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How to Fix Cannot Use the Content Error on PS4

Lim How Wei
June 8, 2023

Are you getting a “Cannot use the content” error on PlayStation 4?

The error code happens when you try to play digital games on your PS4.

It can also happen when you try to activate or deactivate my PlayStation as “Primary”.

If you try to play a game that you’ve purchased, you will get this message.

It persists even though you have access to the internet and the PlayStation Store.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix the “Cannot use the content” error on PS4 or PlayStation Network (PSN).

How to Fix Cannot Use the Content Error on PS4

To fix the cannot use the content error on PS4, you need to activate your PS4 as your primary system.

If you can’t, you can try changing your Primary DNS to 1.1.1.1 and Secondary DNS to 1.0.0.1.

You can also try using your mobile hotspot or deactivating all consoles linked to your account.

Fix 1: Activate your PS4 as your primary system

  1. Open your PS4 settings.
  2. Select “Account Management”.
  3. Select “Activate as Your Primary PS4”.
  4. Select “Activate” followed by “Change to This PS4”.

Tip: If you can’t activate your PS4 as your primary system, follow the fixes below.

Fix 2: Change your DNS

  1. PS4’s settings menu > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  2. Select Wi-Fi or LAN, depending on your connection type.
  3. IP address setting: Custom.
  4. DHCP Host Name: Do Not Specify.
  5. DNS settings: Manual.
  6. Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1.
  7. Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1.

Tip: If the above DNS doesn’t work, try setting 8.8.8.8 as your Primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as your Secondary DNS.

Fix 3: Connect to your mobile hotspot

  1. Turn on your mobile hotspot (on iOS/Android).
  2. PS4’s settings menu > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  3. Select “Use Wi-Fi” and select your mobile hotspot’s name.
  4. Activate your PS4 as your primary system.

Tip: After you’ve connected to your phone’s hotspot, wait a little while, and activate your PlayStation as your primary system and you can play games again (you can connect back to your Wi-Fi after).

Fix 4: Deactivate all consoles linked to your account

  1. Go to the PlayStation website and sign into your account.
  2. Click on your profile picture > Account settings > Device Management.
  3. Select “PlayStation Consoles” and select “Deactivate All Devices”.
  4. Go back to your PS4 > Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.

Further reading

How to Fix NP-34958-9 Error Code on PS4

How To Fix PS4 Error WS-37368-7

How to Fix PS4 Error CE-30005-8

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About the author

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Lim How Wei

Lim How Wei is the founder of followchain.org, with 8+ years of experience in Social Media Marketing and 4+ years of experience as an active investor in stocks and cryptocurrencies. He has researched, tested, and written thousands of articles ranging from social media platforms to messaging apps.

Lim has been quoted and referenced by major publications and media companies like WikiHow, Fast Company, HuffPost, Vice, New York Post, The Conversation, and many others. One of his articles about the gig economy was quoted by Joe Rogan who hosts The Joe Rogan Experience (arguably the most popular podcast in the world), in the This Past Weekend podcast by Theo Von.

In his free time, Lim plays multiple games like Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Hearthstone, RuneScape, and many others. He creates guides, walkthroughs, solutions, and more on games that he plays to help other players with their progression.