Fix PS4 Error WS-43699-1 After Buying a Game

Quick answer: Sign in to the account that bought the game, then go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses > Restore. If the purchase still is not available, verify that this console is activated as that account’s Primary PS4.

Before you start

• Confirm the purchase completed in the correct PlayStation account’s transaction history.
• Check that any PlayStation Plus membership required for the title is active.
• Check PlayStation Network status and wait if Store or account services are disrupted.

How to fix WS-43699-1

1. On the PS4 home screen, open Settings.
2. Choose Account Management.
3. Select Restore Licenses, then Restore. PlayStation states that restoring licenses does not affect your data.
4. Return to Library > Purchased, find the game, and retry the download.
5. If it is still missing, go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PlayStation 4.
6. Select Activate. If another console is already primary, review the activation carefully before changing it.
7. Restart the PS4 and retry from Library.

Why this works

A PlayStation Store purchase is controlled by the account’s license, not only by files on the console. Restore Licenses refreshes that entitlement record. Primary PS4 activation allows purchased applications and some subscription benefits to be used on that console, including by other local users where applicable.

Alternatives

• Unhide the game if it was hidden from the library.
• Confirm the game was not claimed from a subscription tier that has expired or changed catalog availability.
• Update PS4 system software.
• Pause and resume a download; if it never starts, cancel the incomplete queue item and start it again from Library.
• Contact PlayStation Support with the transaction, account, and error code if ownership is correct but the license will not restore.

Warnings and undo

Do not deactivate another person’s console or remove an account without permission. A PSN account can have only one Primary PS4 at a time. To undo activation on this console, return to the same menu and choose Deactivate. Restoring licenses itself does not delete saves or installed games.

FAQ

Will Restore Licenses delete my saves?

No. PlayStation explicitly says the process does not affect data.

Why is the game missing after purchase?

Common causes include the wrong purchasing account, an incomplete transaction, a subscription condition, hidden library content, or a license that needs refreshing.

Can two PS4 consoles be primary for one account?

No. PlayStation allows one Primary PS4 per account.

Official references

• PlayStation: Restore licenses
• PlayStation: Activate a Primary PS4
• PlayStation: Troubleshoot Store downloads

Source video

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