COD: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Not Working? Try these fixes

When trying to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s multiplayer mode, players might face issues like being redirected to Warzone or being asked to buy the game again, even if they already own it. These issues usually arise from corrupted cache data, missing multiplayer packs, or licensing problems.

Corrupted cache can confuse the system into not recognizing game ownership, while missing packs or invalid licenses can block access to certain game modes.

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

1. Launch Call of Duty Modern Warfare separately (if applicable)

Starting the game separately ensures that Modern Warfare launches correctly instead of Warzone, avoiding conflicts between the two. This step prioritizes the right game files, skipping issues caused by shared launchers.

Fortunately, there’s a solution that works for both consoles and PCs: Run the game separately (from its dedicated launcher) instead of through Call of Duty Cold War.

If you’re experiencing this issue while attempting to launch COD Modern Warfare from the Cold War launcher, avoid using it.

Instead, launch the game from its dedicated launcher. This method is confirmed to work on both consoles and PCs.

If you’re on a PC, simply double-click the COD: Modern Warfare executable.

If you’re on a console, launch COD: Modern Warfare directly from its listing, not from the Cold War interface.

2. Clear the cache of your console or launcher (Consoles & PC)

Temporary system data can sometimes cause issues, leading to errors like unrecognized game ownership or missing features. Clearing the cache on your console or launcher refreshes this data, removing corrupted files or outdated information that might block access to Modern Warfare’s multiplayer.

2.1 Clear the cached data on PlayStation 4

1. With your PlayStation 4 turned on, press and hold the power button on the console until you hear a beep.

   

   Note: Make sure to turn the console off completely, not just enter Rest Mode.

2. After the beep and the light indicator stops blinking, unplug the power cord from the back.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds to allow the power capacitors to drain and clear any cached data.
4. After waiting, plug the power cord back in, start your console, and try launching Call of Duty Modern Warfare Multiplayer mode.

2.2 Clear the cached data on PlayStation 5

1. With your PlayStation 5 fully on, press and hold the power button on the console (not the controller) until you hear a beep and wait for it to power down.

   

   Note: Do not short-press the power button, as this will enter rest mode.

2. Once the console lights are fully off, unplug the power cord from the back.
3. Wait at least 2 minutes to let the power capacitors clear.Note: This step allows the console to ‘forget’ cached data.
4. After waiting, reconnect the power cord, press the power button, and turn the console back on.
5. Once the console boots up, launch Call of Duty Modern Warfare and see if the multiplayer component is accessible.

2.3 Clear the cached data on Xbox One

1. Make sure your Xbox One is powered on and not in hibernation mode.
2. Press and hold the power button on your console until the LED turns off.

   

3. After the console shuts down, unplug the power cable from the Xbox.
4. Wait at least 30 seconds to allow the capacitors to clear and remove cached data.
5. Reconnect the power cable to your Xbox One and power it back on.
6. Launch Call of Duty Modern Warfare and see if the multiplayer component is accessible.

2.4 Clear the cached data on Xbox Series X|S

1. On your Xbox Series console’s home screen, press the glowing Xbox button on your controller.
2. Navigate to Profile & System from the guide menu.
3. Select Settings under Profile & System and press A.

   

4. In Settings, go to the Devices & Connections tab and select Blu-Ray.
5. In the Blu-Ray menu, choose Persistent Storage and select Clear Persistent Storage to clear the cache.

   

6. After clearing the cache, reboot your console and check if the multiplayer component of Call of Duty Modern Warfare launches successfully.

2.5 Clear the cached data on Steam

1. Open Steam and log into your account.
2. Go to Library from the top menu.
3. Find Call of Duty Modern Warfare in the left menu, right-click it, and select Properties.

   

4. In the Properties menu, choose Local Files and click Verify integrity of game cache.

   

5. When prompted, click Yes and wait for the verification to finish.
   Note: It’s normal for some files not to be replaced during this process.
6. After the scan completes, reboot your PC and check if the issue is resolved on startup.

2.6 Clear the cached data on Battle.Net

1. Ensure Battle.net and all Blizzard programs are closed.
   Note: This includes any game or supporting software.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Task Manager. Click on More details if needed.

   

3. Go to the Processes tab in Task Manager.
4. Find Battle.net agent or Battle.net Update agent processes. Right-click and select End Task.

   

5. After closing these processes, press Windows key + R to open Run, type %ProgramData%, and press Enter to access the ProgramData folder.

   

6. In ProgramData, find and delete folders Blizzard Entertainment and Battle.Net by right-clicking and choosing Delete.

   

7. After clearing the folders, restart Battle.net, relaunch COD Modern Warfare, and check if the issue is resolved.

3. Updating the Licenses (Only on PlayStation)

If your PlayStation doesn’t recognize that you own Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, updating the licenses can fix it. This process makes sure your console connects your PSN account with the game you bought, solving problems from bad or old license data.

3.1 Restore the Licenses on PlayStation 4

1. From the home screen of your PlayStation 4, navigate to the Settings menu.

   

2. In Settings, go to the Account Management menu.

   

3. Select Restore Licenses, confirm, and wait for completion.

   

4. After restoring licenses, restart your console and check if the multiplayer component of Call of Duty Modern Warfare is accessible.

3.2 Restore the Licenses on PlayStation 5

1. From the PlayStation 5 home screen, go to the Settings menu (top-left corner).

   

2. Navigate to the Users and Accounts menu tab.
3. Select Other in the User and Accounts menu.
4. Choose Restore Licenses in the next section.
5. In the Restore Licenses menu, select Restore, confirm the operation, and wait for completion.

   

6. After restoring licenses, restart your console and check if you can access the multiplayer component of COD Modern Warfare.

4. Install COD: MW Multiplayer Pack (PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series Only)

Missing key multiplayer packs often causes access issues in COD: Modern Warfare. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, multiplayer mode needs specific add-ons to work properly. Installing the Multiplayer Pack ensures all needed files are present, allowing the game to load and connect to servers smoothly.

Here are the packages you need:

• Base Game (90.2 GB)
• Multiplayer Pack (6.0 GB)
• Multiplayer & Special Ops Pack (6.7 GB)
• Multiplayer Pack 2 (22.1 GB)

If you’re missing any of these packs, you will be denied access to the multiplayer component of Call of Duty Modern Warfare.

4.1 Install Required COD: MW Multiplayer Packs on PlayStation 5

1. Ensure at least 90 GB of free internal space on your PlayStation 5.
2. Open Call of Duty Modern Warfare and wait for the home screen to appear.

   

3. At the game modes screen, press R3 to enter the Manage Installs menu.
4. In the Manage Installs menu, select Modern Warfare Game Packs using the ribbon above, then install: Multiplayer Pack (6.0 GB), Multiplayer & Special Ops Pack (6.7 GB), Multiplayer Pack 2 (22.1 GB).

   

   Note: Stay inside the game during installation.

5. Once the MP packages are installed, restart your PS5 to check if the issue is resolved.

4.2 Install Required COD: MW Multiplayer Packs on Xbox Series S | X

1. From your Xbox Series console’s home screen, go to the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for “modern warfare” and select the game from the results.

   

3. In the store listing, find ‘In this Bundle‘ to see available game packs.

   

4. Install these multiplayer packs with the base game: Multiplayer Pack (6.0 GB), Multiplayer & Special Ops Pack (6.7 GB), Multiplayer Pack 2 (22.1 GB).
5. After installing, restart your console and check if the issue is resolved.