As a tech specialist and avid PlayStation gamer, I know firsthand how frustrating the NP-34958-9 error can be. This vague ‘an error has occurred’ message blocks access to your digital games and PlayStation Network.
In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you’ll learn exactly what causes the NP-34958-9 error on PS4 and how to finally fix it for good. I’ll draw upon my years of experience in IT support and gaming to provide detailed solutions tailored specifically to resolving this pesky PS4 error code.
What Causes NP-34958-9 Errors on PlayStation 4?
Before we dive into fixing the NP-34958-9 error, it helps to understand what causes it in the first place.
This error stems from network communication issues between your PS4 and Sony‘s licensing servers. It‘s unable to verify your entitlements and licenses for digital games and content.
Specifically, the NP-34958-9 error tends to occur when:
-
Attempting to play games purchased through the PlayStation Store – you‘ll see “Cannot use the content. To use the content, purchase it” even though you own the game.
-
Trying to activate or deactivate your PS4 as the primary system under Account Management.
-
Downloading new games and content from the PlayStation Store.
-
Making purchases on the PlayStation Store.
-
Connecting to PlayStation Network (PSN) in general.
So in summary, this error means your PS4 can‘t contact Sony‘s servers properly to check your licenses due to network connectivity problems.
What are some reasons for this connectivity failure?
-
DNS server issues – Your ISP‘s default DNS servers may be down or misconfigured.
-
Strict router firewall settings – Ports may be blocked that PS4 needs access to.
-
WiFi interference – Wireless congestion or obstructions disrupting the signal.
-
ISP outages – General internet connectivity problems outside of your home network.
-
PSN service issues – Problems on Sony‘s end with their licensing servers.
-
Corrupted data – Glitches or bugs in your PS4‘s firmware or games.
-
Multiple primary PS4s – Having more than one "primary" console activated causes conflicts.
Understanding the source of the problem will help guide us toward the right solution. Now let‘s dig into the steps for how to fix NP-34958-9 and get back to gaming!
4 Ways to Fix NP-34958-9 Error on PS4
I recommend following these 4 troubleshooting steps in order to resolve the NP-34958-9 error:
1. Restart Your PS4
The first thing to try is simply restarting your PlayStation 4:
-
Press and hold the power button on your PS4 for at least 7 seconds until you hear two beeps. This will fully power down the console.
-
Unplug the power cable from the back of your PS4 for 30 seconds. This clears any built up static charge.
-
Plug the power cable back in, wait for the PS4 logo to load, and try accessing your digital games.
Restarting the system can clear out any corrupted data or temporary network bugs causing the problems. It‘s a quick first step that fixes many error codes.
Tip: You can also restart your PS4 from the Settings menu, but I recommend a full reboot for error code troubleshooting.
2. Reset Your Router to Factory Defaults
Issues with your internet router are a common source of problems connecting to PSN. Resetting the router can clear out any bad configurations causingconflicts:
-
Locate the small reset button on the back of your wireless router, usually near the ports.
-
Press and hold the button with a pin or paperclip for up to 30 seconds until the router powers off.
-
Wait about 1 minute for the router to reboot itself. The lights will indicate when it‘s back up.
-
Reconnect your PS4 to the router and test if the error persists.
Resetting the router flushes out any corrupted DNS cache, port forwarding rules, and other settings that may be blocking connectivity. The downside is you‘ll need to reconfigure your WiFi SSID and password afterwards.
3. Change DNS Settings on PS4
Manually overriding the default DNS servers assigned by your ISP often resolves license verification problems:
-
Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection on your PS4.
-
Select your active internet connection (WiFi or LAN). Choose "Custom" instead of "Automatic".
-
Configure DNS settings to "Manual" instead of automatic.
-
Enter 8.8.8.8 as the Primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as Secondary DNS.
-
Save your settings and test if NP-34958-9 is fixed.
Google‘s public DNS servers are reliable and fast. Using them circumvents any issues caused by your ISP‘s default DNS servers.
4. Deactivate and Reactivate Your Primary PS4
If your PSN licenses have become de-synced or corrupted, this will fully reset them:
-
On a browser, sign into your Sony account and visit Account Settings > Device Management.
-
Select “Deactivate All Devices” to remove your PS4 and any others linked to your account.
-
On your PS4, go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
Deactivating and freshly activating your PS4 forces your licenses to resync correctly. It‘s an effective last resort if you can‘t fix the error otherwise.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Stubborn NP-34958-9 Errors
For those hard to crack cases, here are some additional advanced troubleshooting steps:
-
Assign a static IP address – Use a manual IP instead of DHCP in your PS4 network settings to prevent conflicts.
-
Enable UPnP – Ensure UPnP is enabled in your router admin interface to allow communication on key ports.
-
Port forwarding – Forward ports 80, 443, 3478, 3479, and 3659 in your router config for improved connectivity.
-
Use a wired connection – Plug your PS4 directly into the router with an Ethernet cable to isolate any WiFi issues.
-
Rebuild PS4 database – Boot into Safe Mode, choose Rebuild Database, and say yes to scan for corruption.
-
Initialize PS4 – As a last resort, choose Initialize PS4 (Factory Reset) to wipe everything from the system.
-
Contact Sony support – If all else fails, reach out to PlayStation customer service for further specialized assistance.
Following this progressive approach should resolve even stubborn occurrences of the NP-34958-9 error in virtually every case.
FAQs About NP-34958-9 Error Code on PS4
Here I‘ll answer some frequently asked questions about fixing error code NP-34958-9:
What is the NP-34958-9 error code on PS4?
NP-34958-9 is a generic networking error indicated by the message "An error has occurred". It blocks access to content purchased through the PlayStation Store.
Why does my PS4 get this error even with internet access?
The error is caused by problems communicating with PSN for license verification, not general internet connectivity. Your network may seem fine for browsing but still have issues connecting to Sony‘s servers.
Does restoring my PS4 fix the NP-34958-9 error code?
Initializing (factory resetting) your PS4 will wipe its data and require re-downloading games, so only use it as a last resort after trying other troubleshooting.
Can I fix it without PlayStation Network access?
Unfortunately you need an internet connection for the solutions since the error relates specifically to contacting PSN. Using a phone as a WiFi hotspot can help diagnose router-related problems.
How can I prevent this error code in the future?
Restarting your PS4 and router regularly can prevent many issues. Making sure only one PS4 is set as your primary system also avoids problems.
In Conclusion
I hope this guide gives you a full understanding of what causes NP-34958-9 errors on PS4 and actionable steps to finally eliminate it.
The key is methodically troubleshooting your network connection and manually resyncing licenses. Patience and persistence is key, since the fix may be different case by case.
Please let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for resolving this pesky PS4 error code! I‘m happy to help fellow gamers get back to enjoying their digital libraries.
