How To Fix ESPN Unable To Play Video In Android Phone

The ESPN unable to play video on your Android device issue usually occurs when you try to watch a live event or video. There are several factors that can cause this issue ranging from corrupted data, slow internet, or subscription issues. To fix this, you have to perform some troubleshooting steps.

ESPN is a sports channel that broadcasts various sporting events across the world. Its Android app allows anyone to watch live events and shows while on the go. It’s a convenient way of staying updated with the latest game of the Lakers or Real Madrid for example even when you are not at home.

What to do when the ESPN app on your phone is unable to play video

One issue that you might encounter while using the ESPN app is when it can’t play videos. Here’s what you need to do to fix this.

Things to do first:

  • Restart the phone.
  • Make sure your phone is running on the latest software version.
  • Make sure the ESPN app is updated to the latest version.

Method 1: Check your internet connection

The first thing you will want to do is to make sure the Android device has a good internet connection. Try doing a speed test.

Time needed: 3 minutes.

Run an internet speed test

  1. Open the phone browser.

    You can do this by swiping up from the home screen and tapping your preferred browser.Fix ESPN Unable To Play Video In Android Phone

  2. Go to Google.com then search for “speedtest”.

    This will open the speed test search results and show you a tool that you can use.What to do when the ESPN app on your phone is unable to play video

  3. Tap on the RUN SPEED TEST button.

    This is usually the first choice that appears on the search results.run speed test

If the results are not good then you should try connecting the device to a different Wi-Fi network. You can also try using your mobile data subscription if no other Wi-Fi network is available.

Method 2: Clear the cache and data of the ESPN app

Sometimes this problem can be caused by corrupted cached data in the ESPN app. To fix this you will have to clear the cache and data of the app. The specific steps might differ for your device model.

  • Tap on Settings.
  • Tap on Apps & Notifications.
  • Tap on See all apps.
  • Tap on ESPN.
  • Tap on Storage & Cache.
  • Tap on Clear Storage and Clear Cache then make sure to confirm your action. 

After performing these steps try to check if the issue still occurs.

Method 3: Reinstall the ESPN app to fix unable to play video problem

There are times when the problem is caused by a corrupted app. In order to fix this you should uninstall the app then install a fresh version from the Google Play Store.

After performing the steps listed above you will successfully fix the ESPN unable to play video problem.

Visit our TheDroidGuy Youtube Channel for more troubleshooting videos.

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Chad Buenaflor

Chad has been in the tech industry since 2000. He has a degree in Electronics Engineering and is interested in the hardware and software side of technology. Initially working for a Japanese semiconductor company as a Test Engineer for nearly 10 years, he then pursued his passion for internet technology by working for the support team of Time Warner Cable then finally joining TheDroidGuy as one of their troubleshooting and tech writers. On his free time he plays his favorite games on his PC, Xbox Series X, and Android phone. Contact me at Email

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