Common problems with PSN

Online ID can not be used

The phrase “The online ID you entered cannot be used” is very common when you are trying to sign up for a Playstation Network account. It may be because the ID you want does not meet the rules or simply that it is already taken by someone else.

You will need to choose another ID. Suggestions:

  • Try adding numbers e.g. billy888
  • Try adding hyphens (-) or underscores (_) e.g. billy_the-kid
  • Does your ID contain words? Some words/terms are not allowed e.g. “PS3″

Accept the terms/agreement/policy using the Master Account

Sometimes the Playstation Network terms of service/conditions/user agreement/privacy policy will change and you will be required to accept the changes. On a Master Account (see differences between master and sub accounts), when you next log in, you automatically get prompted to read and accept the new terms.

However on a Sub Account it’s different because it is supervised by a Master Account. Before a Sub Account can go online it will be told to accept the new terms using the associated Master Account. You will need to first log in to the Master Account and accept the terms, which then allows the Sub Account to log in.

All Sub Accounts have an associated Master Account. If you no longer know the Master details, you will need to contact Playstation support and ask for help tracking down the Master details. If you do know the Master details but the account is no longer on your PS3, you can try logging in to the Playstation Store using your computer’s browser.

Profile name

The online ID (profile name) that you choose when signing up for a Playstation Network account gets locked in. There is no facility to edit/change the ID. So pick one you are not going to regret ;)

Profile avatar

It’s possible to change your PSN avatar, but the images are restricted to those provided by Sony. It’s not currently possible to use your own image; we assume this is to prevent “improper” avatars.

Parental control restrictions

We’re putting together information about this. Check the below for comments from users with this problem.

Country not available when signing up

If your country is not available as an option when signing up to Playstation Network (see list of supported countries) then you are out of luck. However, if you are willing to go against the terms and conditions–which tell you not to provide incorrect details–then it is possible to sign up using details that are valid for another country (e.g. United States). Search online to find more information.

Communication with the server

In April 2011 Sony disabled PSN services to investigate an attack. During the outage you may not be able to sign into PSN, play online, or create accounts. The most common error codes were:

80710A06
80023121

Sometimes you may get these errors:

An error occurred during communication with the server.
This is a DNS error.
(8002AE1D)

An error occurred during communication with the server.
This is a DNS error.
(8002AF02)
(Signing into PSN account)

An error occurred during communication with the server.
This is a DNS error.
(80710102)

An error occurred during the download operation.
(80710102)
(Downloading from PS Store)

It seems to only happen occasionally and most likely due to the PSN servers having some temporary glitches. Try again, but if the problem persists you may need to come back later.

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  • Guest

    I have a ps3 and it keeps telling me that my street address is invalid when i am trying to set up a new psn. What can i do to fix it or even just get by it?

    • Chenier_guy

      did you fix the problem with the address cause i cant figure it out either 

      • Chenier_guy

        i dont no it keeps telling me its invalid but i no its not i lived here for a long time 

  • MAKALA6696

    MY PSP WON’T COME ON. NO GEEN LIGHT, NO ANYTHING, WHY IS THIS? I CHARGED IT AT NIGHT AND WHEN I GOT UP TO PLAY IT WOULD NOT COME ON,I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON THE INTERNET WITH IT ,I HAVE JUST BEEN PLAYIN THE STORE BROUGHT GAMES MY MOM GOT FOR ME. DO I NEED ANOTHER BATTERY OR IS IT DEAD?

  • Hemiquad

    So I can make a sub account online, but  I can’t login to the Playstation Network without calling in first to have have the master account unblocked?  So why don’t they just say it and explain it and make it part of the process?  I had to google this to find out the deal….

  • dude

    uhh how do u put ur street adress in

    • yo-yo

      house # then street name

    • GWJ

      Im having the same problem

  • guest

    Can some1 please help me when ever i try to invite my recent players to a private match on infected it doesnt give me a invite option.

  • JAck

    Can someone help me, I have a older PSP and it is refurbished, I a trying to get into Playstation Store and it has the person’s sign in ID that had the PSP before me. I am trying to use my PS3 ID and password and it is saying that I can not use someone elses ID when it is mine. How do I fix this so I can get into Playstation Network and Store?

