Update (April 29, 2022 - 1:40 PM) - Sony has acknowledged the issues with PlayStation Plus codes and PlayStation Plus cards in a new update to its website.
As VGC reports, the PlayStation Plus F.A.Q. has been updated with a new question and answer addressing the issue of nonfunctional codes and cards.
I am an existing PlayStation Plus and/or PlayStation Now member. Why do I get an error message when I try to add time to my membership either by purchasing more time on the PlayStation Store on console/web/app, or by applying a membership voucher?
As we prepare to launch the new PlayStation Plus membership service, we are doing some work behind the scenes to make the transition as smooth as possible for all of our existing members. As part of this work, we’ve temporarily disabled stacking memberships for existing customers until after the launch. Rest assured that your voucher code is still valid, and you will be able to redeem your code either when your existing membership expires and deactivates, or after the new PlayStation Plus service launches in your area, whichever happens first.
Additionally, the F.A.Q. page states that, for the time being, you will be unable to add on more time to an existing membership. Instead, you have to wait for your current subscription time to expire, at least until these issues are resolved.
Our original story continues below.
PlayStation Plus codes and PlayStation Plus cards aren't working -- customers can't redeem them right now, preventing subscription stacking (or adding more subscription time at all) according to several reports.
Things have been getting interesting with PlayStation Plus lately. The PlayStation Plus May 2022 games leaked a bit early (as is tradition) and the first PlayStation Plus Classics have leaked, too. Unfortunately, not everything seems to be going well with Sony's recent overhaul of its game subscription program -- multiple reports indicate that PlayStation Plus codes and cards simply aren't working right now, and no one knows exactly what's going on.
What's Happening with PlayStation Plus Codes and Cards?
As Push Square reports, customers attempting to use PlayStation Plus codes and cards are finding that they cannot add more time to their membership. The cards and codes do not appear to be working; instead, customers are receiving one of two error messages:
The pre-paid card could not be redeemed. Please try again later.
Can't Purchase
Can't add to cart
You've already purchased this item
Continue Shopping
Several customers have shared conversations with Sony customer support. The common trend is that customer service reps seem to know that PlayStation Plus codes and cards have been "temporarily deactivated."
"I have checked the voucher and your account and can conclude that as of now there is a temporarily deactivated function for PS Plus/PS Now subscriptions which does not allow for stacking of either membership on already active memberships," read one such e-mail.
"This is only temporary and as soon as we have more information about we will let our players know, for more information regarding news for the new launch of our service please check out our blog."
UK retailer ShopTo addressed one customer, explaining that it believes this is due to an "exploit" with subscription stacking and that this functionality may not be restored until mid-June 2022, at least in Europe.
"It appears that with the new integration of PS Plus Premium, Sony have temporarily disabled the stacking of PS Plus subscriptions," read a customer support e-mail from ShopTo. "This is due to players trying to exploit the carrying over of subscriptions to this service. What this means is, any codes which you try to redeem while you already have an ongoing subscription, will not be redeemable until either Mid-June, or until your current subscription ends."
"Please do not worry though, all codes are valid and redeemable for up to 12 months from generating it."
I haven't seen any complaints about customers who are having issues with inactive subscriptions, so it seems that this issue may be centered on the prevention of stacking up subscription time based on these reports.
Neither Sony nor PlayStation has released any official statement at the time of writing. It's unclear if Sony is ending the ability to do this entirely or if it is only temporarily disabled while they work out some sort of problem behind the scenes. We'll continue to monitor the situation -- for now, it might not be a good idea to purchase any PlayStation Plus codes and cards until we know exactly what's going on.
