How to Fix "SSL Connect Error" in FIFA 23

FIFA 23 brings the excitement of the beautiful game to life through industry-leading graphics and gameplay powered by HyperMotion 2 technology. However, many gamers have been unable to access online features and receive the frustrating “SSL Connect Error” due to server issues on EA’s end.

Read on as we dive deep into troubleshooting steps to resolve this error, and get back to experiencing all that FIFA 23 has to offer.

An In-Depth Look at FIFA 23 Features

To fully understand the impact of connectivity issues in FIFA 23, let’s first examine some of the game’s new features:

HyperMotion 2 Technology – Uses advanced full-body motion capture from professional football players to achieve new levels of realism in movement, responsiveness, and flow of play on the pitch.
Women‘s Club Football – For the first time, women‘s club teams from the Barclays Women‘s Super League and Division 1 Arkema are included. You can now play as your favorite women‘s clubs.
Cross-Play – Gamers on different console platforms like PlayStation and Xbox can connect and compete against each other in modes like Ultimate Team and Online Friendlies.
World Cup Qatar Content – Play in the finals of FIFA’s showpiece event with authentic teams, kits, match balls, and the ability to recreate key moments.

FIFA 23 represents the cutting edge of virtual soccer with its graphical fidelity and features. But server troubles have prevented many fans from getting the full experience.

Why Does the FIFA 23 "SSL Connect Error" Happen?

The “Cannot connect using SSL” error pops up in FIFA 23 when attempting to connect to EA’s servers. As EA has acknowledged, the problem stems from issues on their end rather than user consoles and computers.

Some technical causes behind the SSL Connect Error include:

Server Outages – Online services for EA games like FIFA 23 periodically suffer downtime and disruptions. High traffic volumes when new titles launch can overwhelm servers.
Maintenance – EA takes servers offline for maintenance and updates. Connection issues arise if problems occur or schedules get extended.
Firewall Blocks – Overly restrictive firewalls can block connections to EA domains needed to enable online features.
Glitches – Bugs in the game code or server configuration can prevent proper handshakes between client and server.
Bandwidth Deficiencies – Low bandwidth can lead to timeouts when trying to establish secure SSL-encrypted links with EA‘s servers.

Understanding the source of the problem will help guide our troubleshooting approach.

Troubleshooting the FIFA 23 “SSL Connect Error”

When facing the FIFA 23 SSL Connect Error, here are some fixes to try out:

Verify EA Server Status

Consult the EA Server Status page to check for any known issues with EA services that could be blocking connectivity for FIFA 23. You may just need to wait out an outage.

EA Server Status Page – Image Source: EA Help

Sign Into EA Account on Website

Go to ea.com, sign in to your EA account, and accept any updated terms and conditions. This refreshes your permissions which can resolve temporary glitches.

Toggle Two-Factor Authentication

Temporarily disabling two-factor authentication on your EA account can allow FIFA 23 to connect properly. Just re-enable it after testing.

Restart FIFA 23 and Console

Force quit and relaunch FIFA 23 to clear any cached connection errors. Restart your console or PC too for a fresh handshake.

Try Connecting During Off-Peak Hours

Peak evening usage can strain EA servers, so attempt playing FIFA 23 earlier in the day or very late at night when fewer people are online.

Update Console and Check Connection Speed

Ensure your console and FIFA 23 are updated to the latest versions. Check that you have a stable high-speed internet connection.

Forward Ports

Manually forward ports 21, 23, 80, 443, and 10000-10200 to your console‘s IP address. This opens the pathways for successful data transfer.

Adjust DNS Settings

Try temporarily switching to manual Domain Name System (DNS) settings like Google‘s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 rather than automatic ISP assigned DNS.

Clear Alternate MAC Address

On Xbox consoles, go to Settings > Network > Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear to reset addressing and potentially fix issues.

Allow FIFA 23 Through Firewall

Configure your firewall to allow connections on all required ports and domains for FIFA 23. Refer to EA Help for specifics.

Use Wired Over WiFi

For reliable connectivity, always use a wired LAN connection rather than wireless which can suffer interference and latency.

If all else fails, you‘ll need to wait for EA to resolve any problems their end. But these troubleshooting steps should cover how to fix the FIFA 23 SSL Connect error in most cases.

Comparing the FIFA 23 SSL Error to Other Common Issues

It helps to understand how the FIFA 23 SSL Connect Error differs from other problems players may encounter:

Web App Connectivity – This refers to issues connecting specifically to FIFA Ultimate Team web and companion apps. Fixes involve clearing cookies, using updated web browsers, and checking proxy settings.
Transfer Market Access – When the FUT Transfer Market is down for maintenance or black Friday overload, it blocks buying and listing players. Just waiting for EA to bring the market back online resolves this.
Failed to Communicate with EA Servers – Typically happens when trying to finalize Squad Building Challenges in FUT. Force quitting the game and restarting usually fixes it.
Lost Connection to EA Servers – General connectivity issue that boots you from FUT matches. Check your network strength and restart the game and console to prevent losses.

So while the SSL Connect Error stems from account and permissions issues, other common FIFA problems relate more directly to gameplay features and match connectivity.

FIFA 23 Error Codes and Their Fixes

In addition to generic connection issues, FIFA 23 may also show coded error messages like:

SU-42118-6 – Connectivity blocked by UPnP or NAT issues. Adjust UPnP settings and port forward.
SU-396628 – Having too many pending FUT friend requests can trigger this. Cancel pending requests.
WC-40383-8 – Indicates problems with the EA Servers. Check server status page and wait it out.

Refer to EA‘s error code lookup to diagnose specific error messages in FIFA 23.

When Will the FIFA 23 Errors Be Resolved?

EA has indicated they are working diligently to shore up servers and resolve lingering connection problems impacting FIFA 23 players.

Based on past incidents, EA typically resolves server-side errors within a few hours to a couple days. The FIFA community can follow @EAHelp on Twitter to get updates on when FIFA 23 services are back to normal levels.

EA Help Twitter – Image Source: EA Help

In the meantime, the troubleshooting tips in this guide should help you get back on the pitch. So keep trying the fixes, and hopefully you‘ll be leading your club to glory in no time.