again in a few hours or the next day and complete your purchase. Some things to keep in mind:
- Cool off period – After an error, give the system 30-60 minutes before re-attempting.
- Try outside peak times – Midweek evenings tend to be less crowded periods.
- Don’t overload the system – Only have one browser window open for your transaction.
A brief waiting period takes the pressure off and typically resolves transient errors. Just be sure not to wait too long if it’s a high demand event that could sell out quickly. Waiting until the next business day is also an option if errors persist over the weekend when support staff is limited.
Leverage Presales and Preordered Tickets
To avoid Ticketmaster errors altogether, take advantage of presales and preordering opportunities whenever possible. These allow you to purchase tickets before the general public:
- Artist and venue presales – Follow your favorite venues/acts on social media for presale promo codes.
- Spotify presale – Spotify offers exclusives for users who listen to an artist frequently.
- VIP packages – Get premium experiences like meet & greets by booking early.
- American Express presale – Cardmembers get first crack at hot tickets.
By presaling or preordering tickets, you skip the biggest traffic dates. This prevents you from even needing to use Ticketmaster on the main sale date. Your ticket is secured ahead of time before errors become an issue.
Use Tips and Tricks to Get Ahead in Line
When trying to purchase highly coveted tickets, you can employ certain tips and tricks to increase your chances of getting them:
- Use multiple devices – Try mobile and desktop to double your opportunities.
- Set up accounts ahead of time – Speeds up checkout instead of creating an account on the spot.
- Make sure payment info is stored – Prevents fumbling for your credit card when every second counts.
- Be ready right at the sale start time – Log in at least 15 minutes early.
Power users often open multiple windows across devices and systems to have multiple shots at getting through checkout as fast as humanly possible. It may feel like overkill, but can help land seats for the most coveted events.
Conclusion
The “unexpected error” message on Ticketmaster can definitely be annoying and prevent you from getting the tickets you want. However, in many cases, there are steps you can take like refreshing, switching browsers, or double checking your info that will easily resolve the problem. For high demand events, planning ahead as much as possible with presales and preorder tickets can help secure seats prior to any errors occurring at all. If issues persist, waiting and trying again or reaching out to their customer service are good options. With some savvy troubleshooting, you should hopefully be able to work through the error and complete your ticket purchase successfully.