How to delete a PSN account

The following information was sourced from Sony’s (US/America) official “Knowledge Centre” FAQ.

When I contacted my local Australian PSN Support they flat out told me they could not delete PSN accounts. I will chase them up because it seems that someone somewhere has the power to “terminate” accounts!

Be careful though — it is not clear if an account termination would free up the sign-in email address or online ID (probably not).

Master account termination

FAQ #220 (updated 2008-03-10)

If your PLAYSTATION Network Master Account is terminated, you will not able to access your account on the PLAYSTATION®Network. This means all of the following:

  1. You will not have access to your master account. If you have sub accounts associated with your master account, then your sub account holders will also not be able to access their sub accounts.
  2. Any remaining funds in your wallet will not be returned to you.
  3. Any content or services you or your sub accounts may have purchased that may be accessible on the PLAYSTATION Network will not be available to you or your sub accounts, including any content that may have been downloaded to your PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system(s). Other content that may be accessible offline may be available for use after termination of your PLAYSTATION Network account if permitted under the specific terms and conditions for the content.
  4. Any ranking or scores, or game related information will not be retained or accessible by you or your sub accounts.
  5. You will not receive any refunds, or fees as a result of termination of your account. If you subsequently sign up for another PLAYSTATION Network account, your prior Online ID and the prior Online ID of your sub accounts may not be available to you or your sub accounts.

Sub account termination

FAQ #221 (updated 2008-03-10)

If your PLAYSTATION Network Sub Account is terminated, you will not able to access your account on the PLAYSTATION®Network. This means all of the following:

  1. Any content or services you may have purchased that may be accessible on the PLAYSTATION®Network will not be available to you, including any content that may have been downloaded to your PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system(s). Other content that may be accessible offline may be available for use after termination of your account if permitted under the specific terms and conditions for the content.
  2. You will not receive any refunds, or fees as a result of termination of your account. If you subsequently sign up for another PLAYSTATION Network account, your prior Online ID may not be available to you.
  3. Any ranking or scores, or game related information will not be retained or accessible.

Can I delete a PLAYSTATION®Network account?

FAQ #342 (updated 2007-11-21)

Once a PLAYSTATION Network account is created, it cannot be deleted. If you would like to use a new (different) account, you will have to create an entirely new PLAYSTATION Network account.

Note: Purchased content cannot be transferred between different PLAYSTATION Network accounts. We apologize for any inconvenience.

How do I terminate my PLAYSTATION®Network account?

FAQ #222 (updated 2008-03-24)

Once a PLAYSTATION Network account is created, you can not delete it, although it can be terminated. To terminate a PLAYSTATION Network account, please contact Sony Computer Entertainment America’s (SCEA) Consumer Services’ Accounts and Billing line at 1-877-971-7669.

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  • jeff

    if i purchase and download something on one user, how to i get it on the other usernames on my console? my brother bought nhl1 add ons but i cant seem to get them on my user

    • HyperLord

      It depends. If your brother’s account is a sub-account (i.e. created after the initial/first PSN account, then the download material is exclusive to THAT account. However, if your brother’s account IS the master account, it should allow ALL accounts on that PS3 to utilise the download content.

  • peep dawg

    Can you email Sony to delete the account? I don’t like doing stuff over the phone.

  • Albin

    I was wondering if someone know if I can change date of birth on my PSN or do I have to create a new one?

    • TomboFry

      I was thinking the same. I can’t play any 18 games online (multiplayer) ie. FPS games are all usually 18…

      And my PSN account is the same as all my other accounts on the internet. I would hate if I had to use a different name :(

  • Edward Rodriguez

    Would love to be able to do this via email. Would make things so much easier. Need the Acc iKnife_Kittens terminated…

  • Petey4tw

    why would u want to terminate a psn id of “iKnife_kittens” its awesome :D

    i want to terminate my account as a way of removing my trophies (long story, basically want to clean them out), but if it “terminates” (aka deactivates) i wont (necesarily) be able to use my psn id again, sad face :(

  • Bryza

    When I was creating myaccount I accidentally got my year of birth wrong, making it impossible for me to compete online on Killzone 2. Now I’m stuck without access to partake in a MA15+ game, rendering all of my previous trophies useless.

