Every weekend, I look forward to catching up on the latest NFL games on CBS All Access.

But when I launched the app this Sunday, it only showed a blank screen with a message displaying ‘Server Error’.

I reloaded the app a few times and even restarted my TV to fix it, but without success.

The game had already started, and my frustration was rising with every passing minute.

I dropped a message in our sports fans group to check if anyone else was facing a similar issue, but their streams were working fine.

Also, other apps installed on my TV were streaming smoothly, which meant there was nothing wrong with my Internet connection.

Not wanting to miss out on the game, I opened over a dozen help articles and user forums on Google Chrome and went through several troubleshooting steps.

After an hour of trying several fixes, one solution finally kicked in and fixed my CBS All Access app. 

To fix the CBS All Access Server Error, clear the app cache from the Data and Cache options in your device settings. To resolve the CBS All Access Server Error on a web browser, clear cache and cookies from the Clear Browsing Data option in the menu. 

Check CBS All Access Server Status First

A server error generally occurs in the CBS All Access app due to a temporary service outage or scheduled maintenance.

The first thing you need to do to resolve this error is to check the CBS Twitter Handle for any service outage notification.

You can also check third-party websites like Downdetector for the latest outage information.

If CBS is facing an outage, there is nothing much you can do. You will have to wait till their technical team fixes the problem.

However, if there is no service outage, and you still encounter the server error on CBS All Access, you need to check other troubleshoots. 

Clear the CBS All Access App or Web Browser Cache

The accumulated cache in your streaming device or browser leads to a shortage of memory and software bugs.

These bugs interfere with the connection between your device and the CBS All Access servers, creating the server error.

You need to clear the app cache from your device or browser to resolve this error.

Depending on whether you are using the CBS app on an iOS or Android device, TV, or computer, you can follow the relevant steps to clear its cache.

Note: You may need to log back into your CBS All Access account after clearing the cache. 

For Android Devices

1. Launch Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on the Apps menu.
3. Select Manage Apps or Installed Apps.
4. Find CBS All Access from the list of apps.
5. Choose Storage.
6. Click on Clear cache.
7. Go back to the Home screen and open the CBS All Access app. 

For iOS Devices

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and select the CBS All Access app.
3. Turn on the Reset cache on next launch and Clear temp data on next launch buttons.
4. Return to the Home screen and launch CBS All Access. 

For Smart TVs

1. Launch Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Select the CBS All Access app.
4. Choose Clear cache.
5. Go back to the Home screen and launch the CBS All Access app. 

For Web Browsers

1. Open a New tab.
2. Press the Ctrl, Shift, and Delete keys simultaneously on your keyboard.
3. Choose a Time range.
4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click on Clear data.
6. Relaunch the browser and visit CBS. 

Check Your Internet Connection

Sometimes, the CBS All Access server error can occur due to a bad Internet connection, which prevents your device from communicating with the CBS servers.

You can check your Internet speed by visiting Speedtest by Ookla. The test results will show you your download and upload speeds.

CBS All Access should run without hiccups if your speed is more than 3 Mbps.

In case your Internet speed is low, you should power cycle your Wi-Fi router to reset the Internet connection.

1. Remove your Wi-Fi router’s adapter from the power socket.
2. Wait at least 5 minutes.
3. Reconnect the adapter and turn on the router. 

If your Internet speed does not improve, you need to contact your Internet Service Provider.

Additionally, if you use a VPN, disconnect it and check if the CBS All Access server error gets resolved. 

Reboot or Power Cycle Your Streaming Device

The CBS All Access server error can occur when a software bug in your streaming device disrupts your connection with the CBS servers.

You can resolve these bugs by rebooting or power cycling your device.

Doing so will eliminate various performance-hindering issues and drain any residual (or static) charge, forcing your device to reset to a stable working state.

Depending on your streaming device, you can follow these steps to reboot it. 

For Android Devices

1. Press and hold the Power button.
2. Click on Restart from the available options.
3. Wait till your device reboots automatically.
4. Once it has booted up completely, open CBS All Access. 

For iOS Devices

1. Press and hold the Side (on the right) and one of the Volume buttons simultaneously.
2. Drag the Power off slider.
3. Wait a few seconds till your device turns off.
4. After 30-60 seconds, hold the Side button to turn it on.
5. Launch the CBS All Access app. 

For Smart TVs

1. Remove the power cord of your TV from the socket.
2. Press and hold the TV’s physical Power button for 15-30 seconds.
3. Reconnect the cord and turn on the TV.
4. Relaunch the CBS All Access app. 

For Laptops

1. Press and hold the Power button for 10-20 seconds.
2. Wait a couple of minutes.
3. Turn on your laptop and open a browser to visit CBS All Access. 

Reinstall the CBS All Access App

If none of the solutions covered so far resolve the CBS All Access server error, you should delete and reinstall the app to purge out major software bugs.

Depending on your streaming device, follow the relevant steps to reinstall CBS All Access on it. 

For Android Devices

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll to Apps.
3. Click on Manage Apps.
4. Select CBS All Access and click on Uninstall.
5. Reboot your device.
6. Open the Play store.
7. Search for CBS All Access.
8. Download and install the app. 

For iOS Devices

1. In the app drawer, long-press the CBS All Access app icon.
2. Click Delete App from the menu.
3. Restart your device.
4. Open the App store.
5. Search for CBS All Access.
6. Download and install the app. 

For Smart TVs

1. Launch CBS All Access.
2. Long-press the Return/Exit key on the remote to force shut the app.
3. Press Home.
4. Navigate to Apps.
5. Click on Settings.
6. Select CBS All Access and choose Delete.
7. Restart your TV.
8. Go back to the Apps screen.
9. In the search bar, enter CBS All Access and click on Install. 

If CBS All Access shows the server error even after following all the solutions covered in this article, you need to contact CBS Support for further assistance. 

How to Fix Other CBS All Access Errors

Aside from the server error, you can encounter other errors while streaming content on the CBS All Access app.

Based on how the app behaves, you can identify which error you are experiencing and apply the necessary fix. 

Don’t Miss a Single Minute of Your Favorite NFL Games

It was a frustrating experience when my CBS app refused to load last Sunday.

I wouldn’t have cared much if I was just binging on some show, but Sundays meant NFL and missing it meant missing a part of my life.

Quickly getting the CBS All Access app to work again was of prime importance to me. And so, I was relieved when something as simple as clearing the app cache did the trick.

If clearing the app cache does not solve the server error for you, reboot your streaming device or reinstall the app. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch CBS shows for free?

You can watch any CBS show that does not have a lock icon or a subscribe flag for free.

To watch shows with a lock icon, you need to log into the CBS app with your TV provider credentials. On the other hand, the shows with a subscribe flag are exclusive to CBS All Access (now Paramount Plus) subscribers. 

Why can’t I watch NFL games on CBS All Access?

You can only watch NFL games televised in your local area on the CBS All Access app. You won’t be able to watch the games not aired by your local CBS affiliate networks. 

Why does my CBS app keep buffering?

The CBS app needs a minimum Internet speed of 3 Mbps to stream smoothly, and it will buffer if your Internet connection is not stable.

If you face this problem, try rebooting your Wi-Fi router.