23 Ways to Fix Modern Warfare 3 Stuck on Loading Screen on PC

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is a 2023 first-person shooter video game developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision. It is the twentieth game in the Call of Duty series and the third entry in the rebooted Modern Warfare sub-series, serving as the direct sequel to 2022’s Modern Warfare II. Several players face multiple bugs and errors, which have become quite common. To be precise, Call of Duty titles are prone to server connectivity errors that we can’t deny. Meanwhile, Modern Warfare 3 Stuck on Loading Screen on the PC greatly troubles.

Whenever the game gets stuck on the loading screen, it can be predicted that affected players are having long queues during matchmaking or multiplayer modes. It indicates that the game servers have downtime or outages due to the overwhelming number of active players in most scenarios. It might also be worse at times due to the poor internet connection at your end. Activision might require time to scale and improve the game servers accordingly.

What are the Reasons for Stuck on Loading Screen?

Well, there are a couple of potential reasons behind the Call of Duty MW3 stuck on the loading screen issue for the PC version. Let’s take a quick look below.

• System Requirements: An incorrect or incompatible system requirement with the hardware can cause such issues. If your PC specifications aren’t compatible with the game to run properly then the stuck-on loading screen problem may appear.
• Conflicts with the System: Sometimes a temporary glitch or cache data issue with the system on your machine can trouble you, if not powered off or restarted for a while.
• Lack of Administrative Access: Without the system administrator access, the stuck on the loading screen issue might appear whenever players try launching any program or game.
• Outdated Game Patch: An outdated game patch version can eventually trigger game crashes, black screen, stutters, lags, stuck on the loading screen issue, and more.
• Corrupted or Missing Game Files: In some cases, game files might get corrupted or missing on the PC due to unexpected reasons which can be one of the major possibilities of being stuck on the loading screen.
• Surge to the Server Capacity: When an infinite number of active players try jumping into the game servers, the chances are high that players will be kicked out due to the long server queue. Sometimes the technical glitch or maintenance to the server can also create a similar situation.
• Poor Network: Your unstable and low-speed internet connection can eventually cause such an issue.
• Overheating: In case, you’re using a low-end or an older PC specification then it might get easily overheated after using it for a couple of hours. While laptop users will be prone to experience this issue much wider, even desktop users can also deal with it.
• DirectX Issues: Microsoft DirectX is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that basically handles services or tasks based on multimedia or gaming programs on Microsoft platforms. Though installing video games can install DirectX automatically, sometimes it might fail to install or update which can cause stuck on the loading screen issue.
• Third-Party Apps Running in Background: It’s also possible that some third-party apps are running in the background to consume higher system resources. It might affect the overall gaming experience including server connectivity issues.
• Overlay Apps: Third-party overlay apps are useful for performing screen recording, FPS checks, taking screenshots, voice chat, and more during gameplay sessions. However, these overlay applications can cause crashes or server connectivity errors.
• Account Syncing: Mostly account syncing issues with the Activision servers can occur stuck on the loading screen conflicts with the game.
• Graphics Driver Issues: An outdated or missing graphics driver on the system can eventually trigger game-launching issues on the PC.
• Firewall or Antivirus Blocking: Sometimes aggressive blocking with the Windows Firewall or Antivirus software might also prevent game files from running properly.

Fix: Modern Warfare 3 Stuck on Loading Screen on PC

If we take a quick look at the Steam Community page, affected players are claiming that the game doesn’t load properly even after waiting for 5-10 minutes at times. Waiting for a couple of minutes can be long enough and ruins the overall gaming experience. Some players might also lose interest in playing the title after wasting some time.

We should also mention that it doesn’t load at all and fails to progress which is problematic. Fortunately, there are some workarounds that can be performed to try to fix such an issue. You can try following all the methods below to fix the game stuck on the loading screen issue on the PC. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

1. Relaunch the Game

• From the in-game interface, press the Esc key to bring the return menu.
• Make sure to exit the game.
• Now, open the Start menu > Click on the Power icon.
• Select Restart and wait for the system to reboot.
• Once done, relaunch the game to check for the issue.

2. Check the System Requirements

Check out the system requirements for the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III to ensure whether your PC specs are compatible or not.

