Forum Discussion

tallventii's avatar
tallventii
New Traveler
2 years ago
Solved

[New Report] Mass Effect Online Pass-Access Error For Multiplayer Modes

Reaching out here because I'm at the absolute end of my rope. I've been going back and forth with people from EA Help for the last 3 days regarding this and they keep sending me a new agent with each...
  • holger1405's avatar
    holger1405
    2 years ago

    @tallventii 

    Please clear your temp files:

      • Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time
      • Into the new window, type or copy & paste:  "%temp%"   (Without the quotes.) > hit "ENTER"
      • Now your Windows Explorer should have brought you to the "C:\Users\>your user name<\AppData\Local\Temp" folder. > Delete all files and folders in it.
        (If some files or folders can't be deleted, reboot and try again.)

    Then:

      • Make sure EA app and Steam are closed.
      • Press the Windows key and "R" at the same time.
      • Type or copy and paste "%ProgramData%\Electronic Arts\EA Services" (without the quotes) into the new Window > ENTER
      • Move the "License" folder to your desktop.
      • Test.
Fred_vdp's avatar
Fred_vdp
Hero+
2 years ago

@tallventii  I understand how frustrating this must be. I used to have the exact same problem years ago, and a support agent managed to fix it on their end no problem. This is definitely something support should be able to fix, but I think the game is old enough that newer support agents may no longer know how to properly respond to this issue.

Edit: I just saw the thread by @EA_Shepard : https://answers.ea.com/t5/Other-Mass-Effect-Games/PC-Mass-Effect-3-Error-An-Online-Pass-Is-Required/m-p/12557021#M72907

Is this the one you were talking about? If support is being unhelpful, link directly to the thread. They might take it more seriously if they see an EA community manager posted about the issue.

  • tallventii's avatar
    tallventii
    New Traveler
    2 years ago

    Heyo!! Thanks so much for your reply. I did manage to get an agent that responded and gave a potential solution (added as attachment, agent name censored for their privacy). They said they "added the game from their end" onto my account and directed me to install/launch through the EA app. I uninstalled from Steam (where I have my EA Play sub), and went to install on the EA app, only for it to now be stuck continually in the dreaded endless "Preparing" loop before it stops itself. One issue ends, another begins I guess xD 

    Making a new ticket with EA Help, here's hoping agent #9 is able to get this fixed up. Thanks again!!

    • holger1405's avatar
      holger1405
      Hero+
      2 years ago

      @tallventii 

      In EA app > click on the three line in the top left corner > Settings > Download 

      Check if, under "Updates", "Update games automatically" and "Enable background downloads" are activated.

      • tallventii's avatar
        tallventii
        New Traveler
        2 years ago

        This didn't do anything. I reached out to EA Help, and this is what they told me:

        "Please try the following troubleshooting steps in the exact format.
        First please delete the EA app from your computer.
        Second please try this steps clearing the cache from your system.
        Open the Run box by pressing the Windows key and the R key simultaneously on your keyboard.
        Enter cleanmgr.exe into the command line and press Enter.
        Then choose a location where you want to proceed.
        After that, click Ok.
        Go to the Clean up system files option.
        Select All Items and click on OK.

        Third try this steps
         link to EA help site article referencing download issues, removed for HTML formatting issues
        Once everything is done please check for your system update and then restart the computer.
        Redownload the EA app and you are good to go."

        This also didn't help. It's just stuck in preparing. I think the EA agent that "fixed" the online issue finagled the system into thinking I owned the game outright instead of the EA copy, but then again if I install it through Steam (which is connected to my EA account, where I have EA Play), the EA app says I that somebody else bought the game and I need to log in to their account to play it, and it won't let me open the game whatsoever. Kind of an endless loop, but Ouroboros, the snake devours its own tail, I'll keep trying.

About Mass Effect Franchise Discussion

The fate of the galaxy lies in your hands. Join the Mass Effect community forums and tell us how you'll fight for it.19,148 PostsLatest Activity: 3 days ago