MTG Arena Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide for Players in 2025

Are you trying to play Magic: The Gathering Arena but keep running into issues? You are not alone. Many players face problems with MTG Arena not working on their devices.

From installation errors to game crashes and connection problems, these issues can stop you from enjoying your favorite card game.

This guide gives you easy solutions to fix MTG Arena problems and get back to playing quickly.

Key Takeaways

If MTG Arena is not working for you, here are the most important things to know:

• Restart your device and the game first as this fixes many common problems
• Check your internet connection as MTG Arena needs a stable connection to work properly
• Update your graphics drivers to fix display and performance issues
• Clear the game cache by deleting temporary files in the MTG Arena folder
• Make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for running MTG Arena
• Disable overlays and background applications that might conflict with the game
• Try running the game as administrator on Windows to give it proper permissions
• Reinstall the game as a last resort if other solutions don’t work
• Contact MTG Arena support for issues that persist after trying all troubleshooting steps
• Check the MTG Arena status page to see if servers are down or undergoing maintenance

Common Reasons Why MTG Arena Is Not Working

Magic: The Gathering Arena might stop working for several reasons. Outdated graphics drivers often cause display problems and game crashes. Your internet connection can also affect gameplay, with unstable connections causing disconnects during matches.

The game needs certain system requirements to run properly. If your computer or mobile device is too old or lacks power, you might experience slow performance or crashes. MTG Arena also uses a lot of storage space, so having insufficient disk space can prevent updates from installing correctly.

Third-party applications running in the background can conflict with MTG Arena. Programs like Discord overlays, screen recording software, or antivirus applications sometimes interfere with the game’s normal operation.

Server issues on Wizards of the Coast’s end can also prevent you from logging in or playing games. During major updates or high-traffic periods, servers may become overloaded, resulting in connection timeouts or login failures.

Corrupted game files from incomplete updates or installation problems can cause MTG Arena to crash or display error messages. These situations typically require repairing or reinstalling the game to fix.

Installation Problems and Solutions

Many players encounter problems when trying to install MTG Arena for the first time. A common issue is the installer appearing to freeze or get stuck at a certain percentage. This usually happens because your firewall or antivirus is blocking the installation process.

To fix this, try temporarily disabling your antivirus or adding MTG Arena to your firewall exceptions. Make sure you have administrator privileges on your computer, as this is needed for proper installation.

Some users report errors with the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages. MTG Arena relies on these packages to run correctly. If you see error messages about missing VCRUNTIME or similar files, you need to download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages from Microsoft’s website.

Installation failures can also occur due to corrupted download files. If your internet connection is interrupted during the download, try deleting all MTG Arena installation files and starting fresh with a new download from the official website.

For mobile users installing on Android or iOS, make sure your device is compatible with the game and has enough storage space. MTG Arena requires significant space for the initial installation and additional space for updates.

Update and Patching Issues

Updates are essential for MTG Arena to function correctly, but they can also cause problems. Many players face situations where updates get stuck at a certain percentage or fail to complete. This often happens because of server congestion during major update releases.

If your update is stuck, first try waiting for a few minutes as sometimes the progress bar doesn’t accurately show the actual download progress. If it remains stuck for more than 30 minutes, restarting the launcher usually helps.

Sometimes the update process fails with specific error codes. Error code “Asset Error” typically indicates corrupted game files. In this case, you should use the repair tool in the launcher by clicking the gear icon and selecting “Repair Installation.”

Permission issues can also prevent updates from installing correctly. Running the launcher as administrator on Windows gives it the necessary permissions to update game files properly.

For players with limited internet bandwidth, large updates can be problematic. MTG Arena updates can be several gigabytes in size. If possible, connect to a more stable and faster internet connection when downloading major updates to prevent timeouts and corrupted files.

Login and Authentication Problems

Login problems are frustrating and prevent you from accessing MTG Arena completely. A common issue is incorrect login credentials. Double-check your username and password, and remember that passwords are case-sensitive.

If you’re sure your credentials are correct but still can’t log in, the authentication servers might be experiencing problems. Check the official MTG Arena status page or their Twitter account for announcements about server issues.

Some players encounter “Authentication Failed” errors even with correct credentials. This can happen due to corrupted local user data. Clearing your MTG Arena AppData folder can solve this issue. Navigate to “%AppData%\..\LocalLow\Wizards of the Coast\MTGA” and rename the “Downloads” folder to “Downloads.old” to force the game to rebuild these files.

