A lock icon on a PlayStation Plus game does not identify one cause by itself. Check which account owns or claimed it, whether its type of PS Plus access is still valid, and whether console sharing is set up correctly. Then restore licenses using the PS5 or PS4 steps below. Sony says restoring licenses does not affect saved data.
First, check what gives you access to the game
Use the account that bought or claimed the game. An installation on the console does not prove that the currently signed-in account has the entitlement. Check the account’s transaction history and confirm the purchase or claim completed. Sony’s license restoration instructions and locked-game troubleshooting guide start with account and access checks.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![$25 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cEZpeUA1L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$25 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$10 -PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MT2s0Gm2L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$10 -PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code] | $10.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$50 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41E38Gd4E7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$100 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41O+bDxzGKL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$100 PlayStation Store Gift Card [Digital Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
If the game is included with PS Plus, identify which benefit you used: a claimed monthly game or a catalog title. The conditions differ, and a catalog game can leave the service.
- Monthly game: It must have been claimed, and playing it requires an active PS Plus membership.
- Game Catalog: Access is available to Extra members; the title must still be in the catalog for your region.
- Classics Catalog: Access is available to Premium members; check that the particular title remains available in your region.
Sony describes these benefits on its PlayStation Plus page. Check the game’s current listing as well as your account: an active membership cannot restore access to a catalog title that is no longer available.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Check the membership and sharing setup
Confirm the subscription
Review the subscription on the account that has the entitlement. Sony explains how to check its status and next payment date online, on PS5, or on PS4 in its PS Plus subscription guide. If membership has expired, subscription-dependent access may stop. However, Sony notes that a lock is not necessarily caused by an expired PS Plus membership, so check the account, claim, and title availability too.
Check sharing if another account owns the game
If the game belongs to a different account on the console, have that owner check the relevant sharing setting. On PS5, the owner can enable Console Sharing and Offline Play at Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play. An account can have this enabled on only one PS5 at a time.
Rank #2
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
On PS4, the owner should activate the console as their primary PS4. Sony’s sharing rules allow selected PS Plus benefits to be shared on one PS5 with Console Sharing enabled and one primary PS4, subject to the service’s conditions. See Sony’s guide to sharing PS Plus benefits; sharing does not make every benefit available to every account.
Restore licenses on the console
Once you have confirmed the account and entitlement, restore licenses for the affected account. Sony states that restoring licenses will not affect your data.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRank #3
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
- PS5: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses, select the licenses, and follow the prompts. You can also highlight the game on the home screen or in the library, open its options menu, and choose Restore License.
- PS4: Go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses > Restore.
After the process finishes, try launching the game again. If the lock remains, continue with the checks for your console below. Full steps are on Sony’s Restore Licenses support page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the game is still locked
PS5
- Verify you are signed into the account that bought or claimed the game, and check that the transaction appears in its history.
- For a PS Plus entitlement, confirm the membership is active and the title is still available in the appropriate catalog, if applicable.
- If another account owns the game, confirm that account has enabled Console Sharing and Offline Play on this PS5.
- Check PlayStation service status and install the latest available system software.
- Restore licenses using the path above. If the game still will not start, Sony lists rebuilding the database through Safe Mode as a later troubleshooting step.
PS4
- Verify the signed-in account bought or claimed the game and check its transaction history.
- For a PS Plus entitlement, check membership status and confirm the title remains available where relevant.
- If another account owns the game, have its owner activate this console as their primary PS4.
- Check PlayStation service status and install the latest available system software.
- Restore licenses using Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses > Restore. If the game still will not start, Sony lists rebuilding the database through Safe Mode as a later troubleshooting step.
If you contact PlayStation Support, provide any error code, describe what happens and the steps that reproduce it, and include a screenshot or video if possible. Sony’s locked-game guide recommends these details for troubleshooting.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
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.
