PS4 "Application cannot be launched" error

How to Fix PS4: Application cannot be launched — complete solution

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-12-14 19:39:02

🎮 Stop the Interruption: Complete Guide to Fixing PS4 Error "Application Cannot Be Launched"

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) remains a formidable console, offering a vast library of games, from massive online experiences like Destiny 2 to rich single-player adventures. However, many users periodically encounter the frustrating, generic error message: “Application Cannot Be Launched (CE-38612-0 or NP-34993-8).”This error is a universal sign that the PS4 operating system (Orbis OS) is unable to initialize or execute a game or application. It effectively locks you out of your purchased content. Unlike a network error, this issue is nearly always rooted in corrupted data—either a damaged license token, a fractured system file, or a corrupted database index that prevents the console from correctly accessing the required game files on the hard drive.This comprehensive, human-optimized guide will explain the technical context, detail the causes of this critical launch failure, and provide a systematic, step-by-step troubleshooting plan to definitively resolve the “Application Cannot Be Launched” error and get you back into your games on the PlayStation 4 platform.

💥 Understanding the Context: The Application Launch Failure

When you press "X" on a game icon, the PS4 performs a rapid series of checks before the game can load:
  • License Check: The console verifies with PlayStation Network (PSN) that your account owns the digital license for the game.
  • File Integrity Check: The console reads the local hard drive to ensure all necessary game files are present and undamaged.
  • Database Lookup: The system's internal database (the index of all installed content) provides the exact path and parameters to launch the game's executable file.
    • The Problem: The "Application Cannot Be Launched" error is typically triggered when the console fails during the File Integrity Check or the Database Lookup. The system finds the application but cannot successfully execute the launch command because the necessary pathways are broken or the files themselves are unreadable.

    📉 Core Causes of Application Launch Failure

    Identifying the source of the launch failure is key to selecting the most effective fix.
    Problem AreaDetailed Explanation (Simple Technical View)
    Corrupted DatabaseThe PS4 maintains a database of all installed content. If this index is corrupted (due to improper shutdowns or system glitches), the console loses the correct path to the game's executable file.
    Damaged Installation FilesThe game installation files on the hard drive (HDD/SSD) are corrupted. This often occurs during incomplete downloads, interrupted updates, or when the console is unplugged during a write operation.
    Invalid License TokensFor digitally purchased games, the local license file can become stale or invalid. The console needs a forced refresh of these licenses via the PSN servers.
    Faulty Hard Drive/SSDIf the PS4’s internal storage media is failing, the console attempts to read a damaged sector, resulting in a read error that halts the application launch.
    External Drive IssuesIf the game is on an external USB hard drive, disconnection, poor cable connection, or drive corruption can prevent access.

    ⚡ Quick Fix for Impatient Users: License Refresh

    If you just want to play immediately, try the fastest and most common fix for digital license issues:
  • Restore Licenses: Go to Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses.
  • Select Restore. This forces the PS4 to communicate with PSN and re-download all your digital ownership tokens, often resolving conflicts that prevent launching.

    • PS4 "Application cannot be launched" error 2

    🛠️ Detailed Solutions: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

    If the quick fix fails, follow these steps sequentially, moving from simple data fixes to more complex database repairs.

    Step 1: Full System Power Cycle and Hard Drive Check

    A simple reboot can sometimes clear temporary glitches.

    1. Turn the PS4 completely OFF (do not use Rest Mode).
    2. Unplug the console from the wall outlet and the TV for 5 minutes.
    3. Plug everything back in and restart the PS4.

    Step 2: Delete and Reinstall the Application

    If the error is isolated to a single application, the installation files are likely the problem.

    1. Navigate to the problematic game icon on the home screen.
    2. Press the Options button on your controller.
    3. Select Delete (or Delete Application).
    4. Re-download and reinstall the game completely from your Library.

    Step 3: Verify Primary PS4 Activation

    If your console is not set as your Primary PS4, it may struggle with license checks.

    1. Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
    2. If it is already activated, select Deactivate, wait 5 seconds, and then select Activate again to refresh the console's primary status.

    Step 4: Use Safe Mode to Rebuild Database

    This is the most critical fix for errors caused by a corrupted index file.This step is non-destructive to your files but re-indexes everything .

    1. Turn the PS4 completely OFF (do not use Rest Mode).
    2. Press and hold the power button, releasing it only after you hear the second beep (about 7 seconds later). This launches Safe Mode.
    3. Connect your DualShock controller via a USB cable.
    4. Select Option 5: Rebuild Database.
    5. Allow the console to complete the rebuild. This re-indexes the entire hard drive, which often fixes broken launch paths.

    Step 5: Check and Repair External Storage (External Drive Variant)

    If the problematic application is stored on an external USB drive:

    1. Go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.
    2. Select the external drive and choose Stop Using This Extended Storage.
    3. Turn the PS4 completely off. Disconnect the drive.
    4. Reconnect the drive and turn the PS4 back on. Go to the same settings menu and choose Start Using This Extended Storage to re-mount the drive cleanly.

    Step 6: Initialize PS4 (Last Resort)

    If all other software fixes fail, a full factory reset may be required to fix deep-seated system software corruption. Warning: This deletes ALL user data, games, and saved files on the console.

