Fix the “Can’t use this content” PS5 Error: Complete Guide

You are ready to play your favorite game. You turn on your console. Suddenly, you see a padlock icon. You try to launch the game, but it fails to do so. You see a frustrating message: “can’t use this content” on PS5. Usually, this is just a software glitch. In this guide, we will show you how to fix it step-by-step.

Why Can’t You Use Content on PS5?

There are a few main causes. Identifying these helps you fix it faster.

• License Sync Issues: Your console’s internal list of licenses is out of date.
• PSN Server Outages: The PlayStation Network is down. Your console cannot check the server.
• No Internet Connection: Your home internet is unstable or disconnected.
• Account Sharing: You are playing on a console that is not your primary one.
• Region Locks: The game license does not match your current IP address location.

How to Fix “Can’t Use This Content” on PS5

We have gathered the most effective methods to unlock your games and get you back online. Work through these steps one by one to resolve the issue quickly.

Solution 1: Restore Your Licenses (Most Common Fix)

This is the most effective solution. It works for almost 90% of users. It forces your PS5 to talk to the Sony servers. It refreshes your list of owned games.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Settings menu. This is the gear icon at the top right of your home screen.
2. Select Users and Accounts.
3. Scroll down to the Other tab.
4. Select the option that says Restore Licenses.
5. Click Restore.

The system will now scan your account. It will download fresh licenses for every game you own. This process might take a few minutes. It depends on how many games you have in your library.

Once it finishes, go back to the home screen. Check the game tile. The padlock icon should be gone. Try to launch the game. This usually fixes the “can’t use this content” error instantly.

Read more: PS6 Release Date: Latest News, Price, and Launch Speculation

Solution 2: Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play

This setting is very important. On the PS4, this was called “Primary Console.” On the PS5, it is called “Console Sharing and Offline Play.”

If this setting is off, you must be online to play. If your internet flickers, you will lose access. Enabling this lets you play your games offline. It also lets other users on your console play your games.

Here is how to check it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Users and Accounts.
3. Go to the Other section again.
4. Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
5. If it is disabled, select Enable.

By doing this, you save the licenses to the console’s hard drive. The system does not need to check the internet constantly. This prevents the lock icon from appearing unexpectedly.

Solution 3: Check Your Network and Use a Helper Tool

Sometimes, the problem is your connection. Your PS5 needs to reach the verification server. If your IP address is unstable, the connection fails.

Also, some games have region checks. If your internet service provider (ISP) routes your traffic strangely, the server might block you. This triggers the license error. If your internet works for browsing but fails for gaming, you need a stable path to smooth out the connection.

Recommendation: Optimize Connection with LightningX VPN

Try LightningX VPN for this. You do not need to be a computer expert to use it. It is designed for daily users. It creates a secure and direct tunnel for your data.

Why does this help?

• It stabilizes your connection to gaming servers.
• It can help bypass regional restrictions.
• It hides your IP from throttling by your ISP.

Just install the app on your router or PC sharing the connection. Connect to a server near you or servers in other areas. Then, try accessing your game again.

Many users find that this simple step removes the PS5 “can’t use this content” roadblock. It makes your gaming session smoother and uninterrupted.

Solution 4: Sign Out and Sign Back In

Your account data is cached on the console. Sometimes, this cache gets corrupted. It is like a browser cookie that goes bad.

You need to refresh your credentials.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Users and Accounts.
3. Go to Other.
4. Select Sign Out.
5. Wait for the process to finish.

Do not sign back in immediately. We recommend you restart your PS5 first.

• Press the PlayStation button on your controller.
• Select the Power icon.
• Choose Restart PS5.

After the reboot, sign in with your email and password. This forces the system to verify who you are from scratch. It is a simple trick, but it often works.

Solution 5: Check PlayStation Network Status

Sometimes, the fault is not yours. It might be Sony’s fault. The PlayStation Network servers go down for maintenance. Sometimes they crash due to high traffic. If the PlayStation Network is down, your PS5 cannot check your license.

How to verify this:

1. Grab your phone or computer.
2. Search for PlayStation Network Service Status.
3. Click the official Sony link.
4. Look at the indicators.

You want to see green checks. If you see red or orange circles, there is an outage. Specifically, look at the “Gaming and Social” section.

If the servers are down, you cannot fix them. You must wait. Do not change your settings. Just wait for Sony to fix the issue. Usually, they resolve it within an hour or two.

Solution 6: Power Cycle Your Console

A simple restart is good. A power cycle is better. This clears the temporary memory completely. It removes electricity from the components.

This can fix the glitches that cause the “can’t use this content” bug.

1. Press and hold the physical power button on the front of the console.
2. Hold it until you hear two beeps. The console will shut down.
3. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.
4. Wait for at least two minutes. This is crucial.
5. Plug the cable back in.
6. Turn the console on.

Check your games. The system will reconnect to the network freshly.

Solution 7: Check Parental Controls

Do you have a child’s account? Or is your account managed by a family manager? Parental controls can block content. Sometimes, a game has an age rating. If the account is restricted, the game will lock. It will show the “can’t use” error.

1. Log in as the Family Manager.
2. Go to Family and Parental Controls.
3. Check the “Playtime Restrictions” and “Age Level” settings.
4. Ensure the game falls within the allowed limits.

If the restrictions are too strict, adjust them. Once adjusted, the padlock should disappear for the user.

Solution 8: Verify Your Purchase

Did you buy the game recently? Was it a pre-order? Sometimes, banks decline transactions later. If the payment failed, Sony revokes the license. The game remains installed, but you cannot play it.

1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts.
2. Select Account > Payment and Subscriptions.
3. Look at your Transaction History.

Find the game in the list. Check the status. It should say “Purchased” or “Complete.”

If it says “Failed,” “Missed Charges,” or “Refunded,” you do not own the game anymore. You must buy it again with a valid card. This is a common cause for the “can’t use this content” message on new games.

Solution 9: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

You have tried everything. The licenses are restored. The network is fine. You used a VPN to clear connection hurdles. But the game is still locked. The game files might be corrupted. You need to delete it and download it again.

Warning: This will delete the game application. It usually keeps your saved data safe in the cloud or storage. But to be safe, back up your save data first.

How to delete:

1. Go to your Game Library or Home Screen.
2. Highlight the locked game.
3. Press the Options button (three lines) on your controller.
4. Select Delete.

Now, restart your console. Go back to your Game Library. Find the game and click Download. This ensures you have a clean, fresh copy of the license and the data. It takes time, but it fixes deep-rooted errors.

Conclusion

Seeing a lock on your game library is annoying. You just want to relax and play. The PS5 “can’t use this content” error is a hurdle, but it is not a dead end. In most cases, simply restoring your licenses in the settings menu will fix it. Always remember to check your internet connection. Ensure your account is set to “Console Sharing.”