Why Are My PlayStation Plus Games Locked?
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Experiencing a locked game on your PlayStation console, especially when you know you’ve accessed it through PlayStation Plus, can be incredibly frustrating. The dreaded padlock icon next to a game title can halt your gaming session, leaving you wondering why your digital library suddenly seems off-limits. The most common reason behind this lock is related to licensing and your PlayStation Plus subscription status. Let’s break down the core reasons why this happens and what you can do about it.
The primary reason your PlayStation Plus games might be locked is directly related to your subscription’s validity. PlayStation Plus operates on a subscription model. If your subscription expires, any games you acquired through the service, whether as part of the monthly games lineup, Extra tier games, or Premium tier games, will become inaccessible. This is not a glitch; it’s the intended behavior. The system recognizes that you no longer have an active subscription granting you the right to play those titles.
Furthermore, the type of PlayStation Plus game plays a crucial role. Games available through the Essentials tier (the monthly games), are generally accessible as long as you claim them while you are subscribed and remain a subscriber to any level of PS Plus. However, Extra and Premium tier games have a different rule. These are like rental, and are only available as long as they are part of the Extra and Premium catalogs. Once they are removed from the service, you can no longer access them, even if you downloaded them while they were available.
Another common reason for game locks is related to game sharing on PS5 consoles. When game sharing, one console is designated as the “primary” console, allowing other accounts on that console to play games owned by the primary account. If you attempt to play a game on a console that is not designated as the primary for the account that purchased it, you will encounter a lock. This happens because the license is tied to the account on the primary console and its users.
Finally, occasional errors can cause a license lock to activate. System updates, software glitches, or corrupted data may temporarily prevent your system from properly recognizing your license to play a game.
Common Scenarios Leading to Locked Games
Let’s break down these reasons further with specific scenarios that often lead to locked PlayStation Plus games.
Expired PlayStation Plus Subscription
This is the most frequent culprit. If your PlayStation Plus subscription lapses, the system will lock games that require an active subscription. This includes all games claimed through the monthly games line up, as well as those downloaded via Extra or Premium tiers while they were available on the service. You will need to renew your subscription to regain access.
Game Leaving the PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium Catalog
As mentioned previously, games within the Extra and Premium tiers of PlayStation Plus are not permanent additions to your library in the same way as the monthly games from the Essentials tier. These games are only available for a limited time. If a game is removed from the PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium catalog, you will lose access to it, even if it was previously downloaded and installed.
Console Sharing Issues
If you are sharing games with another account on your PS5, ensuring the correct console is activated as the primary console for the account that owns the game license is crucial. Playing on a non-primary console or on another user account will result in the game being locked.
Game License Problems
Occasionally, the game license itself might have an issue. The licenses can sometimes become corrupted or misread by the console. Performing a license restore can often rectify this problem.
Software Issues and Updates
System software bugs and game updates can also cause games to be locked. Keeping both the PS5 system software and the game itself updated can avoid these problems. Sometimes, deleting and reinstalling the game may also be necessary to clear corrupted game files.
How to Resolve Locked PlayStation Plus Games
The good news is that locked PlayStation Plus games can usually be resolved with a few simple steps.
Check Your Subscription Status
First and foremost, verify that your PlayStation Plus subscription is active. Access your account settings on your console or via the PlayStation website to confirm your subscription status. If it has expired, renewing will automatically unlock any previously claimed monthly games.
Restore Licenses
If your subscription is active, then you may want to try restoring the game licenses. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This process forces your console to re-verify your licenses and often fixes the problem.
Correct Console Sharing Settings (PS5)
If you are using the game-sharing feature on PS5, ensure that the console you’re using is set as the primary console for the account that owns the game license. You can access this setting in Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
Update System and Game Software
Make sure both your PS5 system software and the game itself are updated to the latest versions. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and check for any available updates.
Reinstall the Game
As a last resort, if other solutions have failed, try uninstalling the game from your console and then reinstall it. Be sure to backup any saves in the cloud as a precaution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help clear up any remaining confusion about locked PlayStation Plus games:
1. Why is there a padlock on my purchased PS4 game?
If the padlock appears next to a game you purchased, it might mean that the license for the game isn’t active on the current account. You may have used a different account to purchase the game or that the console you are using is not set as the primary console for the account that owns it. Try restoring licenses on the account you purchased it with.
2. Can I play PS Plus games after my subscription ends?
No, access to PS Plus games is dependent on an active subscription. Once your subscription ends, all access to any claimed games will also end, except games you have separately purchased outside the service.
3. What’s the difference between Essential, Extra, and Premium PlayStation Plus games?
The Essentials tier gives you a select number of monthly games, which remain available as long as you remain subscribed to any level of PS Plus. Extra and Premium give access to a rotating catalog of games that are available only while they are listed as part of those tiers and are not available forever.
4. Why can’t I play a PS Plus game after it was removed from the service?
Games available through the Extra and Premium tiers are only available while they are part of that catalog. Once removed, access is revoked, even if you downloaded it previously.
5. How do I restore my licenses on PS5?
Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
6. Can I gameshare on PS5 with multiple accounts?
No. Only one other account at a time is allowed to gameshare on PS5.
7. Is it illegal to game share on PS5?
No, game sharing is not illegal on the PlayStation 5, as long as it is only done with one other account at a time, and both parties have a PS Plus membership.
8. Can Sony ban me for game sharing?
Sony can issue a ban if you attempt to gameshare with more than one other person. You also need a PS Plus subscription for both accounts sharing to work.
9. What is “Console Sharing and Offline Play” on PS5?
This feature allows others to play your games, even when your console is offline, as long as you set your console as the primary for your account.
10. Can I play old PS3 disc games on my PS5?
No, the PS5 does not have backward compatibility with PS3 physical discs. However, you can play digital versions of PS3 games through PlayStation’s streaming service on PS Plus Premium.
11. How do I access PS Plus games on the PS5?
From the Games home screen, scroll to PlayStation Plus and navigate to the Benefits tab, and then find Monthly Games.
12. Can I redownload old PS Plus games?
Yes, if you claimed them as monthly games through PlayStation Plus Essential, you can redownload them as long as you have an active PS Plus subscription, at any tier.
13. What is the PlayStation error CE-108255-1?
This error indicates an issue with the application. Ensure your system and game software are up to date. You may also need to delete and reinstall the game.
14. Can my wife play games on her account if I purchased them on mine?
Yes, if you designate your console as the primary console for the account that owns the games, other users on that console can play them on their own accounts.
15. Why can’t I find an old PS Plus game in my library?
Make sure you claimed the game while it was part of the monthly games lineup, and that you have an active PS Plus subscription. For games that have been removed from the Extra and Premium tier game catalogs, they will no longer be available to you, even if previously added to your library.
By understanding the intricacies of PlayStation Plus subscriptions, game licensing, and console sharing, you can minimize frustrations with locked games. Always verify your subscription, restore your licenses when necessary, and ensure your console is configured correctly. Happy gaming!