Minimum Specs	Recommended Specs
OS: Windows 10 64 Bit	OS: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-Bit
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600	CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
RAM: 12 GB	RAM: 16 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 480	Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / GeForce RTX 3050 or AMD Radeon RX Vega
Video Memory: 3 GB	Video Memory: 6 GB
Storage Space: SSD with 65 GB available space (25 GB with COD HQ downloaded)	Storage Space: SSD with 65 GB available space (25 GB with COD HQ downloaded)

In case, there is no compatibility issue applicable at your end then skip to the next method.

3. Allow User Account Control Permissions

• Go to the installed game directory on your computer.
• Now, right-click on the ModernWarfare3.exe to open the context menu.
• Go to Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to enable it.
• Then click on Apply > Select OK to save changes.

4. Check for Modern Warfare 3 Updates

We’ve mentioned both Steam and Battle.net methods for you, irrespective of which client you’re using.

Battle.net:

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

Steam:

• Open Steam > Go to Library.
• Click on Modern Warfare III.
• If you’re seeing the Update option, click on it.
• Wait for the game to install the update.
• Once done, close the client, and reboot the system.

5. Scan and Repair the Game Files

Several affected players have found this method useful to reinstall the corrupted or missing game files on the directory again.

Steam:

• Open Steam > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Modern Warfare III.
• Go to Settings > Select Properties.
• Click on Local Files > Select Verify integrity of game files.
• It may take a couple of seconds to verify.
• Once done, close the client, and restart the PC.

Battle.net:

• Open Battle.net > Go to Library.
• Click on Modern Warfare III.
• Now, click on the cog wheel icon.
• Select Scan and Repair.
• It may take a few seconds.
• Then close the client and reboot the system.

6. Check the Network Status

You can try checking the internet connection at your end by performing speed tests online such as Ookla speed test or fast.com websites. In case, there is an issue with the poor internet connection or stability then contact your service provider to get further technical assistance. If you’re using a Wi-Fi network then try using another Wi-Fi network. We’ll recommend using an ethernet (wired) connection for better performance always.

7. Disable Windows Firewall

• Open the Start Menu > Search and open Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left side.
• Click on the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) toggle.
  • Turn off for both Public and Private Domains.
• Then click on OK to save changes.
• Reboot your PC to apply changes.

8. Run the DirectX Installer

• Go to the official Microsoft website first.
• Then download the latest DirectX installer version.
• Now, run the installer > Allow DirectX to install completely.
• Then restart the PC and check for the issue again.

9. Turn Off Antivirus Scanning

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Go to Windows Security.
• Now, click on Open Windows Security > Select Virus & Threat Protection.
• Select Manage Settings > Real-time protection – Turn it Off.
• If prompted, click on Yes to continue.

Please Note: If you’re using any other third-party antivirus program on your PC then turn off the same via the settings menu.

10. Update the Graphics Card Driver

Some players did find this trick helpful as updating the graphics driver fixed the game launching issues.

Recommended Method:

• Press the Win+X keys > Open Device Manager from the list.
• Double-click on Display adapters to expand it.

• Right-click on the dedicated graphics card.
• Click on Update driver > Select Search automatically for drivers.
• If an update is available, the system will automatically download and install it.
• After that, restart your PC to apply the changes.

Visit the Official Graphics Website:

In case, you didn’t find any update on the system, try visiting the official graphics card manufacturer’s website respectively. Then search for the latest driver according to the model number > Download and install the same on the PC.

• Nvidia GPU
• AMD GPU
• Intel GPU

11. Close Background Applications

Please Note: Do not close system tasks or applications without knowledge. Otherwise, your system may get corrupted or you may face some issues.

• Open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys.
• Go to Processes > Choose the specific task that you want to close.
• Then click on End Task.
• Now, do the same steps for each task individually.
• Once done, restart your PC.

12. Tweak In-Game Graphics Settings

You should also adjust in-game graphics settings manually from the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III game menu. Try following the steps below:

• V-Sync – Turn Off
• Reduce Graphics Settings to Medium or Low
• Set Display Mode to Fullscreen

13. Update Windows

• Click on the Windows Start menu > Click on Settings.
• Go to Update & Security > Click on Check for updates.
• If there is a new update available, make sure to click on Download and Install.
• Once done, restart your PC to apply changes.

14. Use Storage Sense

Storage Sense basically manages the storage data by deleting temporary files or cache from the storage automatically. To do that:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on System > Go to Storage.
• Set Storage Sense – Turn Off.

15. Keep the Machine Cool Down

Try to cool down your computer in sleep mode or by powering it off. Mostly, an overheated PC (or its components) can reduce the overall performance to some extent. In case, you’re using your PC for a few hours without any interruption then it’s time to cool it down for a while.

