If a PlayStation Plus game download will not begin, first confirm the game is still available to your account, then pause and resume the queued item. If it has started but stopped progressing, check PlayStation Network status and test the console’s internet connection. On either PS5 or PS4, check storage before repeated retries; use the platform-specific steps below to avoid changing the wrong setting.
First, confirm you can still download the game
A download failure may be an eligibility issue rather than a console fault. Check that your PlayStation Plus membership is active. If the game comes from the Game Catalog, confirm that it is still in the catalog and that your membership plan includes that benefit. Sony’s download troubleshooting guide and PlayStation Plus catalog information explain where to check: on PS5, browse PlayStation Plus from the Games home screen and open Benefits; on PS4, open PlayStation Plus from the function screen and select Game Catalog.
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Catalog availability can change, so verify the title in the catalog rather than relying on an old library entry. Restoring licenses, clearing a queue, or rebuilding a database cannot restore access to a game that is no longer available to your plan.
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If the download won’t start
Reset the queue item before trying broader troubleshooting. The menu path differs between consoles.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
PS5: pause, resume, then retry from Game Library
- Open Downloads/Uploads in the control center.
- Select the game download and choose Pause, then Resume.
- If it still will not begin, select the item, choose Cancel and Delete, then find the game in Game Library and start the download again.
PS4: use Notifications and Downloads
- Open Notifications, then Downloads.
- Select the game and choose Pause, then Resume.
- If the download still will not start, choose Cancel and Delete, then retry from Library.
After retrying, check PlayStation Network service status. If Sony reports a service alert, wait for service to recover before trying again. Also confirm that the console’s system software is up to date using the console’s system software settings.
Check available storage before retrying repeatedly
Compare the console’s available space with the game’s listed requirement. Sony’s download guidance directs PS5 users to the game’s product details and Settings > Storage; on PS4, check the game’s Details section in PlayStation Store and Settings > Storage. If space is insufficient, free storage and retry.
Rank #2
- 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.
Deleting a game does not remove access to a purchase: purchased games can be downloaded again from the library. On PS5, games can also be moved to USB extended storage or an installed M.2 SSD. Any M.2 SSD must meet Sony’s requirements. Extra storage is relevant only when capacity is the bottleneck; it will not resolve a service outage, an inactive subscription, a license issue, or a connection problem.
If the download started but is stuck
For a download that has stopped making progress, check service status first, then test the console’s connection.
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.
Test the connection
- PS5: Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status and select Test Internet Connection.
- PS4: Go to Settings > Network and select Test Internet Connection.
If the test reports a connection problem, follow the relevant PlayStation connection troubleshooting route. A failed or interrupted connection test is useful diagnostic information, but no single router or DNS change is a guaranteed fix.
PS5 error CE-109258-5
Use this sequence only if the PS5 displays CE-109258-5. Sony says the server connection may have failed and content license information may not have been confirmed. Its guidance for this error is to check PlayStation status, restart the PS5, turn off the modem and router for at least five minutes and restart them, restore licenses, then try again later if needed. Sony notes that the issue may be temporary; these steps are specific to this error and are not a universal download fix.
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Use the correct Safe Mode option for your console
If the queue, storage, service, and connection checks do not resolve the problem, Sony’s download troubleshooting guide recommends the following database/cache action. Follow Sony’s Safe Mode instructions for entering Safe Mode and using the option; do not substitute one console’s menu for the other.
- PS5: Select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
- PS4: Select Rebuild Database.
Restore licenses if the problem looks account-related
License restoration is particularly relevant if the game shows a padlock, cannot be located, or the console appears unable to confirm access. It does not replace checking whether your membership and the game’s catalog availability qualify you to play or download it.
Best Value
- 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
- PS5: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
- PS4: Go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses, then select Restore.
Sony says restoring licenses does not affect PS5 data. See its license restoration instructions for details.
When to contact PlayStation Support
If the download still fails after the relevant steps, contact PlayStation Support. Include the error code or message, a clear description of what happens and the steps that reproduce it, the date and time of an attempt, and a screenshot or video if possible. Those details help support distinguish a queue, service, network, storage, or account-access problem.
Quick Recap
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