Sony has released a new PlayStation 5 system software update, but some players are warning others to hold off installing it after encountering problems with their game libraries, playtime records and console storage.
PS5 system software version 26.04-13.42.00 began rolling out on July 1. Sony’s official changelog is brief, stating only that the update improves “system software performance and stability.” The firmware does not appear to introduce any significant new features or visible interface changes.
However, shortly after the update became available, several PS5 owners took to Reddit to report unusual behavior following installation.
One user claimed that their console was no longer registering its installed SSD and that their games appeared to have been deleted. The player said clearing the system cache and rebuilding the database did not immediately resolve the issue, leaving them facing the possibility of reinstalling their games.
Other players described similar storage-related problems. One commenter said their PS5 initially displayed zero available storage and failed to recognize the contents of the console’s SSD. The system also reportedly became stuck while shutting down. After the console restarted, it rebuilt its database and repaired the storage, after which the games appeared to return.
PS5 game libraries and playtime records affected
The reported problems are not limited to installed games.
Several users said the number of games shown in their PlayStation libraries dropped after the update. One player said their library fell from 222 titles to 196, while another reported a reduction from 135 games to 80.
Some affected users believe the missing entries may involve physical games, titles accessed through another account or games shared between different PS5 accounts. At this stage, it is unclear whether the games have actually been removed from storage or are simply not being displayed correctly because of a licensing or database issue.
Players have also reported that their recorded playtime has disappeared or been reset to zero.
One PS5 owner said more than 400 hours of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and over 120 hours of Ghost of Tsushima were no longer being displayed after rebuilding the console’s database. Other users said previously created game lists had been dramatically reduced following the latest update.
There are indications, however, that at least some of the playtime and recently played problems began before version 26.04-13.42.00 was released. Players have been reporting inaccurate profile information and missing recently played games for roughly two weeks, suggesting that the new firmware may not be the sole cause of every issue.
Not all PS5 owners are experiencing problems
The reports remain inconsistent.
Numerous players in the same discussion said they installed the update without losing games or encountering SSD problems. Others reported that missing game icons returned after reconnecting to the internet, restoring licenses or allowing the console to finish rebuilding its database.
One user said the issue appeared to affect only games shared from another account, while titles purchased directly through their main PlayStation account remained available.
That suggests the update may be exposing or worsening an existing problem involving PlayStation profiles, licenses or library indexing rather than permanently deleting purchased games.
Sony has not publicly acknowledged the specific SSD, game-library or playtime complaints at the time of publication. The company’s published patch notes describe the release only as a performance and stability update.
Until Sony provides more information, PS5 owners who have not yet installed version 26.04-13.42.00 may prefer to wait and monitor the situation. Players who have already updated should check whether their games still occupy storage space before attempting to download them again, as the content may remain installed even when it is temporarily missing from the library.
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