Diablo 4: How to Fix This Game Cannot Be Played Yet Error

The Diablo 4 error “this game cannot be played yet” can be more than frustrating to see when trying to get into the game and save Sanctuary from Lilith. Unlike some other issues keeping players from jumping in, this message may appear before you even install or start the beta. If you’re here, you’re wondering what it means and if there’s a fix for it. Here’s what you need to know.

What Does “This Game Cannot Be Played Yet” Mean in Diablo 4?

Simply, the error message “this game cannot be played yet” means exactly what is says on the tin. You can’t play Diablo 4. It could also mean that you’re trying to access the wrong thing on your console or through Battle.net (more on that below).

What Causes the D4 This Game Cannot Be Played Yet Error?

In most cases, the error appears because the game simply isn’t available yet. You’re trying to access it too early. These are the times for Early Access and full launch:

Diablo 4 Early Access times:

• June 1 at 4 p.m. PST
• June 1 at 7 p.m. EST
• June 2 at 12:01 a.m. BST
• June 2 at 11 a.m. AEST

Diablo 4 launch times:

• June 5 at 4 p.m. PST
• June 5 at 7 p.m. EST
• June 6 at 12:01 a.m. BST
• June 6 at 11 a.m. AEST

It’s also possible that you’re trying to install the wrong version of Diablo 4. This is most likely to happen to PC players using Battle.net. Here’s what’s happening.

When you open Battle.net, you’ll be met with a message asking if you want to play the Diablo 4 open beta. If you click that, the Diablo 4 page will appear (you can also access this page via the navigation bar at the top of the app).

You’ll see the “Install” button in the lower left portion of the app, and if you’re like me, you’ll click it immediately, only to be met with the message that you can’t play it yet.

Is There a Fix for This Game Cannot Be Played Yet in Diablo 4?

Screenshot by GameSkinny

For PC players on Battle.net, this is what you’ll need to do:

• Look for above the “Install” button for the game version bar.
• This is likely set to Diablo 4 by default.
• Click the downward arrow on the right side of that bar if it’s not.
• The Install button will turn blue
• Click Install

After that, you’ll have to wait for a roughly 80GB download and install, but you should be good to go. Unfortunately, you may run into other errors along the way, such as 315306, 316719, 300202, or 300008.

For everyone else running into the error message, simply waiting for the open beta to go live is the only option.

And that’s essentially everything you need to know about getting around “this game cannot be played yet” in Diablo 4. For more tips articles, such as how to salvage gear and items, head over to our guides hub here. In the meantime, good luck conquering the fires of hell!

Featured image via Blizzard.