How to Fix Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Not Working

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) is the newly released first-person shooter title in the COD franchise and the 3rd entry in the Modern Warfare lineup. As we all know, COD titles are prone to encounter several bugs and errors even after so many optimizations, MWIII (2023) is no exception here. Multiple players seem to be experiencing the Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Not Working issue on most platforms. If you’re also facing the same issue, check out this guide.

Several reports have revealed that players get the “Steam Error Cannot Play Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer, Please Tray Again Later.” error notice while attempting to play the multiplayer mode. Even Xbox and PlayStation console users have gone through this error since the MWIII (2023) title was released. At the same time, some players claim that the COD Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer issue appears from the WarZone Pacific update. It might be happening due to the missing data pack.

How to Fix Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Not Working

The Call of Duty Modern Warfare III multiplayer issue appears due to the missing data pack, an outdated game patch version, corrupted game files, Activision server issues, system glitches, game licensing issues, and more. Luckily, here we’ve shared a couple of workarounds that should come in handy. Make sure to follow all troubleshooting methods until the problem has been fixed. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Restart the PC or Console

Before performing other workarounds, you should always restart your PC or gaming console to refresh the system. Sometimes, temporary system glitches or cache data issues can trigger multiple conflicts with the game multiplayer not working problem. So, try rebooting the system no matter what you’re using.

2. Check the Activision Online Services

You should check for Activision Online Services here to ensure there is no server downtime or outage issue. In some cases, issues with the server can cause multiple conflicts for the players. If the online status looks active or operational for all platforms, then you’re good to go. Otherwise, wait for a couple of hours if there is a server issue for you. Keep visiting the page link and select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III from the drop-down menu to get the latest info.

3. Update COD MWIII (2023)

It’s always recommended to manually check for the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III game update on your respective device by following the steps below. Sometimes, multiple bugs or glitches in an outdated game patch version can cause server connectivity or multiplayer issues.

Battle.net:

• Open the Battle.net client.
• Go to Game Library > Select Modern Warfare III.
• Click on the cog wheel icon next to the game.
• Next, click on Check for Updates.
• If an update is available, download and install it.

Steam:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Game Library.
• Right-click on Modern Warfare III > Select Properties.
• Click on Updates > From Automatic Updates, select Only update this game when I launch it.
• It’ll automatically install updates whenever available (if Steam is running).

For Xbox:

• Press the Xbox button on your controller.
• Next, choose My Games & Apps > Select See All.
• Select Manage and then Updates.
• If there is an update available, your console will automatically start downloading & installing the new patch.

Please Note: It’s worth recommending going to the Settings page > Choose Systems > Select Updates to update your game automatically whenever the console is connected to the internet.

For PlayStation:

• Head over to the PlayStation home screen.
• Head over to Games > Select Call of Duty Modern Warfare III game.
• Press the Options button on the controller.
• Select Check for Update.
• If there is an update available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
• Wait for the update to complete and then reboot the console.

4. Verify and Repair the Game Files

Sometimes corrupted or missing game files on the PC might also trouble you while starting the game. It’s always better to verify and repair the game files by following the steps below on your PC to avoid errors.

Battle.net:

• Open Battle.net > Click on Modern Warfare III.
• Select the Cog Wheel icon next to the Play button.
• Now, select Scan and Repair > Wait for the repair to complete.

Steam:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Modern Warfare III in your library.
• Go to Settings and select Properties.
• Click on Local Files > Select Verify integrity of game files.
• Wait for the process to complete.

5. Turn Off Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall basically prevents unauthorized ongoing connections from the PC to online servers. You can try turning it off temporarily to check for the issue again.

• Open the Start Menu > Search and open Windows Defender Firewall.

• Now, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left pane.

• Turn Off all the Private, Domain, and Public Network Settings options.
• Finally, click on OK to save changes.

6. Disable Antivirus Protection

You can also try turning off the Windows Defender antivirus protection on your PC to ensure there is no antivirus software blocking the game files from running properly.

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Click on Windows Security from the left pane.
• Now, click on the Open Windows Security button.
• Go to Virus & Threat Protection.
• Click on Manage Settings.
• You’ll need to Turn Off the Real-time Protection toggle.
• If prompted, click on Yes to proceed further.

Note: If you’re using any other third-party antivirus program on your PC then just turn off the real-time protection feature.

7. Update the System Software

It’s recommended to check for system updates on the PC, PlayStation, or Xbox console before getting into any other workarounds. Sometimes an outdated system build can cause several issues.

For PlayStation:

• Go to the Settings menu on the PlayStation console.
• Select System Software Update > Check for available updates.
• If so, follow the on-screen instructions to update it.
• Once done, reboot the system to apply changes.

For Xbox:

• Press the Home button on the Xbox console to open Dashboard.
• Select Settings > Select All Settings.
• Choose System > Select Updates.
• Select Update Console (if available).
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update process.
• Once done, restart the console to apply changes.

For Windows:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Select Check for updates under Windows Update.
• If there is a feature update available, select Download and Install.
• Wait until the software update is complete.
• Once done, restart your computer to apply changes.

8. Delete the Cache Data

It’s also recommended to delete the cache data from your console’s system manually by following the steps below. This method will let you fix several issues with the game crashes or multiplayer connectivity glitches.

For PS4/PS5:

• Power On your PS5 or PS4 console.
• Press and hold the Power button until you hear a beep sound.
• Unplug the power cable from the console once the light stops blinking.
• Then wait for at least 30 seconds > Plug back the power cable again and check for the issue.

For Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S:

• Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
• Select Settings > Go to Devices & Connections.
• Choose Blu-ray > Select Persistent Storage.
• Select Clear Persistent Storage.
• Go to Guide by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
• Then go to Profile & System > Select Settings.
• Choose System > Select Console Info.
• Select Reset Console > If prompted, choose Reset and Keep My Games & Apps.
• Wait for this process to complete and the console will reboot automatically.

Please Note: Not every game will retain its update files, so you may have to reinstall updates to some games.

9. Rebuild the Database

Rebuilding the database on your PlayStation console can quickly resolve potential issues with the multiplayer connectivity. To do so:

• Press and hold the Power button on the PlayStation console until you hear 2 beeps. [The second beep will sound after seven seconds]
• The console will boot in Safe Mode > Connect the USB controller to the console.
• Now, press the PS Button on the controller to pair it.
• Select Rebuild Database and confirm the task.
• Wait for some time to complete the process. [depends on the hard drive]
• Once done, reboot the system.

10. Install Missing Data Packs

Multiple players are claiming that missing data packs in the COD Modern Warfare III title can be one of the major reasons behind the multiplayer not working issue. Though Activision provided split packages of game data to be downloaded and installed to the base title, sometimes this issue might occur. There is nothing to do with it and you don’t need to worry about it. You can check out the following steps to install missing data packs.

You need to download the following data packs.

• Multiplayer Pack (6.0 GB)
• Multiplayer/ Spec Ops Pack (6.7 GB)
• Multiplayer/ Spec Ops Pack (12.3 GB)
• Multiplayer Pack 2 (22.1 GB)

The PlayStation and Xbox console users will be able to download and install these data packs to get into the multiplayer mode again. However, there is no option for the PC users to do so.

For PlayStation:

• Open the COD: Modern Warfare 3 game.
• Now, press the R3 button on the controller.
• Go to Manage Installs > Select the Modern Warfare Game Pack tab.
• Install all the mentioned data packs.
• Restart the console and check for the multiplayer issue.

For Xbox:

• Open the Microsoft Store > Search and select COD Modern Warfare III.
• Scroll down to the In This Bundle option.
• Now, download & install the required data packs.
• Reboot your Xbox console to check for the issue.

11. Restore Licenses

It looks like multiple PlayStation console users are having licensing issues with the purchased games, DLCs, pre-order contents, redeemed items, etc. You should follow the steps below to restore licenses.

For PS4:

• Open the Settings menu from the home screen.
• Now, select Account Management > Choose Restore Licenses.
• Wait for the license restoration > Restart the console.

For PS5:

• Open Settings from the top-left side.
• Now, select Users and Accounts > Choose Other and Restore Licenses.
• Select Restore > Confirm it and wait for it to complete.
• Once done, reboot your PS5.

12. Reinstall COD Modern Warfare 3

In case, you’re still experiencing the multiplayer not working issue with your COD MWIII title then make sure to uninstall and reinstall the game.

For PlayStation:

• Go to Settings > Select Storage.
• Select COD Modern Warfare III.
• Hit Delete > Once done, download and install it again from the PS Store.

For Xbox:

• Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the Guide menu.
• Select My games & apps > Hit See all > Choose Games.
• Choose the Ready to install tab.
• Select Queue > Choose the Modern Warfare 3 game.
• Now, press the Menu button on your controller.
• Select Manage game & add-ons or Manage app.
• Choose Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.
• Select Uninstall all > Ensure to select Uninstall all to confirm the task.
• Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
• Once done, reboot the system to apply changes.
• Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the Guide menu again.
• Hit My games & apps > Select See all > Go to Games.
• Select the Ready to install tab > Hit Install for COD Modern Warfare 3.
• Wait for the installation process and then restart the console.

For Battle.net:

• Open the Battle.net client.
• Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III from the left panel.
• Choose the Options menu on the left side.
• Click on Uninstall Game > If prompted, confirm the uninstallation process.
• Once done, close the Battle.net launcher, and reboot the PC.
• Next, open the Battle.net launcher again > Start installing COD: MW3.
• Click on the Options menu > Select Modify Install.
• Select the mode that you want to install and select Confirm.
• Hit Start Install and wait for it to complete.
• Finally, launch the game.

For Steam:

• Open the Steam client on your PC.
• Go to Library > Right-click on COD MWIII.
• Select Uninstall > Click on Delete to confirm.
• Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
• Exit the Steam client > Open File Explorer.
• Copy & paste C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common on the address bar.
• Then hit Enter to search for the location.
• Go to the COD MW3 folder > Delete the folder completely.
• Reboot the PC to apply changes.
• Finally, open Steam > Reinstall the COD MWIII game again.

13. Reset the Console

If none of the workarounds did fix the issue for you then try to reset the console manually by following the steps below.

For PlayStation:

• Go to the Settings menu on the PlayStation console.
• Select Initialization > Select Initialize PS4/PS5.
• Choose Full > Your PlayStation console will automatically start wiping itself to restore the factory defaults.
• Wait for a couple of hours and then restart the system.
• Finally, go through the initial setup process, and reinstall the game.

For Xbox:

• Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the Guide menu.
• Select Profile & system > Go to Settings > Select System.
• Go to Console info > Select Reset console.
• You’ll get a prompt like Reset your console?
• Select Reset and remove everything. [This will delete all user data including accounts, saved games, settings, all installed apps & games, etc]
  • Although you can choose to Reset and keep my games & apps, it may not gonna resolve the issue in most cases.
• After you select the option, your Xbox console starts deleting and resetting the system to the factory default settings.
• Wait for the process to get completed then reboot the console.
• Finally, go through the initial setup process, and reinstall the game.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For additional queries, you can comment below.