PS4 & PS5 Error Code WS-37368-7: What It Means, What Causes It, and How to Fix Your Account

As a PS4 or PS5 Playstation console user with tons of apps, games, and media downloads on your system, nothing is worse than booting up the unit to find out that you can’t access any of your purchases, let alone your account itself. 

In today’s troubleshooting post, we’re going to cover the PlayStation-specific error code WS-37368-7. This appears on your television screen when you boot up your console if your account has been suspended from using Playstation’s Network Services. 

We’ll discuss what the WS-37368-7 error means, what causes it, and how to fix it so that you can regain access to your account. 

What Does The WS-37368-7 Error Code On PS4 & PS5 Mean?

The WS-37368-7 error code denotes that your account has been suspended from using Playstation’s Network Services. While several reasons may cause you to receive this error, the most common reason that pops up is for violating the Terms of Service and User Agreement.

What Types of Actions Violate the TOS And User Agreement? 

Sony Playstation’s Terms of Service and User Agreement documents are long, and they cover a wide range of topics. In them, you’ll find what you can and can’t do with your Playstation account, as well as, what types of content and language is appropriate to use on the Playstation Network. 

If you’re wondering how you could’ve violated the TOS or User Agreement, the most common reasons for a suspension include:

1. Using your PS4 or PS5 account on an unauthorized device. 
2. Accessing Playstation content that is restricted to you.
3. Unauthorized sharing of an account with other individuals. 
4. Creating multiple accounts to receive discounts or take advantage of offers.
5. Using fraudulent payment methods to make purchases on the PS4 & PS5 store.
6. Purchasing an item and then doing a chargeback, putting your account into debt.
7. Using modded software or hardware to gain advantages in games.
8. Posting or using inappropriate content and language in forums, game chats, or messages that you send to friends or strangers.
9. Engaging in harassment or bullying behavior towards other players.

If your account is hacked by someone else and used to engage in any of the above-noted behaviors, then you will see the WS-37368-7 error code resulting in a temporary or permanent suspension. 

It is important to note here that you will not be able to access any of your PS4 or PS5 content until the suspension is lifted. 

How Long Does The WS-37368-7 Suspension Last? 

The length of the WS-37368-7 error code suspension is determined by Playstation and the severity of the violation. In some cases, the suspension may be lifted after a set amount of time has passed, while in other cases, the suspension may be permanent. 

If you believe that you have been suspended unfairly, you can reach out to Playstation’s customer service team to dispute the suspension. In most cases, the Playstation team will do its due diligence before temporarily suspending or banning your account. 

What If It Says My Account Has Been Banned? 

It is important to note here that getting the WS-37368-7 error does not necessarily mean that you are permanently banned. 

You may get an auto-ban (temporary suspension) placed onto your account if you’ve recently made a chargeback request (canceled an existing payment) after purchasing an item on the Playstation Network and have caused your account to go into debt, or you have an inappropriate online ID. 

In either of these cases, you can contact customer support and either pay off the balance or appeal the suspension by changing your identification. 

Is There a Way to Avoid The WS-37368-7 Error Altogether?

If you’re looking for a way to avoid the WS-37368-7 error code in the future, make sure that you take the following cautionary measures:

• Do not allow your financial institution to reverse charges for purchases or subscriptions on your Playstation Network account.
• Do not use any types of mods, hacks, or cheat codes for any of the PS4/PS5 games.
• Do not purchase a second-hand console that hasn’t had its account wiped. 
• Get familiar with the Terms of Service and User Agreement documents to ensure that you do not violate any of their stipulations.
• Always contact the Playstation customer support team if purchases were made without your consent. 
• Enable 2-factor authentication on all purchases and subscriptions, so that if your account gets hacked, they cannot make any unauthorized purchases.
• Get familiar with the cancellation policy before requesting a refund from Playstation custom support. 
• Consider setting purchase restrictions on any children’s accounts that you have through the Family Manager option. 

How to Alleviate The WS-37368-7 Error And Get Unbanned? 

If you receive the WS-37368-7 error code, it is important to note that there are a few things that you can do to try and alleviate it. 

1. Check the PlayStation Network Service Status Page

If Sony’s network is experiencing an issue, it’s possible that being unable to connect to it will cause your PlayStation to falsely give this error. Visit this website to check whether or not the PlayStation network is functional.

2. Try Restarting Your Router/Modem

Networking issues are among the most common when it comes to the WS-37368-7 error code, so restarting your router may resolve the issue altogether. 

