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Why is my crosswords with friends not working?

Why is my crosswords with friends not working?

Quick Answers

There are a few common reasons why Crosswords With Friends may not be working properly:

  • Internet connection issues
  • Outdated app
  • Server problems on Zynga’s end
  • Account or login problems
  • App crashing or freezing
  • Game glitches

The most likely culprits are usually problems with your internet connection, an outdated version of the app that needs updating, or server issues on Zynga’s end. Less common are account/login issues, the app crashing, or game glitches.

Internet Connectivity Issues

Since Crosswords With Friends is an online multiplayer game, an internet connection is required to play. If you’re having issues, the first thing to check is that your wifi or mobile data is working properly. Some troubleshooting tips:

  • Check if other apps that require an internet connection are working or not. If it’s just Crosswords having problems, that points to an app-specific issue rather than a general connectivity problem.
  • Restart your router if you’re on wifi. Toggle airplane mode on and off on mobile devices.
  • Make sure you don’t have any VPNs, ad blockers, or firewalls enabled that could be blocking connectivity just for Crosswords.
  • Test your connection speed to rule out any general slowness issues at www.speedtest.net.
  • If on mobile data, try moving to a location with better signal. Cell tower issues can disrupt gameplay.

If other internet-connected apps are working fine, then your connectivity is likely solid. It’s then better to move on to troubleshooting other potential issues within the Crosswords game itself.

Outdated App Version

Another common source of Crosswords With Friends issues is having an outdated version of the app installed. Developers frequently release patches and bug fixes, so running an older app version can lead to problems.

To check for app updates on iOS:

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top right
  3. Scroll down to see a list of apps with available updates
  4. Tap “Update” next to Crosswords With Friends

On Android devices:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app
  2. Tap the menu icon in the top left corner
  3. Tap “My apps & games”
  4. Under “Updates available”, check for Crosswords With Friends and tap “Update”

Installing the latest app version often resolves random crashing, freezing, or gameplay bugs. It ensures you have all the newest features and performance improvements as well.

Zynga Server Issues

Crosswords With Friends is developed by Zynga, and like any online game, its functionality depends on Zynga’s servers. Server outages or downtime can prevent players from accessing the game.

There are a few ways to check if Zynga servers are having widespread issues:

  • Check the Zynga server status page for notifications of any identified problems.
  • Visit the Zynga Downdetector page to see a spike in user-reported issues if servers are down.
  • Search for “Zynga server status” on Twitter to find recent posts about connection problems.
  • Check if just Crosswords is down or if other Zynga games like Words With Friends 2 are also impacted.

If Zynga confirms a server outage, unfortunately all you can do is wait for them to resolve it on their end. Bookmark their status page to stay updated.

Account and Login Problems

If Crosswords With Friends gets stuck while loading, crashes on the login screen, or displays login errors, the cause may be account related. Some troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure you enter the correct Zynga account username/email and password. Reset your password if forgotten.
  • Clear the app’s cache and data, then re-login. This erases any corrupted files that could prevent logging in.
  • Try logging into your account on Zynga.com to verify your credentials work there. If they don’t, your account may be locked.
  • Still can’t login? Contact Zynga support for help recovering access to your account.

Logging out then back in can also help fix login issues. As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app entirely to start fresh.

App Freezing and Crashing

Intermittent freezing, lagging, or the Crosswords app crashing unexpectedly points to technical problems. Besides updating the app itself, also make sure your device’s operating system is up to date.

Other tips to prevent technical issues:

  • Restart your device to clear out any memory issues causing instability.
  • Free up storage space on your device – low storage can contribute to apps crashing. Delete unused files and apps.
  • Check for overheating – high device temperature from intensive gameplay can lead to app crashes. Let your device cool down.
  • Update device drivers and scan for malware just in case low-level software issues are destabilizing apps.

If problems persist even after updating the app, OS, and restarting your device, try reinstalling Crosswords as a last resort. Make sure to backup your progress first.

