There are a few common reasons why you may see the “unable to process your request” error when trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster. This frustrating error essentially means your ticket transaction did not go through for one reason or another. Here are some quick answers to why you may be seeing this error:
- The tickets you were trying to purchase sold out or are no longer available.
- There was a glitch or technical issue with the Ticketmaster website or your internet connection.
- Your payment information was declined by your bank or credit card company.
- You did not complete the CAPTCHA verification properly.
- Your Ticketmaster account is restricted for some reason.
While “unable to process your request” could mean a few different things, it most commonly appears when the ticket inventory is gone. High demand events will often sell out tickets quickly, particularly when presales or special promotions are running. If you wait until the last minute to buy, you risk missing out.
Why Do Tickets Sell Out So Quickly?
For high profile concerts, games, and shows, tickets sell out extremely fast for several reasons:
Limited Ticket Inventory
Venues only have a certain number of seats. For big acts at arenas or stadiums, there may be 10,000-100,000 seats available. While this seems like a lot, it’s not enough to satisfy demand for the hottest tours and teams. Beyoncé could easily sell out 5 nights at an NFL stadium, so 1 night’s worth of tickets go quickly.
Presales and Promotions
Promoters and artists will often offer presale ticket access or special promotions to fan club members, credit card holders, and select groups. These presales can sell a large portion of tickets before the general public has access. By the time tickets go on sale to the general public, inventory is already tighter.
Bots and Scalpers
Unfortunately, many third party brokers use ticket bots to buy up as many seats as possible, making it harder for fans to get tickets directly. Reseller sites may charge 2-10X the face value. Anti-bot laws aim to help, but tickets still end up on secondary sites.
Tips for Scoring Tickets
Here are some tips to improve your chances of grabbing tickets:
Sign Up For Presales
Sign up ahead of time for artist fan club presales. Follow your favorite sports teams and venues on social media for presale passwords and promo codes. Set a calendar reminder for presales so you don’t miss them.
Use Multiple Devices
Have friends and family try too. The more devices trying, the better chance you have to beat the bots. Use laptops, desktops, phones, etc. Be logged into Ticketmaster on all of them before the sale.
Shop Early
As soon as tickets go on presale, jump on and try for seats. Don’t wait days or weeks until general onsale. With demand so high, every minute counts. Set alerts so you know right away when presales start.
Be Flexible
Have backup dates and ticket numbers ready. If your first choices sell out, be ready to pick different date options or fewer seats. Two tickets instead of four may be your only option.
Use Caution With Resale Sites
Third party reseller sites often have significant markups and fees. Make sure to check the original source first. Some artists like Taylor Swift try to limit reseller options.
Keep Trying!
Tickets will pop up over time as orders fail or get released. Keep checking back for more inventory. Be patient and persistent. The more you hunt, the better your odds.
Why Your Ticket Request Might Not Process
If you see “unable to process your request” when trying to buy tickets, here are some common causes:
Tickets Are Gone
This is the most likely and frustrating scenario. The tickets simply sold out before you completed your purchase. Keep trying for other dates or ticket numbers. Set up alerts in case more tickets are released later.
Technical Issues
Problems with the Ticketmaster website or your internet connection could also lead to an error. Try refreshing the page or switching browsers. Make sure your internet is working properly before you try to buy. Clear your cookies and cache too.
Payment Declined
Your credit card company may reject the charge if you exceeded your limit or have holds on your account. Contact your bank to confirm funds and lift any existing blocks. Retry with another card.
CAPTCHA Failed
You may need to pass a CAPTCHA to finalize the ticket buy. Make sure you properly checked the box and completed any visual prompts. These help prevent bots from snagging tickets.
Account Restrictions
Ticketmaster may block your account for suspicious activity like bot use or known scalping. If your account is restricted, you need to contact their customer service to resolve it before you can buy tickets successfully again.