16. Reinsert the RAM Stick

Make sure to reinsert the RAM stick(s) on the specific RAM slots manually to check if the game launches properly or not. Conflicts with the memory can cause such an issue. To do so this:

• First, shut down the PC. [Go to Start > Power menu > Shut down]
• Once powered off, unplug the power cable from the source.
• Now, remove the back panel or cabinet panel.
• Then gently remove the RAM stick(s).
• Clean the slot and stick using a cleaning brush.
• Reinsert the RAM stick(s) again and then close the panel.
• Finally, power on the computer.

17. Reset Overclocking to Default

Try resetting the CPU/GPU overclocking software to the factory default state to ensure your game isn’t getting affected by the overclocked CPU/GPU.

18. Disable Overlay Apps

Third-party overlay applications sometimes consume higher system resources which can cause game launching issues up to some extent.

Discord Overlay:

• Open Discord > Click on the gear icon at the bottom.
• Go to Overlay from App Settings.
• Turn on – Enable in-game overlay.
• Go to Games > Choose Modern Warfare 3.
• Enable in-game overlay – Turn it Off.
• Then restart the system.

Xbox Game Bar:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Gaming > Go to Game Bar.
• Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar – Turn it Off.

Game Mode:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Gaming > Go to Game Mode > Turn it Off.

Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

• Open Nvidia GeForce Experience.
• Navigate to Settings.
• Click on General > In-Game Overlay – Turn it Off.
• Once done, restart the PC to apply changes.

Other Overlays:

There are some other third-party overlay applications that can be installed on your system that should be disabled manually. Talking about the other overlay apps, we’ve listed the common ones below:

• MSI Afterburner
• Rivatuner Statistics
• Third-party RGB software
• Any other keyboard & mouse customizing software
• Other overclocking apps
• Screen recording or broadcasting apps

19. Install Visual C++ Redistributable

• Visit the official Microsoft website > Download the Visual C++ Runtime (latest).
• Install VCRedist-x64.exe on your system > Reboot the PC.

20. Disable Memory Integrity in Core Isolation

Windows 11 do come with in-built hardware-level security encryption to prevent virus or malware attacks by monitoring kernel-mode stacks. Though this feature comes enabled by default, it’s recommended to disable memory integrity in core isolation should help in fixing game launching issues up to some extent. To do so:

• Press the Win+I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Privacy & Security > Go to Windows Security.
• Now, click on Device Security.
• Click on Core isolation details.

• Turn Off the Memory integrity option.
• Finally, restart your system to apply changes.

21. Boot Your System in Safe Mode

• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Now, type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
• Go to Boot > Click on Safe Boot.
• Hit Apply > Click on OK.
• Then boot the system in safe mode.
• Check for potential issues or rogue applications.
• Once troubleshooting is done, restart the system.

22. Log Out of Activision and Log Back In

In some cases, logging out of the Activision account and then logging back into the valid account might come in handy for most Call of Duty players.

• Visit the Activision website and log into the valid account.
• Click on PROFILE at the top-right corner.
• Go to ACCOUNT LINKING > Navigate to your profile.
• Click on Linked Accounts > Check all the linked accounts.
• Now, click on Unlink > It might take some time.
• Then sign into the account again to check for the issue.

23. Reinstall Modern Warfare 3

As a last resort, uninstall & reinstall the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 game on the computer by following the steps below. Reinstallation doesn’t suit everyone but this is the last option you can do at your end.

For Battle.net:

• Open Battle.net > Click on Library.
• Click on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III from the left side.
• Select Options on the left pane.
• Click on Uninstall Game > Restart the computer.
• Open Battle.net again > Install COD: MWIII.
• Click on Options > Select Modify Install.
• Next, click on Confirm > Choose Start Install.
• After installing, run the game.

For Steam:

• Launch Steam > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Modern Warfare 3.
• Go to Manage > Click on Uninstall.
• Click on Uninstall again to confirm.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete.
• Now, restart the PC to apply changes.
• Launch Steam > Reinstall Modern Warfare 3 from the Steam Store.
• You’re good to go.

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

For those who are experiencing specific issues like getting Unexpectedly Stopped Working Error, Multiplayer Not Working, or Shaders Optimization Every Time, it’s recommended to click on the provided link to get detailed troubleshooting steps and possible solutions. Always ensure your systems are up-to-date and be patient as fixes and updates roll out.