[PS5] Screen freezes during live play in [Kick Off]
Platform: PlayStation 5
Game: EA SPORTS FC 26 (full game)
Mode: [Kick Off, Classic Match: confirm], Semi-pro
Teams: FC Barcelona (me) vs. CA Osasuna
Date tested: October 6, 2026
CONSOLE DETAILS
- Model: CFI-1015A (original PS5 with disc drive, not Slim; 350W)
- Serial number: E43501VKK12779212
- System software version: [Settings > System > System Software > Console Information]
- Game version: [shown on the FC 26 title screen or under game info]
- Setup: lying horizontally
- Condition: dust and lint have built up around the side panels and vents. [Cleaned and retested: yes/no, and whether the freezes continued]
WHAT HAPPENS
The screen freezes for several seconds during live play, usually as possession changes or a scoring chance develops. [The match clock stops, but the opponent can still take the ball during the freeze.] [The player-control triangles lag, stick on the previous player, or appear on the wrong one.]
The same freeze happens in the FC 27 trial on this console (report: ). Because it shows up in both games, it may be a shared engine issue. A console problem such as overheating is also possible, so I'm including the console details above.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
- Start a [Kick Off] game (Semi-pro): FC Barcelona vs. CA Osasuna.
- Play normally, e.g. dribble side to side for several seconds.
- Approach goal to shoot, or win/lose the ball near either penalty area.
- The screen freezes, and the opponent may take the ball during it.
- [Replay with the same teams. The freeze happens again.]
EXPECTED: Gameplay, controls, and stoppage cutscenes stay responsive through possession changes, shots, and tackles.
ACTUAL: The screen freezes for several seconds, and [the control indicator lags or lands on the wrong player].
EVIDENCE
Screen Freezes During Live Play in Kickoff - FC 26 - 1 minute & 33 seconds
WHY IT MATTERS
The freezes land on shots, interceptions, and tackles, when control matters most. Because the opponent can win the ball during a freeze, it feels like an unfair difficulty spike rather than a bug. It also happens in the FC 27 trial, so going back to FC 26 didn't fix it. I'm a paying FC 26 player, and this affects the game I bought.
I can run more tests if useful: other teams, other modes, or a first match vs. a replay.
