How to Fix COD: Modern Warfare Split Screen Not Working?

When trying to start split-screen mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the game might not recognize the second controller, stopping you from adding a second player. This means the game isn’t picking up the extra controller needed for split-screen play.

The main reason is often a wrong setup or no support for split-screen on specific platforms or game modes. Also, platform limits, like no split-screen support on PC versions, can cause this issue.

Now that you know the causes, let’s discuss the solutions.

1. Ensure the Second Person is Not Logged in (if applicable)

To avoid split-screen issues in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, let the second player join without logging in initially. Once the split-screen is active, the second player can log in, and the game will recognize both players.

1. Ensure the second player is not signed in and their controller is turned off.
2. Log in with the main account that owns the game, launch Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and keep the second player controller off.
3. Filter out playlists that aren’t compatible with split-screen play before launching a map.

   

4. Turn on the player 2 controller and choose a different Xbox profile for the second player. Note: The second player must use a different profile from player 1.
5. Launch the map and check if this resolves the problem.

2. Restart Console or PC

Restarting your console or PC can help fix problems. Turning it off and on clears temporary bugs or data that might cause split-screen issues. This reset often helps the system correctly recognize the second controller.

2.1 For PC

1. Click on the Start icon, followed by the power icon to open the power menu. Choose Restart from the options available.
   

2.2 For Xbox

1. Press and hold the Xbox button in the center of your controller to open the Power center. Highlight Restart console and press the Restart button to confirm.
   Note: This method applies to both Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X consoles.

2.3 For PlayStation

1. For PS4: Press and hold the PS button on your controller, select power from the context menu, choose Restart PS4, and wait for the process to complete.
   Note: This applies only to PlayStation 4.
2. For PS5: Press the PS button on your controller. Go to the Options Menu, access the power menu, and select Restart PS5.
   
3. After restarting your console, relaunch COD: Modern Warfare and check if the split-screen issues are resolved.

3. Power-Cycle Console

Power cycling your console removes any bugs or background tasks that might block split-screen from working. This resets the system so the game can detect controllers and run split-screen mode without problems.

3.1 Power-Cycle Xbox One

1. Power on your Xbox One console and ensure it’s not in hibernation mode.
2. Press and hold the power button on the console until the LED turns off.

   

3. Once the console is completely off, unplug the power cable.
4. Wait for at least 30 seconds to allow the power capacitors to clear, which helps erase cached data.
5. Reconnect the power cable and turn the console back on.
6. Launch COD: Modern Warfare and check if the split-screen issues are resolved.

3.2 Power-cycle Xbox Series S/X

1. Make sure your console is idle and not running a game in the background.
2. Press the glowing Xbox button on your controller.
3. Go to the Profile & System menu on the right.
4. Select Settings and press A to access them.

   

5. In the Settings menu, go to the Devices & Connections tab and select Blu-Ray.
6. Choose Persistent Storage and click on Clear Persistent Storage to clear the cache.

   

7. Reboot your console and try launching the split-screen mode in COD: Modern Warfare to see if the issue is resolved.

3.3 Power-cycle PlayStation 4

1. Power on your PlayStation 4 console and go to the home screen.
2. Press and hold the power button on the console until you hear a beep.

   

   Note: Ensure the console powers off completely, not into Rest Mode.

3. Once you hear the beep and the light stops blinking, unplug the power cord from the console’s back.
4. Wait at least 30 seconds before reconnecting it. This allows the power capacitors to discharge.
   Note: This step clears any temporary cached data.
5. Power on your console and check if you can start Call of Duty Modern Warfare’s split-screen mode.

3.4 Power Cycle PlayStation 5

1. Make sure your PlayStation 5 console is turned on.
2. Press and hold the power button until you hear a beep, then release it. Let the console power down fully.

   

   Note: Avoid a short press, which puts the console into rest mode.

3. Unplug the power cord from the back of the console.
4. Wait at least 2 minutes to allow the power capacitors to clear.
   Note: This helps clear any cached data from the console.
5. Reconnect the power cord and press the power button to turn the console back on.
6. Once the startup is complete, launch Call of Duty Modern Warfare and test if you can access the split-screen maps without restarts.

3.5 Clear Cached Data on Steam (PC)

1. Sign in with the account experiencing issues.
2. Select Library from the top horizontal menu.
3. Find the COD: Modern Warfare icon in the left vertical menu and right-click it.
4. Click on Properties from the context menu.

   

5. In the Properties Menu, select Local files from the left.
6. Click Verify integrity of game cache to start an integrity check.

   

7. Click Yes at the confirmation prompt and wait for the task to complete. Note: It’s common for some files to fail during this scan.
8. Reboot your PC and check if the issue is resolved once the startup is complete.

4. Reinstall multiplayer packs (Consoles ONLY)

Split-screen issues in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare can occur if multiplayer packs are missing or damaged. Reinstalling them updates the game’s files and often fixes problems with recognizing extra controllers.

