How Do I Access Dlc I Bought (Or Why Isn’T It Showing)?

Can’t find your NASCAR 25 DLC? Learn how to access DLC you bought (or why it isn’t showing), with quick platform steps, fast checks, and beginner-friendly fixes.

You paid for new content, but it’s not in the garage, car select, or track list—that’s frustrating. Good news: this is almost always an install, license, or account issue you can fix in minutes. This guide shows you how to access DLC you bought (or why it isn’t showing) and get back on track fast.

Quick answer

DLC usually needs two things: the platform must install the add-on, and NASCAR 25 must see your ownership when you launch. Open your platform’s game management to install add-ons, restore licenses (PlayStation) or manage game and add-ons (Xbox), then restart the game. If you still don’t see the content, make sure you’re on the buying account, the DLC has actually released, and the game has the latest update.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Fully quit and relaunch NASCAR 25 after any install.
• Confirm you’re signed in with the account that purchased the DLC.
• On Xbox: Manage game and add-ons > install missing add-ons.
• On PlayStation: Manage Game Content/Add-Ons > install; then Restore Licenses.
• On Steam/Epic: open the game’s DLC tab and tick to install; let it download.
• Check for a game update/patch and install it.
• If it’s a pre-order/season pass item, verify the release date/time has passed.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• DLC (downloadable content) adds stuff to the base game—typically new paint schemes, drivers/teams, tracks, or challenges. Exact items vary by pack.
• Why it matters: more options means better practice variety, improved enjoyment, and a fresh reason to race longer. If a track or livery isn’t installed, you can’t select it in Quick Race or see it in Career where applicable.
• Jargon you may see:
  • Add-on/entitlement: proof you own the DLC on your platform account.
  • Day-one patch: first update the game needs to recognize new content.
  • Season Pass: future DLC delivered over time; not all items are available on day one.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• DLC not in car/track list

  • Likely cause: Add-on not installed.
  • Fix: Use your platform’s Manage Add-Ons/DLC screen and install. Then relaunch the game.

• Store says “Owned” but nothing shows in-game

  • Likely cause: License not refreshing or game not updated.
  • Fix: Restore licenses (PlayStation), power cycle console/PC, check for game updates, then relaunch.

• Installed on one profile, missing on another

  • Likely cause: Wrong account is logged in.
  • Fix: Switch to the account that purchased the DLC. On family consoles, sharing rules vary by platform.

• Pre-order bonus not appearing

  • Likely cause: Unlock date not reached or bonus redeemed on a different region/account.
  • Fix: Confirm release window, region, and redemption. Install the bonus add-on from the platform store page.

• PC shows “Installed” but game still doesn’t see it

  • Likely cause: Files didn’t apply or verification needed.
  • Fix: Verify game files (Steam/Epic), then relaunch the client and the game.

• Console storage full

  • Likely cause: Not enough space for the add-on.
  • Fix: Free space, reinstall the DLC, then restart the game.

• Deluxe/Season Pass confusion

  • Likely cause: You own the pass, but the specific pack hasn’t released yet.
  • Fix: Check the DLC release schedule; install each pack as it becomes available.

Step-by-step: How to do it

Note: Menu wording can differ by platform and updates. Follow the closest matching path and look for “Manage Add-Ons,” “DLC,” or “Game Content.”

PlayStation 5

1. Highlight NASCAR 25 on the Home screen and press Options.
2. Choose Manage Game Content (or something similar like Add-Ons).
3. Install any add-ons you own but aren’t installed.
4. Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
5. Press Options on the game > Check for Update. Install if available.
6. Fully close and relaunch the game. You should see new cars/tracks where they belong. Common gotcha: If another profile bought the DLC, that profile must be set as the console’s primary for sharing.

PlayStation 4

1. Highlight the game > Options > Information, then look for Installed Add-Ons. Or open PlayStation Store > search NASCAR 25 > Add-Ons to install.
2. Settings > Account Management > Restore Licenses.
3. Check for Update from the Options menu on the game.
4. Restart the game.

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One

1. Highlight NASCAR 25 > press the Menu button > Manage game and add-ons.
2. Look under “Add-ons” or “Ready to install” and tick missing content to install.
3. Check for updates from the same menu.
4. Hold the Xbox button > Restart console if entitlements seem stuck. Common gotcha: Using a different gamertag than the one that purchased the DLC will hide it.