Gameplay and Puzzle Glitches

Specific issues while playing Crosswords puzzles could indicate random game glitches:

  • Letter tiles getting stuck and unable to be moved
  • Keyboard input not registering
  • Incorrect words being marked wrong
  • Sync errors with Facebook friends’ games
  • Puzzle resetting or tiles shuffling mid-game
  • Emojis or text overlaying board
  • Coins and rewards not crediting properly

Solutions for gameplay glitches:

  • Force quit and restart the app to reset the puzzle
  • Clear the app cache/data to clear out corrupted files
  • Check for an app update to address any bugs
  • Restart your device just in case
  • If problems persist, contact Zynga support by tapping the settings gear > Help & Support in the app

Game glitches are often difficult to pinpoint, but are usually solvable by restarting, updating, reinstalling the app, or contacting the game developer if all else fails.

Conclusion

To summarize, the most common Crosswords With Friends issues stem from:

  • No internet connection
  • Outdated app version needing an update
  • Zynga server outages
  • Account login and access problems
  • Technical issues like app crashing
  • Gameplay and puzzle glitches

Following the troubleshooting tips outlined for each potential root cause can help identify and resolve problems accessing and playing Crosswords With Friends. Restarting devices/apps, reinstalling the app, updating software, and contacting Zynga support are some general solutions as well. With a bit of debugging, Crosswords can be up and running again smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Crosswords With Friends app keep crashing?

Common reasons for frequent app crashing include having an outdated version of the app, insufficient storage space on your device, overheating from extended gameplay sessions, and technical issues with the game itself. Updating the app, freeing up storage space, letting your device cool off, and reinstalling the app can help resolve crashes.

Why is Crosswords With Friends stuck on the loading screen?

If Crosswords gets stuck on the loading screen, it typically points to an issue with your internet connection, Zynga servers being down for maintenance, or a need to re-login to your Zynga account. Check your connectivity, Zynga’s server status, and try reopening the app and logging in again to resolve loading issues.

How do I troubleshoot Crosswords With Friends login issues?

For login problems, first double check you’re using the correct username/email and password. Try resetting your password if needed. Clearing the app’s cache/data and reinstalling can fix corrupted files preventing login. Make sure your Zynga account works on Zynga.com as well. If still trouble logging in, contact Zynga support.

Why are my Crosswords With Friends coins/rewards not working properly?

If you’re not receiving coins or rewards normally, it is likely a gameplay glitch. Try force quitting the app and restart to reset the puzzle. Update to the latest app version in case it’s a known bug. Contact Zynga support if problems with coins/rewards persist after restarting and updating.

How do I restore my Crosswords With Friends progress if I switched devices?

As long as you are logged into the same Zynga account, your Crosswords progress is saved in the cloud and will sync across devices. Log into your account on the new device to pick up where you left off. If progress does not carry over, contact Zynga support for troubleshooting.

Issue Potential Causes Solutions
App crashing
  • Outdated app version
  • Insufficient device storage
  • Overheating device
  • Buggy app
  • Update the app
  • Free up storage space
  • Let device cool off
  • Reinstall the app
Can’t login
  • Incorrect password
  • Corrupted app files
  • Account locked
  • Reset password
  • Clear app cache/data
  • Contact Zynga support
Gameplay glitches
  • Buggy app code
  • App needs update
  • Force quit and restart
  • Update app
  • Contact Zynga support

How to Prevent Crosswords With Friends Issues

Here are some tips to avoid common Crosswords With Friends problems in the future:

  • Keep the app updated – Install updates as soon as they become available to get important bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • Reboot your device regularly – Restart your phone or tablet at least once a week to clear out any stale cached data that can cause stability issues.
  • Monitor device storage – Low storage capacity can contribute to apps crashing. Move photos/files to cloud storage and delete unused apps to free up space.
  • Use a stable internet connection – For fewer connectivity disruptions, play Crosswords on a fast reliable WiFi network instead of spotty mobile data when possible.
  • Write down login credentials – Keep your Zynga username and password stored somewhere convenient in case you need to access your account from a new device.

Proactively keeping your device and app up to date, free of technical issues, and logged into your account can go a long way towards avoiding problems with Crosswords With Friends.

Conclusion

Crosswords With Friends is a hugely popular word game, but like any app, sometimes issues arise that affect gameplay. The most common culprits are internet connection problems, outdated app versions, Zynga server outages, account login issues, app crashes, and random game glitches. By methodically troubleshooting each potential root cause, you can identify why Crosswords is not working and take steps to fix it. Restarting the app or your device, reinstalling the game, updating software, clearing cache and data, and contacting Zynga support are all proven ways to get Crosswords back up and running smoothly again. With the right combination of patience and debugging, you can resolve problems accessing and playing this beloved game.