How to Fix PS5 Game Licensing Issues and Unlock Your Games

Buying a digital game on PS5 is fast and convenient, but seeing a padlock icon next to a title you bought is frustrating. When this happens, your console cannot verify your digital entitlement with the PlayStation Network (PSN) servers.

(Need a deeper breakdown of how entitlements, accounts, and DRM work across generations? Read our complete guide to PlayStation digital licenses).

If you are dealing with locked games, missing DLC, or launch errors right now, you do not need theoretical DRM explanations. This step-by-step troubleshooting guide shows you exactly how to restore PS5 licenses, configure Console Sharing, fix lock icons, and get your games working again.

Quick Summary: Why Does a PS5 Game Show a Lock Icon?

A padlock icon next to a PS5 game usually means the console cannot confirm that your active user profile holds a valid license to launch the game.

Here are the most common causes and immediate fixes:

Step 1: How to Restore Licenses on PS5 (The Primary Fix)

The Restore Licenses tool reconnects your console directly with PlayStation Network to refresh your account’s digital purchase records. It does not delete game files, modify your save data, or change your settings.

Method A: Restore All Licenses via Settings

1. Go to Settings from the top-right corner of the PS5 home screen.
2. Select Users and Accounts.
3. Scroll down to Other.
4. Select Restore Licenses.
5. Choose Restore and wait for the confirmation message.

Method B: Restore a License for a Single Specific Game

If only one title has a padlock icon, you can restore it directly:

1. Highlight the locked game on your home screen or Game Library.
2. Press the Options button (the three lines) on your DualSense controller.
3. Select Restore License.

Step 2: Configure Console Sharing and Offline Play

If you share a console with family members or want to play your digital library while disconnected from the internet, you must activate Console Sharing and Offline Play.

Without this setting enabled, your PS5 will require an active internet connection to ping Sony’s servers every time you boot a digital game. Furthermore, other local user profiles on the console will see a lock icon on your purchased titles.

Sometimes, a padlock appears because the system doesn’t recognize your console as the authorized device for the game license. This usually happens when “Console Sharing and Offline Play” is disabled or configured on a different console. If you aren’t sure how this setting works or how it impacts your game ownership, we’ve broken it down in detail. Understanding your console’s status is key to resolving permanent access issues: read our guide on [Primary vs. Secondary PSN Accounts: What You Need to Know]

How to Enable Console Sharing:

1. Sign in to the PSN account that purchased the games.
2. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other.
3. Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
4. If it displays “Don’t Disable,” your console is already activated. If it asks you to enable it, select Enable.

Note: A single PSN account can only have Console Sharing enabled on one PS5 console at a time. If you recently upgraded to a new PS5 or set up a secondary console, disable the feature on your previous hardware first.

Step 3: Verify the Purchasing PSN Account and Transaction History

Digital PS5 licenses are permanently tied to the individual PSN account that paid for them. They cannot be transferred, traded, or merged into another account.

If a game remains locked after restoring licenses:

1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Account > Payment and Subscriptions > Transaction History.
2. Set the date range back to the approximate month of purchase.
3. Confirm the receipt is listed under this exact account.

If the transaction does not appear, the game was purchased on a secondary account, a family member’s profile, or a different regional account. Sign into that specific account to launch the game or enable Console Sharing.

Step 4: Check PlayStation Plus Subscription Status

A frequent source of confusion is the difference between direct digital purchases and games claimed through PlayStation Plus.

• Monthly Games (Essential): You can play these games as long as your PS Plus subscription is active. If your subscription lapses, these games display a lock icon until you renew.
• Game Catalog (Extra / Deluxe / Premium): Games in the rotating catalog require an active tier membership. If a title leaves the catalog (e.g., at the end of the month), the license expires, and the game will lock even if your PS Plus subscription is still running.
• Standard Store Purchases: Direct purchases are permanent licenses tied to your account and never expire, regardless of your PS Plus status.

What Happens If You Delete a Digital Game on PS5?

Deleting a game to clear SSD space never deletes your digital license.

Your proof of ownership stays safe on your PSN account. Whenever you want to reinstall:

1. Go to your Game Library on the far right of the home screen.
2. Select Your Collection.
3. Highlight the title and select Download.

If an uninstalled game is missing from “Your Collection,” simply run the Restore Licenses step to resynchronize your library.

Deleting a game to clear SSD space never deletes your digital license. Your proof of ownership stays permanently attached to your PSN account. If you’ve ever worried about losing paid titles after uninstalling, check out our full walkthrough on redownloading PlayStation games and how to stop rebuying what you already own.

Best Practices to Prevent PS5 License Errors

• Turn On Two-Step Verification (2FA): Prevents unauthorized logins from deactivating your primary console.
• Keep System Software Updated: Sony frequently patches network authentication handshakes in routine PS5 system updates.
• Connect Online Once After New Purchases: Newly purchased games require an initial handshake with Sony’s servers before they can function reliably offline.
• Check PSN Server Status: If Sony’s authentication servers are experiencing an outage, digital licenses cannot validate. Check the official PlayStation Network Service Status page before changing your console settings.

1. Does restoring licenses delete my saved games or screenshots?

No. Restoring licenses only refreshes digital permission certificates between your console and PSN. Your save files, trophy data, installed game packages, and capture gallery remain completely untouched.

2. Can two people play the same digital game on different PS5 consoles?

Yes, using PlayStation’s official sharing method. Account A enables Console Sharing and Offline Play on Console 1 (allowing any profile on Console 1 to play). Account A can then log in to Console 2 and play their games simultaneously while connected online.

3. Why does my digital game say “View Product” instead of “Download”?

This usually occurs if you purchased an edition different from the base store listing, or if you acquired the game via PS Plus and the listing is trying to show you the paid purchase option. Go to your Game Library > Your Collection instead of the PlayStation Store to find your owned download version.

4. Can I sell or transfer my digital PS5 game licenses?

No. Digital PlayStation licenses are personal and non-transferable under PlayStation Store terms. Unlike physical game discs, digital purchases cannot be resold, gifted after purchase, or moved to another PSN ID.