PS4 Cannot Activate as Primary [SOLVED]

If you have a PS4 console and you can not activate it as primary. You are in the right place. Here we will talk about how to activate your PS4 as primary if you are getting the error 'Cannot activate this system as your primary PS4'. 

This usually happens when you try to activate your PS4 system. Then you will get this error with a message like this one below;

'Cannot activate this system as your primary PS4'

Your account already has another system activated as your primary PS4. To activate this system, deactivate the other system.

If you do not have access to the other system, you can deactivate it using Sony Interactive Entertainment's account management website Here. For details, refer to the user's guide Here.

Why can't I activate my PS4 as Primary?

The reason you can't activate your PS4 system as Primary is because your sign in ID has another PS4 activated as primary. You can only activate one PS4 system as primary with one sign in ID at a time. 

If you want to activate your PS4 as primary you first have to deactivate the other PS4 that is activated. To deactivate the other PS4 follow the steps below.

1. Go to (Settings)
2. Select [Account Management]
3. Activate your PS4 as Primary
4. Select [Deactivate]

Now that you have deactivated your other PS4 you can activate your PS4 as primary.

I don't remember activating another PS4 as Primary

If you don't remember activating another PS4 as primary then you will have to deactivate it remotely using the SEN website. 

The SEN website offers an option for you to deactivate all activated systems remotely through the there website. You can do this by following the steps below.

1. Click this link and sign into SEN [Account Management].
2. On your left pane click Device management. (it should ask for your password again, just re-enter your password).
3. Click PlayStation consoles. (Now this should show you the consoles you have activated).
   
   
   
   
4. Now click on Deactivate All Devices. (This will deactivate all devices activated with your sign in ID).
   
   
   

You can now activate your PS4 as primary as you have deactivated all the other consoles. To activate your PS4 as primary follow the steps below:

1. Go to (Settings)
2. Select [Account Management]
3. Activate your PS4 as Primary
4. Select [Activate]

Why are my games locked after activating my PS4 as Primary?

If your games are locked even after you have activated your PS4 as primary, then you will have to restore licenses. To restore licenses on your PS4 follow the steps below.

1. Go to (Settings)
2. Select [Account Management]
3. Followed by [Restore Licenses]. You should be prompted with the message
   'If you become unable to use content you download from PlayStation Store, there might be a problem with the licenses for the content. Try restoring the licenses.
   If you select Restore, all applications on use will be closed'
   
4. Select [Restore]

Your games should now be unlocked.

Final Thought

We have seen that If the PS4 is unable to activate as primary then there is another PS4 which is activated as primary. The real solution here is to deactivate all consoles activated with your sign in ID as you can only activate one PS4 as primary with one Sign in ID.