PlayStation 4 Error Code NP-40831-8: How to Fix It

Easy 10-20 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
NP-40831-8
Brand
PlayStation 4
Product Type
game_platform
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Fix Time
10-20 minutes
PlayStation 4 error code NP-40831-8 means your console cannot verify the licenses for your downloaded games or content, which prevents you from launching or accessing them. This typically happens after a system restore, when signing into a new PS4, or when your primary console setting has changed. The good news is this is almost always fixable at home in just a few minutes by restoring your licenses through the PlayStation Network settings.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code NP-40831-8

  1. Check PSN Server Status

  2. Make Sure You Are Signed In to PSN

    Make sure you are signing in with the correct PSN account. Restoring licenses on the wrong account will not unlock content purchased on a different account.

  3. Restore Licenses

    Do not power off your PS4 while the license restore is in progress. Interrupting the process could cause additional errors.

  4. Set Your PS4 as Your Primary Console

  5. Deactivate Other Consoles via PlayStation Website

    You can only use the self-service deactivation tool once every six months. If you need to deactivate sooner, you will need to contact PlayStation Support directly.

  6. Delete and Re-download the Affected Game or Content

    Deleting a game removes all locally saved data for that game unless it has been backed up to PlayStation Plus cloud storage or a USB drive. Back up your saves before deleting if you want to preserve your progress.

  7. Rebuild the PS4 Database in Safe Mode

    Rebuilding the database does not delete your games or saved data, but it reorganizes system files. Ensure your PS4 stays powered on for the entire process.
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When to Call a Professional

Contact PlayStation Support (support.playstation.com) if you have completed all steps and still cannot access your content, if your account has been compromised or you cannot sign in, if the Deactivate All option is not available and you cannot access your old primary console, or if you suspect a hardware issue with your PS4's hard drive is preventing proper license verification. PlayStation Support agents can manually deactivate consoles and investigate account-level license issues that cannot be resolved through the console settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PS4 error NP-40831-8 mean?
Error NP-40831-8 means your PS4 could not verify or restore the licenses for your downloaded games or content. This is usually caused by a change in your primary console setting, signing in on a new PS4, or a temporary PSN connectivity issue. Restoring your licenses through Settings > Account Management fixes this in most cases.
Will restoring licenses delete my games or saved data?
No. Restoring licenses only refreshes the digital entitlement records for your account — it does not delete any installed games, apps, or saved game data on your PS4. Your progress and downloads remain intact.
Why do I keep getting NP-40831-8 after restoring licenses?
If the error keeps coming back, the most common reasons are that your PS4 is not set as your primary console, you are playing on a secondary console without an internet connection, or there is a persistent PSN server issue. Make sure to set your current PS4 as primary and check PSN server status at status.playstation.com.
Can I fix NP-40831-8 without an internet connection?
Partially. If your PS4 is set as your Primary Console, you can play your downloaded games offline without license verification. However, to actually restore licenses and resolve the error permanently, your PS4 needs an active internet connection to communicate with PSN servers.
How many times can I restore licenses on PS4?
You can run the Restore Licenses process as many times as needed — there is no limit. However, the self-service tool to deactivate all consoles on your account (via the PlayStation website) is limited to once every six months. If you need to deactivate consoles more frequently, you must contact PlayStation Support directly.

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