Two-factor authentication issues can also prevent login. If you’ve enabled 2FA and are having trouble, make sure your device’s time and date settings are correct, as incorrect time settings can cause authentication token failures.

Account suspension is another possible reason for login failures. If you’ve violated the game’s terms of service or have chargebacks on your account, Wizards of the Coast might have restricted your access. Check your email for any communications about account issues.

Connection and Network Issues

Network problems are among the most common reasons for MTG Arena not working properly. Unstable internet connections cause game disconnections, timeout errors, and can prevent you from finishing matches.

To improve your connection, try using a wired ethernet connection instead of WiFi when possible. This provides more stability and reduces the chance of disconnects during gameplay. If you must use WiFi, stay close to your router and reduce interference from other devices.

MTG Arena uses specific network ports for communication. If these ports are blocked by your firewall or router, you might experience connection issues. Check that UDP ports 9600-9700 and TCP ports 443 and 80 are open for MTG Arena.

Some players experience the “Waiting for Server” message that never resolves. This typically indicates a problem with your connection to the game servers. Restarting your router and the game client often fixes this issue.

VPN services can sometimes interfere with MTG Arena’s connection. While VPNs might help with some connection problems, they can also cause additional latency. If you’re using a VPN and experiencing connection issues, try disabling it to see if your connection improves.

High network latency causes delays in gameplay, making the game feel unresponsive. Close bandwidth-heavy applications like video streaming services or file-sharing programs while playing to improve performance.

Crashes and Freezes During Gameplay

Game crashes and freezes are particularly frustrating as they can happen in the middle of important matches. Graphics driver issues are a leading cause of these problems. Make sure your graphics drivers are updated to the latest version from your GPU manufacturer’s website.

High graphics settings can strain your system resources and lead to crashes. Try reducing graphic quality settings in the game options menu to improve stability, especially on older or less powerful systems.

Memory leaks in the game client can cause MTG Arena to crash after extended play sessions. Restarting the game client every few hours helps prevent these crashes by clearing the memory.

Some players experience freezes when entering matchmaking or during card animations. This often happens because of resource-intensive visual effects. Disabling certain animations in the settings can improve performance and reduce freezes.

Background applications compete for system resources with MTG Arena. Close unnecessary programs, especially other games, video editors, or applications with overlays before playing.

Hardware overheating can also cause performance issues and crashes. Make sure your computer has proper ventilation and cooling. Clean dust from fans and vents regularly to maintain optimal operating temperatures for your device.

Display and Graphics Problems

Display problems in MTG Arena range from minor visual glitches to severe rendering issues that make the game unplayable. A common issue is black screens or flickering when launching the game or during transitions between menus.

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers are often responsible for these problems. Visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download and install the latest drivers for your specific model.

Some players experience resolution and scaling issues, especially on high-DPI displays or unusual aspect ratios. MTG Arena has settings for display scaling in the options menu. Adjusting these settings can help fix text that appears too small or interface elements that don’t display correctly.

Fullscreen mode sometimes causes problems on certain hardware configurations. If you experience display issues in fullscreen mode, try switching to windowed or borderless windowed mode in the graphics settings.

Visual artifacts like distorted card images or corrupted textures typically indicate graphics memory problems or corrupted game files. Use the repair tool in the launcher to fix corrupted files, and make sure your system isn’t overclocking the graphics card beyond stable limits.

For laptop users, make sure MTG Arena is using your dedicated graphics card rather than integrated graphics. You can specify this in your graphics card control panel by adding MTG Arena to the list of programs that should use the high-performance GPU.

Performance Issues and Lag

Performance problems make MTG Arena frustrating to play even when it doesn’t crash completely. High CPU and memory usage causes the game to run slowly, with laggy animations and delayed responses to your actions.

First, verify that your system meets the minimum requirements for MTG Arena. The game needs at least 4GB of RAM, 3GB of free disk space, and a DirectX 10 compatible graphics card. For smooth performance, exceeding these minimum requirements is recommended.

Resource-intensive visual effects contribute to performance issues. In the graphics settings, try disabling options like “Full Resolution Textures” and “Vertical Sync” to improve performance. Setting the overall quality to “Low” or “Medium” can dramatically improve framerates on older systems.

Background processes compete with MTG Arena for system resources. Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to check for applications using excessive CPU or memory, and close them before playing.

Hard drive speed affects how quickly MTG Arena loads. If possible, install the game on an SSD rather than a traditional hard drive for faster loading times and smoother gameplay.

