PS5: "Queued for download" bug plagues consoles — here's a fix

PS5 launch day availability
(Image credit: Sony)

The PS5 has been plagued with a serious download bug since its initial Nov. 12 launch. According to IGN, a large number of reports are centered around PS5 game versions, including Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Demon's Souls and Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered.

Activision advised customers to do a factory reset, which wipes your console and requires you to re-download all your games. Imagine re-downloading 210.7GB worth of COD! Fortunately, Sony took to Twitter to offer a less drastic solution.

Sony offers a solution for frustrating download bug

There are widespread reports of a PS5 bug thwarting gamers from downloading PS5 games. The bug manifests in two forms: a "queued for download" message pops up or a download error appears. In both cases, you'll be prompted to check the downloads menu and you won't see the game.

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The bug causes the game to get stuck in PS5 purgatory — it refuses to download, and it can't be cancelled or restarted. The PS5 library will reveal that you own the game, but when you check the game listing in the PS5 store, it will say you don't own the game, prompting you to purchase it.

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How to fix the bug

@AskPlayStation, the official support Twitter for PlayStation owners, offered a solution to rectify this download error loop. Affected PS5 users must download the latest update, boot the console into safe mode and rebuild the database.

Starting the PS5 in safe mode involves shutting down the console and holding down the power button for seven seconds until you hear two beeps.

The download error is certainly disappointing for many excited gamers who purchased the PS5 at launch, but bugs and glitches are to be expected with the first batch of final-production consoles.

Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!