Call of Duty Warzone 2 is an extremely popular battle royale game, loved by millions of gamers worldwide. However, some users have reported experiencing issues while trying to play the game. It can be frustrating when you’re eagerly waiting to jump into the game, but it won’t start or crashes unexpectedly. If you’re facing this issue and wondering why can’t I play Warzone 2, then keep reading. In this article, we will discuss the most common solutions to fix the problem.
If your PC is crashing whenever you launch Warzone 2, make sure you see this guide on crashing PC.
Warzone 2 Not Launching on PC – Best Solutions Explained
Here are some of the quick solutions to fix the Warzone 2 not launching issue on your PC.
1. Check System Requirements
If you are just installed COD Warzone 2 and playing it for the very first time, it is important to ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements to run Call of Duty Warzone 2. If your system does not meet the minimum requirements, it will not be able to run the game smoothly or at all.
Here are recommended specifications for COD Warzone 2. You can check more on Activision Website.
OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update) or Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update)
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K / Core i7-4770 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400
RAM: 12 GB
Hi-Rez Assets Cache: Up to 32 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
Video Memory: 4 GB
If your PC is not fulfilling these requirements, you don’t need to proceed any further because your PC needs upgrades that can meet the recommended specifications to play Warzone 2.
Also Read: Why My PC getting So Slow
2. Close all background apps
Running too many apps in the background can cause your system to slow down and affect the performance of Call of Duty Warzone 2. Some of the common background apps that can cause issues while playing the game include web browsers, video players, file-sharing applications, and antivirus programs.
To ensure a smooth gaming experience, it is recommended to close all unnecessary apps before launching Call of Duty Warzone 2. You can use the task manager on Windows to close all unnecessary apps.
To close apps using the task manager on Windows:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open the task manager.
- Click on the “Processes” tab.
- Select the app you want to close and click on “End Task.”
- Repeat the process for all unnecessary apps.
Once you are done with that, try to launch Warzone 2 again.
3. Restart Your PC
Sometimes, a simple restart of your PC can fix the issue. Restart your system and try launching Warzone 2 again. There could be some files that is causing the issue. Restarting the PC will wipe off those temporary files and Warzone 2 will launch absolutely fine.
4. Update Warzone 2
Make sure you have the latest version of the game installed. To check for updates, open the Battle.net launcher, select Call of Duty Warzone 2, and click on the Options menu. Select “Scan and Repair” and let the launcher check for any available updates.
If you are using Steam, here is how to update Warzone 2:
- Open the Steam launcher.
- Click on the “Library” button located at the top of the launcher.
- Find “Call of Duty Warzone 2” in your list of games.
- If an update is available, you will see an arrow pointing downward next to the game’s name. Click on the arrow to start the update.
5. Run Steam as an Administrator
Running the Steam launcher as an administrator can sometimes fix the issue. To do this, right-click on the Steam shortcut, select “Properties,” go to the Compatibility tab, and check the box that says “Run this program as an administrator.”
6. Verify game file integrity on Steam
Sometimes, the game files can become corrupted, causing the game to crash or not start. To fix this, go to the game library on Steam, right-click on Call of Duty Warzone 2, and select Properties.
Now go to the Local Files tab, and click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
7. Update the graphics driver
Make sure you have the latest graphics driver installed on your system. To update it, go to the manufacturer’s website (AMD or Nvidia) and download the latest driver for your graphics card. If the graphics driver is outdated or corrupted, it can cause issues while playing Call of Duty Warzone 2, such as low FPS, stuttering, and crashes.
Here is how to update Graphic Driver:
- Open the Device Manager on your system.
- Expand the “Display adapters” section.
- Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
- Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
- Windows will now search for and install the latest graphics driver for your system.
If that is not working, you need to update the Drivers right from Nvidia’s website. Go here and download Nvidia Driver.
8. Disable Third-Party Antivirus Temporarily
Antivirus software is designed to protect your system from viruses and malware. However, some antivirus software can cause issues while playing Call of Duty Warzone 2. The antivirus may detect the game files as a threat and quarantine them, preventing the game from running.
Follow the steps mentioned below to disable Antivirus temporarily
- Locate the antivirus icon in the system tray (usually located at the bottom right corner of your screen).
- Right-click on the icon and select “Disable” or “Pause” depending on your antivirus software.
- Select the duration for which you want to disable the antivirus. It is recommended to disable the antivirus for a short period (e.g., 15 minutes) to play the game.
- Launch Call of Duty Warzone 2 to see if the issue is resolved.
9. Disable Steam Overlay
The Steam overlay can interfere with the game, causing it to crash or not start at all. To disable it, open Steam, go to the settings, select the In-Game tab, and uncheck the box that says “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
10. Clear cache files
Cache files are temporary files stored on your system to help the game load faster. Over time, these cache files can build up and cause issues while playing Call of Duty Warzone 2. Clearing the cache files can help fix the issue.
To clear the cache files for Call of Duty Warzone 2 on Battle.net, follow the steps below:
- Open the Battle.net launcher.
- Click on the “Options” button located at the top left corner of the launcher.
- Select “Show in Explorer” from the drop-down menu.
- Navigate to the “Call of Duty Modern Warfare” folder.
- Delete the following folders:
- main
- data
- player
- Launch Call of Duty Warzone 2 to see if the issue is resolved.
If you are using Steam, follow these steps:
- Open the Steam launcher.
- Click on the “Steam” button located at the top left corner of the launcher.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Downloads” tab located on the left side of the Settings window.
- Click on the “Clear Download Cache” button located at the bottom of the Downloads tab.
- A confirmation box will appear. Click “OK” to clear the cache files.
- Launch Call of Duty Warzone 2 to see if the issue is resolved.
Clearing the cache files for Call of Duty Warzone 2 will not delete your saved game progress or settings. The game will create new cache files the next time you launch it, which may help fix the issue you were experiencing. Once the cache is clear, it is suggested to restart your PC and try again to launch Warzone 2.
Wrapping up
That is how you can fix Warzone 2 not launching issue on PC. Hope that worked out for you but if you are still experiencing issues after trying these solutions, we recommend reaching out to the game’s support team for further assistance. Following these steps ensures a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience while playing Call of Duty Warzone 2.
