To redownload a game on PS4, go to your Library, find the game, and select it to start the download again.
Ever deleted a game by mistake or had to clear space, only to regret it later? It happens to the best of us. If you find yourself pondering, “how do you redownload a game on ps4”, you are in the right place!
We will quickly guide you through the process. It’s quite simple and doesn’t take long. No need to worry if your favorite game is gone.
How Do You Redownload a Game on PS4?
Okay, so you’ve got that itch to play an old favorite on your PlayStation 4. Maybe you accidentally deleted it, or you got a new hard drive and needed to start fresh. Don’t worry, getting your games back is usually super easy. Let’s walk through all the ways you can redownload games on your PS4, so you can get back to playing in no time!
Redownloading Games from Your Library
The most common way to get a game back is through your PlayStation Library. This is like a record of all the games you’ve ever bought, downloaded, or even got for free through PlayStation Plus. Think of it as your digital game shelf. Let’s see how to use it:
Finding Your Game in the Library
First, turn on your PS4 and make sure you’re signed in to the PlayStation Network account you used to get the game initially. If you have multiple accounts, it’s super important to use the right one. Here’s what you do:
- Go to the main PS4 menu.
- Scroll over to the “Library” icon (it looks like a little stack of books). Select it.
- Now, you’ll be looking at your library. It may have categories like “Games”, “Applications”, and “PS Plus”. Choose “Games”.
- Scroll through the list of games. You might have a lot, so be patient!
- Look for the game you want to redownload. If it’s not on the main list, look in the “Purchased” or “Not Installed” sections. Sometimes, games get filtered there if they aren’t on your system.
Starting the Download
Once you’ve found your game, selecting it will take you to the game’s page. If the game is not installed, you’ll see a download button. It’s usually an arrow pointing down into a tray. Click the “Download” button and your game will start downloading onto your PS4 again. The download time depends on the size of the game and the speed of your internet connection. Keep an eye on the progress bar in the “Notifications” menu.
Redownloading Games from the PlayStation Store
Sometimes, if a game doesn’t show up in your library, you might need to look in the PlayStation Store. This can happen if there’s a problem with the system recognizing your purchase or if a game was obtained through a code or a promotion and hasn’t fully linked to your account properly.
Finding Your Game in the Store
Here’s what to do:
- From the main menu, scroll to the PlayStation Store icon (it looks like a shopping bag). Select it.
- Use the search function at the top of the store page (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type in the name of the game you want to redownload.
- Find the game in the search results and select it.
Downloading from the Store
If you’ve already bought the game before, instead of seeing a price, the button will likely say “Download.” If the button shows a price, double-check that you’re signed into the correct PlayStation Network account. It’s also possible that you have the game under a different version (like a standard vs. a deluxe edition). Sometimes, you will also see that game is purchased but not installed, in that case you can simply press the download button and install the game on your console. Once you click the download button, the game will begin to redownload just like it did from your library.
What If a Game Doesn’t Appear in the Library or Store?
Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as we want. What if you can’t find the game in either your library or the store?
Checking Your Transaction History
It’s a good idea to check your transaction history first. This helps confirm whether you actually purchased the game with the account you are currently using. Here’s how:
- Go to “Settings” on the main PS4 menu. It looks like a toolbox.
- Go to “Account Management”.
- Select “Account Information.”
- Select “Services List”.
- Go to “Transaction History”.
- Look through the list of transactions. Find the game in question.
If you find the game on this list, it means you did buy it with the current account. If it’s not there, you either bought it with a different account, or it may have been a gift from someone else’s account. In this case, you’ll need to sign in with the correct account to redownload the game.
PlayStation Plus Games
If the game was a free PlayStation Plus game, remember that these games are only available to download while you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription. If your subscription has lapsed, the game will be locked, and you won’t be able to download it. The solution is simple: renew your subscription, and you should be able to download the game from your library again.
Physical Games
If the game was a physical disc, you will need to insert the game into the disc drive of the PS4. This will initiate the download and install process. Even if the game is already installed, having the disc in the drive will allow you to play the game. Without the disc inside the console, you won’t be able to play it.
Tips for a Smoother Download
Downloading games can sometimes take a while. Here are some tips to make things a bit easier:
- Check your internet connection. A slow internet connection is a common reason for long download times. Make sure your PS4 is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or wired connection. Restarting your router can sometimes help.
- Close other applications. Having other games or apps open on your PS4 can slow down the download speed. Close any open applications while you’re downloading.
- Pause and resume. If the download seems stuck, try pausing it for a few seconds and then resuming. This can sometimes fix issues.
- Use rest mode. Your PS4 can download games while in rest mode. This can sometimes make download faster as it frees up resources. Go to “Power Options” and set it to enter rest mode to keep the download going.
Managing Storage Space
PlayStation games can take up a lot of space on your console’s hard drive. Before you start downloading, make sure you have enough space available. Here’s how to check:
Checking Your Storage
- Go to “Settings”.
- Select “Storage”.
- The screen will show how much space you have on your hard drive and what apps and games are taking up the most space.
Freeing Up Space
If you’re running out of space, you may need to delete games or apps you no longer need. Be sure to back up any game saves in the PlayStation cloud (if you have PS Plus) before deleting a game. You can also consider getting an external hard drive if you frequently run into storage issues.
Dealing with Corrupted Game Files
Rarely, a game might have corrupted files. This usually means that something happened during the download process. If this occurs, you may experience error codes or the game may not work properly. If this happens, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:
Deleting the Corrupted Game
Go to “Library”, find the game. Select it and look for “Delete” or “Remove” option. Once you delete it, restart the PS4, then start the download again.
Rebuilding Your Database
Sometimes the PS4’s database gets messed up. Rebuilding it can fix a lot of issues. Here’s how:
- Turn off your PS4 completely. Don’t put it in rest mode; shut it all the way down.
- Press and hold the power button on the console until you hear two beeps. This puts your PS4 into “safe mode”.
- Connect your controller to the console with a USB cable.
- Use the controller to navigate the safe mode menu. Select “Rebuild Database”.
- The PS4 will restart and rebuild its database. This can take some time, so be patient.
After this process, attempt to redownload the game again.
Common Error Codes and What They Mean
Sometimes, you might encounter error codes when trying to download games. These codes give you an idea of what might be going wrong. Here are a few common ones and what to do:
CE-34878-0
This is a general error that often means there’s a software issue. Try restarting your PS4, checking for software updates, and if the problem continues, consider rebuilding the database.
NP-32061-7
This usually indicates a problem with PlayStation Network. Check the PlayStation Network status page to see if there are any reported outages. You can visit their website or check online forums for updates.
Other Error Codes
If you encounter other error codes, the PlayStation website has a database where you can search for the specific error code and find out its meaning. This can also help you find out the solution.
Redownloading a game on your PS4 is generally very simple. Usually, you’ll find the game in your library. You’ll be back in the game in just a little time. If you have any problems, keep the tips and advice we’ve provided in mind, and you’ll almost always find a solution.
How to REINSTALL GAMES on PS4 After deleting them (Redownload Games)
Final Thoughts
To redownload a game on your PS4, first navigate to your Library. Find the game in your purchased list and select it. Then, click the download button.
The download will begin and you can monitor its progress. This process is how you easily redownload any previously acquired game.
Therefore, if you forget how do you redownload a game on ps4, simply check your Library. You can access and reinstall any of your digital content this way.
