There are a few common reasons why you may see an “access denied” message when trying to access Ticketmaster. The most likely reasons are that the event is sold out, there was an error with your login credentials, your IP address is restricted, or there are website issues on Ticketmaster’s end.
The event is sold out
The most common reason for getting an access denied message on Ticketmaster is that the event you’re trying to buy tickets for is sold out. Ticketmaster limits the number of tickets available for each event based on the venue capacity. Once all tickets have been purchased, Ticketmaster will stop allowing access to the event page and display an access denied or sold out message. This is to prevent further attempts to purchase tickets that are no longer available.
Some tips if you get an access denied message due to an event being sold out:
- Try again later – Sometimes last minute tickets are released if reserves are released or other customers’ purchases don’t go through.
- Get on the waitlist – Some events offer waitlists you can join to be notified if more tickets are released.
- Check resale sites – Resellers and ticket exchanges like StubHub may still have tickets available for sold out events, but usually at inflated prices.
- Consider other shows – If it’s for a concert, see if the artist is performing in other cities you can travel to.
The best way to avoid missing out is to try to buy tickets as early as possible, especially for very popular events that are likely to sell out quickly.
There was an error with your login credentials
If you have an existing Ticketmaster account, entering an incorrect email address or password can also lead to an access denied message. Here are some tips for troubleshooting login issues:
- Carefully re-enter your email/password – Double check you are using the correct sign-in info for the account you want to access.
- Check account security questions – If you have security questions set up, ensure you are answering them correctly.
- Reset your password – Go through the password reset process by clicking “Forgot Password” on the Ticketmaster login page.
- Contact Ticketmaster Support – If you still cannot access your account, you may need to reach out for further help resolving any issues.
Creating a new Ticketmaster account and using the new login details is another option if you are unable to get into your existing account for any reason.
Your IP address is restricted
In some cases, Ticketmaster may block access from certain IP addresses. This is often done to prevent bulk purchases from ticket brokers or bot programs. If your home, work, or mobile internet IP address ends up blacklisted, Ticketmaster may show an access denied message when you try to load event pages or make a purchase.
Ways to troubleshoot an IP block:
- Try on a different internet connection – Such as mobile data instead of WiFi, to get a different IP.
- Use a VPN or proxy service – Masks your IP address, allowing you to bypass IP blocks.
- Contact Ticketmaster Support – Ask them to review if your IP is blocked and request access.
- Wait for the block period to pass – IP blocks are usually temporary, try again later.
If Ticketmaster has implemented a blanket IP block for your region or internet service provider, you may need to use a VPN or wait until the block has been lifted to regain access.
There are website issues on Ticketmaster’s end
Like any major website, Ticketmaster can experience downtime or glitches on their end which prevent access to their pages. This could display as an access denied message when trying to load an event page. Some things that can cause problems include:
- Scheduled maintenance – Ticketmaster may take their systems offline for maintenance periods, usually late at night.
- Excessive traffic – During major onsales, site traffic spikes can sometimes cause outages.
- DDoS attacks – Malicious entities may try to flood the site with junk traffic to overwhelm the servers.
- Technical issues – Buggy updates or server problems can also inadvertently break site functionality.
For website issues, there is usually nothing the user can do except wait for Ticketmaster to resolve the problem. Checking Ticketmaster’s system status page can give updates on any identified problems. Trying again later or on a different device may help if it was a temporary glitch. Persistent access problems affecting multiple users likely indicates a larger issue on Ticketmaster’s end.
You have multiple browser tabs/windows open
Having multiple tabs or browser windows trying to access the same Ticketmaster event at the same time can also trigger access denied messages. This is because Ticketmaster limits each browser session to a single transaction at a time as an anti-bulk purchasing measure.
If you are trying to purchase tickets across multiple devices or browsers, make sure each is using a fully independent session and not opening new tabs/windows from an existing process. Try closing all other Ticketmaster tabs and performing the transaction in a single new window. Only accessing Ticketmaster from one computer/browser at a time can help avoid multitasking issues.
Your web browser has cached outdated files
Outdated cached data from previous visits can also cause conflicts that prevent accessing Ticketmaster. Trying to load an event page using files stored in your browser’s cache instead of fresh data from Ticketmaster’s servers may trigger access denied messages.
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies for the Ticketmaster site forces your browser to re-download the latest files which often resolves cached data issues. Your browser’s help section will have specific instructions on how to safely clear cache and cookie data.
You have ad blockers or anti-tracking enabled
Browser extensions like ad blockers, Facebook pixel blockers, and GDPR consent tools can sometimes interfere with Ticketmaster’s site and cause access issues. These tools block or alter some page elements to improve privacy which may break functionality.
Try disabling any active browser extensions temporarily to see if that resolves access problems on Ticketmaster. You can re-enable them after purchasing tickets. Keep in mind that tools like ad blockers are generally safe for everyday browsing but should be paused on sites where they might conflict.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key reasons you may encounter “access denied” or other access issues on Ticketmaster:
- The event is sold out
- Incorrect login credentials
- Your IP address is blocked
- Website technical issues on Ticketmaster’s end
- You have multiple browser tabs/windows open
- Outdated cached browser files
- Interference from browser extensions
Checking for these common causes and trying the recommended troubleshooting tips should help resolve many error messages and access problems on Ticketmaster. Getting tickets right when sales start, using a fresh browser session, and disabling browser addons are good practices to avoid issues. For persistent problems, you may need to wait for Ticketmaster to address any website errors or contact customer service if your account is blocked. Understanding the various reasons for access denied messages can help you identify solutions and secure your desired tickets.