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PlayStation 5: What is The Cannot Connect to Server to Verify License Error

A common error on the PlayStation says you do not have a game license, and this guide shows you how to fix this issue.

PlayStation owners have been hit with an error message that prevents them from playing downloaded games on their PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. The message reads: “Can’t use this content. Can’t Connect to the server to verify your license.”

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This error message shows up when there’s an issue with the servers trying to verify the licensing for the game you’re trying to play. This means you will have to confirm the licensing of your game on your PlayStation. Here is how to do it. Here’s what you need to know about fixing the Verify License Error on the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 4.

How to Restore Licenses on the PS5 – Cannot Verify License Error

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When you purchase a game on the PlayStation Network, you automatically receive the licensing to play the game. Having a license for a game means you are verified to play that title after your purchase it. Licensing is a measurement that prevents players from illegally playing downloaded games with the PlayStation Network.

However, PlayStation servers sometimes fail to recognize the license, and you need to restore your license manually. To restore your license on your PlayStation 5, head to the Settings menu on your console’s home menu. Select Users and Accounts, and then pick the Other option. From there, select Restore Licenses and then hit the Restore option. Finally, try relaunching your game once you restore licenses to see if your game will run again.

This might not work for every game. For games that are launching in early access or those with an open beta, this might occur if the game closes the servers off or launches for the first time. These issues typically happen for online games that require a constant online connection or the servers are attempting to connect multiple players simultaneously.

We recommend taking a step back from the game and returning to it another time. You may also need to double-check that the game has an early access period, allowing only certain players to play it before it becomes available to all game owners. Multiple players encountered this issue during the Diablo 4 release on PlayStation 5.

How to Restore Licenses on the PS4 – Cannot Verify License Error

Image via Sony

It’s also possible to see the “Cannot connect to the server to verify the license error” on the PlayStation 4. Fixing the issue on the PS4 is a little different than on the PS5 because the PS4 has slightly different menu options. You still need to head to the Settings menu on your PS4 home page, but don’ton’t go to the Users and Accounts options. Instead, you head over to Account Management, where the Restore Licenses option is located. Once you select Restore Licenses, pick Restore and then try relaunching your game.

Related: All PlayStation 4 error codes and fixes

If restoring the license doesn’t allow you to play the game, try restarting your internet. You should turn off your modem or router and then turn it back on to restart your internet. Most modern routers have a button that you can press to turn on and off, butit’sit’s an old-school router, so you will need to unplug it and plug it back in. If restarting the interdoesn’ts doesn’t work, then all you can do is wait until Sony fixes it.

Similar to the PlayStation 5, some games might have an early access period allowing only certain players to get into the game. The servers for a game might be overloaded, causing issues for anyone trying to get into the game.


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Author
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Zack Palm
Zack Palm is the Senior Writer of Gamepur and has spent over five years covering video games, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Oregon State University. He spends his free time biking, running tabletop campaigns, and listening to heavy metal. His primary game beats are Pokémon Go, Destiny 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and any newly released title, and he finds it difficult to pull away from any Star Wars game.