Are you getting the “CE-30005-8” error on your PS4?
Here’s the full error message, “Cannot start the application. (CE-30005-8)”.
The error occurs while your console is accessing the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Blu-ray/DVD Drive.
This means that your console is unable to read the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Blu-ray/DVD Drive.
The “CE-30005-8” error occurs because of a couple of reasons.
Firstly, your disk might be unclean, scratched, or damaged.
Secondly, the saved data in the game might be corrupted.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix the PS4 error CE-3005-8 (Cannot start the application).
How to fix PS4 error CE-3005-8
To fix the PS4 error CE-3005-8, you can either clean your disk, delete corrupted saved data, or rebuild your PS4 Database.
The error means that your console is unable to read the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Blu-ray/DVD Drive.
This is usually due to an unclean, scratched, or damaged disk.
If the disk that you’ve inserted is unclean, your console will have trouble reading it.
As a result, you’ll get the “CE-3005-8” error.
Secondly, if the game’s saved data is corrupted, you’ll get the error as well.
To fix this, you need to delete the corrupted saved data from your settings.
You can access the game’s saved data by navigating to settings > application saved data management > saved data in system storage > delete.
Then, select the game and delete its corrupted saved data.
Lastly, PS4 support recommends that you rebuild the system’s database via Safe Mode option 5.
Here are 3 methods to fix PS4 error CE-3005-8:
1. Eject & clean your disk

The first method is to eject and clean your disk.
This method is recommended by PS4 support.
If your disk is unclean, scratched, or damaged, your console will have trouble reading it.
As a result, you’ll get the “CE-3005-8” error.
To fix this, you need to clean your disk.
To clean your disk, you can use an eyeglass cloth.
When you’re cleaning your disk, make sure that you hold its rim.
Avoid using solvents and machines to clean your disk as they might further damage it.
After you’ve cleaned your disk, insert it back in your console.
If you’re still getting the “CE-3005-8” error, you can try using the next method to fix it.
2. Delete corrupted saved data

The second method is to delete corrupted saved data.
If your game contains corrupted saved data, you’ll get the “CE-3005-8” error.
To fix it, you need to delete the corrupted saved data in your game.
To do so, you need to go to your settings.
Firstly, go to the home screen of your PlayStation and navigate to the top bar.
Once you’re at the top bar, scroll to the right until you see the “Settings” icon.
Select the “Settings” icon to open your settings.

After you’ve selected the “Settings” icon, you’ll land on the settings page.
On the settings page, you’ll see multiple settings.
This includes “Login Settings”, “Network”, “Notifications”, and more.
Scroll down the page and select the “Application Saved Data Management” option.
On the “Application Saved Data Management” page, you’ll be able to manage your saved data.

After you’ve selected the “Application Saved Data Management” option, you’ll land on the “Application Saved Data Management” page.
On the page, you’ll see four options.
This includes “Saved Data in System Storage”, “Saved Data in Online Storage”, “Saved Data on USB Storage Device”, and “Auto-Upload”.
The “Saved Data in System Storage” allows you to manage your saved data.
Select “Saved Data in System Storage” to manage your saved data.

After you’ve selected “Saved Data in System Storage”, you’ll land on the “Saved Data in System Storage” page.
On the page, you’ll see three options.
This includes “Upload to Online Storage”, “Copy to USD Storage Device”, and “Delete”.
Since you need to delete your game’s corrupted saved data, select “Delete”.

After you’ve selected “Delete”, you’ll land on the “Delete Saved Data (System Storage” page.
On the page, you’ll see a list of your games.
You need to select the game that contains corrupted saved data.
Scroll down the list until you find the game that contains corrupted saved data (e.g., Battlefield 4, Grand Theft Auto V).
Then, press “X” on your controller to select it.

After you’ve selected the game, you’ll see a list of its saved data.
Now, you need to find the saved data that says “Corrupted”.
Then, select the corrupted saved data and select “Delete” to delete it.
If there aren’t any corrupted saved data, you can skip this method.
After you’ve deleted the corrupted saved data, you can try playing the game again.
This time, you shouldn’t get the “CE-30005-8” error.
If the error message persists, you can try the next method to fix it.
3. Rebuild your PS4 Database

The final method is to rebuild your PS4 Database.
Similar to the first method, this method is recommended by PS4 support.
You should try this method if your disk is in good condition.
To begin with, you need to turn off your console.
To do so, go to the PlayStation home screen and scroll up to the top bar.
Then, scroll to the extreme right of the top bar and select the “Power” icon.
After you’ve selected the “Power” icon, select “Power Options”.
Next, select “Turn Off PS4” to turn off your console.
Once your console is turned off, you need to start it in safe mode.
To do so, press and hold the power button on your console until you hear two beeps.

After you’ve pressed and held the power button on your console for more than 5 seconds, it’ll start in safe mode.
Now, you’ll see a message asking you to connect your controller to the USB cable.
After you’ve connected your controller to the USB cable, press the PS button.
Then, the “Safe Mode” menu will open containing several options.
The options include “Restart PS4”, “Change Resolution”, “Update System Software”, and more.
Select the “Rebuild Database” option to rebuild the system’s database.
It might take a few hours for the database to be rebuilt.
Once the database is rebuilt, you’ll land on the welcome screen.
Press the PS button on your controller and try to start the game.
This time, you shouldn’t get the “CE-30005-8” error.
You’ve successfully learned how to fix the “CE-30005-8” error on your PS4!
Conclusion
Before you insert any disk to your PS4, PS4 Pro, or PS5, make sure that it is clean.
Otherwise, your console may have trouble accessing it.
You can use an eyeglass cloth to clean a disk.
When cleaning the disk, make sure that you hold it by the rim.
If you’re using water to clean the disk, make sure that it’s dry before you insert it into your console.
If the “CE-30005-8” error persists even after cleaning the disk, deleting corrupted saved data, and rebuilding your database, you need to contact PlayStation support.
You can contact PlayStation support by clicking on this link: https://www.playstation.com/support/.
Further reading
How to Recover Your PSN Account Without Email or Password