    Although this may not be an option for some, it may be for others so I shall say it anyway. If you create another user account (within the PS3 itself, not the network) then you should be able to access the ‘sign up to Playstaton Network’ icon and allowing you to create a new network acount with a new username, ID (unfortunately), password, and the suitable DOB *wink* *wink*. The next time you need your account, then just use your new details and hopefully it will work. I have not tested it myself, but best of luck to those who do. You should be able to remove the dummy acount afterwards as well. Hope this helps you guys =]

  • shadebeast

    i had a ps3 account that wasnt mine but had downloaded content on it. i deleted it and now my ps3 freezes up constantly. it hasnt done that till AFTER i deleted the account. i thought maybe if i got rid of the stuff downloaded by the account it would run its usual speed but it doesnt anymore. can someone tell me whats wrong?

  • Miquel

    It seems I made a mistake inputting my proper age on my PSN account (17 in 2 months). I can’t simply understand how this subAccount-MasterAccount-thing is made so difficult, online gaming, parental control, Account management etc.. This is one thing where the xbox seems to be much better :/ Why is PSN account termination impossible? Would be ALOT easier to just create a new PSN account on my account, with all the trophies and saves I so much worked for-.-

  • Pooja

    I used my Fifa 11 code on an acc that has a bad name and i crated a new psn and i deleted the 1 that had fifa 11 code on it and now i am wounding if i can change name on it or how can u use the same fifa 11 code on the new PSN so i can play online PLS REPLY FAST <3

  • danyerlo

    hey i gave my brother in law my ps3 and he made the account but he forgot the password and every think so how could i make a new account????? plezzzz help!!!!!

    • jwbards

      If he doesn’t need anything you’ve saved under the PS3 user he’s logged in as (downloaded content, trophies, whatever), create a new user on the PS3 and when he logs into PSN he’ll be able to create a new account. If that won’t work, there may be a “Forgot your password” link someplace on the PSN web site, but I haven’t looked.

      • LBPlegend

        there is, if it is a psn account, then go to sign in, then if you go down youll find a “forgot password” button, click that, and do what it says.

  • http://ps3explained.com/intermediate/how-to-delete-a-psn-account/ nb

    can your PSN ID nae be banned if it has a swear word in it, even if it was accepted when signing up to PSN???

    • Mb

      Yeah. My friend Dixie_Normus’ account was terminated lol.

  • http://yahoo.com Shizz

    how do yu take perental control restriction off so i kan chat

    • ZoDiaK

      u have 2 go to ur master account and go 2 subaccount. then go 2 sub account restrictions then put in ur pssword and go from there

  • HouseCat

    Is there anyway to take the censoring out of the chat rooms? I mean sometimes its ridiculous what they censor, things like ‘puff’ are censored. I was taking to my friend about coco puffs and what he read was coco *****

    • Roliz

      Haha coco puffs, this made me laugh.
      I read “puff” first and I was thinking about something else, and then bam! a total different thing –>> Coco Puffs :D

  • DJ

    Will deleting my PSN account affect any of my data for my offline user?

  • brendan

    how much dose the call cost if you live in australia

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      See our how to contact support article. Australia has a 1300 number which is local call cost.

  • Tony

    Okay so… I kinda made a rookie mistake. I created my PSN account on the wrong user. Now I can’t sign into it on MY username. What can I do to fix this?

    • jwbards

      If the PS3 user can be deleted (you’ll lose any trophies, etc.), your best bet is to delete it and create a new one which you should then be able to link to your PSN account.

  • RTyler5

    i have made too many accounts for PSN and it wont allow me too make any more. Must i ring to sort this out or is there another way?

    • ZoDiaK

      that happend 2 me 2

  • akagame

    I want to termanate my account gbrar2009 because i have another named akagamer but the phon # above in articl doesn’t help

    Anyone have answer plz

    • Luckigurl86

      On ps3 home where it says turn off system and users, well it also says create a new user.. Select that and you can create a new name BUT YOU HAVE TO US A DIFFERANT EMAIL ADDRESS. ur old user name will always stay with that current email address. Make sense?? Hope it helped

  • IGx

    i make a mistake making my account i put my age wrong i dont even know what age i got bc wen i try to long on playstation home it say dont have age to log there how can i fix that..

