How To Fix PS5 Error CE-100028-1: Not Enough Free Space (2026)
Your PS5 stops a download, patch or install and shows error CE-100028-1.
Sony defines this code as not enough free space on the SSD, so the fix is usually to make room or to correct how the console counts it.
The steps below start with the quickest checks and take roughly 10 minutes, apart from the database rebuild, which can run longer.
Quick answer: what CE-100028-1 means and what to try
| Situation | Try this | Erases data? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage looks nearly full | Fix 1 to Fix 3: delete games, saves, captures | Only what you delete |
| Plenty of space but the error stays | Fix 4 and Fix 5: Safe Mode database and cache options | No |
| You want more room without deleting | Fix 6 USB storage or Fix 7 M.2 SSD | Drive is formatted |
| Nothing else worked | Fix 8: Reset PS5, then Sony support | Yes, everything |
Why does PS5 error CE-100028-1 appear?
Sony’s error page defines the code as there not being enough free space on the SSD.
An install or patch needs room beyond its own download size to unpack, so a nearly full drive can fail even on a small update.
- Full storage: games, patches and saved data have used up the internal SSD.
- Captures: screenshots and video clips stored on the console add up over time.
- A confused database: the console can misreport what is on the drive, which is what a rebuild addresses.
Fix 1: check your real free space
Confirm how much room you have before deleting anything.
- From the home screen, open Settings.
- Select Storage and open Console Storage.
- Compare the free space with the size of the game or update you are installing.
Sony’s error page points to the System Storage screen in the same Storage menu, so look for whichever label your system software shows.
Fix 2: delete games and apps you are not playing
Removing a few large games is the fastest way to clear the error.
- Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
- Select the items you want to remove.
- Choose Delete.
Deleted games stay in your game library and can be downloaded again later.
If a game offers Customize instead, you can remove only parts of its data, such as unused add-ons or finished sections.
Fix 3: delete old saved data and captures
Saved data and captures use space that does not show up as a game.
- Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4).
- Choose Upload or Delete from Console Storage, pick the items and select Delete.
PS5 saved data can be uploaded to cloud storage first, which requires PlayStation Plus.
Screenshots and clips can be copied to a USB drive, but Sony notes they cannot be copied back to console storage.
Fix 4: rebuild the database in Safe Mode
If you have plenty of free space and still see the error, a rebuild can correct the console’s records.
- Hold the power button for three seconds to turn the PS5 off.
- Press and hold the power button again and release it after the second beep, about seven seconds in.
- Connect a controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.
- Choose Clear Cache and Rebuild Database (option 6), then Rebuild Database.
Sony says a rebuild scans the drive and builds a new database of everything on it.
Fix 5: clear the system software cache and repair storage
Two other Safe Mode options are worth trying before anything destructive.
- Clear System Software Cache: found under option 6, the same menu as Rebuild Database.
- Repair Console Storage (option 3): Sony says it fixes startup or storage problems without erasing data.
Restart the PS5 afterward, cancel any stuck downloads and start the install again.
Fix 6: move games to USB extended storage
A USB drive gives you room for games you rotate in and out.
| Requirement | Sony’s rule |
|---|---|
| Speed | SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or later |
| Capacity | 250 GB to 8 TB |
| Connection | Direct to the console, not through a hub |
| PS5 games | Can be stored but not played from the drive |
| PS4 games | Can be installed and played from the drive |
To set it up, connect the drive, then go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.
Formatting erases everything on the drive, and Sony says not every device is guaranteed to work.
Two Seagate options for PlayStation are listed below.
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Fix 7: add an M.2 SSD for permanent room
An M.2 SSD is the lasting fix if you hit this error often, since games can run from it.
| Requirement | Sony’s rule |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe (M Key); M.2 SATA is not supported |
| Capacity | 250 GB to 8 TB |
| Form factors | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 |
| Read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster recommended |
| Cooling | Heatsink or heat transfer sheet required |
| Size limit | Up to 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick including cooling |
Update the console first, turn it off, unplug it and let it cool before opening the cover.
Sony says some games may not run as well as on the internal SSD and that it does not guarantee every drive that meets the specs.
After installing, use Settings > Storage > Installation Location to choose where new downloads go.
The drives below are the ones this post has linked before, so confirm the heatsink and size against Sony’s list before buying.
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Fix 8: reset the PS5 as a last resort
Use this only if the error remains after every fix above and you have backed up your data.
- Reset PS5 (option 7): deletes all user data and returns the console to its original state.
- Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) (option 8): deletes all user data and also removes the system software.
Back up to a USB drive or cloud storage first, because Sony warns that some Safe Mode options cause data loss.
When should you contact Sony?
If the error persists after a reset, Sony’s error page recommends contacting PlayStation Support.
Sony’s PS5 warranty page says the console is covered for one year from the original purchase date against defects in materials and workmanship.
- Have your bill of sale or retailer receipt ready.
- Back up your storage before shipping a console for repair.
- Remove any M.2 drive first, as Sony advises.
Start from Sony’s PS5 hardware support page.
Which fix do I need? Quick reference
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Free space is low | Fix 2 and Fix 3 |
| Free space is fine but the error persists | Fix 4 and Fix 5 |
| You keep running out of room | Fix 6 or Fix 7 |
| Error survives everything | Fix 8, then contact Sony |
Related PS5 fixes
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If you go to the error download in library, delete the error and re-download. Fixed when I had 300gb available and needed 28.