How to Restore Your Licenses on PS5: A Comprehensive Guide

Experiencing issues with your PlayStation 5 games, such as locked content or errors preventing you from playing? The solution often lies in restoring your game licenses. This process is straightforward and can resolve many common problems related to digital content ownership. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore licenses on your PS5.

Restoring Licenses on PS5: Step-by-Step

The process to restore your licenses on a PlayStation 5 is simple and takes only a few moments:

1. Log into the Correct Account: Ensure that you are logged into the PlayStation Network (PSN) account that originally purchased the content you are having trouble with. This is crucial, as licenses are tied directly to specific accounts.
2. Navigate to Settings: From the PS5 home screen, go to the Settings menu by selecting the gear icon located in the top right corner.
3. Access Users and Accounts: In the Settings menu, scroll down and select Users and Accounts.
4. Go to Other: Within the Users and Accounts menu, navigate to the Other tab.
5. Select Restore Licenses: You will find the Restore Licenses option under the Other tab. Select it.
6. Confirm the Action: A prompt will appear, informing you that the system will restore licenses. Select OK to initiate the restoration process.
7. Wait for Completion: The system will now work to restore your licenses. This usually takes only a few seconds, and a notification will appear when the process is complete.
8. Check Your Games: After the restoration is done, try accessing the problematic games or content. You should find that the issues are resolved, and the content is now accessible.

By following these steps, you can usually fix issues with locked content, download errors, and other problems related to game ownership. However, if issues persist, there may be other underlying causes.

Why Restore Licenses on PS5?

Restoring licenses is a fundamental troubleshooting step for several reasons:

• Digital Content Verification: When you purchase digital games or add-ons, a license is attached to your PSN account. This license verifies that you have the right to play that content. Sometimes, these licenses can become corrupted or have errors, leading to issues with accessing your games.
• Resolving Error Messages: If you encounter error messages preventing you from starting or downloading a game, restoring licenses can be the first and often easiest fix.
• Addressing Download Problems: If you’re having trouble downloading a game or add-on, a license issue could be to blame. Restoring can ensure the system has the correct information to allow the download to proceed.
• Fixing Locked Games: If a game you know you own appears locked, restoring licenses can resolve this, unlocking your purchased content.
• Maintaining Consistency: Regular license restoration can help maintain the consistency of your game library and ensure that all content is accessible.

When Should You Restore Licenses?

It’s a good idea to restore your PS5 licenses in these scenarios:

• After Purchasing New Content: If you are having issues immediately after buying a new game, restoring can often be helpful.
• After Changing Consoles: If you are using your account on a new PS5 or after using it on another console, restoration can be needed.
• After PSN Maintenance: Occasionally, after PSN maintenance or updates, licenses might need a refresh.
• When Encountering Problems: If you encounter any errors relating to games or digital content being locked, downloading or starting, restoring licenses should always be considered a first step.

Troubleshooting Persistent Issues

If restoring licenses doesn’t solve your problem, here are additional steps you can take:

• Restart Your PS5: Sometimes, a simple console restart can fix various issues.
• Restart Your Network Equipment: Turn off your modem and router, wait a few minutes, then turn them back on. This can resolve any network connection problems that may be affecting your licenses.
• Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure your PS5 is connected to a stable internet connection. Use a wired connection, if possible, for better stability.
• Verify Your Account Details: Make sure you are using the correct PSN account associated with your purchases and that your payment information is up to date.
• Contact PlayStation Support: If all else fails, you may need to reach out to PlayStation Support for further assistance. They can provide specific solutions based on your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 common questions regarding restoring licenses on PS5, designed to further clarify and resolve common concerns:

1. Why is my PSN restore license not working on my PS5?

If restoring licenses doesn’t work, try these troubleshooting steps: Restart your PS5, restart your router and modem, and make sure you are using the correct account. If issues persist, contact PlayStation Support.

2. What exactly does restoring licenses do on PlayStation?

Restoring licenses on PS5 verifies and refreshes your digital content licenses, solving errors that occur when purchasing a game and enabling you to play it correctly. It ensures that your console knows which games you rightfully own.

3. Why is a game locked on my PS5?

A locked game typically means your account does not have the license for the game. This can occur due to several reasons such as: your PS Plus subscription may have expired, you may have used another user to purchase it, or the license has an issue.

4. Does restoring licenses on PS5 affect my game data?

No, restoring licenses on PS5 does not affect your game data. It only updates license information. Your save files and progress remain safe.

5. What is the difference between “Restore Licenses” and “Restore Default Settings” on PS5?

Restore Licenses only refreshes your digital content licenses, whilst Restore Default Settings resets console settings, but does not affect game data, games, apps or user data.

6. When should I restore licenses on my PS5?

You should restore your licenses when you experience problems playing games or accessing downloadable content, after making new purchases or changing consoles, after PSN maintenance, or if you see error messages related to content ownership.

7. How do I fix game licenses on PS5?

To fix game licenses, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This action refreshes your licenses and resolves most common issues.

8. Is a PlayStation Plus subscription required for licenses to work?

While some games require PS Plus for online play, a subscription doesn’t affect basic license functionality to start and play single-player games. However, if you accessed a game with the service and it has expired, you will need a subscription to play it.

9. What if restoring licenses doesn’t work on my PS5?

If it doesn’t, try restarting your console and network equipment, ensure a stable internet connection, and that you are using the correct account, or contact PlayStation Support.

10. Can I restore licenses if my PSN account is suspended?

No, you need an active PSN account to restore licenses. If your account is suspended, you must address the suspension before any licenses can be restored.

11. Will I lose my progress if I delete a game on PS5?

No, uninstalling a game will not delete save data automatically unless you also delete your game save files separately. Ensure your saves are backed up on PSN cloud storage if you have PS Plus.

12. Do I have to buy a game again if it says I don’t own it?

Ensure you are logged into the correct account first, and try restoring your licenses. If the issue persists, you may need to contact the shop or support. Games are tied to the PSN account used to purchase them. If your account does not show the game as owned, it means it was purchased with another account.

13. Can I transfer games and licenses to another account?

Games cannot be transferred to another PSN account once purchased. They are permanently linked to the purchasing account.

14. Why can’t I start my game on PS5?

The error may be due to corrupted or missing files, or a license issue. Try restoring licenses, restarting the console, and reinstalling the game if the problem persists.

15. How do I verify my PlayStation account on PS5?

To verify your account, you can set up two-step verification within the Users and Accounts > Security menu on your PS5 using an authenticator app or a mobile number. This is to improve the account security.

By understanding the process of restoring licenses and addressing related FAQs, you can manage your PS5 content more effectively and tackle any issues that may arise with ease.