  • Shepe11

    would anyone be able to help me? i have recently transfered my data from one ps3 to another, trying to sign into my psn account and it keeps coming up with the ID/email address or password is incorrect. I am connected to the internet. i dont see how my Id or password could have changed??

  • Annafrost83

    I am trying to add money to my ps3 account and i just purchased the card last night and it is telling me the the code you entered may not be correvt or may no longer be valid. Why is it saying this and not letting me add it.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_26MRWN4YXHWBYSAJGS4S7BCX2A Stephen Rosa

    It wont let me sign in, and says;The sign-in ID (e-mail address) or password is not correct. I know its right, because I sign in with the same settings everyday! IT’S SO MADDENNING!!!

  • fatboi

    I forgot my PSN password so I decided recover it using pc. But the email I used to sign up does not exist. WTF?

  • dan

    i try to sign in but it always tells me i can’t use someone else’s e-mail address. Even when i change the email again. anybody know what i should do to fix that?

  • Dyalasnfdanksf

     ”Some words/terms are not allowed”
    Specifically? Is the word Blood not allowed?! Because SONY PS3 has absolutely NO violent video games, this is a place of peace and garden-tending. 

  • Guest

    I am unable to play multiplayer (on a sub account) due to parental restrictions. I tried changing that on the master account, but it can only change whether or not chat should be blocked. Help, anyone?

    • Sulley246

      I have the same problem, I have created my son’s sub account, set chat restriction to ‘NO’ but when trying to join LittleBigPlanet2 online community it says it is disabled due to online chat restriction… totally baffled and need HELP!!!

    • Heavensabove08

      If you change the chat to allow they can play little big planet online as I did so for my son tonight trying to change the parental restrictions for another game.  For the overall issue of not being able to play certain games or access certain content with sub accounts, this is what I found out by searching for 4 hours. (as posted o another page)

      Ok I have just been searching about sub-accounts as my son has one and
      would like to play my AC:R multiplayer but the PSN won’t let him.  This
      is what I found out and some of the posts were as far back as 2006.
      #1 Sub accounts are for minors (17 and under) and managed by a master account (18 and over)
      #2
      Regardless of whether or not you have turned off your PS3 CONSOLE
      parental settings, when playing online, a sub account will NOT be able
      to access any content or play games rated above their age which is
      determined by the DOB you gave when signing up.
      #3 There is no way to
      go back and change the sub account holders DOB so that they can play or
      access content rated above their actual age.
      #4 Sub accounts do not
      ‘become’ master accounts once the player turns 18, they remain sub
      accounts.  When the sub account holder turns 18 all you can do is create
      them a master account so they can play online games and then back up
      and transfer all their saved games to the new account but none of their
      trophies or achievements will transfer over as they are associated with
      the PSN user and can’t be transferred.
      #5 In some guides to rectify
      the ‘I am over 18 and have a sub account but can’t play online’ issue,
      it suggests changing the ‘content restrictions option’ in the account
      management section of the sub account found in the master account.  This
      option is only available in North America.
      #6 When you create the new master account for the person, you will need to use a new email address and username.

      The
      only way to play games online rated above your age is to create a
      master account with a DOB 18 or over which is against the PSN terms
      & conditions.

  • Mistaisaac

    Psn won’t let me put the word/term “Satan”

  • Drew_hack

    Says my address is invalid how is that possible

    • GWJ

      Im having the same problem. How do you fix this?

  • GLW

    omg, it keeps saying my address is invalid.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1069526216 Euo Salazar

    And so I have just created a new account. Then the page says I need my account before I can access PlayStation®Network. I did! but I’m always getting the st00pid error “We are unable to update your account at the moment. Please try again later” for hundred of times already!!! What the hell is wrong?

  • Davidbracken

    what about error 80710d36 ??

  • Wolfpoey

    were do i go ……………………….On My Master account to accept the terms and conditions & private policy shit,,,,,,, , so i can acess my Sub account, ? and play online you fat basterd

  • Klawhinny

    whenever i turn on my ps3,it automatically logs into my brothers account. it has a little arrow underneath his name, i guess thats why it automatically logs in to his account. how do i change that so it will ask me who i would like to log in as?

  • TIMOTHYBLACKMAN318

    HOW TO CONNECT MY MEDIA SURVER 

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