Struggling with PS4 game sharing? You’re not alone. This feature can be tricky to get working properly, but I’ll walk you through exactly what might be going wrong and how to fix it.
Understanding PS4 Game Sharing Basics
Game sharing on PS4 lets you share your digital games with a trusted friend while playing your own games too. It’s a fantastic feature when it works, but there are several common issues that can throw a wrench in the works.
Common Reasons Why Game Sharing Stops Working
The most frequent culprit is activation status. Your PS4 needs to be set as the primary console for your friend’s account, and their PS4 needs to be primary for your account. If either gets deactivated, game sharing breaks immediately.
Internet connectivity issues can also interrupt game sharing. Your PS4 needs to verify licenses periodically, so an unstable connection can cause games to suddenly become locked.
How to Fix PS4 Game Sharing
Let’s walk through the solution step-by-step:
1. First, check if you’re still activated as primary:
– Go to Settings
– Account Management
– Activate as Your Primary PS4
– If it’s already activated, deactivate and reactivate
2. Restore licenses:
– Head to Settings
– Account Management
– Restore Licenses
– Let the process complete fully
When You Can’t Activate as Primary
Sometimes you’ll hit the dreaded “cannot activate” message. This usually happens if:
– Another PS4 is already set as primary for your account
– You’ve hit Sony’s activation limit
– There’s a PSN service interruption
The fix? You can deactivate all devices through the PlayStation website once every 6 months. Just remember, this affects ALL your activated devices.
Preventing Future Problems
To keep game sharing running smoothly:
– Only share with one trusted friend
– Don’t change primary PS4 settings frequently
– Keep both consoles updated
– Maintain stable internet connections
When to Contact PlayStation Support
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get game sharing working, it might be time to contact PlayStation Support, especially if:
– You can’t deactivate devices
– Primary activation keeps failing
– Games remain locked after all troubleshooting
Remember, game sharing is meant for trusted family members or close friends. Using it properly helps ensure you won’t run into technical issues or account problems down the line.