Tips for Avoiding “Unable to Process” Errors
Here are some useful tips to help your ticket transaction go through smoothly:
Check Inventory Frequently
Keep checking back as the onsale gets closer. Ticketmaster will display “low ticket alert” notices when supply is scarce. This gives you a heads up to act fast before they sell out completely.
Update Your Account
Make sure your Ticketmaster account has the right email, password, and payment info saved. This makes checkout faster and prevents errors related to outdated account details.
Use a Non-Expired Card
Double check that the credit card you use has not expired recently. Processing will fail if you try to use an outdated or invalid card. Avoid this by updating your card info in your Ticketmaster account.
Complete CAPTCHAs Carefully
When prompted to verify you are human via a CAPTCHA puzzle, take your time to get it right. Bot detection helps more fans get access. Triple check your work so errors don’t derail your order.
Try Again Later
If an error pops up, don’t panic. Sign out and close the browser. Come back in a few minutes and try again with fresh eyes. Sometimes a small time gap will help. Persistence pays off.
Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service
If you are unable to resolve the “unable to process your request” error on your own, reach out to Ticketmaster Customer Service for assistance.
Here are some ways to get help directly from Ticketmaster:
Email Support
Send an email to Ticketmaster outlining your problem and error message. Include relevant order details. Email response times may vary.
Chat With a Representative
Initiate a live online chat through their help site. Explain your issue to the rep. They can look into your specific case.
Call Support
Speak to a Ticketmaster agent directly over the phone. Be prepared to verify your account info and describe the purchase issue.
Check FAQs
Search the Ticketmaster Help Center FAQs for answers to common errors like “unable to process.” Solutions to many issues can be found here.
Post on Social Media
Reach out on Twitter or Facebook for quicker help. Brands often respond promptly on social media to resolve problems. Just be polite when explaining the issue.
What to Do If Tickets Sell Out
When an event sells out instantly, don’t lose hope yet. Here are some options to still try scoring tickets:
Join the Waitlist
Many ticketing sites will start a waitlist when tickets sell out. Add yourself so you’re notified if more seats are released. As orders fail or limits lift, waitlist members get priority access.
Check Back Frequently
Keep checking the Ticketmaster site regularly for new ticket blocks. Refreshes can reveal new inventory that pops up over time. Persistence is key.
Find Face Value Resales
Tickets purchased directly from other fans can avoid inflated markups. Search fan exchange groups on social media to find below market tickets.
Consider General Admission Sections
If all reserved seats are gone, general admission standing room areas may still be available. You won’t be guaranteed a seat, but at least you’ll be in the door.
Expand Your Search
Look beyond the primary seller to venues and box offices directly. Sometimes they hold and release their own ticket inventory later. Don’t rely solely on major sites.
Try Verified Resale Marketplaces
Reputable resale sites like StubHub offer buyer guarantees and more transparent pricing. Still check the original source first before paying extra fees.
Beware of Scams
When hunting sold out tickets, be vigilant against potential scams and fraud:
- Meet locally or use reputable sites when buying from individuals.
- Confirm tickets are valid and prices reasonable to avoid fakes.
- Never pay with risky methods like bank transfers, gift cards, etc.
- Watch for “too good to be true” steals that don’t seem right.
- Review seller profiles and ratings before purchasing.
- If you’re unsure, move on. Better safe than sorry.
Protect your personal info and payment details when dealing with secondary markets. Buying directly from trusted primary and resale sites is ideal to reduce risk.
Conclusion
The dreaded “unable to process your request” error strikes fear into the heart of any fan trying desperately to buy tickets. Limited ticket supply coupled with huge demand creates a fiercely competitive market. While scoring tickets isn’t always easy, being prepared with presale access, fast fingers, and persistence can help improve your odds. Keep calm, stick to reputable sources, and don’t give up hope if initial sales don’t work out in your favor. Where there’s a will, there’s usually a way for diehard fans to find tickets with a little effort and ingenuity.