Fix: An error has occurred while launching the game COD MW2 / Warzone

The error message “An error has occurred while launching the game” appears when the Steam or Battle.net client is unable to start the game. This can happen if the game files on your computer are corrupted, the game doesn’t have the necessary permissions to run in Windows, or for several other reasons.

Sometimes, this problem can also happen if the Battle.net client is currently updating on your PC—updates can interrupt the game from starting. In this article, we’ll walk you through several easy ways to fix this error.

1. Run COD MW/Warzone from the Installation Folder

In certain situations, the shortcut you use to launch the game may not point to the correct game file. If this happens, the game won’t start at all.

Also, issues with the Battle.net client can prevent the game from starting correctly. To fix this, try running the game directly from its installation folder:

1. Open File Explorer.

   

2. Navigate to the COD MW / Warzone installation folder.
3. Double-click on ModernWarfare.exe or cod.exe to start the game.

   

4. See if the game launches normally this way. 

2. Run COD MW/Warzone as an Administrator

If the game doesn’t have the right permissions to run, it may not start. This can sometimes be caused by third-party security software or other programs blocking it.

1. Open File Explorer.

   

2. Go to the Call of Duty MW/Warzone installation directory.
3. Right-click on ModernWarfare.exe or cod.exe, and choose Properties.
4. Go to the Compatibility tab.
5. Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.

   

6. Click Apply and then OK.
7. Try starting the game again to see if the issue is fixed. 

3. Restart Your PC

Simple as it seems, restarting your computer can often fix unexpected errors. Sometimes, drivers or other system components aren’t working properly and need to be reset.

Restarting your PC reloads everything and might solve the problem. If the error message still appears after a restart, continue to the next step.

4. Stop the Battle.net Update Process in Task Manager

If Battle.net is updating itself in the background, any games you try to launch through it may not start. You’ll need to stop the update process before you can play.

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Task Manager.

   

2. Find the Battle.net Update Agent process.
3. Select it and click End task.

   

4. Try launching the game again to see if it works.

5. Delete Temporary Data Files

Sometimes, small data files or save files left over in the installation folder can cause problems if they become corrupted. These may be temporary files or crash reports. Removing these temporary files can often resolve the issue.

1. Close Battle.net completely.
2. Open File Explorer.

   

3. Go to the Call of Duty Modern Warfare installation folder.
4. Navigate to the Data > data folder.

   

5. Sort the files by size and delete any files that are 0 to 1 KB in size.
6. Open the Start Menu, search for Battle.net, and choose Run as administrator.

   

7. Try launching the game through the Battle.net client to see if the error is resolved.

6. Clear the Battle.net Cache

Battle.net stores some temporary files (cache) to help it run smoother. But if these files get corrupted, it could prevent the game from launching. Deleting these files will force Battle.net to make new ones and can fix several issues.

1. First, close Battle.net if it’s running.
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
3. Type %appdata% and press Enter.

   

4. In the window that opens, find and delete the Battle.net folder.

   

5. Repeat the same for %programdata% and %localappdata%. Open the Run box again for each, type in the phrase, press Enter, and delete the Battle.net folder found in each.

   

6. Restart Battle.net and check if the issue is resolved.

7. Change the Game Region

If the region selected in the Battle.net client does not match the region you are actually playing from, you may experience problems. It’s always best to set your game region to where you really are.

1. Open the Battle.net client.
2. Go to the Call of Duty Modern Warfare page.
3. Click the globe icon above the Play button.

   

4. Select the region that matches your real location.
5. Restart Battle.net and see if the error is fixed.

8. Remove Command Line Options

Sometimes, custom launch options or command-line parameters entered in Battle.net can clash with the game and prevent it from starting. These are similar to launch options in Steam.

1. Open Battle.net.
2. Go to Call of Duty Modern Warfare.
3. Click the gear icon and choose Game Settings.

   

4. Uncheck Additional command line arguments to remove all custom options.

   

5. Try to launch the game again. 

9. Repair the Game Files

If your game files are corrupt or missing, the game may not run as expected. Fortunately, Battle.net lets you check and repair these files easily.

1. Open the Battle.net client.
2. Select Call of Duty MW / Warzone.
3. Click the gear icon next to the Play button.
4. Select Scan and repair from the menu.

   

5. Wait while Battle.net repairs your game files. 
6. Check if the error message still appears after the repair.

10. Change the Installation Directory

The location where your game is installed can sometimes cause issues, especially if it’s not on your main system drive or not in the default path. To fix this, you may need to move the game to a different folder or even a different drive.

1. Copy the entire game folder to your new desired location.
2. Uninstall the game using the Battle.net client.
3. Start reinstalling the game in Battle.net, then pause the download after a short while.
4. Copy your previously saved game files into the new download location and overwrite any files if asked.
5. Resume the download—Battle.net will detect your existing files and complete the setup. This can help fix installation path-related errors.

11. Reinstall Call of Duty MW/Warzone

If nothing else has worked, the issue may be deeply rooted in the game installation itself. In this case, uninstalling and reinstalling the game is often the best solution.

1. Open the Battle.net client.
2. Click the Modern Warfare icon.
3. Click the settings icon next to the Play button and choose Uninstall.

   

4. Once uninstalled, download and install a fresh copy of the game. The error should now be fixed.