Elden Ring DLC "can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree" error: How to fix, possible causes and more

The launch of Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree has resulted in a series of errors, such as the “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree” bug. This problem seems to be tied to the recent version 1.12 update and prevents players from accessing the DLC.

A breakdown of the “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree" error can be found below, along with its possible fixes.

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Elden Ring DLC “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree” error explained

The bug is caused by invalid licenses (Image via FromSoftware)

In a nutshell, this Elden Ring DLC error prevents players from accessing the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, blocking their progress, even if they have beaten both Rahdan and Mohg. There is no prompt to touch the limp hand either, and thus, no way to begin the DLC.

The bug is likely down to a licensing error, which can be easily fixed by updating the game.

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How to fix “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree” error in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

A list of possible solutions to the bug can be found below (Image via FromSoftware)

A list of possible solutions for the “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree" error can be found below. Keep in mind that these fixes are not universal. As such, players may have varying degrees of success with them.

Restore licenses

Per multiple user reports online, the most common fix for the “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree” error is to simply restore licenses using your platform of choice:

• PlayStation 5: Boot up your PS5 and press the Home button. Head to the Settings cog wheel > Users & Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. Hit the Confirm button to proceed.
• Xbox Series X/S: Download the DLC separately. Head to the Elden Ring game card > Manage > Install DLC to begin the download.
• PC (Microsoft Store): Head to the Microsoft Store and hit the Download button for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Following the steps above should hopefully restore your DLC licenses, enabling you to play through the expansion and avoid the dreaded “can’t access Shadow of the Erdtree” error.

Update your game to the newest version 1.12 patch

As always, make sure you are on the latest version of the game - which is Elden Ring 1.12 at the time of writing. This update is mandatory for accessing both online coop and the expansion. If you don't get it, they will remain inaccessible.

Reinstall your copy of Elden Ring

If none of the above mentioned methods work, it is best to begin a fresh installation of Elden Ring (and its DLC). Make sure to delete the game from your storage media and re-download it from scratch.

The download will take a fair bit of time to complete, so remain patient until it finishes.

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Check out our other Elden Ring guides on Sportskeeda:

• Can you play Shadow of the Erdtree on PS4?
• Is there a Seamless coop mod for Shadow of the Erdtree?
• Is Bleed a viable option?
• All weapon buffs and nerfs