How to Fix Overwatch 2 Error Code 5001

Blizzard Entertainment is known for its video games like Overwatch 2, which are critically acclaimed, team-based shooter games with multiple heroes. Players can easily team up with friends and get into the experience in this multiplayer title. Meanwhile, it seems that plenty of errors or bugs are appearing in the Overwatch 2 game that we can’t deny. This also includes the Overwatch 2 Error Code 5001 where players try to connect with other friends but are unable to join or invite them unexpectedly.

It affects the overall gaming experience in the multiplayer title and the error message says “The invite could not be sent due to an internal problem (5001).” Now, if you’re also facing the same kind of issue then don’t worry because most of the multiplayer video games are prone to deal with the friend joining error. So, if you’re unable to send a friend request or unable to add friends and getting an internal error 5001 then you’ll need to follow this guide to resolve it.

How to Fix Overwatch 2 Error Code 5001

The chances are high that issues with the friend request in the game, conflicts with the Battle.net cache, an outdated game patch version, corrupted or missing game files, conflicts with the overlay applications, problems with the game installation data, and more can be possible reasons behind the error code 5001. Fortunately, we’ve managed to provide you with some workarounds that might help in fixing the error at your end.

Make sure to follow all troubleshooting methods until the problem has been fixed. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

1. Force Close and Relaunch the Game

Try force closing the Overwatch 2 game application irrespective of the gaming device you’re using and then relaunch the game to check if the problem has been fixed or not.

2. Run Overwatch 2 as an Administrator

Make sure to run the specific game application as an administrator on your PC to grant the user account control permission. Without allowing the system admin permission, some of the programs might not run properly in some cases.

• Right-click on the Overwatch2.exe application file on your PC.
• Select Properties > Click on the Compatibility tab.

• Enable the Run this program as an administrator option.
• Click on Apply and select OK to save changes.

3. Cancel Pending Friend Request

If you’ve already sent multiple friend requests in Overwatch 2 and don’t be able to connect successfully then make sure to cancel the pending friend requests by following the steps below.

• Open the Blizzard Battle.net application.
• Now, open the Friends list.
• Click on the cogwheel icon.
• Choose View Sent Friend Requests.
• Then select Cancel pending friend requests.
• Once done, relaunch Overwatch 2, and try resending the friend request.

4. Update Overwatch 2

An outdated game patch version might trigger multiple issues with the game startup or in-game features. You should always check for the game update manually by following the steps below on your PC to fix several issues.

For Battle.net:

• Open the Battle.net launcher app on your PC.
• Click on the Overwatch 2 game.
• Next, click on the Settings menu (cogwheel icon).
• Select Check for Updates.
• Wait for the update process to be completed.
• If there is an update available, you should download and install the update.

For Steam:

• Open the Steam client > Go to Library.
• Right-click on Overwatch 2 from the list.
• Click on Manage > Select Properties.
• Now, click on the Updates tab.
• Click on Automatic Updates.
• Once a new update is available, click on the Update button.
• Wait for it to install and then run the game.

For Xbox:

• Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the guide.
• Go to My games & apps > Select See all.
• Then head over to Games > Select Overwatch 2.
• Press the Menu button > Select Manage game and add-ons.
• Now, hit Updates > If there’s an update available, select Download and Install.
• Wait for the update to install and reboot the console.

For PlayStation:

• Head over to the PlayStation home screen.
• Head over to Games > Select Overwatch 2 game.
• Press the Options button on the controller.
• Select Check for Update.
• If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
• Wait for the update to complete and then reboot the console.

5. Scan and Repair the Game Files

Sometimes missing or corrupted game files on the PC can trigger multiple issues with the game startup or in-game feature unexpectedly. Make sure to verify and repair the installed game files by following the steps below.

For Steam:

• Launch Steam > Click on Library.
• Right-click on Overwatch 2 from the list of installed games.
• Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.

• Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
• You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
• Once done, just restart your computer.

For Battle.net:

• Launch the Battle.net client on your PC.
• Click on Overwatch 2 > Click on the Settings menu (cogwheel icon).

• Select Scan and Repair > Click on Begin Scan.
• Wait for the repair process to complete.
• Once done, reboot the PC to apply changes.

