Fix: Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Campaign Not Launching

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may encounter an issue where the campaign mode doesn’t launch, even though other modes like multiplayer and zombies load without problems. This issue may be caused by missing files, a corrupted installation, or a temporary glitch on the console or the developer’s end.

If the problem originates from the server side or a global bug, you’ll need to wait for a future patch to resolve it. However, if it’s a local issue on your console, you can try several effective methods discussed below to fix it manually.

1. Check and Install Missing Campaign Packs

Before trying anything else, confirm that the campaign packs are properly installed. The campaign mode is a separate download in Black Ops 6 and doesn’t come pre-installed with the base game. So, even if the rest of the game is working, the campaign simply won’t launch unless its required data files are present. This is one of the most common reasons the mode fails to open and it’s also the easiest to fix.

1. Launch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from your game library.
2. Navigate to Campaigns from the main menu.
3. Access Manage Files when the Install Campaigns prompt appears.
4. Install Campaign Content by selecting the required campaign packs.

Alternative Installation Method:

1. Press the Options button (varies by platform)
2. Select Manage Content
3. Choose Campaign Packs to install

2. Revalidate Your Game License (PlayStation Only)

If the campaign still won’t launch even after confirming the files, it’s worth checking the game license. On PlayStation, a license is the system’s way of verifying that you truly own the digital content.

If that license becomes out of sync due to a system glitch, account issue, or content update, the game may block access to certain features, including campaign mode.

Restoring the license re-validates your ownership of Black Ops 6 and reconnects any missing links between your account and the installed content. It’s a safe, quick step that has resolved this problem for many players.

There are two ways to restore the license:

one through the PS5 settings, and one directly from the game’s home screen.

Method 1: Through System Settings

1. Open Settings from your PS5 home screen.
2. Navigate to Users and Accounts.
3. Select Other > Restore Licenses.
4. Choose Black Ops 6 from the list to restore its license.

Method 2: From Game Icon (Quick Method)

1. Highlight Black Ops 6 on your home screen.
2. Press the Options button on your controller and select Restore License.
3. Confirm by selecting Restore on the prompt.

After completing either method, launch Black Ops 6 again to check if the issue is resolved. If problems persist, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

3. Reinstall Campaign Packs

If the campaign mode still doesn’t load, the installation files may be corrupted or incomplete. This can happen during the initial download or if an update failed to apply properly. Reinstalling the campaign packs ensures that all required files are fresh and intact, which often resolves issues where the mode refuses to start despite being installed.

1. Launch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
2. Press the Options/Menu button (varies by platform)
3. Select Manage Game Content from the menu
4. Locate the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Campaign Pack
5. Click the bin/trash icon to uninstall it
6. Return to the main game menu
7. Follow the standard campaign installation process (as shown in previous method)

Note: This typically resolves campaign issues, but if problems persist, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

4. Clear Cache in Safe Mode

Clearing the cache helps remove temporary system data that may be interfering with the game’s performance. Over time, this cached data can become corrupted and lead to crashes, freezing, or issues like certain modes not launching. Performing this step in Safe Mode gives the console a clean slate to work with and often resolves unexpected in-game bugs or loading failures.

1. Hold the power button for 3-4 seconds until the console fully shuts down (the power indicator will turn off).
2. Press and hold the power button again until you hear two beeps:
   • First beep at startup (immediate)
   • Second beep after 5-7 seconds (keep holding)
3. Use a USB cable to connect your DualSense controller
4. Press the PS button to navigate Safe Mode
5. From the Safe Mode menu, select “Clear Cache and Rebuild Database”.
6. Choose “Clear System Software Cache” from the options.
7. Select OK to begin cache clearance.
8. The console may restart automatically – this is normal
9. Process typically takes 2-5 minutes
10. Once complete, launch the game to check if campaign mode works properly.

If issues persist, contact Activision Support for Black Ops 6 and provide:

• Your console model
• Game version
• Exact error messages

They can offer specific troubleshooting for your situation.