Considering the console’s enhanced 4K capabilities, lighting fast SSD storage, and the interactive DualSense controller, the PlayStation 5 is capable of some incredible next-gen feats. However, as discovered by the hardware-savvy gaming community, Sony’s latest console generation had apparently implemented a longstanding design flaw that might eventually lock users out of their digital purchases. However, it now appears Sony’s looming PS5 CMOS battery problem has now been resolved.

This odd issue came to light earlier this year when video game preservation group Does It Play began testing what might happen when a PS5 CMOS battery dies. Located beneath the hardware’s motherboard, this particular component mainly keeps track of a console’s internal clock, and while that seems pretty innocuous, the service actually proves fairly integral to accessing one’s digital library. After extended research, Does It Play discovered a dead CMOS battery could feasibly halt all digital games from working and leave hindrances for various physical titles.

PS5 UPDATE: We have published our initial findings on #cbomb and it’s effect on #PS5 consoles and games.

This will be of particular interest to anyone who owns a PS5 Digital Edition.https://t.co/tSggp7zJVN

— Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) April 17, 2021

According to the group’s findings, the problem reportedly arose from disconnecting the PS5 CMOS battery, leaving the console without a way to properly keep time, and unable to fully sync to the PlayStation Network. As demonstrated by Sony’s near-closing of the PS3 and PS Vita stores earlier this year, the far future will almost inevitably see the PS5 discontinued from the PSN, and without the ability to resync a dead or replaced CMOS battery, this issue might eventually render players’ digital collections completely unplayable.

Several months after this conclusion was reached, a new video from gaming YouTuber Hikikomori Media now suggests the PS5 CMOS issue has since been quietly patched out by Sony. After performing a series of similar CMOS-less tests of his own, Hikiko was able to load nearly every attempted game – physical, digital, and backward compatible – without fail, with exceptions being multiplayer-focused modes and, as one might expect, free titles redeemed through PlayStation Plus membership.

The stealthy repair of the PS5 CMOS problem was definitely the right call by Sony and is sure to be a welcome decision among fans for futureproofing the console’s lifespan. Though Sony has since fixed the problem in its latest gaming hardware, late September also saw the PS4 get a similar fix packed with its big 9.0.0 firmware update. As with the PS5 CMOS issue, battery-less PS4s experienced an inability to play digital games alongside disc-based ones as well, before being ultimately fixed.

Here’s some footage of the CMOS battery issue in action on PS4, and also some footage of a temporary solution right now: pic.twitter.com/9UweHp5T5s

— Destruction Games (@desgamesyt) April 14, 2021

As of now, CMOS problems on PlayStation are largely unproblematic, but there’s still the matter of an un-defused “CBOMB” present on the PS3. Digital games are still in danger of being locked away on the 7th-gen system, especially considering the PS3 network is currently living on borrowed time at the moment. As Sony has barely offered support for the legacy hardware in recent years, this issue is not likely to be remedied in the same way as PS4 and PS5. We can only hope Sony works on a fix for it sooner rather than later.

​What do you think? Are you glad to see the CMOS problem repaired on PS4 and PS5, or are you bummed that PS3 might never get the fix? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!​

​If you enjoy this writer’s work, please consider supporting them by tossing a Ko-fi their way! Every little bit helps and aims to keep DFTG independent and free of bias. Thank you so much for your support! Eric Hall @ Ko-fi