Steam (PC)

1. Library > right-click NASCAR 25 > Properties > DLC.
2. Tick the DLC to install; watch the download queue finish.
3. In Properties > Installed Files, click Verify integrity if content won’t appear.
4. Restart Steam, then relaunch the game.

Epic Games Store (PC)

1. Library > click the three dots on NASCAR 25 > Manage.
2. Enable/toggle the DLC to install; let it finish downloading.
3. Click the three dots > Verify to repair if needed.
4. Restart the Epic client and the game.

Microsoft Store/Xbox app on PC

1. In the Xbox app, open the NASCAR 25 game page > look for Manage or DLC/Add-ons.
2. Install owned add-ons; let downloads finish.
3. Check for updates in the Microsoft Store Library.
4. Restart the Xbox app and the game.

Nintendo Switch (if applicable)

1. Highlight the game > press + > Software Information > Nintendo eShop.
2. Check “Downloadable Content” and redownload owned add-ons.
3. Close software and relaunch.

What you should see when it’s working

• New tracks appear in track selection or event lists.
• New cars/paint schemes appear in car/team selection or in your customization menus.
• If the DLC is a mode or challenge pack, expect a new tile/tab in the main menus.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

This topic isn’t about driving assists, but two helpful toggles:

• Enable automatic updates for games and add-ons on your platform to avoid missing DLC installs.
• Turn on in-game notifications if NASCAR 25 offers a “new content available” banner or similar.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Context: Quick Race with a known DLC item (e.g., a newly purchased track or livery).
• Steps:
  1. Launch the game after confirming the DLC is installed.
  2. Go to Quick Race or the shortest event mode available.
  3. Try to select the new track or the new car/paint scheme.
• Focus: Confirm the item is selectable and loads without errors.
• Success: You can start a session on the DLC track or with the DLC livery within two tries.
• Avoid: Testing inside a locked Career event where track/car choices are restricted—use a free-select mode first.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Launching the game before DLC finishes downloading: Wait for the add-on to complete, then relaunch.
• Staying on the wrong account: Switch to the purchasing account; re-check Manage Add-Ons.
• Expecting Season Pass content early: Check the release schedule; only install packs that are out.
• Not restarting after Restore Licenses: Always fully close and relaunch after license actions.
• Confusing cosmetics with cars: Some packs are paint schemes only—look under liveries/paint instead of car lists.
• Looking in Career only: Try Quick Race or single events where you can freely pick tracks/cars.
• Skipping updates: Install the latest game patch so the game recognizes new DLC.
• Region mismatch: Buying DLC from a different region store than your base game can block installs.

FAQs

• Why is my NASCAR 25 DLC showing as “Owned” but not installed? Your platform recognizes the purchase but hasn’t downloaded the files. Use Manage Add-Ons/DLC on your platform to install, then restart the game.

• How do I restore my DLC if I changed consoles or upgraded hardware? Sign in with the purchasing account, go to the game’s page, and install owned add-ons. On PlayStation, also Restore Licenses. On Xbox, use Manage game and add-ons.

• Do I need to enter a code for pre-order items? Some editions auto-grant entitlements; others include a code. Check your retailer email/receipt. If it’s a code, redeem it on your platform store, then install the add-on.

• My Season Pass is installed—where are the items? Season Passes unlock content as it’s released. Check the pass details for dates, then install each pack from Manage Add-Ons when it becomes available.

• Will DLC share with family accounts? Platform sharing rules apply. Typically, PlayStation primary console sharing and Xbox home Xbox allow sharing on that console, but the purchasing profile rules must be set correctly.

• The DLC appears in Steam/Epic but not in-game. What now? Finish the download, verify files, restart the client, then relaunch the game. Make sure you’re not in an offline mode that blocks entitlement checks.

• Do I need to reinstall the whole game? Usually no. Reinstalling only the DLC or verifying files fixes most issues. Reinstall the full game only if verification fails repeatedly.

Next steps

If you followed the platform steps, your DLC should now be selectable in Quick Race or visible in your customization/collection menus. When in doubt, reinstall the add-on, restore/refresh your licenses, and restart the game.

What to do next:

• Test your new content in a short Quick Race to confirm it’s working.
• Turn on automatic updates so future DLC installs without hassle.

Related articles:

• Update NASCAR 25: How to Install the Latest Patch
• Fix: NASCAR 25 Won’t Launch or Stuck on Loading
• How to Change Cars, Teams, and Paint Schemes in NASCAR 25
• Online Access: Connecting to NASCAR 25 Servers
• Season Pass Explained: What You Get and When