How to Restore Your PS Plus Purchase: A Comprehensive Guide
Accidentally deleted a game? Having trouble accessing content you know you purchased? Don’t worry, restoring your PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) purchases is usually a straightforward process. Let’s dive into the steps and common troubleshooting tips.
The most common way to restore your PS Plus purchase is to restore the licenses associated with your account. Here’s how:
- Log in to the PlayStation account that made the original purchase.
- Navigate to Settings on your PlayStation console (PS4 or PS5).
- Go to Account Management.
- Select Restore Licenses.
- Choose Restore.
This process essentially re-verifies your entitlement to the content tied to your account. Once complete, you should be able to access your purchased or downloaded content.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, the simple “Restore Licenses” method isn’t enough. Here are some additional steps and considerations:
Confirming an Active PS Plus Subscription
Make sure your PS Plus subscription is still active. Expired subscriptions will lock access to games obtained through the service. Check your subscription status via Account Management > Subscription.
Ensuring Your Console is Activated as Primary
If you’re using multiple consoles, ensure the console you’re using is activated as your Primary PS4 or PS5. This is crucial for sharing PS Plus benefits with other accounts on the same console. Navigate to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4/PS5 to confirm or change this setting.
Checking Your Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is required for your console to verify licenses and access online content. Run an internet connection test through your Settings > Network to ensure you’re connected and have sufficient bandwidth.
Restarting Your Console
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches that prevent access to your content. Fully power down your PlayStation, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
Reinstalling the Game or Application
If all else fails, try deleting the game or application causing the problem and then reinstalling it from your Library. This ensures you have the latest version and removes any potentially corrupted files.
Checking PlayStation Network Status
Occasionally, PlayStation Network (PSN) outages can affect access to purchased content. Visit the official PlayStation Network Service Status page to check for any ongoing issues.
PS Plus Tiers and Access
Keep in mind that PS Plus now comes in different tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. The tier you subscribe to determines the specific benefits you receive, including the library of downloadable games available. Ensure your subscription tier supports the content you’re trying to access.
Additional Support
If you’re still having trouble restoring your PS Plus purchase, consider contacting PlayStation Support directly. They can provide personalized assistance and investigate any account-specific issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of restoring your PS Plus purchases and address potential issues:
1. What does “Restore Licenses” actually do?
“Restore Licenses” is a process that re-verifies your entitlement to digital content purchased through the PlayStation Store. It checks if your account is still authorized to access games, add-ons, and other content you’ve previously acquired. It’s like getting your digital key re-validated.
2. Do I need PS Plus to restore licenses?
No, you do not need an active PS Plus subscription to restore licenses. This process is separate from your PS Plus membership and applies to all digital purchases made on your account.
3. Why is a game showing a padlock icon even though I purchased it?
A padlock icon typically indicates that the license for the game cannot be verified. This can occur due to issues with your internet connection, your console not being set as your primary, or a temporary problem with the PlayStation Network. Restoring licenses is the first step to resolving this.
4. Can I restore licenses on multiple PS4/PS5 consoles?
Yes, you can restore licenses on multiple consoles. However, only one console can be activated as your primary console. This is the console that allows other accounts to share your PS Plus benefits and access your purchased content.
5. How long does the “Restore Licenses” process take?
The “Restore Licenses” process usually takes only a few minutes to complete, depending on the number of licenses associated with your account and the speed of your internet connection.
6. What if “Restore Licenses” doesn’t fix the issue?
If restoring licenses doesn’t work, try the other troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier, such as restarting your console, checking your internet connection, and ensuring your console is activated as primary. If the problem persists, contact PlayStation Support.
7. Will I lose my saved game data if I restore licenses?
No, restoring licenses will not affect your saved game data. Your saved data is stored separately and is not impacted by the license verification process.
8. How do I restore my PS Plus games if my subscription expired and I renewed it?
Once you renew your PS Plus subscription, games you previously downloaded through the service will automatically become accessible again. You may need to restore licenses to re-establish access.
9. Can I restore purchases made on a different PlayStation account?
No, you can only restore licenses for purchases made on the specific account you are currently logged into. Each account has its own unique set of licenses.
10. What happens to my PS Plus games if I cancel my subscription?
If you cancel your PS Plus subscription, you will lose access to the games you downloaded for free through the service. However, if you resubscribe in the future, you will regain access to those games.
11. Is there a limit to how many times I can restore licenses?
No, there is no known limit to how many times you can restore licenses. You can repeat the process as needed to troubleshoot access issues.
12. I purchased a game on the PlayStation Store but it’s not showing up in my library. What should I do?
First, check your purchase history to confirm that the transaction was successful. Then, try restoring licenses. If the game still doesn’t appear, try searching for it directly in the PlayStation Store and downloading it from there.
13. How do I check my PS Plus subscription expiry date?
You can check your PS Plus subscription expiry date by going to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > PlayStation Subscriptions.
14. My PS5 says “Something went wrong” when I try to restore licenses. What does this mean?
This error message typically indicates a temporary issue with the PlayStation Network. Try again later. If the problem persists, contact PlayStation Support.
15. Where can I learn more about the psychology of video games and how they enhance learning?
You can learn more about the fascinating world of video games and their impact on education and development at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The GamesLearningSociety.org is a hub for research, resources, and discussions related to the educational potential of games.
By following these steps and FAQs, you should be able to successfully restore your PS Plus purchases and access your favorite games and content without any further issues. Happy gaming!