eFootball Not Working: What’s Going On and What to Do

Why Is eFootball Not Working?

eFootball needs a live connection to Konami’s servers for almost everything, so trouble anywhere along the way can stop it. An unstable network, an unfinished live update, damaged cache data, a full device or the same account open on two devices can all get in the way. Maintenance, network blocks and app bugs cover most of the rest. Start with a few quick checks before you dig into a specific problem.

Is eFootball Down, or Is It Just You?

Konami takes eFootball offline regularly to add new content, update player data and fix bugs. While the servers are down, you can’t log in or play online. Big season updates can take much longer: before Season 2 in 2022, online play was offline for four days and only an offline trial mode was left.

If players everywhere see the same message at the same time, the problem is on Konami’s side and waiting is the only fix. If your friends can play and you can’t, the cause is local.

eFootball Not Loading

A loading screen that never finishes is one of the most common eFootball complaints. Players get stuck on “Checking connection status”, on a download that says completed but never moves on, or on the message “Unable to implement live update data”. At this stage the game is downloading the latest live update and syncing your data, so a weak connection, low storage or damaged cache can stop it.

On Android, Konami notes that Google Play can show an update as 100% done while it is still downloading. Give it time, and make sure you have enough free storage.

eFootball Not Opening

If eFootball won’t open at all, closes right after launch, or never gets past the splash screen, the cause is usually on your device. On PC, Konami says the game may not boot when required runtime libraries are missing: DirectX End-User Runtimes, Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x64) and .NET Framework 4.6. The Steam version also lists 64-bit Windows 11 and 70 GB of free space as the minimum.

Players on Steam report that running the game as administrator, or allowing it in Controlled folder access in Windows Security, often gets it launching again. On phones, a half-finished update or a full device is the usual cause.

eFootball Login Problems

Login trouble often comes from the way eFootball ties your progress to one device at a time. Konami’s FAQ explains that the same User ID can’t be used on two devices at once, so playing on a second device can log you out or show an error code at login. Your data may also have been moved to another device.

Progress is saved through Link Data with a KONAMI ID, Game Center or Google Play. You need a KONAMI ID to move between iOS and Android, data transfers are limited each month, and a linked KONAMI ID can’t be changed later.

eFootball Connection Error

Connection problems show up as “A Network Error Occurred”, a match that freezes and ends, or a disconnection loss. Konami says online matches use a client-server system but may switch to peer-to-peer when the server link is unstable, so your own network matters a lot. It recommends a fiber broadband line and warns that Wi-Fi, mobile and tethered connections can cause disconnections.

Dropping out has a cost. If you disconnect, the match can count as a loss, and Konami warns that frequent disconnections may lead to restrictions on your account. The game also isn’t guaranteed to work over IPv6, so Konami recommends IPv4.

eFootball NAT Type Issues

On PS5, PS4 and Xbox, a strict NAT type can stop eFootball from connecting to other players, especially when a match falls back to peer-to-peer. On PlayStation, Type 2 is the normal target, while Type 3 can block some multiplayer sessions. On PS5, check yours under Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection.

eFootball Keeps Crashing

Crashes that throw you back to the home screen usually come from low memory, an outdated system or damaged update data. Konami’s own advice for mobile starts with closing other apps and restarting, then moves on to clearing the cache and deleting the live update. On PC, a machine below the system requirements can crash or run offline matches slowly.

eFootball Lagging

Lag and input delay make players react late, passes go astray and the game stutter mid-match. Wi-Fi drops data more often than a cable, and downloads or streaming on the same network eat into your bandwidth. Sometimes the slowdown comes from eFootball’s servers, especially right after an update. If your provider throttles gaming traffic, a VPN may help, though a distant server will make ping worse.

Common eFootball Errors

eFootball shows a mix of plain messages and numbered codes. Most point to a connection, update or payment problem. Here are the ones you’re likely to see and what to do about each.

