If a PS5 game won’t start, first note whether it’s a disc or digital copy, whether it’s installed on USB extended storage, whether a padlock appears, and any error code. Then work from low-risk checks—restart, verify access, and restore licenses—to reinstalling the game and using Safe Mode. Avoid reset options that erase data unless you have backed up your console.
Identify what is stopping the game
Different symptoms point to different checks. A padlock on a digital game suggests an account or license issue; a disc that is not recognized calls for disc-reading checks. If the game is installed on USB extended storage, move it to the PS5’s internal storage and try again. Record the exact error code or message before changing anything; Sony’s game launch troubleshooting guide covers these paths.
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- Digital game with a padlock: check the account and license steps below.
- Disc game not recognized: follow the disc checks in their own section.
- Game on USB extended storage: move it to internal storage and retry.
- Specific error code: look up that code in Sony’s PS5 error-code directory; a code-specific fix may differ from general launch troubleshooting.
Restart the PS5 and check game access
- From the PS5 home screen, open Power and select Restart PS5.
- If a digital game is locked, sign in to the PlayStation account that purchased it and check its transaction history.
- If access comes through PlayStation Plus, confirm the subscription is still active.
- If another account on the console owns the game, check that account’s Console Sharing and Offline Play setting.
- If the purchase or subscription appears valid but the game remains locked, check PlayStation service status and restore licenses using the console’s license-restoration option.
Sony includes license restoration among its recommended checks for games that will not launch. These steps address access; they will not resolve a disc-reading fault or a damaged installation.
Reinstall the affected game and update system software
If restarting and access checks do not help, delete the affected game and download or install it again. Sony suggests using a wired connection for a download when possible. Check the PS5 for the latest system software as well; Sony’s update guidance is available at PS5 system software update.
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For error CE-109573-5, Sony’s CE-109573-5 troubleshooting article specifically recommends restarting, deleting and reinstalling the game, rebuilding the database if needed, and updating system software if the problem continues. Do not assume that this sequence applies to every error code; follow the instructions for the code displayed on your console.
Use Safe Mode for cache or database problems
Safe Mode starts the console with only basic functions active, according to Sony’s Safe Mode guidance. To enter it:
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- Turn off the PS5 by holding the power button for about three seconds.
- After the console is off, press and hold the power button again. Release it after the second beep.
- Connect the controller to the console with a USB cable, then press the PS button.
Choose the least disruptive option that fits the symptom. Sony describes Clear System Software Cache as an option for system-feature issues or performance drops, and Rebuild Database as a scan of the drive that creates a new content database. Neither is the same as a factory reset. Reset PS5 and Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) delete user data. Back up data before choosing either destructive option; Sony’s Safe Mode page explains the available operations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check a disc that will not start
For a disc game that the console cannot read, follow Sony’s disc guidance and reinsert the disc after each check:
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- Vertical Stand sold separately
- Remove and reinsert the disc.
- Clean it with a soft, clean cloth, avoiding fingerprints.
- Test another game disc, Blu-ray disc, or DVD. This helps distinguish a problem with one disc from a broader disc-reading issue.
- If the problem remains, try the relevant Safe Mode cache or database options.
Sony’s PS5 disc troubleshooting guide lists reinstalling system software through Safe Mode as a later step if database rebuilding does not fix disc reading. That option erases user data, so back up first.
Know when to stop and contact support
If the game still will not start after the relevant checks, contact PlayStation Support or use PlayStation Repairs. Have the exact error code or message, a description of what happens, the steps that reproduce the issue, and a screenshot or video if possible. These details help support distinguish a game-specific failure from an account, storage, software, disc, or console problem.
Quick Recap
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