Can’t figure out why apps are not working on your Playstation 4 and 5?
Aside from gaming, Playstations can also function as an all-around entertainment system for your home. It can read BluRay discs to play your favorite movies, view media from storage devices, and run supported applications such as Netflix, Spotify, and more.
Newer versions of the Playstation also support HDR and 4K resolution, which takes your watching experience up a notch.
Unfortunately, there are times when apps on the Playstation would refuse to work for unknown reasons. When this happens, it can get in the way of your weekly family time or movie date.
If you are experiencing this problem at the moment, we understand if you’re starting to get frustrated.
Since this issue on Playstation consoles doesn’t point out a specific reason, troubleshooting can be time-consuming and confusing.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place!
Today, we will show you what to do if apps are not working on your Playstation.
Let’s begin!
1. Check Playstation’s Servers.
When something is not working on your console, it is always good to start with the basics before tweaking your device. If apps are not working on your Playstation, check the status of the servers first.
You can do this by visiting Playstation’s dedicated status page and see if there are reported issues with their servers.
If Playstation’s servers are offline, the best thing to do for now is wait since server-related issues can’t be addressed on the user’s end. On the other hand, you can proceed to the rest of the solutions below if PSN’s servers are working.
2. Restart Your Playstation.
The first step to troubleshoot your console is to restart its system. This way, you can ensure that all of its resources are correctly initialized. Restarting your Playstation could also eliminate temporary bugs and glitches that may have occurred while you are using it.
For Playstation 4 owners, check out the steps below to restart your device correctly:
- First, locate the PS button on your controller and press it until the Quick Menu appears on the screen.
- Next, navigate to the Power tab and highlight Restart PS4.
- Lastly, press the O or X button on your controller to proceed.
If you are using a Playstation 5, see the steps below to reboot your console:
- On your controller, locate the PS button and press it until the Quick Menu shows up.
- After that, highlight the Restart PS5 option.
- Finally, press the O or X button to confirm.
Wait for your Playstation to initialize and try accessing your applications to check if the problem is solved.
3. Restore Your Licenses.
If you are trying to access a premium or paid application, it’s possible that your licenses got mixed up. This often happens when you switch to a new Playstation. Fortunately, you can fix this by restoring the licenses in your account’s management screen.
For Playstation 4 users, here’s how you can restore your licenses:
- First, access the Settings page of your Playstation 4.
- Next, go to Account Management and click Restore Licenses.
- Lastly, select Restore and follow the on-screen prompts.
If you are on a PS5, follow the steps below to restore your licenses:
- On your Playstation, go to the Settings and access the User and Accounts tab.
- After that, click on Others and select Restore Licenses.
- Finally, click the Restore button and wait for the process to complete.
Once done, go back to the apps you want to access and check if the problem is solved.
4. Check and Reset Your Internet.
If online applications on your Playstation are slow to load, it may indicate that your internet connection is running slow. You can confirm this by running a speed test on your network using Fast.com.
Restart your router if the result shows that your connection is unstable or slow to re-establish the link with your service provider. Unplug your router’s power cable from the outlet and wait for at least 5 seconds before reconnecting it.
Once done, run another test to check if you’re now reaching the correct speed indicated on your monthly subscription. If not, contact your ISP and ask them to fix the issue.
5. Update Your PS4 or PS5.
The current version of your console could be incompatible with the application you are trying to access, or your Playstation’s operating system has an underlying issue that causes apps not to work correctly.
To fix this, we recommend that you update your console to the latest version to patch any bugs or glitches.
For Playstation 4 users, check out the steps below to update your console:
- On your device, access the Settings and open the System Software Update tab.
- Now, click on the Update Now button.
- Finally, click the Accept button if there’s an update available to install it.
If you own a Playstation 5, you can update its software by doing the following:
- First, go to the Settings of your Playstation 5.
- After that, navigate to System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- Lastly, click on Update System Software and select Update Using Internet.
After updating your console, go back to the app you are trying to access and check if the problem is solved.
6. Reinstall the App.
You can also reinstall the application if it is still not working on your Playstation 4 or 5. Some installation files may have gotten corrupted when an update failed to push through or while in use.
Follow the steps below to reinstall applications on your Playstation:
- First, locate the application you want to reinstall from the main screen.
- After that, highlight the app and press the Options button on your controller.
- Lastly, select Delete from the side menu and press the O or X button to confirm.
Once done, go to the PS Store and reinstall the app from there. Try accessing the app afterward to check if the problem is solved.
7. Rebuild Database.
Applications on your Playstation may not be working because your console can’t figure out where it is located on the hard drive. You can fix this by rebuilding your Playstation’s database to let your console know where applications are exactly installed on its storage device.
Check out the steps below to rebuild your Playstation’s database:
- First, make sure that your Playstation is completely turned off.
- After that, press and hold the Power button for at least 8 seconds or when you hear the second beep.
- Now, wait for your console to boot into Safe Mode and connect your controller using the charging cable.
- Lastly, press the PS button on your controller and click on Rebuild Database.
Wait for the process to complete and restart your Playstation. Try accessing your apps to check if they are now working.
8. Report the Problem to Playstation.
At this point, you’ve done everything that you can do on your end to troubleshoot the problem. If apps are still not working on your Playstation, we recommend letting the experts handle the situation.
Visit Playstation’s official support page and contact their customer service to report the issue with your device. Provide your account details, the application you are having trouble accessing, and the model of your Playstation to help their team come up with the best solution for your problem.
This wraps up our guide on what to do if apps are not working on your Playstation. If you have questions or other concerns, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and we’ll be ready to help you out.
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