Nearly 19 years after launch, Sony has issued a system update for PlayStation 3 to refresh its Blu-ray encryption key. Without these updates, PS3 will eventually stop playing Blu-ray.
System software update 4.92 was released worldwide on March 3, 2025, as a 200MB download.
While the official release notes mention only "improved system performance", Sony has confirmed that the update is required to maintain Blu-ray playback on PS3.
Why PS3 needs updates to spin discs
Blu-ray players and consoles require periodic updates to renew the AACS encryption key, which is required for playing movies.
- "AACS (Advanced Access Content System) is a copyright-protection technology that is used on Blu-ray movies. The copyrighted content is protected by setting an encryption key on both the disc and the device used to play the disc. An AACS encryption key expires in 12 to 18 months and must be renewed. There may also be other times when the key has to be renewed," explained Sony.
If you do not update your PS3, you will eventually see an on-screen message prompting you to renew the encryption key, according to Sony.
The three PlayStation 3 revisions
Nothing lasts forever
While your purchased Blu-ray discs remain yours, this highlights how disc-based media also depends on ongoing support. Without periodic updates, even physical discs may become unplayable.
Sony has confirmed that on PS4 and PS5 the encryption key can be updated without a system update. However, Sony must still continue renewing the encryption key on its servers for these consoles.
Also read: Millions of Warner Bros DVDs are now unplayable
Other issues can also impact Blu-ray playback. In June 2020, older Samsung Blu-ray players worldwide suddenly stopped working and entered a reboot loop. It was believed to be caused by an expired security certificate, but required owners to send their players to Samsung for repair.
Sony sold 87 million PS3 consoles worldwide.
- Source: PlayStation
