If you are experiencing PS5 can’t load, something went wrong error on PS5; you are in the right place. We will show you the exact steps to fix this issue. Please follow the below steps to fix PS5 can’t load error:
- Check Internet connectivity
- Check PSN status
- Restart Router and PS5
- Eject and Clean your disk
- Delete saved data for games
- Clear System Software Cache
- Rebuild PS5’s Database
- Delete the entire game and reinstall
- Update your PS5 console and games/apps
- Contact PlayStation Support
When you play PlayStation 5 games, you expect them to work flawlessly. However, sometimes you get stuck with a PS5 error message. You might be wondering, Why does my PS5 keep saying can’t load content? This can happen because of a corrupted file, a damaged system file, or any other issue. We will discuss various methods and explain how to fix PS5 can’t load error and so that you can get back to playing your favorite games again.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to fix the PS5 can’t load error so you can enjoy playing your favorite games again. If you’re experiencing this error message, you should read this article; let’s get right into the first troubleshooting step.
Check Internet connectivity
You can start the troubleshooting with an essential step: checking the internet connectivity of your PS5. You can check your Wi-Fi router to see if it works correctly and establishes the internet connection. Internet connectivity issues can also trigger the ‘PS5 can’t load’ error message.
If you cannot access the internet on your PlayStation 5 console, this might be your issue’s root cause. If you have a wired network setup, ensure that your Ethernet cable is connected correctly. Also, try restarting your router.
Suppose you still can’t access the internet on PS5. In that case, we recommend that you read our detailed guide on How to Fix PS5 Network Issues. Once the internet connectivity issue is fixed, try relaunching your game/app; if it works, congrats, you can carry on with your gaming session. On the other hand, if the problem persists, you can read on for further troubleshooting guidance.
Check PSN status
PlayStation Network services might be down because PS5 can’t connect to PSN services and is throwing the ‘PS5 can’t load’ error message. You can check the status of the PlayStation Network on the official Sony Website. If you see the message “All services are up and running,” you’re all set.
You can also find out the status of the PSN Network by visiting our in-depth article on Is PSN Down? 3 ways to check the PlayStation server status.
After confirming the PlayStation Network Service status, you can go back to your console and try relaunching the game/app on PS5. If the issue persists and your console still says ‘PS5 can’t load’ error message, we have more troubleshooting steps; read on.
Restart Router and PS5
After checking the PSN Status, the next thing that you should do is restart your router and PS5. This will help resolve any connectivity issues between your PS5 and the router. This is one of the easiest ways to fix the PS5 can’t load problem.
To restart your router, press and hold the power button until it turns off completely. Then turn it back on and wait for about 30 seconds before turning it off again.
Restart your PS5 as well. To do this, bring up the quick menu by pressing the PS button on your DualSense controller. Next, select the Power menu. Then choose, Turn Off PS5. After waiting for a minute, Turn on your PS5 by pressing the PS button on the DualSense controller or the power button on your PS5.
Eject and Clean your disk
If you have a PS5 standard edition capable of playing physical disc-based games, then your PS5 might have trouble reading that disc. Take out your video game disc and clean it with a soft cloth such as microfiber cloth in a circular motion starting from the innermost area to resolve this issue. Clean out any dirt that might have accumulated on the disc.
Pro Tip: Always keep a disc inside your PS5 Standard edition so that the dirt accumulation on the PS5’s disc reading lens is minimized. In this way, you can extend the life of your PS5 and its disc reading ability.
Also, please ensure that you keep your physical game disc in their separate boxes only. You should also use the disc with its outer rim only, and you should never touch the flat surface containing the recorded media.
Delete saved data for games
The next troubleshooting option is to delete your saved data for games and apps. Delete this data doesn’t mean that it will delete your entire game. It simply means that the game’s or app’s data, such as your game progression, single-player campaign progress, etc., which are stored on your PS5 console, will be deleted.
We recommend that you back up your game’s saved data to the cloud before deleting saved data. Please note that you will need a PlayStation Plus Membership to backup your data to the cloud. To back up the saved data for games on the PS5 console to the cloud, please follow the below steps:
- Open PS5’s ‘Settings.’
- Then go to ‘Saved data and Game/App settings.’