    1. Back up all your save data to the Cloud (PS Plus) or a USB drive.
    2. Enter Safe Mode (Step 4).
    3. Select Option 6: Initialize PS4 (this wipes all user data and restores default settings).

    🔄 Alternative Solutions: Hardware Diagnostics

    If the error returns immediately after a full database rebuild or initialization, the issue is likely hardware-related:

    • Replace the Internal Drive: The most common hardware cause is the internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD) itself failing. Replace the drive with a new, compatible HDD or, ideally, a Solid State Drive (SSD) for improved performance and reliability. You will need to download the PS4 system software onto a USB drive to install the new drive.
    • Inspect Disc Drive (Disc Variant): If the error only affects physical games, ensure the disc drive's laser is clean and the disc itself is free of scratches.

    🛡️ How to Avoid Future Launch Errors

    Proactive maintenance can dramatically reduce the occurrence of file and database corruption.

    • Never Unplug the Console: Always use the proper shutdown procedure (Power > Power Options > Turn Off PS4). If you live in an area with frequent power outages, invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
    • Regular Database Rebuilds: Make it a habit to perform a Database Rebuild (Safe Mode Option 5) once every 3–6 months. This keeps the index clean and optimized.
    • Keep Saves Synced: Ensure your PS Plus subscription is active and that Auto-Sync is enabled (Settings > Saved Data Application Settings) to always have a clean, cloud backup of your progress.

    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Will rebuilding the database delete my games?

    No. Rebuilding the database is non-destructive. It merely re-scans the hard drive and updates the index of where all your games and save files arelocated. Your data remains intact.

    Why does this error happen more often after a power outage?

    A power outage interrupts the hard drive's write cycle. If the consolewas saving a game or updating system files, the files being written areleft incomplete or "corrupted" when the power is abruptly cut.

    Is this error the same as the "Corrupted Data" error?

    The errors are related. "Data Corrupted" is usually a specific filefailure. "Application Cannot Be Launched" is a broader error that oftenoccurs because the system is trying to execute a command that leads it to corrupted data or a broken index.

    ✅ Conclusion and Call to Action

    The “Application Cannot Be Launched” error on the PS4 is a clear symptom of a critical digital data failure, but the powerful Safe Mode tools, particularly Option 5: Rebuild Database, are designed specifically to fix it. By systematically applying license refreshes and database repairs, you can ensure your console’s libraryremains fully accessible.

    Tired of losing valuable gaming time to cryptic errors?

    ➡️ If you have completed the Database Rebuild but the error is stillpreventing a specific game from launching, tell me if the game is a disc or digital download, and I will guide you on the final hardware check:determining if your internal hard drive is failing!

    Mode:
    Video preview▶


    Other Articles Related

    How to Fix PS4: Application cannot be launched — complete solution
    Fix the  Application cannot be launched  error on PS4 with our easy troubleshooting guide. Get back to gaming in no time!
    How To Fix PS4 Error WS-44749-8
     Resolve How To Fix PS4 Error WS-44749-8 and easily with our comprehensive guide and enjoy uninterrupted gaming.
    How To Fix Playstation Network 80710d23 Error
    Our step-by-step guide will help you troubleshoot and get How To Fix Playstation Network 80710d23 Error
    How To Fix PS4 Remote Play Won’t Connect
    Get the answers you need How To Fix PS4 Remote Play Won’t Connect. Get your PS4 Remote Play up.
    How to Fix AEW Fight Forever Crashing on PS4
    Learn How to Fix AEW Fight Forever Crashing on PS4! Our step-by-step guide will help you get the game running again in no time.
    How to Fix PS4 Error Code SU-34914-1
    Check out our step-by-step guide on How to Fix PS4 Error Code SU-34914-1 and get back to playing your favorite games.
    How to Fix PS4 Error CE-30005-8
    Check out our guide on How to Fix PS4 Error CE-30005-8 and get back to playing your favorite games.
    How to Fix Can’t Activate PS4 as Primary PS4
    Our guide will show you How to Fix Can’t Activate PS4 as Primary PS4 in no time. 
    How to Fix NP-34954-5 Error Code on PS4
    Learn How to Fix NP-34954-5 Error Code on PS4 and get back to playing your favorite games with ease.
    How to Fix PS4 Cannot Use the Content
    Our guide will provide you with simple and effective solutions to help How to Fix PS4 Cannot Use the Content. 
    How To Link Intrepid Account to Steam in Ashes of Creation
    Connect your Intrepid account to Steam for Ashes of Creation! Follow our simple guide to link accounts, enabling seamless access, pre-order bonuses,and future beta participation.
    “Data corrupted” error on PS5: how to fix it step by step
    Fix the  Data corrupted  error on your PS5 with our step-by-step guide. Get your console back to gaming in no time!
    Error 0xc0000005 on Windows: definitive solution
    Fix Error 0xc0000005 on your PC with our guide. Discover effective solutions to resolve this common issue
    All Weapons in Verso’s Drafts DLC in Clair Obscur Expedition 33
    Master every new tool of war. Dive into our complete guide to all weapons inVerso's Drafts DLC for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, covering stats,upgrades, and how to unlock each powerful armament.
    Error 0x87e50007 on Xbox Series/One: How to Fix It
    Fix Error 0x87e50007 on Xbox with our step-by-step guide. Troubleshoot and resolve this issue quickly