How to fix PS5 padlock icons, missing games, and “buy again” errors guide

You bought the game and have the receipt, but your PlayStation 5 shows a padlock icon next to it, or asks you to pay for it again. Don't worry. You haven't been banned and your games haven't vanished.

Whether it's a missing game or a locked icon, it's almost always a license sync error between your PS5 and Sony's servers. Here's how to get your games back.

Late April 2026 update: The "30-day timer" explained

Have you noticed a 30-day countdown on your new digital games? While early reports suggested a mandatory monthly check-in, Sony has clarified that this is a one-time license verification for games purchased after March 2026.

The fix: If your game is locked, don't dive into settings yet. Just connect to the internet and let the verification finish.
The result: After that, the padlock disappears and you can play offline again.

How to restore licenses (detailed step-by-step)

Your PS5 is like a bouncer at a club. Sometimes he forgets you already showed your ID at the door. Restoring licenses is just showing him your ID one more time.

Notes:

Restoring licenses won't affect your data.
You can no longer restore licenses for all owned games at once. It only works for games currently installed on your PS5.

Method 1: From the Home screen (fastest)

Select the game from the home screen or game library.
Press the Options button (the small button with three lines) on your controller.
Select Restore License.
On the next screen, select Restore.
Your PS5 will now restore the license. When the process is complete, select OK.

Method 2: From Settings (full library)

Open settings (gear icon).
Open Users and Accounts.
Select Other.
Select Restore Licenses.
Select the game or games for which you want to restore licenses.
Select Restore (bottom right).
Your PS5 will now restore the selected licenses. When the process is complete, select OK.

Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play

If this setting is Off, your PS5 can't verify licenses unless you are constantly online.

The fix: Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play > Enable.

The "missing" game library fix

Sometimes the game isn't locked, it's just hidden.

Check for hidden games and unhide them

The PS5 lets you hide games. If you've been messing with your library, you probably just hid one by accident.

Go to your Game Library (the icon at the far right of your home screen).
Select the Filter and Sort icon on the left side (the down-arrow with three lines).
Toggle on Hidden items.

Note: Hidden games will now appear in your library but will look slightly faded or translucent.

To unhide a game, highlight the faded game icon.
Press the Options button on your controller (the small button with three horizontal lines).
Select Unhide.

Done! The game stays visible in your "Your Collection" tab even after you turn the "Hidden items" filter back off.

Check the "Installed," "Your Collection," and "PlayStation Plus" tabs

If you don't see your game on the home screen, it's probably in your library. The Game Library (far right of the home menu) has three tabs. Use L1 and R1 to switch between them:

Installed: Only games currently on your SSD. If you deleted a game, it won't show up here.
Your Collection: Your master list. Every game you've bought or claimed via a code lives here. Look here first if a game is missing.
PlayStation Plus: Games you've claimed through your subscription (Essential, Extra, or Premium). If your subscription has lapsed, they'll show a padlock.

The "PS4 vs. PS5 version" confusion

The most common "Buy Again" error isn't a glitch. It's a version mismatch. If you own the PS4 version but the store is showing you the PS5 version, you'll see a price tag instead of a "Download" button.

How to check which version you own:

Highlight the game in your Game Library.
Look at the game. If it’s the older version, you'll see a small PS4 badge next to the name. If there is no badge (or a PS5 badge), it's the current-gen version.
The fix: Select the [...] button (the "More" menu) next to the "Play" or "Download" button.
Select Select Version. It shows every version you own. If the PS5 version is a "Free Upgrade," you can claim it here for $0.00.

The "Digital Deluxe" trap:

You might own the "Standard Edition," but the PlayStation Store shows you the "Gold Edition" or "Complete Bundle" by default. If you see a price tag, always check the [...] menu to see if your Standard version is listed separately.

The "restore database" connection

If the padlock remains after restoring licenses, it's probably a "Ghost Icon" issue (corrupted database).

Need more detail? Read my PS5 'Rebuild Database' guide.

Add as preferred source on Google ☕ Support me

How to fix PS5 software problems: Troubleshooting guide

PS5 stuck in Safe Mode? How to exit the loop

How to rebuild your PS5 database | Fix lag & crashing

How to clear your PS5 cache | Fix UI lag & crashing

How to restore licenses on your PS5 to fix locked games

How to remove deleted games from your PS5 home screen

How to stop your PS5 from turning on with your TV

How to stop your PS5 from going into rest mode automatically

PlayStation 5

References:

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/restore-licences-playstation/

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/game-launch-issues/