ESO An Unexpected Internal Error Has Occurred | Step by Step Fixes

[freddyjohn]

The error “An Unexpected Internal Error Has Occurred” in ESO (The Elder Scrolls Online) is a fairly common login / authentication issue. It can be caused by server-side problems, file corruption, connection issues, or account‑linking conflicts. 

Here’s a systematic guide to help you fix or work around it:

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Common Causes

• Overloaded or down megaservers / maintenance issues 
  
• Corrupted game or launcher files 
  
• Steam / ESO account linkage problems (especially when launching via Steam) 
  
• Network connectivity / ISP routing or DNS issues
  
• Add‑ons or mods interfering (on PC)
  
• Platform cache / saved data issues (on console)
  

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Step‑by‑Step Fixes

Try these steps one by one until the error is resolved. After each, attempt logging in again.

1. Check ESO Server & Service Status

• Visit the ESO Service Alerts / Status page or Bethesda’s social media to see if there's scheduled maintenance or outages.
  
• If servers are down, you may have to wait until the maintenance or outage is over.
  

2. Restart Client / Launcher / System

• Exit ESO and its launcher fully; then relaunch them. 
  
• Restart your PC or console.
  
• On console, clear cache / saved data if possible (this doesn’t delete your character progress) 
  

3. Switch Megaserver (NA / EU)

• At the ESO login screen (or via launcher), change the megaserver (e.g. from EU → NA or vice versa).
  
• After switching, wait ~3 minutes before logging in again (or as recommended) to let the change propagate.
  

4. Repair / Validate Game Files

• In the ESO launcher, use the Repair tool (often found in “Game Options”) to fix corrupted files.
  
• On PC via Steam: verify integrity of game files (if ESO is installed via Steam)
  

5. Handle Steam ↔ ESO Account Linking (PC / Steam Users)

• Confirm your Steam account is properly linked to your ESO / ZeniMax account. 
  
• If linkage might be corrupted, unlink and then relink your Steam account via the ESO account settings / website.
  
• Exit Steam fully and restart (to ensure correct authentication).
  
• Clear Steam’s download cache: Steam → Settings → Downloads → Clear Cache
  

6. Remove / Disable Add‑ons & Mods (PC)

• If you use add-ons or mods, disable them all (move the “AddOns” folder to another location) and try logging in with a clean environment.
  

7. Reinstall the Game / Launcher

• If repairing doesn’t work, uninstall ESO completely (including leftover files) and reinstall fresh. 
  
• After reinstalling, try to login before adding mods or making custom changes.
  

8. Network / DNS Checks

• Restart your router / modem.
  
• Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi if possible.
  
• Change your DNS to something like Google DNS (
  
  Code:

  8.8.8.8
  /
  
  Code:

  8.8.4.4
  ) or Cloudflare (
  
  Code:

  1.1.1.1
  ) to rule out DNS resolution issues.
  
• If you have a VPN or proxy, try disabling it temporarily to see if the error disappears.
  

9. Contact ESO / ZeniMax Support

• If none of the above solves the issue, reach out to ESO Customer Support. Provide:
  • The exact error message (“An Unexpected Internal Error Has Occurred”)
    
  • Which megaserver you were trying (NA/EU)
    
  • Platform (PC, console, Steam, etc.)
    
  • What you have already tried (repaired, switched servers, relinked accounts, etc.)
    
  • Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and region