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Why is There a Lock on My Game on PS5? Understanding Game Locks and Troubleshooting

A locked game icon on your PlayStation 5 can be frustrating. It essentially means you’re prevented from accessing and playing a game you believe you should have access to. The core reason for this lock is usually related to license verification issues. Your PS5 needs to confirm that you have the right to play the game, either through a digital license or a physical disc. When this verification fails, the lock appears, effectively blocking you from launching the game.

Here’s a breakdown of the common culprits and solutions to get you back into your gaming groove:

Common Reasons for Locked Games on PS5

Several factors can contribute to a game being locked on your PS5. Let’s explore these in detail:

PlayStation Plus Subscription Expired: Many games acquired through PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) are only playable while you have an active subscription. When your PS Plus subscription lapses, these games become locked. Renewing your subscription will usually unlock them immediately. This applies to both monthly games and titles available through the PS Plus Game Catalog (Extra and Premium tiers).
Digital License Issues: This is perhaps the most frequent cause. Your PS5 needs to authenticate that you possess a valid digital license for the game. This license is tied to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. Problems can arise due to network connectivity, server outages, or account-related glitches.
Game Sharing Problems: The PS5 allows you to share games with friends or family via the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” feature. However, this feature can only be enabled on one console at a time. If another console is activated for sharing with your account, the games on your primary console may lock. Similarly, if the account owning the game deactivates console sharing on their end, your access will be revoked.
Parental Controls: If parental controls are enabled on your PS5, specific games might be locked based on age ratings. If you’re using a child account, an adult account holder may have restricted access to certain titles. To unlock these, the parental control settings need to be adjusted.
Restoring Licenses: Occasionally, your PS5 may experience a temporary glitch, requiring you to restore licenses. This process forces the system to re-verify all your digital game licenses, resolving any discrepancies.
Physical Disc Issues: If the game is a physical copy, the lock might indicate that the disc is unreadable. This could be due to scratches, dust, or damage to the disc itself. Also, an internal issue with the PS5’s disc drive could prevent the game from launching.
System Software Glitches: Although rare, bugs in the PS5 system software can sometimes trigger game locks. Keeping your PS5’s software up-to-date is crucial for preventing these issues.
Game Download Interruption: An interrupted game download can result in incomplete or corrupted game files, leading to a locked game icon.
Conflicts with other accounts: Multiple accounts active on the same console sometimes cause issues with game access, particularly with game sharing.
Region incompatibility: If the game version is incompatible with your console’s region settings, that could result in a lock.

Troubleshooting Steps: How to Unlock Your Games

Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving locked game issues on your PS5:

Check Your PlayStation Plus Subscription: Ensure your PS Plus subscription is active. Navigate to the PlayStation Store or your account settings to verify your subscription status. Renew it if necessary.
Restore Licenses: This is a fundamental troubleshooting step.
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
- Select Restore. The PS5 will re-verify your game licenses.
Restart Your PS5: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches. Completely power down your PS5 and then turn it back on.
Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure your PS5 has a stable internet connection. Go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. If there are issues, troubleshoot your network.
Activate Console Sharing and Offline Play:
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Make sure this setting is enabled for your account on your primary console. Remember you can only enable this for ONE console at a time.
- Also, remember that the game has to be installed on the console you are sharing from.
Update Your PS5 System Software: Keep your system software up-to-date. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
Clean or Replace the Physical Disc: If the game is on a disc, inspect it for scratches or damage. Clean the disc carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the disc is severely damaged, you may need to replace it.
Check Parental Control Settings: If you suspect parental controls are the issue, have the adult account holder review and adjust the settings: Settings > Family and Parental Controls.
Redownload the Game: If the game files are corrupted, delete the game and redownload it from the PlayStation Store.
Contact PlayStation Support: If none of the above steps work, contact PlayStation Support. There may be an issue with your account or a specific game that requires their assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does it mean when a game has a padlock on PS5?

A padlock icon on a game in your PS5 library indicates that you do not currently have the license to play that game. This could be due to an expired PS Plus subscription, game sharing issues, parental controls, or problems with license verification.

2. How do I restore my game license on PS5?

To restore your game license on PS5, navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. Then, select Restore. This process re-verifies your digital game licenses.

3. Why won’t my PS5 download games?

If your PS5 won’t download games, check your internet connection, available storage space, and ensure there are no ongoing network outages. Also, try pausing and resuming the download, or deleting and redownloading the game.

4. How do I fix error code CE-100005-6 on PS5?

Error code CE-100005-6 usually indicates a problem reading the disc. Try cleaning the disc, restarting your PS5, and if the issue persists, test with another disc. It may indicate hardware failure.

5. Do you need PS Plus for Share Play?

Yes, you need a PlayStation Plus subscription to initiate Share Play on PS5. However, the person you are sharing the game with does not necessarily need to have a PS Plus subscription themselves.

6. How do I fix Game Share not working on PS5?

To fix game sharing issues, ensure that Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled on the account owner’s primary PS5 console. Also, verify that both accounts are signed in and the game is compatible with game sharing. Remember that an account can only have one console setup with Console Sharing and Offline Play.

7. How do I unlock Share Play on PS5?

To unlock Share Play, you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Start a party voice chat, then press the PS button to go to the control center, select the party voice chat card, and choose “Start Share Play.”

8. Why are my PS Plus games locked on PS5?

PS Plus games are locked if your PS Plus subscription has expired. Renewing your subscription will unlock the games again.

9. Can anyone on my PS5 play my games if I enable console sharing?

Yes, when you enable Console Sharing and Offline Play, anyone who uses your PS5 console can play your games and media, even when the console is offline. They can also enjoy some benefits of your PlayStation Plus membership, such as online multiplayer.

10. How long does it take to restore licenses on PS5?

The time it takes to restore licenses varies depending on the number of games in your library. It can range from a few minutes to longer if you have a large game collection.

11. Why are all my games locked on PS4?

Games can be locked on PS4 due to expired PS Plus subscriptions, game sharing issues, or problems with license verification. The troubleshooting steps are similar to those for the PS5.

12. Will PlayStation fix my PS5 for free if it’s under warranty?

Yes, if your PS5 is under warranty, returning it for repair or replacement should not cost you anything, provided the issue is covered under the warranty terms.

13. How do I change my child account to an adult account on PS5?

You can upgrade a child account to an adult account by signing in to Account Management and selecting “Upgrade Your Account.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

14. How do I lock games on PlayStation using parental controls?

You can lock games using parental controls by selecting a user from Settings > Family Management, and then choosing restrictions based on age ratings.

15. How many times can you share play on PS5?

PS5 owners can host Share Play sessions for 60 minutes per session. After that, you can simply start a new session.

The Broader Context: Game Access and Digital Ownership

Beyond the technical troubleshooting, these locked game issues touch upon the broader debate surrounding digital ownership in the gaming industry. Unlike physical games, where you possess a tangible copy, digital games are essentially licensed to you, subject to various terms and conditions. This means your access can be revoked under certain circumstances, highlighting the differences between owning a physical copy and holding a digital license. The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games and learning, where understanding the intricacies of digital ownership can be a valuable lesson. Consider exploring resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Dealing with locked games on your PS5 can be a frustrating experience, but by understanding the common causes and following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can often resolve the issue and get back to enjoying your favorite games. If all else fails, contacting PlayStation Support is always a viable option to get personalized assistance.

A lock on your game is not necessarily the end of the world. By carefully working through the troubleshooting tips, it should be possible to resolve. Remember that persistence can get you back in the game.

Why is there a lock on my game PS5?