There are a few possible reasons why your Ticketmaster tickets may not be showing barcodes when you try to access them:
The tickets were transferred
If the tickets were transferred to you from someone else, the barcodes may not show up right away. When tickets are transferred on Ticketmaster, it can take up to 24 hours for the barcodes to appear in your account. This is because it takes some time for Ticketmaster to fully process and update the ticket ownership. If you just received transferred tickets, wait a full day and check back – the barcodes should appear after that.
You’re accessing the tickets too early
Ticketmaster only makes the barcodes available around 2 weeks before the event. If you’re trying to view your ticket barcodes more than 2 weeks out from the event date, they simply won’t show up yet. Ticketmaster does this as a security feature so that people can’t screenshot or distribute ticket barcodes long before the event actually happens. As you get to 2 weeks or less from the event, keep checking back and your barcodes will appear.
There was an error or glitch when you accessed the tickets
Sometimes just a simple page refresh can reveal your ticket barcodes on Ticketmaster. Try completely closing out of your Ticketmaster account, restarting your browser, and logging back in. Navigate back to your tickets and see if the barcodes now show. There may have just been a temporary glitch or error that was hiding them.
The tickets are mobile tickets only
For some events, Ticketmaster only issues mobile tickets rather than printed tickets. If this is the case, you’ll only be able to access your barcodes through the Ticketmaster mobile app rather than on a desktop browser. Download the Ticketmaster app to your smartphone and log into your account. You should see the ticket barcodes there. If the tickets were issued as mobile-only, unfortunately there’s no way to retrieve the barcodes on a desktop.
Your ticket purchase is still being processed
It can occasionally take up to 48 hours for Ticketmaster to fully process a ticket purchase. Until the processing is 100% complete, the barcodes will not be accessible in your account. If you just bought the tickets very recently, give it up to 2 days for everything to finalize. You should then see the barcodes appear.
The event was postponed or rescheduled
If the event your tickets are for was recently postponed or rescheduled, it’s possible that Ticketmaster has temporarily removed the barcodes until the new event date and details are sorted out. If you know that the event was rescheduled, contact Ticketmaster to confirm when the new tickets will be issued. You’ll likely need to wait until the event details like date, time and venue are re-finalized before your new barcoded tickets appear.
The tickets are still being sold by the original purchaser
This can happen if the person who originally bought the tickets is still selling them on a resale site like StubHub or VividSeats. Until the tickets are fully removed from resale and transferred to you, the barcodes will still be associated with the original purchaser’s account rather than yours. If you purchased from a resale marketplace, you’ll need to wait until the seller officially transfers the tickets off their Ticketmaster account before the barcodes migrate over to you.
You purchased a ticket insurance policy
Some kinds of Ticketmaster ticket insurance policies can temporarily hide your barcodes. For example, if you purchased their “Ticketmaster Worry-Free” insurance, it can take up to 48 hours after buying before your barcodes appear. This is because Ticketmaster is still processing that extra insurance coverage on the backend. Give it a couple days after purchasing a ticket insurance policy for everything to update.
There was a mistake entering your contact info
Double check that the billing name, email address and other contact info entered at checkout exactly matches what’s listed on your Ticketmaster account. If there’s any mismatch, it could prevent the barcodes from appearing properly. Try updating your account contact details to match your ticket order details. After 24 hours, the corrected info may allow the barcodes to show up.
The tickets are will call only
Some tickets may be marked as “will call only”, meaning they must be picked up in person at the venue box office. Will call tickets won’t show barcodes in your Ticketmaster account. Instead, the box office will verify your ID and give you the tickets on the day. Make sure your tickets weren’t issued as will call only before continuing to search for barcodes.
Your web browser needs to be refreshed
A simple browser refresh can also reveal ticket barcodes that weren’t showing before. Press ctrl + R on your desktop browser to do a hard refresh. On mobile, close the Ticketmaster app completely and relaunch it. This clears any cached data that could be preventing the barcodes from loading.
The tickets are still in your cart
Don’t forget to complete the full checkout process when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster! The tickets will remain in your shopping cart with no barcodes until the purchase is 100% finalized. Go back and verify you finished the last steps to pay and confirm your order. The barcodes should appear after you have officially checked out.
Conclusion
In most cases, Ticketmaster ticket barcodes will appear properly in your account around 2 weeks before the event. If your barcodes aren’t showing, wait 24-48 hours for processing to complete, refresh your browser, or make sure the purchase fully finalized. Contact Ticketmaster customer service if you still can’t view barcodes after trying these troubleshooting tips.
Reason | Solution |
---|---|
Tickets were transferred | Wait 24 hours for transfer to process |
Accessing tickets too early | Wait until 2 weeks before event |
Glitch when accessing | Refresh browser and re-login |
Mobile tickets | Check Ticketmaster app |
Purchase still processing | Wait 48 hours for completion |
Event was postponed | Contact Ticketmaster regarding new tickets |
Tickets still listed for resale | Wait for transfer off reseller’s account |
Ticket insurance purchased | Allow 48 hours for processing |
Incorrect contact info entered | Update account details to match ticket info |
Will call tickets | Retrieve tickets at venue box office |
Need browser refresh | Ctrl + R on desktop, relaunch app on mobile |
Tickets still in cart | Finish checkout process fully |
When to contact Ticketmaster customer service
If you’ve allowed 48 hours for processing, refreshed your browser, ensured checkout was completed, and your ticket barcodes still won’t show, it’s time to reach out to Ticketmaster for help. Customer service can further investigate on the backend and troubleshoot any issues.
