Apex Legends has taken the gaming world by storm since its surprise launch in 2019. Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, this free-to-play battle royale FPS attracted over 50 million players in its first month alone. With its innovative ping system, unique character abilities, and polished gameplay, it‘s no wonder Apex has remained one of the most popular multiplayer games on PS4, Xbox, and PC.
However, as with any always-online game, Apex Legends is not immune to occasional server issues and error messages that can prevent players from connecting. One of the most common and frustrating of these is the "Cannot connect using SSL" error on PlayStation 4. If you‘ve encountered this error, don‘t worry – you‘re not alone, and there are a few simple steps you can take to get back into the action.
What is the SSL Connect Error?
First, let‘s clarify what this error actually means. SSL, which stands for Secure Socket Layer, is the standard security technology that establishes an encrypted link between a web server and a browser (or in this case, the game client and server). "SSL Connect Error" indicates that there is a problem with this secure connection, preventing Apex Legends from communicating with its servers.
The full error message usually reads: "Cannot connect to EA servers at this time. Please check your network connection, make sure the Platform Client is online and try again. Cannot connect using SSL." When this happens, you won‘t be able to get past the title screen to access any online multiplayer features.
Common triggers for the SSL error include:
- EA server outages or maintenance periods
- PSN connectivity problems
- Unstable internet connection on your end
- Corrupted data/cache on your PS4
- Outdated system software
- Issues with your EA account
Rarely, a strict firewall or antivirus app can also interfere with SSL verification, but this is less likely on console than on PC. In most cases, the SSL error in Apex is due to a temporary server-side problem that is out of your control as a player. However, there are still a few things you can try on your end to resolve it faster.
Check EA Server Status
Before attempting any troubleshooting on your PS4, you should first visit the official EA Help Twitter page (@EAHelp) or the third-party site apexlegendsstatus.com to check if there are any active server outages. If the Apex servers are down for everyone, there‘s nothing you can really do except wait for EA to fix the issue. Knowing it‘s not a problem on your end can provide some peace of mind.
The EA Help account will usually post an update acknowledging widespread outages across EA games, so that‘s your first place to check. For example, when the SSL error spiked for many players in November 2022, they tweeted:
Something‘s up with our online services, but we‘re on it. In the meantime, you might not be able to connect to online modes, buy games, or log in to your account. We‘ll get you back in your game as soon as we can.
If there‘s no news of a widespread outage, continue on to the next steps.
Restart Your PS4
As simple as it sounds, fully powering down your PS4 and restarting it can clear up the SSL error in some cases. Don‘t just put it in Rest Mode – hold the PS button on your controller to open the Quick Menu, select "Power," then choose "Turn Off PS4." Wait a minute, then press the power button on your console to start it back up.
Update Your PS4 System Software
Using an outdated version of the PlayStation 4 firmware can cause connectivity issues with games like Apex Legends. Head to Settings > System Software Update and make sure you have the latest version installed. As of March 2023, the newest firmware is 10.50. Updating to the latest firmware may resolve SSL errors.
Relaunch Apex or Reinstall the Game
If your PS4 is fully updated, try closing Apex Legends from the Dynamic Menu and relaunching it. You can also try switching to a different game, then switching back to Apex after a few minutes. If the error persists, uninstalling and reinstalling Apex Legends is worth a shot. You won‘t lose any of your progress or cosmetics since those are tied to your EA account and stored on the game‘s servers.
To reinstall Apex Legends:
- From the PS4 Dashboard, go to the Apex Legends icon
- Press the Options button on your controller
- Select "Delete," then confirm
- Go to the Library tab on your PS4 home screen
- Select Apex Legends, then choose "Download"
Once it reinstalls, restart your PS4 for good measure, then try launching Apex again. Hopefully the SSL error will be gone.
Check Your Internet Connection
While the "SSL Connect Error" can occur even with a stable internet connection, double-checking your network never hurts. On your PS4, go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. If the test identifies any problems, try power cycling your router or contacting your ISP.
You can also try switching from a Wi-Fi to a wired ethernet connection if possible, as a wired connection tends to be more reliable for gaming. Using a network cable can resolve connectivity issues in some cases.
Sign In to Your EA Account
Sometimes, signing into your EA account elsewhere (like on a mobile device or PC) and accepting any updated terms and conditions can clear up the SSL error. Go to ea.com and sign into your EA account associated with your PS4 gamertag, then restart Apex on your console. This has worked for many players.
Disable 2-Factor Authentication
As a last resort, you can try temporarily disabling two-factor authentication on your EA account, as this has reportedly resolved SSL errors for some PS4 users. To do so:
- Go to ea.com and sign in
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
- Select Account Settings > Security
- Choose "Disable" next to Login Verification
- Save your changes, then try launching Apex again
Keep in mind that 2FA is an important account security feature, so you should re-enable it once you‘re able to connect to the game.
Contact EA Support
If none of the above steps work, your best bet is to contact EA Support directly for further assistance. You can reach out to them on Twitter (@EAHelp) or through their official help site at help.ea.com. Click the "Contact Us" button and you‘ll be able to live chat with a support rep or submit a ticket describing your issue.
Conclusion
Dealing with the dreaded "SSL Connect Error" in Apex Legends on PS4 can be understandably frustrating, but hopefully one of the solutions above helped you. In most cases, waiting it out or doing a fresh reinstall of the game will do the trick. Remember, the error is almost always the result of a temporary server problem on EA‘s end, not an issue with your console or internet connection.
With any luck, you‘ll be back to dropping into World‘s Edge, Kings Canyon, or Olympus with your friends in no time. Keep calm, don‘t panic, and just follow the troubleshooting steps one by one. If all else fails, reaching out to EA Support should point you in the right direction.
Did this guide help you resolve the SSL error and get back to playing Apex Legends? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to share any other tips or tricks you‘ve discovered. See you in the arena, Legends!