For mobile users experiencing lag, close other apps running in the background and make sure your device isn’t in battery-saving mode, which can limit performance. Restarting your device before playing clears memory and improves overall performance.

Account and Purchase Issues

Problems with accounts and purchases can prevent you from accessing content you’ve paid for in MTG Arena. Missing purchases after buying gems or the Mastery Pass is a common complaint from players.

If you’ve made a purchase and it doesn’t appear in your account, first check that the transaction was completed successfully by reviewing your payment method statement or email receipt. Sometimes there’s a delay between purchase and delivery, especially during high-traffic periods.

Store and purchase errors often display specific error codes. The “Waiting for Authorization” message that never completes typically indicates a communication problem between the game client and the payment servers. Restarting the game client and trying again usually resolves this issue.

Some players report their wildcards or gold disappearing unexpectedly. This can happen due to accidental purchases or server synchronization issues. Check your collection for new cards you might have crafted without realizing it, and contact support if you believe there’s been an error.

If you’ve linked your MTG Arena account to the wrong email address or need to change your account information, you’ll need to contact customer support directly. Account information cannot be changed through the game client itself.

For refund requests or disputed charges, contact both MTG Arena support and your payment provider. Keep in mind that refund policies are limited, and not all purchases can be refunded according to the terms of service.

Mobile-Specific Problems

MTG Arena on mobile devices faces unique challenges compared to the PC version. Battery drain and overheating are common complaints from mobile players. The game is resource-intensive and can quickly deplete your battery.

To extend battery life while playing, reduce screen brightness and close other apps running in the background. Enabling battery-saving features in MTG Arena’s settings also helps, though it may slightly reduce visual quality.

Touch control issues frustrate many mobile players, with small targets making it difficult to select the right cards or abilities. MTG Arena has mobile-specific control settings that can be adjusted to make gameplay more comfortable on smaller screens.

Storage space problems are common as MTG Arena requires several gigabytes of free space. The game needs extra space during updates, so having at least 4GB of free storage is recommended. Regularly clear your device’s cache and remove unused apps to maintain sufficient free space.

Compatibility issues affect some Android and iOS devices even if they meet the minimum requirements. If you experience persistent crashes or performance problems, check the official forums to see if your specific device model has known issues.

Some mobile players experience connection problems when switching between WiFi and cellular data. To prevent this, try not to change networks during active gameplay, and ensure you have a strong signal before starting matches.

How to Contact MTG Arena Support

When all troubleshooting fails, contacting MTG Arena support is your best option. The official support channel is through the Wizards of the Coast support website, not through the game itself. Visit their support portal to submit a ticket with details about your issue.

Before contacting support, gather important information about your problem to help them assist you more efficiently. Take screenshots of any error messages, note when the problem occurs, and list the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.

Support tickets should include your MTG Arena username, the platform you’re playing on, and your system specifications. For purchase issues, include transaction IDs or receipts if available.

The typical response time from MTG Arena support ranges from 1-3 business days, though it can be longer during major releases or holidays. Be patient and avoid submitting multiple tickets for the same issue, as this can delay the response further.

Community resources like the official MTG Arena forums and the MTG Arena subreddit can sometimes provide faster help for common issues. Many experienced players and community managers actively participate in these forums and can offer solutions based on their experience.

For urgent issues affecting many players, check the Wizards of the Coast social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook. They often post announcements about known problems and estimated resolution times for major outages.

Why Is MTG Arena Not Opening At All?

MTG Arena might not open due to corrupted installation files or incompatible system settings. Try running as administrator or reinstalling the game completely.

How Do I Fix MTG Arena Black Screen?

Update your graphics drivers, switch to windowed mode, and disable fullscreen optimizations in the compatibility settings for the game executable.

Why Does MTG Arena Keep Crashing During Matches?

Close background applications, update your graphics drivers, and lower graphics settings to reduce resource usage during gameplay.

Is MTG Arena Down Right Now?

Check the official MTG Arena status page or Twitter account for server status updates and maintenance announcements.

How Can I Recover My Lost MTG Arena Account?

Contact customer support with your account email and any purchase receipts to help verify and recover your account.

Why Are My MTG Arena Purchases Not Showing Up?

Restart the game client and check for delayed processing. If purchases still don’t appear after 24 hours, contact customer support.

How Do I Fix “Asset Error” During Updates?

Use the repair tool in the launcher, clear the Downloads folder in the MTG Arena directory, or reinstall the game as a last resort.

Can I Play MTG Arena Offline?

No, MTG Arena requires an active internet connection to verify cards and account information, even for single-player modes.