  • Lfilionjr

    so i bought my friends ps3 and he is the master account holder. now we arent friends and i cant use any of my sub accounts without the master agreeing to the terms nd conditions. is there a way to bypass this so i dont have to call him and ask for his account info?

  • LBPlegend

    a long time ago I deleted my master account by accident, I made a new account over 18, but im still not sure if it’s the master account, but it said that i have to re-agree with the terms of service using the master account, i can go online with my master account but not sub. I got LBP 2 collectors edition but entered the code on sub account. so now i don’t have the avatars (I have the costumes though) and that kinda made me sad. I also have to start all over again. help?

  • LBPlegend

    well, start over on the game

  • Jewett5023

    i deleted my master account and now only have a sub account. i cant go on playstation network anymore until i agree to the new terms under the master account. what can i do? if i reset the whole ps3 will i be able to make a new master account?

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      If you delete the Master Account off your PS3 then it still exists “online”, so you have a couple of options.
      1) See if you can log in with the Master details on the Playstation website https://secure.eu.playstation.com/sign-in/ and then if it’s possible to accept the terms & conditions.
      2) Add the account back onto your PS3 by creating a new user then make it “sign up to PSN” but enter the existing master account details.

    • Jeff

      I dont know, the same thing happened to me… If I figure a way to fix it I will notify you first

  • Gotz2havit09

    ok im confused i gave my brother my uusername to download map packs from psn and a message pops p sayin there are alredy 5 sub accont and that i must delete 1 but how can i delete jus 1?

  • Hunter

    My IT guy logged into my PSN account for the first time and it is now set up with his email address, which I dont know the password too. If i create a new account will that mean I lose everything eg. all my progress on my first account?

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      This article will help you. Trophies are tied to PSN accounts, but you can copy game saves between Users so you won’t lose your game progress but you will lose trophies.

  • Garrick

    i dont ever remember making a master account. then randomly it said that i had to log onto master account and accept the terms and polices. and i thought that my account was the master account but its not appearently. so now i cant play online or anything… and i lost everything.

  • Sonyisgay

    Note: Purchased content cannot be transferred between different PLAYSTATION Network accounts. We apologize for any inconvenience……………………………………NEVER GOING TO BUY ANYTHING FROM SONY AGAIN….SO RETARDED.

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      Why would Sony allow that? Then one person could buy content and copy it to as many people as they wanted. However purchased content can be shared to multiple PS3s (I think up to 5 PS3s) using the account that bought the content, which is quite reasonable.

      • Sonyisgay

        I BOUGHT AND PAID FOR SOME OLD GAMES ON MY SYSTEM knuckle dragger. I dont want to use that PSN ONLINE ID no more (I changed my PSN ONLINE ID name). My point is i am not going to buy a gay ass system that i have to change LOG ON account to play games on a different PSN ONLINE ID for games I FUCKING PURCHASED. Does that sound reasonable???????? So if you buy a blu ray disc by your stupid ass logic, you shouldn’t ever and i mean ever be allowed to use it under any ONLINE ID OR LOG IN ID OR ON ANY OTHER BLU RAY PLAYER EVER. So stupid of Sony to do so, not buying anything Sony again. I rather buy an xbox instead. too many things your not allowed to do, if you change this, you cant do that…all crap.

      • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

        Take a chill pill, mate. I’m not saying the situation is great, just pointing out how Sony let you use the content. Unfortunately this is the reality of digital media, where as consumers we lose freedom and access that we are used to with physical media.

      • sergio

        lol ur so stupid ^_^ and ignorant ^_^

    • cautious

      i have two different accounts and it won’t let me use my avatar i bought on my master account on my sub account.

