PlayStation Error Code WS-116550-5 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

WS-116550-5 is a PlayStation 5 error that appears when the console encounters a problem accessing the PlayStation Store or completing a download. The WS prefix (Web Service) means the error occurred while communicating with Sony's servers. This is often a temporary PSN issue or a session timeout. Restarting the console and trying again typically resolves it within a few minutes.

Affected Models

PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
PlayStation 5 Slim
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Slim

Common Causes

PlayStation Network (PSN) is experiencing a temporary service disruption
Your internet session has timed out and the PS5 lost its connection to Sony's servers mid-transaction
The PlayStation Store is under maintenance or a server update
Your internet connection briefly dropped during a download or Store browsing session
Corrupted cache data on the PS5 is interfering with Store access

How to Fix It

Check the PlayStation Network status at status.playstation.com using your phone or a computer. If PSN shows any service issues in the 'PlayStation Store' row, wait for Sony to resolve the outage before troubleshooting further.

WS errors are frequently caused by PSN server issues during high-traffic periods like new game releases or major PlayStation sales events.
Close the PlayStation Store completely and restart it. Press the PlayStation button to go to the home screen, highlight the Store icon, press Options, and select Close App. Reopen the Store and try again.

A crashed or hung Store app session will fail any transaction. Fully closing and restarting the app gives you a fresh session.
Restart your PS5. Hold the PlayStation button on your controller, select Power, then Restart PS5. After the console fully restarts, try accessing the Store again.

A console restart clears temporary memory and reconnects to PSN with a fresh session token — this fixes the majority of WS-116550-5 errors.
Clear the PS5 cache. Turn off the PS5 completely (not rest mode). Once the power light is off, press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps (this boots into Safe Mode). Select option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.

Clearing the cache removes temporary files that can corrupt Store sessions. This does not delete your games, saves, or account data.
Check your internet connection. Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. Confirm you have a valid IP address and can reach PSN. If the test shows a connection problem, restart your router and try again.

A download that fails due to a dropped connection can leave the PS5 in a bad state where subsequent Store attempts also fail until the connection is fully restored.

When to Call a Professional

WS-116550-5 is a server or network error. No hardware repair is needed. If the error persists for more than a few hours, contact PlayStation Support at playstation.com/support to check whether your account or region is affected by a specific issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be charged if WS-116550-5 appears during a purchase?

If the transaction was interrupted mid-way by this error, check your bank or payment method. Most failed PSN transactions are not charged — the payment only processes after Sony's servers confirm the purchase. If you see a charge but the game did not download, contact PlayStation Support to resolve it.

Does this error mean my PlayStation account has a problem?

Usually no. WS-116550-5 is a server communication error that affects all users during a PSN issue — not just your account. However, if the error only appears when you try to access your library or purchase history (and not the general Store), there may be an account-level issue worth contacting PlayStation Support about.

How long do PSN outages that cause WS errors typically last?

Minor PSN disruptions usually resolve within 15 minutes to 2 hours. Major outages caused by high traffic or infrastructure issues can last several hours. Check status.playstation.com for real-time updates on PSN service status.