Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is here, and if you’re as excited as I am, the last thing you want is issues loading up the game. Find out how to fix the can’t launch bug here.
How to Fix Can’t Launch Bug
It’s not uncommon for bugs and issues to pop up in the Call of Duty franchise. CoD MW3 is newly launched, so it’s sure to have its share of errors and bugs. Most notably, players have been struggling to launch the game, which is among the most frustrating issues to come across. Here’s what you can do.
Check Activision Server Status
When in doubt, check the server status first. Taking a look at the servers will give you a heads-up if the game is undergoing any maintenance that could be causing the bug.
- Activision Support page
- You can select your server status by platform from within this page.
- Activision Support Twitter/X page
Verify File Integrity
Game crashes and a failure to launch are often time linked to issues in the game’s installation files. So, you’ll want to verify your files to ensure this isn’t the root of the problem. Here’s how to do it.
- Steam Client
- Steam > Library > Right-click CoD MW3 > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Cache > Wait for the scan to complete.
- Battle.net Client
- Battle.net client > Right-click CoD MW3 > Scan and Repair (Verify Files in Local Drive) > Wait for the scan to complete.
Run Application as an Administrator
Oftentimes, you’ll need to run the application as an admin on your PC. I recommend you try it out for Steam, Battle.net or CoD MW3. Here’s how to do it.
- Right-click the application shortcut > Run as Administrator.
Update your GPU
Occasionally, the issue arises from your Graphics Drivers being out of date. So, it’s best to check for any necessary updates. Here’s how to do it.
- For Nvidia Graphics Drivers:
- Go to the official site and download the drivers.
- Once the download is complete, select the download file to initiate installation.
- Restart your PC after the download is complete.
- For AMD Users:
- Open Device Manager by pressing Windows and X and find out Device Manager.
- Display Adapters > double-click it.
- Right-click your AMD video card driver
- Select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software, and you will see if there are any updates to apply.
Verify your System Requirements
If your hardware isn’t up to snuff, you’ll certainly have issues running the game. Here are the requirements for CoD MW3:
- Minimum Multiplayer Only Specifications
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)*
- CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage Space: SSD with 79 GB available space at launch for COD HQ and Multiplayer (34 GB with COD HQ already installed)
- Hi-Rez Assets Cache: Up to 32 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 470
- Video Memory: 2 GB
- Minimum Specifications
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)*
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage Space: SSD with 149 GB† available space at launch (78 GB if COD HQ and Warzone is already installed)
- Hi-Rez Assets Cache: Up to 32 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 470
- Video Memory: 2 GB
- Recommended Specifications
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update) or Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)*
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage Space: SSD with 149 GB† available space at launch (78 GB with COD HQ and Warzone already installed)
- Hi-Rez Assets Cache: Up to 32 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti / RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT
- Video Memory: 8 GB
Uninstall and Reinstall the Game
Sometimes, it’s best to start from scratch. If you’re unable to fix the bug through workarounds, I recommend uninstalling and reinstalling the game.
That’s how to fix the can’t load bug for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. For more tricks, check out our guides hub. We’ve got tips on the best guns, how to play with a controller on PC, and more.