4.1 Reinstall COD Multiplayer packs on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

1. Go to the main dashboard of your Xbox console.
2. Open the Settings menu using the Xbox button or gearbox icon.
3. Select My Apps & Games and press A on your controller.
4. Choose Apps and wait for your library to load.
5. Select Games from the vertical menu on the left.
6. Find Call of Duty Modern Warfare on the right pane.
7. Go to the Manage game and add-ons menu.
8. From the COD: Modern Warfare menu, select the main interface to view all game components.
9. 
10. Unselect everything initially to prevent accidental deletion.
11. Check the boxes for Call of Duty Modern Warfare – Multiplayer Pack 1 and Multiplayer Pack 2.
12. Follow the prompts to uninstall these packages.
13. Restart your console, then launch the game to reinstall the missing multiplayer packs when prompted.
14. Try launching split-screen mode and see if the issue is resolved.

4.2 Reinstall COD Multiplayer packs on PlayStation 5

1. Click the gearbox icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
2. In the Settings menu, go to the Storage submenu.
3. Select Console Storage from the left.
4. Access the Games and Apps menu on the right.
5. Find Call of Duty in the list of installed applications.
6. Select the entry, then press X to access the Manage menu.
7. In the Manage menu, select Multiplayer Pack 2 and Multiplayer Pack 3, then click Ok to schedule their deletion.
8. Confirm by highlighting Ok and pressing X to uninstall the packs.
9. Reboot your PS5 and check if the split-screen issue is resolved on startup.

5. Reinstall the Entire Game on PC or Consoles

A full reinstall updates all game files, removing any that are broken or missing, which can fix split-screen issues. This ensures everything is set up correctly for split-screen mode to work.

5.1 Reinstall the Game on PlayStation 4

1. On the PlayStation 4 home screen, swipe through your games to find and select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
2. Press the Options button and select Delete.
3. After uninstallation, go back to the PlayStation 4 home screen and swipe left to the Library menu using the left thumbstick.
4. Highlight Library and press X.
5. In the Library menu, use the left menu to select Purchased.
6. Find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on the right-hand menu.
7. Select the game, press the Options button, and choose Download.
8. Allow the game to reinstall, then launch it to check if the issue is resolved.

5.2 Reinstall the Game on PlayStation 5

1. On the PlayStation 5 home screen, select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare using the left thumbstick or arrow keys, and press the Options button.
2. Choose Delete from the menu and confirm it.
3. Once uninstalled, go to the Game Library on the PS5 home screen.
4. In Your Collection, find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, press the Options button.
5. Select Download from the menu.
6. Wait for the game to install automatically.
7. Start COD: Modern Warfare to see if the split-screen issue is fixed.

5.3 Reinstall the Game on Xbox One or Xbox Series S / X

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller and access the left-hand menu.
2. Select My games & apps.
3. Go to the Games tab and find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in your library.
4. Highlight the game and press the menu button on your controller.
5. Choose Manage game and add-ons.
6. Select Uninstall all from the menu options.
7. Confirm and complete the uninstallation.
8. Go to your Library from the home screen, select All owned games, and re-download Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
9. Start the game to check if the problem is resolved.

5.4 Reinstall the game on PC

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and hit Enter to access Programs and Features (Windows 10 or older) or Installed apps (Windows 11).
3. In the menu, find Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
4. Right-click it (or use the action icon) and select Uninstall.
5. Complete the uninstallation via on-screen prompts, then reboot your PC.
6. Use the game launcher to reinstall COD: Modern Warfare through official channels.
7. Start the game to check if the issue is resolved.

6. Clear your MAC address (Xbox Consoles)

Resetting the MAC address on an Xbox can fix network issues that block split-screen. This clears bad network data and helps the console connect smoothly.

1. Ensure you’re on the Xbox home screen.
2. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu.
3. Go to the Settings icon and select All Settings.
4. Navigate to the Network tab and choose Network settings.
5. Go to the Advanced settings sub-menu.
6. Select Alternate Mac address.
7. Click Clear and choose Restart to apply the changes.
8. After clearing the MAC address, relaunch COD: Modern Warfare to see if the issue is resolved.

7. Disable Crossplay

This issue can happen because of crossplay conflicts that affect split-screen on some consoles. Turning off crossplay limits the game to one platform, which can fix these issues. Keeping both players on the same system reduces conflicts and helps maintain a stable split-screen session.

1. Open COD: Modern Warfare and let it load.
2. Go to the Settings menu at the top-right corner.
3. Select the Account & Network tab.
4. In Activision Account, switch Crossplay to OFF.
5. Start or join a party to check if the error is resolved.

8. Open an Activision Support Ticket

If nothing else works, submitting a support ticket to Activision gives you access to expert help. You can give details about your problem, which Activision can use to check and possibly fix.

1. Go to the Activision support homepage in your browser.
2. Log in using your COD: Modern Warfare Xbox account.
3. Select Support Options from the menu.
4. Choose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare from the games.
5. Select your platform.
6. In Topic, pick Multiplayer.
7. Under Issue, choose My games crash or freeze.
8. Click Submit a ticket at the page’s bottom.
9. Enter your contact email, describe the issue, and click Submit.