Fix: NBA 2K23 Error Code 4b538e50 / efeab30c

Visual Concepts and 2K Games have released NBA 2K23 as a basketball simulation video game that’s witnessed a growing number of active players within a very short period of time since it launched in September 2022. However, not everyone is happy with the improvements of this title and the new features or game modes. Meanwhile, plenty of unfortunate NBA 2K23 players are reporting about the Error Code 4b538e50 / efeab30c that should be fixed.

This specific error code, 4b538e50 or efeab30c, basically appears whenever the NBA 2K23 game fails to download the latest update data from the servers in real-time. If you’re also trying to play NBA 2K23 and received an error message with ‘EFEAB30C’ or ‘4B538E50’, you don’t need to worry. It’s considered a common error among the NBA 2K games, and a couple of possible workarounds are mentioned below so that you can fix it easily.

1. Check NBA 2K Server Status

First of all, you should check whether the NBA 2K server is running fine or not. Sometimes issues with the server connectivity or downtime may encounter multiple conflicts with the server connectivity at the player’s end. You should also check the third-party DownDetector NBA 2K Status to check the real-time server outage reports, last 24 hours report, live outage map, and more. At the time of writing this article, there are some server issues detected by players.

If in case, you’re also seeing an issue with the server, make sure to wait for a couple of hours and then try playing the NBA 2K23 game again. You should also follow the official @NBA2K Twitter page for updates and reports. If there is no issue, then you can jump into the next method.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

It’s also suggested to properly check the internet connection because a poor or unstable internet connection can eventually trigger multiple issues with online gaming and connecting to online services. If you’re using the wired connection, try switching to the wireless network or vice versa to cross-check the issue. You can also try using another network to ensure server connectivity.

3. Confirm Your MyPlayer Account Again

The account email confirmation must be sent again, whatever you use in your NBA 2K23 game. Sometimes temporary glitches with the account linking or confirmation may occur in several conflicts. To do this, perform the following steps:

Open a web browser on your computer or smartphone.
Now, go to the https://www.nba2k.com website.
Select ‘Sign In’ at the top-right of the screen.
Enter your MyPLAYER account name and password credentials to sign in.
Once you log in successfully, an automatic email verification should be sent.

4. Exceeded Amount of Allowed NBA 2K Accounts on your Console

You can create up to 5 NBA 2K accounts on your single console maximum. If you’ve created more than 5 accounts on the same console, then a security protocol is set to disallow the NBA 2K server access to all NBA 2K accounts (except for the first five accounts). Make sure to keep that in mind.

5. Verify and Repair NBA 2K23 (PC)

If in case, your NBA 2K23 game isn’t running well or facing some issues with the connectivity, the chances are high that somehow the installed game files become corrupted or missing on the PC. In that scenario, you should verify and repair the game files by following the steps below.

Launch Steam > Click on Library.
Right-click on NBA 2K23 from the list.
Click on Properties > Go to Local Files.

Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Wait for this process to complete and reboot the PC to apply changes.

6. Update System Software

Sometimes issues with outdated system software can also cause conflicts with system performances, especially in multiplayer games or any resource-heavy programs. You should always update the system software on your device to maintain the performance stable enough. To do that:

For PC:

Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
Click on Update & Security > Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
If there is an update available, select Download and install.
It may take a while to complete the update.
Once done, restart your computer to install the update.

For PlayStation Consoles:

Go to the Settings menu on the PlayStation console.
Select System Software Update > Check for available updates and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once done, reboot the system to apply changes.

For Xbox Consoles:

Press the Home button on the Xbox console.
From the Dashboard menu, select Settings > Select All Settings.
Choose to System > Select Updates.
Select Update Console (if available) > Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update process.
Once done, make sure to restart the console to apply changes.

For Nintendo Switch:

From the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, select System Settings.
Go to System > Set the Auto-Update Software option to On.
Now, all the available system software updates will be installed automatically on the Nintendo Switch whenever it’s connected to the internet.

