Sea of Thieves crashes on PS5 for reasons the official guidance does not reduce to one cause, so there is no single guaranteed fix. The steps that Sea of Thieves Support recommends, in its PS5 crash and performance guide, are: update PS5 system software, restore licenses, power cycle the console, rebuild the database in Safe Mode, keep the game on internal storage, and reinstall the game if earlier steps fail. If the problem continues, the guide directs you to PlayStation Support. Treat these as steps that may help, and work through them from the lowest-impact option upward.
Steps at a glance
The title of this guide promises ten fixes, but the official sequence contains nine distinct steps once the repeated license restore is counted once. Six are official game or platform remedies. The other three are diagnostic or escalation steps: a general restart, recording the error, and contacting PlayStation Support. The table below separates them.
| Step | Type | Disruption to you | Where the guidance comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Update system software | Official remedy | Download and install; moderate time | Sea of Thieves Support |
| 2. Restore licenses | Official remedy | Low | Sea of Thieves Support; PlayStation launch guide |
| 3. Power cycle the console | Official remedy | Low; 20-minute wait | Sea of Thieves Support |
| 4. Rebuild the database in Safe Mode | Official remedy | Moderate; back up data first | Sea of Thieves Support; PlayStation launch guide |
| 5. Keep the game on internal storage | Official remedy | Moderate if the game must be moved | Sea of Thieves Support; PlayStation launch guide |
| 6. Reinstall the game | Official remedy | High; full re-download | Sea of Thieves Support; PlayStation launch guide |
| 7. Restart the PS5 | General platform advice | Low | PlayStation launch guide |
| 8. Record the symptom and error code | Diagnostic | None | PlayStation launch guide; PlayStation error codes |
| 9. Contact PlayStation Support | Escalation | Time to submit details | Sea of Thieves Support; PlayStation launch guide |
The disruption ratings are a practical reading of each step’s effort, not a measured figure from the publishers. The order follows the official sequence; it is not a ranking by how often each step works.
The official remedies, in order
1. Update PS5 system software
Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings, then select the update option. Sea of Thieves Support states: “Please ensure you have installed the latest system update for PlayStation®5, as playing on an older firmware may hinder performance.” Menu names can change with system software versions, so follow the labels on your console.
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2. Restore licenses
Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. The Sea of Thieves guide says this can help alleviate crashing. The official sequence lists this step again if the crash persists; it is covered here once, and you can repeat it at that point.
3. Power cycle the console
Shut the console down completely, unplug it, and leave it disconnected for 20 minutes. Reconnect the power and start it again. The 20-minute wait is the interval the guide prescribes. It does not show that every crash requires that exact length of time.
Rank #2
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- 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.
4. Keep the game on internal storage
The Sea of Thieves guide recommends the console’s internal drive to eliminate potential issues caused by external drives. PlayStation’s launch troubleshooting guide makes the same point for games that will not start from USB extended storage: move the game to PS5 internal storage. Check where the game is installed in your storage settings. This step concerns the install location; it does not mean you need to buy a drive.
5. Rebuild the database in Safe Mode
Back up your data before you enter Safe Mode. The Sea of Thieves guide says rebuilding the database may resolve crashes, and PlayStation’s launch guide lists clearing cache and rebuilding the database among its steps. PlayStation advises the same backup before any system software reinstallation through Safe Mode. Enter Safe Mode, then choose the database rebuild option. Expect the console to take some time to finish the rebuild, and do not interrupt it.
Rank #3
- 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
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6. Reinstall the game
The Sea of Thieves guide says reinstalling may help when earlier steps do not resolve the problem. PlayStation’s general advice is to delete the game and download it again, using a wired connection if possible. Reinstalling is the highest-disruption official step, so reach it only after the earlier steps have been tried.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Diagnostic and escalation steps
7. Restart the PS5
PlayStation’s launch guide includes restarting the console as a troubleshooting step. This is general platform advice rather than a diagnosis specific to Sea of Thieves.
Rank #4
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8. Record the exact symptom and error code
Note which of these happens: the game fails at launch, freezes, closes to the home screen, or shows a network or service error. PlayStation’s PS5 error code index lists CE-108255-1 as “An error occurred with the game/application.” Other codes in the index relate to storage, data, updates, and connectivity. Use a code as a clue to the error category. It does not identify the root cause of a Sea of Thieves crash.
9. Contact PlayStation Support
If the problem continues after the steps above, the Sea of Thieves guide directs you to PlayStation Support. PlayStation asks for the error code or message, a detailed description of what happened, the steps that reproduce the problem, and a screenshot or video where possible. Gather these before you contact support so the request can be answered without repeated questions.
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- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
What the official guidance does not establish
- The Sea of Thieves PS5 guide was last updated April 11, 2024, and is specific to PS5 crashes or performance problems. Check the Sea of Thieves support site for any newer known-issue notice, since this guide does not confirm whether one exists.
- The official sources do not establish a single cause for crashes, a guaranteed fix, a current crash rate, or the success rate of any step.
- PlayStation’s launch guide is general to PS4 and PS5 games, not specific to Sea of Thieves.
When you work through the steps, record which one you tried and what changed after each. That record is what support will ask for if you escalate.
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