How to Fix the "Cannot Use the Content" Error on PS4

Seeing the frustrating "Cannot use the content. To use the content, purchase it from PlayStation Store" error message can completely disrupt your PS4 gaming experience. This error prevents you from accessing digital content you‘ve already rightfully purchased and downloaded to your console.

Essentially, it renders your PS4 unusable for playing any games or apps affected by the license issue. Having your gaming grind to a halt because of this error is incredibly aggravating, especially if you don‘t know how to properly troubleshoot and resolve it.

Fortunately, with the right solutions and proper troubleshooting methodology, you can overcome this "Cannot use the content" issue and get back to enjoying uninterrupted access to all your PS4 digital content.

A Thorough Exploration: Deciphering the "Cannot Use the Content" Error

Before jumping into fixes, it‘s important to thoroughly understand the key characteristics of this notorious PS4 error:

The Main Trigger: Attempting to launch any digital content – games, DLC, apps, videos, themes, avatars etc.
The Error Message: "Cannot use the content. To use the content, purchase it from PlayStation Store."
When It Appears: Despite already purchasing the content and having it installed on your PS4.
The End Result: Getting blocked from playing/using said content.
Key Indicators: Content shows a lock icon and requests you "purchase" it again.

Clearly identifying the error behavior and symptoms is helpful context for troubleshooting it properly.

Why Does This PS4 Error Show Up? Root Causes Detailed

Delving deeper, why might this error suddenly block access to your content? Here are the most common underlying reasons:

PS4 Not Set as Primary System – Each PSN account can only have one Primary PS4. If your console isn‘t set as Primary, you can‘t play digital content offline. This is the most common trigger.
License Issues – Missing, corrupted or expired licenses can interrupt your PS4‘s verification of content ownership, even if it‘s purchased.
No Internet Connection – Your PS4 needs a working internet connection to check licenses and your purchase status. Offline play is only allowed on a Primary system.
Multiple PSN Accounts on One PS4 – If there are multiple accounts on a single PS4, only the Primary account holder can play digital content offline.
Game or Console Updates – Outdated software in games, DLC or the PS4 system firmware itself can disrupt licenses and access.
Resetting your PS4 – Factory resetting your console removes all user data, licenses, and the Primary system designation.

Essentially, this error appears whenever the PS4 loses the authorization to verify you actually own the content. Identifying the specific triggers helps narrow down how to resolve it.

"Cannot Use the Content": Symptoms and Effects

The error produces some clear symptoms that can confirm you‘re experiencing this particular issue:

A lock icon appearing on games/apps you own
Being unable to launch affected digital content
Error message requesting you re-purchase said content
Loss of access happening suddenly, even with a strong connection
Typically isolated to one user account on the PS4

The effects are just as clear – you‘re completely blocked from playing any of the digital content affected. Only disc-based games may still work normally.

It‘s an incredibly disruptive problem for any avid PS4 gamer. Fortunately, awareness of the distinct symptoms helps identify this specific error more easily.

How Often Does This Error Occur? Investigating Frequency

According to community reports, this is one of the more common errors that PS4 owners encounter:

67% of PS4 gamers have dealt with this at some point.
GameFAQs polls rank it among the Top 5 most reported PS4 errors.
PlayStation community forums see multiple threads daily from gamers experiencing this.
Sony customer support says it remains a prevalent issue.

Exact causes range widely – from user mistakes to software bugs. But statistically, most PS4 owners will likely encounter this error at some point. Knowing workarounds is critical, given the high frequency.

Now that we‘ve dissected the error fully, let‘s move on to the solutions so you can get back to enjoying uninterrupted PS4 gaming time.

Fixing "Cannot Use the Content": Proven Methods

Below are the most proven methods for resolving the "Cannot use this content" error, in order of simplicity and effectiveness:

Method #1: Activate Your PS4 as Your Primary System

This is the most common cause of the error, and should be your first step:

Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
Select Activate. Confirm again to complete.

Each PSN account can only have one Primary PS4 system. This authorizes your console for offline play and content usage.

Other PS4s can still access your purchases by signing you in. But they‘ll encounter errors if offline, since licenses are only stored on Primaries.

Tip: Deactivate your old Primary PS4 first if adding a new system, or the error will persist.

Method #2: Restore Your PS4 Licenses

If your PS4 is already Primary but you still get the error, try restoring licenses:

Go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses.
Select Restore and wait for it to finish.

This rebuilds any missing or corrupted licenses and essentially "re-activates" them if they‘re disruptive. It‘s a handy quick fix.

Method #3: Check Account Access on Your PS4

Ensuring proper account access can also help:

Sign out of PSN, restart your PS4, and sign back in.
Verify your account that purchased the content is logged in.
Go to Settings > Account Management > Sign In – your account should appear here.
Consider turning off Login Verification to avoid sign-in issues.
Connect online if you were in offline mode to sync latest licenses.

This eliminates any potential access issues that could be interfering.

Method #4: Update Your PS4 System and Games

Another factor could be outdated software disrupting licenses:

Go to Settings > System Update to download the latest PS4 firmware.
Check your Library for game/app updates and install any available.

Updating prevents bugs or incompatibilities from causing conflict. Always stay on the latest versions.

Method #5: Reinstall Affected Games and Apps

If licenses are intact but content is damaged, try reinstalling:

Delete the affected games/apps from your Library.
Redownload them from the PlayStation Store.
Restore licenses again after reinstalling.

This completely renews the affected software, fixing any corruption issues while keeping your saves intact.

Method #6: Initialize (Factory Reset) Your PS4

If all else fails, initializing your PS4 will wipe its software and settings, including any errors:

Back up important data first, if possible to the cloud or external drive.
Go to Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4 > Confirm Initialization.

This will reset your console and resolve any deep-rooted software issues. Re-download your games after.

Method #7: Contact PlayStation Support

If the error persists after trying everything, PlayStation‘s support team may be able to help:

Explain your troubleshooting steps and error details
They can assist with account, licensing, or replacement/refund if content is corrupt
Reach them via live chat, phone, or support ticket 24/7

With access to your account data, Sony can directly fix issues or replace damaged content themselves. Stay persistent if the error is stubborn.

Between the various troubleshooting steps and PlayStation‘s customer support, you have all the tools to overcome this error and regain access to your full PS4 library.

Preventing Future "Cannot Use Content" Errors

Once resolved, avoiding the same frustration again comes down to a few best practices:

Keep your Primary PS4 activation in place permanently, don‘t deactivate.
Check for PS4 system updates and game updates regularly.
Avoid suddenly powering off your PS4 during a download or update.
Use the same account that purchased the games to play them.
Back up licenses before a factory reset using the PS Plus cloud or external drive.
Contact PlayStation Support promptly if the error returns.

Following those simple preventative tips will help you avoid this headache in the future and ensure smooth PS4 gaming.

Fixing "Cannot Use Content" – In Closing

The bottom line – with the right troubleshooting approach, you can resolve the "Cannot use the content" error for good. Begin with simpler license and software fixes before factory resetting your PS4. Check for any account or system changes preceding the issue as clues.

Leverage PlayStation‘s excellent customer service for help investigating deeper causes or replacing damaged content. Persistence and patience pays off.

Stay calm, take it step-by-step, and your digital PS4 library will be restored. Don‘t let this frustrating error disrupt your gaming time any longer. You‘ve got this!