If, in case, you want to check for the Nintendo Switch system software update manually then do the following:

Make sure to connect your Nintendo Switch console to the internet.
From the HOME Menu, select the software icon.
Press the (+) or (-) button on your controller > Select Software Update.
Select Via the Internet and wait for the process to get completed.
Once done, your Nintendo Switch console will reboot automatically. Otherwise, you should manually restart it.

7. Some Software Might Be Blocking Server Connections

In some cases, you’ll need to try using PathPing and TraceRoute to cross-check if there is any interference with the server connections from your end or not. To do so:

Make sure to connect your computer to the internet.
Now, open the Start menu > Type CMD and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
Enter the following command line and hit Enter to run it:

pathping -n 104.255.107.131

It should show some statistics. Just copy the stats by right-clicking on it and clicking on Select All.
Next, right-click again and select Copy > Open the Notepad program.
Press the Ctrl+V keys to paste it into Notepad.
Go back to the command prompt interface > Type the following command line and hit Enter to run it:

tracert 104.255.107.131

Please wait until the window says Trace Complete.
Make sure to copy the information as well and send both the copied info to 2K Support as attachments.
The support team will investigate the issue and revert back with suggestions to you.

8. Clear Out Unnecessary HDD/SSD Space

A few PC or console users may face several issues if the reserved space on your storage drive becomes full that has been allocated for game updates and patches. NBA 2K regularly uses this feature. So, if you’ve deleted the game’s reserved space then the game will re-create it when it launches. So, if this happens and if the process is canceled then the chances are high that you may face the error message like EFEAB30C in NBA 2K23).

Note: Do not delete the game’s reserved space on your storage drive. It directly impacts the game files to sync with the servers.

9. Your Game Data is Out of Sync

Sometimes your installed game data may become out of sync with its servers due to the missing or corrupted files on the device. Mostly happens after installing the latest update of the game or after deleting the game’s reserved space from the storage drive. If this is happening to you then make sure to follow the steps below:

Select the ‘Play Now’ option of NBA 2K23 and allow the game to sync with the servers properly.
This process may take hours depending on the game data size and the speed of your internet connection.
Once the syncing process is done, you should receive the confirmation message to go back to the main menu.

Please Note: While doing the same, you might see a loading screen that will apply the update and changes. Once the update is applied, you will be redirected to the game’s main menu automatically.

You can also manually try syncing the game data on your respective device by following the steps below.

For PC:

Open Steam > Go to Downloads.
Click on NBA 2K23 > Wait for the update to complete. (if available)

For Xbox Consoles:

Open the My Games & Apps menu.
Go to Manage > Select Updates.
Choose Update All > Select Manage.
Search for available NBA 2K23 updates under the Queue option.

For PlayStation Consoles:

Go to the PlayStation Home screen > Select NBA 2K23.
Press the ‘Options’ button on your controller.
Select the ‘Check for Update’ option.
If there is an update available, it’ll start downloading automatically.

For Nintendo Switch:

Go to the Nintendo Switch dashboard.
Select NBA 2K23 > Press the (+) button.
Select Software Update > Choose Via the Internet.
Check for available updates and install the same.

10. Power Cycle the Wi-Fi Router

Sometimes temporary networking glitches on the Wi-Fi router may trouble you a lot. It’s better to perform the power cycle method on the router to manually clear glitches. Many affected online gamers or streamers power cycle their router and device to refresh the connectivity. To do so:

Just power off the Wi-Fi router completely > Unplug the power cable from the power source and router.
Wait for around a couple of minutes then plug back the power cable in.
Finally, power on the router, and try connecting to the game again.

11. Try Using Google DNS (Public)

It’s also highly recommended to try changing the current DNS address on your gaming device or Wi-Fi router to a public DNS address for better reachability and faster connectivity speeds. Google DNS address is so popular and widely used by gamers or streamers worldwide as a public DNS. Sometimes your specific DNS address provided by your internet service provider may have some blocking issues that eventually trigger online server connectivity errors.

