How To Fix PS4 Error NP-34993-8

The PlayStation 4 came out almost a decade ago yet it is still widely used today. PS4 games are affordable and the performance is still good enough for the majority of its users.

Despite being an excellent performer, PS4 users still encounter issues such as the popular error NP-34993-8. If you have a PS4 and have encountered this, then you already know how annoying this error is.

In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to get through error NP-34993-8.

What Is PS4 Error NP-34993-8

The PlayStation Error NP-34993-8 refers to the instance where players could not restore their licenses. This means they cannot play or even launch their game.

Sometimes the error shows up when switching from a primary PlayStation 4 to a secondary PS4 and the account was not unlinked to the previous PS4.

To summarize, this error occurs when the PSN gets confused with the game licenses and the accounts (if it is primary or secondary).

There are several methods to fix the error NP-34993-8 on the PlayStation 4. Here are some of them. Try out each method and see if it works for you.

Method 1 – Check The PlayStation Network Status

A lot of PlayStation errors are caused by a down PlayStation Network and this includes the error NP-34993-8. Before doing something to your PS4 software, check the PSN if it is up or down here.

Wait for a few minutes if the PlayStation Network is down and see if it comes back up. Once all services are up, try to launch a game and see if the error still comes up.

If the PSN network is active yet you are experiencing the error, then it is possibly caused by a software issue on your unit. Try to connect your PS4 via a wired connection and see if it resolves the problem. Use the other method if you still get the error while using a wired connection.

Method 2 – Restart Your PlayStation

The method above mentions checking the PlayStation network first to see if it is not only affecting you but others as well. If it is active, then it is time to restart your PlayStation.

Sometimes restarting your unit would fix a software problem or bug that appears. It is similar to the meme “did you try turning it on and off again”. Only this time, it might actually work.

However, if the error persists after restarting then it is time to proceed to the other methods.

Method 3 – Unlink and Link your PlayStation Account

You may use one PlayStation account on multiple PS4 units. However, you need to set a primary account on the main console you play with. Other consoles with your account will then be the secondary accounts.

Trying to use one account on a different console is fine as long as you have unlinked it on your first console. Failing to do so will result in error NP-34993-8 since there will be a conflict in accounts.

What you need to do is to unlink your account on your first PlayStation 4 by following these steps.

Head on to the PlayStation Network site.
Go to Account Settings.
Remove all devices.
Login to your secondary console and you are done!

You may link and unlink your PlayStation account multiple times if you are doing it on a console. However, if you are doing this method on a PC then you can only do so once every six months.

Method 4 – Switch Around Your WiFi Band

If you are playing wirelessly then you are either connected to a 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi band. These two are the most common internet frequency bands available today.

One way to fix the error NP-34993-8 is to change from 2.4GHz to 5GHz or vice-versa. If your WiFi band is set to automatic then you will have to change it manually to either bands.

Once set to 2.4GHz (if you are coming from Auto or 5GHz), connect your PlayStation to the WiFi and try to launch a game if it works. If not, try 5GHz.

If both manual settings to 2.4GHz or 5GHz do not work, bring your network connection back to Automatic so you would not affect other devices connected to your home network.

Method 5 – Change Your Network DNS

There are network errors that can be fixed by changing your DNS. The Domain Name System affects all websites and changing it might fix error NP-34993-8. However, doing so will also affect other websites so proceed with caution.

Change your network DNS by following these steps.

Open your Network settings by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and typing “Network” then press enter. This will open the Network and Internet settings window.
Navigate to the Status settings. Look for the Change Adapter options and click on it.
Look for your Wi-Fi connection. Right-click on it then click on Properties. This will open the connection properties window of your Wi-Fi.
Scroll down and click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click Properties after.
Navigate below and look for the “Use the following DNS server addresses” option. Click on the dot beside it.
Enter the DNS server number you prefer. Do not forget to input a secondary DNS server. You may choose from the DNS servers below.

Google: 8.8. 8.8 & 8.8. 4.4.
Quad9: 9.9. 9.9 & 149.112. 112.112.
OpenDNS: 208.67. 222.222 & 208.67. 220.220.
Cloudflare: 1.1. 1.1 & 1.0. 0.1.
CleanBrowsing: 185.228. 168.9 & 185.228. 169.9.
Alternate DNS: 76.76. 19.19 & 76.223. 122.150.
AdGuard DNS: 94.140. 14.14 & 94.140.

Click Ok then close the Window.
Connect your PlayStation to the Wi-Fi. Try out a game and see if the error still appears.

Method 6 – Login Using Another PlayStation Account

Sometimes there is a bug wherein your account could not restore its licenses. What you have to do is to log out, log another account in and then log in using your account once again. This refreshes the system and it will re-read your actual account details.

Logout and re-login using these steps.

Go to Power.
Select Log Out of PS4.
Select Choose another account and proceed to log in.
Proceed to the Settings.
Select the PlayStation Network/Account Management settings.
Select the “Activate as Your Primary PS4” option.
Exit the settings.
Choose the game where you are encountering the error and restore licenses.

This does not end here though. Remember this is just an alternate account, you need to go back to your main account. Repeat the steps above, but this time, log in with your main account.

Once you are back to your main account, try to open a game and see if the error still appears.

Method 7 – Initialize PS4 Setting

This should be your last resort since it will bring back your PlayStation 4 to its default settings. It will delete all your files and revert back to a state as if it was brought brand new. This means that you need to back up your data to external storage if you want to keep your files.

Follow these steps to initialize your PlayStation.

Open your PlayStation and go to Settings.
Select Initialization.
Select “Initialize PS4” then proceed with the steps on your screen.
Wait for the process to finish and you are good to go.
Proceed to reinstall your games.

Besides losing files, this method is very crucial. Make sure that you do not disconnect your device from its power. If you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), use it. Losing power while your computer initializes may brick your device. Prepare back-ups or do not do this step if it is raining outside and there is a possibility of power interruption.

Wrapping Up

The PlayStation error NP-34993-8 is difficult to fix and it may even take you to reset your PS4 totally. However, if you proceed with the first few methods, you might not need to go all out and get back to zero.

Let us know in the comments below if these methods worked for you. Do not forget to share other methods that you know of as well.

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What Is PS4 Error NP-34993-8