A padlock on a PS5 game usually means the console cannot confirm that your account has access right now. Check that you own the game or still have an active subscription entitlement, enable Console Sharing and Offline Play if another account on your PS5 owns it, and restore licenses. These are three official troubleshooting methods, not guaranteed fixes: restoring a license cannot grant ownership or renew an expired subscription.
First, identify what the padlock means
A lock icon is a symptom, not proof that you need to buy the game again. PlayStation’s locked-games troubleshooting page recommends checking account access and licenses. The right fix depends on who owns the game and how you access it.
- You bought the game: Make sure you are signed in to the PlayStation account that made the purchase.
- You play through PlayStation Plus: Check that your subscription is active and the game remains available through the relevant catalog or offering.
- Someone else on your PS5 bought it: Check Console Sharing and Offline Play on the owner’s account.
- The whole game image is covered by a padlock: A family restriction may be involved; the Family Manager can amend parental controls.
For a digital purchase, check the account’s transaction history to confirm that the purchase completed. A PlayStation Plus subscription that has ended, or a game that is no longer available through the applicable service offering, does not provide continuing access.
1. Confirm the account has a current entitlement
- Sign in to the PlayStation account used to buy the game.
- Check that account’s transaction history for the purchase.
- If you accessed the game through PlayStation Plus, confirm the subscription is active and that the title is still included in the relevant offering.
If another account on the console owns the game, ask that account holder to check sharing settings as described below. License restoration cannot replace a missing purchase or expired subscription.
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2. Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play for the owning account
This setting lets other users on the enabled PS5 play games and media that the owner purchased and downloaded, including while offline. PlayStation’s Console Sharing and Offline Play instructions specify that it can be enabled on one PS5 at a time.
- Sign in on the PS5 with the account that owns the game.
- Open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Select Enable. If the feature is enabled on another PS5, the account holder must disable it there before enabling it on this console.
3. Restore the game’s license
PlayStation recommends restoring licenses when a game appears locked despite valid access. You can restore them from settings or use the per-game option:
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- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses, select the affected license, and restore it.
- Alternatively, highlight the game on Home or in the Library, press the Options button, then choose Restore License.
PlayStation says, “Please note, restoring licenses won’t affect your data.” That means this step does not affect user data; it does not guarantee that every lock will be fixed. See PlayStation’s license restoration instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the game is still locked
- Check for a service outage. Review PlayStation Network service status and try again after any reported outage ends.
- Update the PS5. Install the current system software.
- Restart the console. If you have not already done so, restore the license again after restarting.
- Use Safe Mode if appropriate. PlayStation lists clearing the cache and rebuilding the database as further troubleshooting steps for locked games. Follow the official locked-games guidance for the available Safe Mode options.
- Contact PlayStation Support if the problem persists. Include any error code, what happens, steps that reproduce the issue, and a screenshot or video if available.
If you see error CE-109245-1
PlayStation says this error means the console cannot confirm the content’s license information. Its prescribed steps are to restart the console, sign in to the account that owns the content, and enable Console Sharing and Offline Play. See the CE-109245-1 support page.
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