6. Delete the Battle.net Cache

It’s also recommended to clear the Battle.net cache files from your PC by following the steps below. Sometimes the corrupted or outdated cache files might trouble you a lot.

• Press the Ctrl+Shift+ESC keys to open Task Manager.
• Click on the Details tab > Close all Blizzard tasks like Overwatch 2 and Battle.net.
• Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Now, type %ProgramData% in the box and hit Enter.
• Search for the Blizzard Entertainment and Battle.net folders.
• Delete both the folders.
• Once done, run Battle.net, and play Overwatch 2 again.

7. Turn Off Third-Party Overlays

In some scenarios, a couple of third-party overlay applications might run in the background that consume higher system resources. This affects the system performance or even the specific program running experience that we can’t deny.

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 Overwatch 2.
• 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 > Turn Off – In-Game Overlay.
• Once done, restart the PC to apply changes.

Other Overlays:

Some other third-party overlay applications 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

8. Clear System Software Cache

In case, you’re using the PlayStation or Xbox console then make sure to clear the system cache manually by following the steps below to fix multiple issues like error code 5001.

For PlayStation:

• Press and hold the PS button on your controller.
• Select Turn Off PS4/PS5.
• Wait until the power indicator light shuts off.
• Press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep (around 7 seconds later).
• Now, connect your PlayStation controller via the USB cable.
• Then press the PS button on the controller again.
• Select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
• Next, choose Clear System Software Cache.
• Confirm the process and your PlayStation console will restart.

For Xbox:

• Press the glowing Xbox button on the controller.
• Now, scroll to the right side to select Profile & System.
• Select Settings by pressing the A button on the controller.
• Choose Devices & Connections or System.
• Choose Blu-Ray or Console Info.
• Select Persistent Storage or Reset Console.
• Select Clear Persistent Storage or Reset and Keep my Games & Apps.
• Wait for the process to be completed and reboot the console.

9. Check for the Overwatch Server Status

You should keep retrying the matchmaking or joining the friends list multiple times to check if the problem has been fixed or not. Sometimes the server downtime or outage issue might trouble you a lot with the Overwatch 2 gaming conflicts. Make sure to visit the @PlayOverwatch Twitter account to get all the latest details and updates. You might need to wait for a couple of hours and then check if the server issue has been fixed or not.

You can also check the third-party DownDetector Overwatch 2 Status webpage to ensure there is any current server-related issue present or not. In case, the server is operational enough then skip to the next method.

10. Reinstall Overwatch 2

You can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Overwatch 2 game on your gaming device manually to check if that helps you fix the issue in most cases. So, you can follow the steps below depending on the platform that you use.

For Battle.net:

• Open the Battle.net app on the PC.
• Click on the Overwatch 2 game icon that you want to uninstall.
• Select the drop-down menu > Click on Uninstall.
• If prompted, confirm to delete the game.
• Wait for it to complete the uninstallation process.
• Once done, reboot the PC to apply changes.
• Finally, launch the Battle.net client, and Install the Overwatch 2 game.

For Steam:

• Launch the Steam client on your PC.
• Now, go to Library > Right-click on Overwatch 2.
• Head over to Manage > Select Uninstall.
• If prompted, click on Uninstall again.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
• Once done, just restart the PC to apply changes.

For Xbox:

• Press the Xbox button on the controller.
• Go to My games & apps.
• Select Games > Highlight Overwatch 2.
• Press the Menu option > Select Uninstall.
• Confirm to uninstall it.
• Once done, go to ‘My games & apps’.
• Navigate to Ready to Install or the Xbox Store to reinstall the Overwatch 2 game.

For PlayStation:

• Head over to the PlayStation Home Screen.
• Go to the Game Library.
• Highlight the Overwatch 2.
• Press the Options button on the controller.
• Now, select Delete > Confirm to uninstall it.
• Download the MWIII game from the Game Library or via the PlayStation Store.
• Finally, reinstall the game to check for the issue.

11. Contact Blizzard Customer Support

If none of the methods worked for you then make sure to contact Blizzard Customer Support here to create a ticket to get further assistance on it. By submitting the report or ticket, you’ll be able to get a quicker resolution from the developers. It’ll also help the developers to investigate the issue better and provide a patch fix on the server side quite easily.

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