A padlock beside a PS5 game usually means the console cannot confirm that your account has access to it. Check the purchasing account, PlayStation Plus access, or the owner’s Console Sharing setting first; then check PlayStation Network status, restore licenses, and rebuild the database only if needed.
What the padlock means
Sony says a padlock next to a PS5 game can indicate a license or network issue. The cause depends on how you got the game: you may be signed into the wrong account, a purchase may not have completed, a subscription title may no longer be available to you, or another account’s sharing setting may not be enabled on this console. Sony also notes that a lock covering the entire game image can be related to parental controls; ask the Family Manager to check those settings rather than treating it as a license problem. Sony’s game-start troubleshooting guide and its Console Sharing and Offline Play guide describe these possibilities.
Check which account or entitlement should provide access
If you bought the game
Sign in to the PlayStation account used to buy it and check transaction history to confirm the purchase succeeded. This is especially useful after a recent purchase or voucher redemption. If the transaction is missing or did not complete, restoring licenses cannot create a purchase entitlement; resolve the transaction or account issue first. Sony’s troubleshooting steps recommend checking transaction history.
If you access it through PlayStation Plus
Check that your membership is active and that the game is still included and available to you. Subscription status and game availability are separate from restoring licenses: Sony’s license instructions say that restoring a license for a padlocked game is not a fix for an expired PlayStation Plus subscription. See Sony’s game troubleshooting guidance and its license-restoration instructions.
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- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
If another account owns the game
The owner must enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on this PS5. On the owner’s account, open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play. The setting can be enabled on only one PS5 at a time. If it is still enabled on a previous console, disable it there before enabling it on this one. With sharing enabled, other users on this PS5 can play the owner’s purchased and downloaded games and media, including while offline. Sony’s sharing guide has the details.
Check PlayStation Network, update, and restore licenses
- Check PlayStation Network status. If there is an outage or service alert, wait for service to resume, then try the game again. Sony lists network problems as one possible reason for the lock. Check Sony’s game-start troubleshooting page for the status-check link.
- Check for a system software update. Install the latest available PS5 system software, following the console’s update prompts. Sony includes this in its locked-game troubleshooting sequence.
- Restore licenses. On PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses, select the relevant licenses, and restore them. Alternatively, highlight the game on Home or in Game Library, press the Options button, and choose Restore License. Sony says restoring licenses will not affect your data and may resolve a padlock. See Sony’s license-restoration instructions.
If the game is still locked
Rebuild the database in Safe Mode
Sony recommends starting the PS5 in Safe Mode and selecting Rebuild Database for locked-game issues that remain after the earlier checks. Follow Sony’s Safe Mode and game-start instructions for the console steps.
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- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Use the more disruptive game-start steps only if needed
If the problem is broader than the padlock—for example, the game will not start—Sony’s general launch guidance also includes restarting the console, deleting and redownloading the game, and, as a later step, backing up data before reinstalling system software. A wired connection may help with a redownload if available. These are more disruptive than checking entitlement or restoring licenses, so do not jump to reinstalling system software as an initial license fix.
Contact PlayStation Support
If none of those steps resolves the issue, contact PlayStation Support. Include any error code or message, what happens when you select the game, the steps that reproduce the problem, and a screenshot or video if possible. Sony lists these details in its game-start support guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Rank #3
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
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