The method for doing so may differ between models, but generally, you can accomplish this by powering down your router with its power button, then unplugging it from the wall. Allow 30 seconds to pass before powering up the router again, then once all the lights are stable, try connecting to the PSN again.

3. Check Your Email For Communication

If the WS-37368-7 error code comes as a complete surprise to you, check the email that you signed up with for your PlayStation Network account. You may have received an email directly from Sony that communicates to you why you’ve received the suspension. 

They may note specific account-related activities on your PSN that triggered the suspension. Whether you’re being temporarily suspended or banned, you may appeal the decision by either replying to the email or using the following steps to contact them about the suspension.

1. Head to the Support Page – Contact Us here.

2. Choose Account & Security from the options.

3. Then choose Suspensions from the secondary list. 
4. From here, you can choose to request a chargeback appeal form or you can submit a suspension appeal form to support. 

4. Contact Support If Suspicious of a Chargeback Suspension

If you believe your account was suspended or banned because you requested a chargeback, then you will need to either pay the negative balance on your PlayStation Network account to restore access to the account. In the case of a ban, submit a chargeback appeal form which we’ve outlined how to do in Step 3 above. 

The quickest and easiest way to get through this is by heading here, and hitting the Restore Account Access button. 

5. How to Fix Your Account Suspension From Fraudulent Charges

If you believe that there were charges made on your account without your consent (fraudulent charges), then you need to contact the Playstation Support team by going here, and doing the following: 

1. Click on the PS Store & Refunds option. 
2. Then choose the Unauthorized Payments option. 

3. Write down the number to call them, which is: 800-345-SONY (7669). They are open Mon-Fri from 9:00-6:00 pm PT. 

If you’ve been a victim of fraudulent charges (due to your account being hacked), it is recommended that after you call and have your account access restored, you set up a checkout password for the Playstation Store. This prompts you to enter a password every time you try to make a purchase either through your console or through the PSN online.  

Here is how to set the checkout password on PS4 and PS5 consoles:

PS4 Checkout Password

1. Boot up your PS4 console and head to Settings.
2. Go into Account Management – Account Information – Wallet.
3. Finally, go into Purchase Settings & enter your sign-in information.
4. Now select the Require Password at Checkout option.

5. Enter the password you use to sign in. 

PS5 Checkout Password

1. Boot up your PS5 console and head to Settings.
2. Head into User and Accounts.
3. Select Account – Payment/Subscriptions – Purchase Settings.
4. Now hit Require Password at Checkout.
5. Enter the password you use to sign in. 

Setting a Checkout Password Online

1. Head to the PlayStation Main Page, here. 
2. Hit the Sign In button in the top right-hand corner.
3. Sign into your account. 
4. Click on your avatar and from the drop-down list, choose Account Management – Payment Management.

5. Then toggle on the Require Password at Checkout. 

6. Enter the password you use to sign in. 

Adding On Restriction Locks For Children

If you are a family and have children’s accounts on your Playstation console, it is recommended that you enable purchase restrictions on these accounts so that your children cannot make unauthorized changes to parental control settings. 

On both PS4 and PS5 consoles, you can set a console restriction passcode, and a login passcode, and you can disable new user creation and guest login options. You can find out how to do all of these, here. 

6. Banned Permanently? New Account Needed.

If your account was banned permanently, you may have to make a new one to solve the WS-37368-7 error code. However, this will only work if your console has not been IP banned. If it has, you will need to request a different IP from your Internet Service Provider before trying to make a new account. 

Here is how to make a new account on PS4 and PS5 consoles. 

PS4 Account Creation

1. Boot up your console and hold down the PS button.
2. When the quick menu opens, head to the Power section.
3. Power – Switch User – New User – Create a User.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish creating an account. 

PS5 Account Creation

1. Boot up your console and head to the home screen.
2. Choose the profile picture. 
3. Select  Switch User – New User – Create a User.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish creating an account. 

PlayStation Error Code WS-37368-7 Fixed!

We hope this article helped clear things up for those of you who have been impacted by the WS-37368-7 error code. In case you need help with other PlayStation console issues such as Error code WS-37337-3, then check out our other troubleshooting tutorials for PS4 & PS5.

If you were able to get back into your account using our steps above, let us know in the comments section below. If not, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll see if we can offer further advice. As always, thanks for reading and don’t forget to share!