Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows and more through their website and mobile apps. However, many customers have experienced issues when trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, with error messages like “Something went wrong” popping up during the checkout process. This can be incredibly frustrating for customers who are trying to buy tickets for in-demand events before they sell out.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into why Ticketmaster gives customers an error saying “something went wrong” when they are attempting to purchase tickets. We’ll look at some of the common causes behind these checkout errors and what customers can try to resolve the issues.
Main Causes of “Something Went Wrong” Errors on Ticketmaster
There are a few key reasons why Ticketmaster may show a “something went wrong” error message during the ticket purchase process:
High Demand Causing Traffic Spikes
One of the most common triggers for this error message is extremely high demand for certain events. When ticket sales first open, particularly for very popular concerts or games, thousands of fans may be trying to purchase tickets at the same exact time. This traffic spike can overload Ticketmaster’s servers and cause them to become slowed or frozen when processing orders. The high volume of requests all at once surpasses Ticketmaster’s server capacity and prevents sales from going through smoothly.
Integration Issues with Payment Processors
In order to complete ticket purchases, Ticketmaster needs to connect with third-party payment gateways and processors to handle credit card transactions. If there are any errors, latency issues, or malfunctions on the payment processor side, it can lead to interruptions during the checkout process on Ticketmaster. Outages or technical problems with the payment systems can manifest as “something went wrong” errors for customers.
Unexpected Glitches or Bugs
Like any large, complex website and ticketing platform, Ticketmaster can occasionally run into technical glitches on their end that affect transaction processing. Things like bugs in their order processing pipelines, random server hiccups, or unexpected outages can all lead to failed ticket purchases. These system glitches tend to be transient but can pop up at inopportune times when customers are trying to secure hot tickets.
Account Verification Issues
Ticketmaster has some safeguards in place to detect suspicious activity or potential fraud, such as limits on how many tickets a single user can purchase. If their automated systems flag your account for reasons such as an unusual purchase pattern, unclear account verification, or suspicions of bot activity, it may trigger an error during checkout. Clearing up any issues with your Ticketmaster account verification can help avoid these account-related errors.
Web Browser Incompatibilities
In some cases, the problem may originate from the customer’s browser that they are using to purchase tickets. Certain web browsers like Internet Explorer or outdated versions of Chrome/Firefox/Safari can have compatibility issues with Ticketmaster’s website. These browser-related conflicts can interrupt the transaction process and show generic errors to the user. Switching to a modern, updated browser is recommended when purchasing tickets.
Troubleshooting Tips for Customers
If you encounter the notorious “something went wrong” message when trying to buy tickets on Ticketmaster, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Verify Payment Details are Correct
Double and triple check that all your payment information – credit card number, security code, zip code, expiry date – were entered correctly with no typos. Incorrect payment details are one of the most common reasons for checkout failures.
Try Again with a Different Card
It may be an issue with your specific credit card, so attempt the purchase again with a different payment card or payment method if available.
Use a Different Browser
Switch to another modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge etc and reload the Ticketmaster website again. This can bypass any browser conflicts.
Clear Browser Cookies/Cache
Clear your cookies and browser cache then try going through the checkout process again. This wipes out any corrupted data that may be interrupting the transaction.
Use a Laptop/Desktop Instead of Mobile
Mobile browsers are more prone to errors and compatibility issues. Try purchasing tickets directly on a laptop or desktop computer instead of your smartphone when possible.
Disable any Ad-Blocking Extensions
Some browser extensions like ad-blockers can sometimes interfere with online checkout processes. Try disabling any extensions then attempting the ticket purchase again.
Try Again Later or Reset Your Account
For high demand events, try purchasing the tickets later when traffic volumes are lower. For account issues, you may need to contact Ticketmaster support to reset your account if errors persist.
Use a Different Internet Connection
Switching to another wi-fi network, using mobile data instead of wi-fi, or trying on a different device can determine if the issues are connection-related.
Contact Ticketmaster Customer Support
If you continue having problems, reach out to Ticketmaster’s customer service online or by phone for further troubleshooting help. They may be able to diagnose the root cause and provide specialized assistance.
How Ticketmaster Can Improve the Checkout Experience
To help reduce these “something went wrong” messages that frustrate customers, here are some ways Ticketmaster could enhance their platform:
Scale up Servers to Handle Peak Demand
For hugely popular events, Ticketmaster should allocate extra server capacity to handle the expected traffic spike when sales open up. This will prevent sales from crashing and improve stability.
Optimize Page Speeds
Optimizing their web pages and API calls to load faster can help transactions get processed quicker and reduce latency issues.
Implement More Robust Error Handling
Improving how errors are caught & handled on the backend can provide more specific error data to customers to help diagnose issues. More robust error handling also increases stability.
Expand Customer Service Teams
Having more customer service agents – with training on troubleshooting checkout issues – can help customers faster when they run into problems.
Test Compatibility Across Devices
Rigorously testing their website and app across all major devices, browsers and operating systems will catch more compatibility bugs.
Add Caching Layers
Implementing caching technologies like Redis can reduce load and strain on databases for smoother operations.
Develop Early Warning Systems
Advanced monitoring and AI-powered early warning systems could help Ticketmaster detect problems proactively before they escalate.
Improve Integration with Payment Systems
Closer collaboration with payment gateways/processors could enhance integration and address issues that cause cascading failures.
Best Practices for Avoiding Checkout Errors
Here are some tips customers can follow themselves when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster to minimize errors:
Open Multiple Browser Windows
Try staggering your ticket transaction across multiple browser windows/devices simultaneously to give you the best chance of getting through.
Make Sure Your Account Details are Current
Double check your personal info, payment methods and login details are all accurate in your Ticketmaster account before ticket sales open.
Use an Incognito/Private Browser Window
Shopping for tickets in an incognito or private browser window can avoid conflicts with any cookies, cache or extensions.
Connect to a Fast, Stable Internet Connection
Reduce latency issues by using the fastest, most reliable internet connection available to you when purchasing tickets. Avoid public wi-fi.
Be Ready Right When Sales Start
Log in to your Ticketmaster account 5-10 minutes early and ensure your payment info is pre-saved. Refresh right at the sale start time.
Purchase on a Desktop Computer Instead of Mobile
According to Ticketmaster, you have the best experience purchasing tickets by using their desktop website, if available.
Don’t Wait Till the Last Minute!
Give yourself the best shot by shopping for in-demand tickets right when they go on sale, instead of waiting until the last hours before the event.
The Bottom Line
The “something went wrong” error message on Ticketmaster is usually temporary and can often be overcome with some simple troubleshooting steps like trying another browser, clearing your cookies, or waiting a bit before trying again. Persistent issues may require contacting their customer support to investigate further. During peak traffic periods, Ticketmaster also needs to continue improving their systems to deliver a smooth ticket buying experience. But by using best practices on your end as a customer, you can maximize your chances of successfully purchasing those coveted tickets.
