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The message “Failed to acquire parental control information” does not prove that parental controls are enabled. It may appear when Elden Ring cannot complete an online permission or connection check, but Bandai Namco has not documented a confirmed cause for this specific error. Try these five checks in order, beginning with updates and simple account checks before changing network settings.
What the error does—and does not—tell you
Players have reported this wording, commonly on PlayStation, but available reports do not establish that it is PlayStation-exclusive or identify one cause that applies to every player. Treat it as a failed check to troubleshoot, not proof that a family setting is blocking you. The detailed fixes below are reported troubleshooting steps; they are not an official diagnosis or guaranteed remedies.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $73.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Demon's Souls - PlayStation 5 | $39.45 | Buy on Amazon |
1. Check service availability and update Elden Ring
If other online games or services are also failing, pause troubleshooting and check the relevant platform’s current service information. A wider service interruption is less likely to be fixed by changing a setting on your router.
Also make sure Elden Ring is fully updated. Bandai Namco’s August 27, 2026 patch notes for version 1.17 state that this update is required for online play on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. This establishes the online-play requirement, not that version 1.17 specifically fixes this error.
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2. Fully close the game and restart your device
A full restart is a low-effort way to refresh a temporary game session. Simply returning to the console home screen may leave a game suspended, so quit it before launching again. On PC, close both the game and its platform client fully, then reopen them. A May 2026 troubleshooting guide recommends this sequence, but it is not a guaranteed fix.
- Quit Elden Ring from the console dashboard or exit the game on PC.
- Restart the console or computer.
- Open the platform client if applicable, launch Elden Ring, and try the online feature again.
3. Check the online agreement and the account’s permissions
If the game presents an online or data-usage agreement, review and accept it if you agree. One reported PS5 workaround is accepting the in-game data usage agreement; whether that prompt appears can depend on your game and account state. If no prompt is available, do not assume that agreement acceptance is the issue.
Check that the account currently signed in—and the account that launched the game—is permitted to use the platform’s online features. For a managed or child account, ask the family manager to review the relevant permissions rather than disabling legitimate protections. Bandai Namco’s online services terms say underage users need a legal representative’s agreement and that access can depend on account eligibility, acceptance of terms, and security measures. Those conditions can matter, but they do not show that age restrictions cause this error in every case.
4. Test the connection before changing DNS
Run the network test available in your console or platform settings, then compare Elden Ring with another online service. If you already have access to Ethernet and suspect unstable Wi-Fi, try a wired connection as a diagnostic test. Secondary troubleshooting coverage suggests wired networking and manual DNS as possible workarounds; neither is an established universal fix.
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DNS translates service names into network addresses, so a DNS change can sometimes help with name resolution. However, the sources available for this error do not verify DNS as its cause or certify particular DNS values as a remedy. Try connection checks before changing DNS, and note your current settings so you can restore them if the test makes no difference.
Optional: A Cat 6 Ethernet cable is only relevant if you want to test a wired connection and do not already have a suitable cable. No purchase is necessary for the other checks, and a cable is not a guaranteed fix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. If it still fails, stop escalating speculative changes
If the service is available, the game is updated, the account is eligible, and the basic restart and connection checks have not helped, recheck which account launched the game and consult the current support steps for your platform. Menu names and locations can change between console software versions, so use the current account and online-safety settings interface if labels differ.
The available sources do not establish that rebuilding a console database, reinstalling Elden Ring, or buying hardware is necessary for this message. Avoid destructive resets unless platform-specific support recommends them, and protect your save data before any major troubleshooting step.
Quick Recap
How to choose the next check
| Check | Effort | What it can help isolate | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service availability and game update | Low | A wider service problem or an outdated game version | Checking is reversible; installing the required update changes the game version |
| Close and restart | Low | A temporary session or device issue | Reversible |
| Agreement and account permissions | Low | An incomplete agreement or account eligibility issue | Reviewing is reversible; change only settings the account holder is authorized to manage |
| Network test, wired test, or DNS test | Moderate | Connection instability or a network-path issue | A wired comparison is reversible; record DNS settings before changing them |
| Platform support | Varies | Problems not resolved by local checks | Follow the platform’s current guidance; avoid destructive steps without a specific recommendation |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