    • Concerned Gamer

      Sony is so gay if they dont fix these problems everyone should just switch to xbox that way they lose money :l

      • ps3Gamer

        tu gaand maraaaaaaaaaaaaa

    • ps3

      u r soooooooo gayyyy

  • Ozair
  • Haleyb12396

    Heres my question, if i move my ps3 to a diffrent house will it get rid of the map pack?

    • Aaron

      No, your ps3 has downloaded the map packs onto your system once you purchased them right! So moving house will be no problem :)

  • Itrudy2

    i have accedently hit the default button onmy ps3 i have tried to sign in again but it wont let me as i have forgotten my original email address and or password help i cant get on line to play my cll of duty

  • demented77

    OK I made my account a long time ago on a friends ps3 when he got one, then some years later i finally got my own ps3 and wanted to use me old account and tag that I had made on my friends ps3. But some how my account was created as a sub account, and now I can’t redeem codes for psn cash. so what i want to know is of there is a way that i can delete my old sub account and create a new master account and still be able to use my gamer tag that I’ve had for years?

  • Concerned Gamer

    ok what the fuck is this im so pissed off right now someone just help me before i die of stress!i got a new ps3 and i want to log in my old account so i got a flashdrive and put my files on there and when i try to login it doesnt want to so i go to forget password i have the correct email and correct date of birth but this shit keeps saying incorrect and when i try to remember my password and sign in it keeps saying i was signed out of playstation network or error occured!What the fuck!!!!!HELP PLEASE!!!!!

    • Giggity Giggity

      I think the network is down for maintenance.

    • beast_killa4lyfe

      PSN has been down since 4/20/2011 and is “Suppose to be” up and runing tomorrow. Someone hacked sony so sony had to turn off psn so the hackers wouldnt mess with our shitt.

  • Concerned Gamer

    And are you serious so i lost my map packs?! how gay!!!! i bet xbox is better than this! :/

  • Concerned Gamer

    Also everytime i click forget password instead of getting to the point and actually helping me out here it keeps asking me my date of birth like a dumbass and saying its incorrect even when i know it is correct!:l

  • Airtonsmarinho

    oi tudo bem, sou airton e gostaria de saber como faço agora minhas contas e jogos comprados est~~ao todas certas por que eu tenho que cancelar, você não tem um elefone para contado em são paulo

  • sherry

    all i want to know is when we have to change our password when the playstation network is back online, does it erase the trophies that were earned on the games you played or do the trophies stay?

  • FFS PEOPLE..

    My GOD some people are stupid. Majority of the comments I’ve read so far “Why isnt it working?” “Im doing everything right, but i cant log in”. READ THE ARTICLE. YOU CAME TO THIS SITE TO READ IT. DO SO. IT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.
    To people who are mad because they “lost their map packs” and other content: It hasnt been lost. You need to be logged into the network to access it, and the network is down; therefore you CANT ACCESS IT. Besides if your best insult is “gay” and your having an aneurism out over 5 overpriced maps for an over-hyped, over-rated game, maybe you should be cut off from the network for awhile. Maybe you could go outside and grow up.

    Flame i must commend your ability to put up with this crowd. Your obviously much more tolerant than I -.- And a good article as well. Good to know Sony wanted to keep my information forever..

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      Haha I appreciate the comment. I can only help so much & then it’s up to the visitors to pay attention.

  • Buckinut246

    No it will not delete anything… All that will happen is they are probably just going to come out with a new update… All the update will do is just make the security on ur ps3 better so that people like this retard that hacked it can’t do it again… And yes it would be best if u change your password and ask your friends if it has said that u were online when you actually weren’t… Then in that case just change your password
    again.

  • Akamuna2

    My Online Name Is Akamuna2

  • AdamMasson

    i have a Question for you all i have a user on my ps3 and i have trophies on the user but no account so when the psn is up and running again and i make an account on the same user i have my trophies on if i hit sync with server will the trophies sync with the account ?? if you can answer please do so asap i dont really want to have to earn my trophies twice.

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      Yes the user’s trophies will go onto the PSN account when you sign the user up and do a sync.

      • Adammasson

        thanks for that :D

        and whats your psn il add you on it wen the psn comes back online if u want ?

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