So Skate’s early access finally dropped, and like a lot of you, I couldn’t wait to jump in. I fired it up, controller in hand, ready to hit some rails and test out those new physics-based tricks. Instead of skating, though, I hit a brick wall – error code 528614044.
Yeah, not exactly the welcome screen I was hoping for. And judging by the chatter online, I’m definitely not the only one seeing it. If you’ve run into the same thing, don’t stress. I spent a good chunk of time digging into this issue, trying fixes, and comparing notes with other players. Here’s what I found.
What’s Up With Error Code 528614044?
First off, this error has nothing to do with your controller or graphics card. It’s basically Skate’s way of saying: “Hey, I can’t connect properly.”
The problem is it doesn’t really tell you if the issue is on your end or EA’s servers. Sometimes it’s just EA’s servers choking under the pressure of early access. Other times, it’s a small hiccup in your own network setup that blocks the game.
Why It Happens (At Least From What I’ve Seen)
From my digging (and my own trial-and-error), these seem to be the main causes:
- Wi-Fi issues – especially older routers that get overloaded.
- Custom DNS settings – a lot of people use them for ad-blocking, but Skate doesn’t seem to like it.
- Server problems – classic “too many players at once” launch week issue.
- General congestion – roommates streaming Netflix while you’re trying to skate.
- Random network quirks – sometimes your setup just needs a refresh.
Fixes That Worked (Or at Least Helped)
Alright, let’s get to the part you care about. I’ll walk you through the fixes that either worked for me or worked for others I saw posting online.
1. Restart the Wi-Fi Router (Yep, Really)
I know, I know. It feels like the most generic advice ever. But hear me out – I’ve got an older router at home, and sometimes it just gets overloaded. Restarting it completely actually cleared up the error for me once.
If your internet’s been acting flaky in general, this should be your first move. Quick, simple, and surprisingly effective.
2. Reset Those DNS Settings
This one’s a biggie. A lot of players, myself included, run custom DNS settings on PC or console. They’re great for blocking ads, but Skate throws a fit when it sees them.
Here’s what worked for me:
- On PC (Windows 11): I opened PowerShell as admin, typed ipconfig /flushdns, hit Enter, and then restarted my system. Easy.
- On Xbox: Switched DNS to Automatic in the network settings, restarted, and the game connected fine after that.
- On PlayStation 5: Did the same thing – swapped DNS settings from Manual to Automatic, and it worked.
It’s basically a “reset” button for your connection.
3. Try a Wired Connection
If you’re on Wi-Fi, this is worth testing. I switched to a basic Ethernet cable just to rule it out, and the error disappeared once. It’s not the most convenient if your console or PC isn’t close to the router, but if you can make it work, it’s definitely worth trying.
4. Check EA’s Servers
Sometimes the problem isn’t you at all. After banging my head against the wall for an hour, I finally checked EA’s Twitter (@EAHelp), and sure enough, they had posted about server issues.
If you’re seeing error 528614044 and none of the fixes work, check EA’s server status page or social channels. If everyone’s down, there’s no magic fix – you’ll just have to wait it out.
5. The Extra Stuff
These are more like “might as well try” fixes:
- Restart your console/PC (full restart, not just sleep mode).
- Disable any VPNs you’re running – Skate doesn’t like them.
- Make sure your system software is up to date.
- As a last resort, reinstall Skate. Annoying, but it can help if something got corrupted.
Questions I Had (And You Probably Do Too)
Is Skate down right now?
Maybe. If everyone’s complaining online, then yes — it’s not you, it’s EA.
Will a VPN fix this?
Not really. In my tests, VPNs just made the connection worse.
Does this only happen on PC?
Nope. I’ve seen reports from PC, Xbox, and PlayStation players.
Do I need to factory reset my console?
Absolutely not. That’s overkill. Try DNS resets and router restarts first.
My Takeaway
Look, the Skate error code 528614044 is very frustrating, but in most cases, it’s not the end of the world. For me, flushing DNS and restarting the router did the trick. For others, switching to wired internet solved it instantly. And when nothing worked? It turned out to be EA’s servers all along.
The bottom line: try the quick fixes first, and if all else fails, grab a snack and check EA’s updates. Once the servers stabilize, you’ll be back to skating in no time.
