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If a PlayStation Plus monthly game will not download or start, first confirm that you claimed it on the right account and that your subscription and the game’s access are still valid. Then check PlayStation service status, restore licenses, and troubleshoot the download or installation. A padlock, a missing game, a download error, and a crash can have different causes, so follow the checks that match what you see.
Start with the symptom
| What you see | Where to start |
|---|---|
| A padlock or “locked” message | Check the account that claimed the game, subscription status, availability, sharing settings, and licenses. |
| The game is missing from your library | Check the claiming account, transaction history if relevant, and whether the game is still available through its original benefit. |
| A download error or stalled download | Check PlayStation service status, internet connection, storage, and the installation before trying again. |
| The game downloads but crashes or will not start | Restore licenses, update system software, and try reinstalling; use Safe Mode only if simpler checks fail. |
These are symptom-based starting points, not a ranking of fixes: PlayStation’s support guidance does not publish comparative success rates.
Confirm the game was claimed on the right account
PlayStation Plus monthly games are added each calendar month and can be downloaded and played while the relevant membership is active. Check that the game was claimed—not merely viewed—on the account you are using.
Find and claim the monthly game
- On PS5: Go to Games home > PlayStation Plus > Benefits > Monthly Games, choose the game, and select Download.
- On PS4: Open the function screen, choose PlayStation Plus > Monthly Games, then select Add to Library > Download.
- You can also start a remote download through a web browser or the PlayStation App.
If you claimed the game using another account, sign in to that account and check its library or transaction history when needed. On a shared console, check that the owner’s sharing configuration is set up: Console Sharing and Offline Play on PS5, or primary PS4 activation on PS4. Menu wording can vary with console software and region.
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- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Check membership and whether the game is still available
Confirm that the account’s PlayStation Plus subscription is active. Also verify which benefit the game came from: monthly games and Game Catalog titles do not have the same access route.
- Monthly game: Check the current PlayStation Plus monthly-games guide and confirm the title was claimed while it was offered.
- Game Catalog title: Your membership plan must include catalog access, and the title must still be in the catalog. Catalog availability can change; do not assume that a catalog download is a claimed monthly game.
For current benefit details, use PlayStation’s PlayStation Plus benefits guide. Access rules and availability may vary by region and change over time.
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- 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
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Check PlayStation service status and restore licenses
If PlayStation Network services show an alert, wait for service to return to normal before retrying. A service interruption can prevent a download or access check from completing.
A padlock, missing game or add-on, or a game that crashes can also point to a license issue. PlayStation recommends restoring licenses for these problems; it says restoration does not affect saved data.
Rank #3
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- 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.
- PS5: Open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
- PS4: Open Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses.
For PlayStation’s current steps, see Restore licenses on PlayStation.
Retry a download or repair an installation
After confirming entitlement and checking service status, make sure the console’s system software is current. If a game is installed but will not launch, PlayStation’s troubleshooting guidance includes deleting it and downloading it again. A wired connection is worth trying if a redownload appears to be failing because of network reliability; it will not fix a subscription, catalog, or license problem.
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
- PS5 game on external USB storage: Move the game data to the console’s internal storage and try launching it there.
- PS4 game on USB extended storage: Check that the storage device is connected properly.
- Download still fails: Retry after checking service status and connection, then confirm there is enough available storage for the installation.
Follow PlayStation’s game launch troubleshooting and downloaded-game troubleshooting guidance for the steps that match your console and error.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use Safe Mode only if the simpler checks fail
For persistent launch problems, PlayStation’s guidance includes clearing the PS5 cache and rebuilding its database, or rebuilding the PS4 database, through the console’s Safe Mode instructions. Reinstalling system software is a later, more disruptive option in its general troubleshooting flow—not an early fix. Use PlayStation’s instructions for your console and follow its backup guidance before taking any step that could affect installed content or data.
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- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
Contact PlayStation Support with useful details
If the game still will not download or launch, contact PlayStation Support. Include the exact error code or message, the steps that reproduce the problem, and a screenshot or video if possible. For an access problem, note the date and time you tried to open the game; PlayStation’s download troubleshooting guidance asks for the timestamp of an access attempt.
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