Please Note: You should write down your existing DNS server address from the screen as a backup. You can change anything to the previous DNS address and save changes if anything goes wrong.

For PC:

Open the Start menu > Go to Control Panel.
Click on Network and Internet > Select Network and Sharing Center.
Select Change adapter settings > Right-click on the active network connection.
Click on Properties > Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCIP/IPv4) in the list.
Click on Properties > Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter 8.8.8.8 for the Preferred DNS Server addresses.
Next, enter 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS Server addresses.
Once done, click on OK to save changes, and restart the PC.

For Wi-Fi Router:

Just log in to your connected Router page from the web browser.
Go to WAN > Enter your Preferred DNS Server addresses (8.8.8.8).
Enter the Alternate DNS Server Addresses (8.8.4.4) > Make sure to save changes.
Once done, reboot your router and try connecting to the game server again.

For Xbox Consoles:

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
Go to the System tab > Select Settings.
Choose Network > Select Network settings.
Select Advanced settings.
Select DNS settings > Select Manual.
Enter 8.8.8.8 for the Primary DNS address and 8.8.4.4 for the Secondary DNS address.
Once done, reboot the console to change the effects.

For PlayStation Consoles:

Go to the PlayStation Settings menu > Select Network.
Select Set Up Internet Connection > Select Wi-Fi or LAN (whatever you use).
Choose Custom > Select IP Address Settings to Automatic.
Set DHCP Host Name to Do Not Specify > Select DNS Settings to Manual.
Enter 8.8.8.8 for Primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 for Secondary DNS.
Now, select Next > Set MTU Settings to Automatic.
Set Proxy Server to Do Not Use.
Once done, reboot the console to apply changes.

For Nintendo Switch:

Make sure to select Settings from the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu.
Select Internet > Select Internet Settings. [Your Nintendo Switch will automatically search for nearby Wi-Fi signals]
Choose your valid internet network under Registered Networks.
Now, select Change Settings > Select DNS Settings.
Choose Manual > Select Primary DNS > Press and hold the B button to Delete the DNS address. (Default to zeros)
Next, enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary DNS > Then select OK.
Select Secondary DNS > Press and hold the B button to Delete the existing DNS.
Enter 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS > Then select OK.
Finally, you can reboot your Nintendo Switch console to refresh the system, and play the game.

12. Power Cycle your Nintendo Switch

If you’re experiencing the error code 4b538e50 or efeab30c on your Nintendo Switch console, follow the steps below.

Press and hold the Power button on the Nintendo Switch. [Next to the Volume controls]
Now, a menu should appear > Select ‘Power Options.’
Select ‘Power Off’ to shut down the Switch console completely.
Wait for a few minutes and then press & hold the Power button to turn it back on.
Finally, relaunch NBA 2K23, and check for the server connectivity issue again.

13. Confirm Account Verification

Now, if you’re getting the ‘MyPLAYER Account is expired’ error message after performing the power cycle method, then you should follow the steps below:

Open the web browser on your computer or smartphone.
Go to the https://www.nba2k.com webpage.
Select ‘Sign In’ at the top-right of the screen.
Choose which online service you’re playing on (Xbox Live, PSN, Nintendo, or Steam)
Enter the email address, username, and password to sign in to the online service.
Once successfully logged in, you’ll get the account verification.
You can restart your Nintendo Switch and re-launch NBA 2K.

14. Contact 2K Support

If nothing seems to be working for you, then contact 2K Support for further assistance. The chances are high that there is an issue with your purchased game or account that has been used or some in-game issues. By contacting and creating a support ticket for the same, developers will try to investigate the issue deeply. The chances are high that devs will come out with a solution to fix NBA 2K23 Error There is a Problem with Your Connection.

That’s it, guys. We hope this guide was helpful to you. For additional queries, you can comment below.

Fix: NBA 2K23 Error Code 4b538e50 / efeab30c