- After that, go to option ‘saved data (PS5)‘ and select ‘Sync Saved Data.’
- Make sure that ‘Auto-Sync Saved Data‘ is enabled.
Do the same steps for PS4 games and back up the saved data to the cloud.
Now, to delete saved data for games on the PS5 console, please follow the below steps:
- Open PS5 ‘Settings’.
- Go to ‘Storage’ and then the ‘Console Storage.’ Find the option ‘Saved Data‘
- Next chose ‘PS5 games.
- Then select the game causing an error to launch and choose ‘Delete.’
Do the same steps for any PS4 games that throw the PS5 can’t load an error message.
You notice that right beside the ‘delete’ button, there is an option to ‘Upload to Cloud Storage.’ You can use this option to manually back up your saved data for games/apps to the cloud before deleting the saved data.
After following the steps mentioned, your game/app should work, and the error message for PS5 can’t load should also go away. If that’s the case, then congrats, enjoy your game. If you are still facing issues, please read on; we still have plenty of steps.
Clear System Software Cache
The next option is to clear the System Software cache of your PS5. Please note that to clear the system software cache, you need to access safe mode on PS5.
Clearing the cache won’t delete your saved games and files, so you don’t need to be worried about anything while following through the steps.
You might be wondering, How do I clear the cache on PS5. To remove the system software cache of PlayStation 5, please follow the below steps:
- Turn off the console by holding the power button for three seconds. The console will turn off after the power indicator blinks for a few moments.
- Once the console is turned off, press and hold the power button again, keep the button pressed for seven seconds, and release it after the second beep.
- Connect the DualSense controller to the PS5 using the USB cable and press the PS button.
- Select the option – Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
- Lastly, select Clear System Software Cache.
The PS5 will restart and clear the cache files. Once the PS5 is restarted, try relaunching your game to check whether the PS5 can’t load the error message is gone or not. If the issue persists, then read on for further troubleshooting.
Rebuild PS5’s Database
Rebuilding the PS5’s database does not delete any of your game progress, settings, or other information. This means you can follow the steps without worry. This option is also available in safe mode on PS5.
To rebuild the PS5 database, follow the steps below:
- Press and hold the power button for three seconds. After the power indicator blinks for a few moments, the console will turn off.
- Press and hold the power button for seven seconds to turn the console back on, then release it when you hear the second beep.
- By using the USB cable, connect DualSense to PS5 and press the PS button.
- Select the option – Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
- Finally, click Rebuild Database.
The PS5 will rebuild the database and then restart automatically. Try relaunching your game once the PS5 has been restarted to see if the PS5 can’t load the error message has been removed. If the issue persists, then read on for further troubleshooting.
Delete the entire game and reinstall
The next option is to delete the entire game or app from your PS5. Before deleting the entire game or app from PS5, we recommend backing up your game’s saved files to the cloud. You will need a PlayStation Plus Membership to back up your data to the cloud so that you can download it later if needed. To back up the saved data for games on the PlayStation 5 console to the cloud, follow these steps:
- Open PlayStation 5’s ‘Settings’.
- Next open, ‘Saved data and Game/App settings.’
- Then go to option ‘saved data (PS5)‘ and select the option ‘Sync Saved Data.’
Also, back up your saved data to the cloud for PS4 games.
Now to delete the entire game from your PS5, please follow the below steps:
- Open the PS5’s ‘Settings.’
- Next, open the ‘Storage,’ then go to ‘Console Storage‘ and select ‘Games and Apps.’
- Select the game causing the issue and click on ‘Delete.’
- Next, reinstall the game from the game disc or download it again from PS Store.
Update your PS5 console and games/apps
Game Studios generally provides bug fixes and stability patches with each new update. The same is also true for PlayStation 5 console; we recommend that you install the latest firmware on your PS5 to have the latest patches from Sony to address any bugs. We also recommend updating your PS5 games and apps to their latest version.
Updating your games and PS5 console will also ensure that you have the latest features available on your PlayStation 5 console.
Contact PlayStation Support
If your issue is not resolved after following all the above steps, we recommend that you contact PlayStation Support. The official customer service will further help you with your problem. You can read our complete guide at How To Contact PlayStation Support? Via call, chat, tweet, or a letter.