Error	What it means	What to do
“A Network Error Occurred”	The game can’t reach Konami’s servers, often during maintenance or on a weak connection	Check for maintenance, restart the game and switch networks.
“Unable to implement live update data”	The latest live update didn’t download or install	Use Clear Cache and Delete Live Update, then allow the game through your firewall.
“An unexpected problem occurred while communicating with the eFootball server”	The game can’t complete a request to the server, often on PC	Run the game as administrator and check your firewall and antivirus.
“Server connection timed out. Please try again later.”	The server didn’t respond in time	Wait a few minutes and try again.
“Co-op Match Rooms are not available in your current network environment.”	Your network can’t support co-op, or co-op isn’t offered in your region	Check your network, restart the game and confirm co-op is available where you are.
C_NAJM_0028	“An invalid command was detected”, reported in Friend Matches	Restart the game, switch networks and set up the match again.
3-26-0-0	A purchase error when buying eFootball Coins	Check your store payment method, then contact Konami if you were charged.
20-26-0-0	A payment that didn’t go through	Wait and retry, check your billing details and review your purchase history.
Error code at login	Your User ID is active on another device	Close the game on other devices and use Data Transfer.

Why Can’t I Access eFootball?

Sometimes eFootball works fine, but the network or settings around you won’t let it through. School, office, hotel and public Wi-Fi often block online games, and firewalls or parental controls can do the same. In some countries, younger players also need a parent’s consent through k-ID before they can play.

Some features depend on where you are. Konami says Co-op may be unavailable in some countries or regions, and eFootball Coin loot boxes are restricted in places such as Belgium. Those limits come from Konami and local rules, so they apply whatever network you use.

When a VPN Can Help with eFootball

A VPN routes your connection through another server, which helps with a specific set of eFootball problems. It can get the game past a firewall on school, office or public Wi-Fi, may smooth out lag caused by ISP throttling or poor routing, and keeps your connection private on public hotspots.

It won’t shorten maintenance, recover a KONAMI ID, lift an account restriction, fix a game bug or make an older phone run eFootball. When a network block is the problem, Planet VPN’s low-ping gaming servers are a good fit, and the VPN for eFootball page covers the setup.

eFootball Not Working With a VPN

Konami’s FAQ doesn’t mention VPNs, but a VPN can still cause trouble in eFootball. Online matches are sensitive to ping, so a distant or crowded server adds lag and can lead to disconnections, and a shared server IP may be flagged or rate-limited. Turn the VPN off once to see whether it’s the cause, then reconnect with better settings.

Why Is eFootball Not Working on My Phone?

eFootball is a large, always-online game, so phone settings decide a lot. It needs about 3.5 GB of free space on iPhone and about 3.1 GB on Android, plus a stable connection, and both stores recommend Wi-Fi for updates. iPhone and Android handle storage and background limits differently.

eFootball Not Working on iPhone

The App Store lists iOS 15.0 or later, so older iPhones can’t run current versions. iOS has no system button to clear an app’s cache, but eFootball’s own Clear Cache option on the title screen does the job. Offloading the app frees space and keeps its data, while a full reinstall needs your progress linked first.

eFootball Not Working on Android

On Android, an update can look finished in Google Play while it is still downloading, which leaves the game stuck. You can also clear the app cache in system settings. Battery optimization and Data Saver can cut eFootball off mid-match.

How to Prevent eFootball Problems in the Future

A few habits head off most eFootball trouble. Link your data to a KONAMI ID, keep its confirmation email and turn on two-stage authentication. Keep the game and your device updated, leave room for big season updates, and play on one device at a time. A wired or steady home connection helps on match days, and a VPN is worth having if your usual network blocks games.

Conclusion

When eFootball isn’t working, go step by step. Rule out maintenance first, then test your connection, update the game and clear its cache or live update. Check that your account isn’t active on another device, and look at device and network settings last. If eFootball works everywhere except one network, a block is the likely cause, and that’s where Planet VPN can get you back on the pitch.