What Restoring a License Means and When You Need It

Restoring a license on your PlayStation 4 means downloading your account's rights to play games and content you own. When you restore a license, the console re-establishes the connection between your account and the games in your library. This is different from signing in — you can be signed in but still unable to play a game if the license is not active on that console.

You need to restore a license if you see a message saying you cannot play a game, if a game suddenly became locked after working before, or if you switched consoles and want to play your library on the new one. Restoring a license takes about five minutes and requires an internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Restoring a license downloads your account's game rights to your PS4 and takes about five minutes from the Settings menu.
  • You must be signed into your account and connected to the internet to restore a license.
  • If you are restoring a license on a console that is not your primary PS4, you may only be able to play games while signed into that account.
  • Restoring a license does not delete your saved games, progress, or any data on the console.
  • If restoring the license does not work, signing out and back in, or rebuilding the console database, usually fixes the problem.

Steps to Restore Your License on PS4

Start by making sure you are signed into your account on the PS4. Press the PS button on your controller to open the function menu, then go to Settings at the top of the screen. Scroll down and select Users and Accounts.

From the Users and Accounts menu, select Other, then Restore Licenses. The console will connect to PlayStation Network and read your account's game rights. A message will appear when the restore is complete. This usually takes one to three minutes, depending on your internet speed and how many games are in your library.

After the restore finishes, go back to your game library and try launching a game that was locked. The game should now be playable. If you still see a lock icon, try the troubleshooting steps in the section below.

Why Your License Might Be Locked

A license becomes locked when the PS4 loses the connection between your account and your game rights. This happens most often when you sign into a different account on the console, when you move your account to a new PS4, or when there is a problem with PlayStation Network.

If you own a game on your account but play it on a different console where that account is not set as primary, only you can play it — other users on that console cannot. This is by design: PlayStation lets the primary account holder share games with other users on the same console, but only the account that owns the game can play it on a non-primary console.

Sometimes a license lock is temporary and clears on its own after a few hours. If it does not, restoring the license almost always fixes it.

Primary vs. Non-Primary Console and What It Means for Your Games

Your primary PS4 is the console where your account is set as the main one. On a primary console, any user can play games that your account owns. On a non-primary console, only you can play your games while signed into your account.

To set a console as primary, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Set This Console as Your Primary PS4. You only need to do this once. If you move to a new console and want to play your games there, set the new console as primary before you start playing.

If you restore a license on a non-primary console and the game is still locked for other users, that is normal — only your account can play it there. To let other users play, set that console as your primary PS4.

What to Do If Restoring the License Does Not Work

If you restore the license and the game is still locked, sign out of your account completely, then sign back in. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account] > Sign Out. Wait a few seconds, then sign back in. After signing back in, try launching the game again.

If that does not work, rebuild the PS4 database. This process scans your console's storage and fixes small problems that can lock licenses. Go to Settings > System Software > System Software Update > Update. If an update is available, install it. If not, go back and select Rebuild Database instead. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many games you have installed. Do not turn off the console while it is rebuilding.

After the database rebuild finishes, sign in and restore the license again. The game should be playable. If it is still locked after these steps, the problem may be with your account or the game itself — try the same steps on a different account to see if the issue follows the account or stays with the game.

Restoring Licenses on a New Console

When you move to a new PS4, your games are not automatically on the new console — you own them, but the console does not know that yet. Sign into your account on the new PS4, then restore the license using the steps above. The console will read your game rights, and your library will appear in your games list.

You do not need to read the games themselves to restore the license. The license is just the right to play them. You can read games one at a time as you want to play them, or read them all at once if you have storage space and time.

If you want other users on the new console to play your games, set the new console as your primary PS4 before anyone else tries to play. If you forget to do this, you can set it as primary later — just go to Settings and follow the steps in the section above.

Common Mistakes That Lock Licenses

The most common mistake is signing into a different account on the same console and then trying to play a game that account does not own. The game will be locked because the license belongs to your account, not the other one. Sign back into your account to play.

Another mistake is assuming that restoring a license will let other users play your games on a non-primary console. It will not — restoring the license only gives your account the right to play. To let others play, set the console as primary.

A third mistake is turning off the console while it is restoring a license or rebuilding the database. Let these processes finish completely, even if they take longer than you expect. Interrupting them can cause the problem to get worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does restoring a license delete my saved games?

No. Restoring a license only downloads your game rights — it does not touch your saved games, progress, trophies, or any other data on the console. Your saves are stored separately and are not affected.

Can I restore a license without an internet connection?

No. Your PS4 must be connected to the internet to contact PlayStation Network and read your license. If you are not connected, the restore will fail. Connect to Wi-Fi or ethernet and try again.

Why can other users on my console not play my games?

Because the console is not set as your primary PS4. On a non-primary console, only the account that owns the game can play it. Set the console as primary in Settings, and other users will be able to play your games.

How long does it take to restore a license?

Usually one to three minutes, depending on your internet speed and the size of your library. If it takes longer than five minutes, your internet connection may be slow or unstable — try moving closer to your router or restarting your modem.

What if I restore a license and the game is still locked?

Sign out and back in, then try again. If that does not work, rebuild your console database by going to Settings > System Software > Rebuild Database. This fixes small problems that can prevent licenses from working. The rebuild takes 10 to 30 minutes.