You can contact Ticketmaster customer support via:
- Online web form
- Live chat
- Phone (available daily 8am – 9pm EST)
- Twitter @Ticketmaster
When you contact them, be ready to provide:
- Your name as it appears on the ticket purchase
- The order number
- Screenshots showing the missing barcodes
- Event name, date, time and venue
Their customer service team can then look into why your ticket barcodes aren’t appearing as expected and hopefully get it resolved. They have access to your purchase records and event information that regular users don’t, so they can usually get to the bottom of barcode issues.
How to transfer tickets if barcodes won’t show
If for some reason your ticket barcodes are still not showing even after contacting Ticketmaster customer service, you may need to directly transfer the tickets to the person you’re giving them to. Here’s how:
- Log into your Ticketmaster account online
- Go to your purchase history and select the order with the missing barcodes
- Choose the “Transfer Tickets” option
- Enter the recipient’s name, email address and the ticket quantities to send them
- The tickets will be forwarded to the recipient’s email
- They will then accept the transfer by setting up their own Ticketmaster account
- The barcodes should show up in their account within 48 hours
So if all else fails, transferring the tickets directly to someone else can sometimes reveal the hidden barcodes. Just make sure the recipient sets up their own Ticketmaster account to receive the tickets you’re sending.
How to get a refund if barcodes never show
If you’ve tried every troubleshooting step and worked extensively with Ticketmaster customer service to no avail, you may have to consider getting a refund. Here are the policies around Ticketmaster refunds:
- You generally have 60 days from the event date to request a refund
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method
- A 10% restocking fee may be deducted from the refund amount
- Tickets that were transferred can’t be refunded – only original purchaser can get refund
To request a refund due to missing barcodes:
- Contact Ticketmaster by phone and explain barcodes won’t show
- Provide order number, event details, troubleshooting steps you took
- Request a refund due to barcodes being inaccessible
- You’ll typically hear back within 5-7 business days on status
Just be aware that refund availability depends on the event policies. But in most cases of truly missing barcodes, Ticketmaster will work with you on getting reimbursed.
Why Trusted Sources Like Ticketmaster Sometimes Don’t Show Barcodes
While it can be frustrating when your ticket barcodes won’t display properly, there are good reasons that reputable sources like Ticketmaster sometimes can’t reveal barcodes right away. Here are a few of the main explanations:
Preventing fake tickets and fraud
One of the top reasons for delaying barcode display is security. Ticketmaster wants to make it harder for people to screenshot or copy legitimate-looking tickets and resell fakes. Only making barcodes visible to buyers 2 weeks out helps cut down on fraud and scalpers.
Allowing time for transfers and exchanges
Similarly, Ticketmaster purposely makes it difficult to transfer and exchange tickets multiple times in a short span. Restricting barcode access gives them more oversight and control. This limits shady dealing and ensures transfers are legitimate.
Matching up changed event details
If an event gets postponed, rescheduled or relocated, Ticketmaster needs time to sync up the new info and reissue tickets properly. Keeping barcodes hidden temporarily lets them get logistics settled before sending out updated tickets.
Integrating ticket insurance and enhancements
When you add on ticket insurance or enhancements like VIP options, Ticketmaster again needs backend time to process those additions. Delaying barcodes allows everything you purchased to get correctly integrated.
Waiting on late payment confirmations
Ticketmaster will hold off on revealing ticket barcodes until a purchase is 100% confirmed and paid for. Even just waiting for a credit card payment to fully clear can result in a barcode delay.
Tips for Accessing Ticketmaster Barcodes Easily
Despite necessary delays sometimes imposed by Ticketmaster, there are still ways you can access your barcodes in a timely manner when buying tickets. Here are some tips:
Purchase early
Buy your tickets as far in advance as possible. The earlier you complete your order, the sooner you’ll be able to view the barcodes (usually within 24-48 hours if buying more than 2 weeks out). Last minute ticket buyers will have the longest barcode wait.
Use mobile tickets
For quicker access, choose mobile ticket delivery rather than printed tickets when given the option. Mobile tickets can instantly display in your Ticketmaster app.
Check prior to event
Mark your calendar to log into your Ticketmaster account 2-3 weeks before the event. In most cases your barcodes will display by then without having to contact customer service.
Confirm order right away
Complete your Ticketmaster ticket purchases promptly. Letting an order sit in your cart without checking out can delay processing and barcode delivery.
Book directly on Ticketmaster
Purchasing tickets straight from Ticketmaster provides the most direct access to barcodes when available. There are more steps involved when buying via third parties.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster aims to make barcodes available around 2 weeks pre-event, however exceptions can occur. Check for common reasons like unfinished transfers or purchases, refresh your browser, and double check your contact info is synced up. Give it 48 hours from order completion as well. If issues persist, quickly reach out to their customer service for troubleshooting assistance to reveal your hidden barcodes.