Why You Can‘t Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer and How to Fix It
As one of the most acclaimed entries in the blockbuster franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare set records with over $1 billion in sales upon its late-2019 release. Over 50 million players logged into its addictive multiplayer mode in the first eight months alone according to Activision. Its realistic gameplay and novel 2v2 Gunfight mode make Modern Warfare‘s online competition incredibly appealing years later.
But despite its continued popularity today, many die-hard fans encounter frustrating errors trying to access multiplayer. If you see cringe-worthy messages like “Installation Suspended” or “Failed to Connect to Online Services”, don’t smash your controller just yet! This guide from a battle-hardened Modern Warfare veteran will help you get back to dominating your friends in intense firefights.
"Installation Suspended" Error
This infuriating error essentially means you don’t have all Modern Warfare’s multiplayer content installed, leaving the game incomplete. While the entire Modern Warfare package clocks in at a staggering 175-200GB, only certain Data Packs include the multiplayer mode.
| Platform | Multiplayer Pack Required |
|---|---|
| PC | Data Pack 1 |
| PS4/PS5 | Multiplayer Pack 2 |
| Xbox | Multiplayer Pack 2 |
On PlayStation, you must find the correct 15-20GB Multiplayer Pack 2 hidden deep in your Library to download. On Xbox, this content appears under the Manage Installation section for Modern Warfare. Once you have the proper Multiplayer Pack installed, restart your console and try loading into a match. If you run into further issues, scan and repair your full game files through Battle.net or the Xbox Settings menus to fix lingering corrupt data errors.
Missing Data Packs and Updates
Alongside the Multiplayer Pack 2, Modern Warfare relies on additional content packs for playability. Outdated versions can severely impact connectivity. Stay vigilant that ALL of the following Data Packs display as installed on your platform (under Storage Settings):
- Multiplayer Pack
- Multiplayer and Special Ops Pack
- Compatibility Data Pack 1
- Compatibility Data Pack 2
- Special Ops Pack
When major game updates releasing, new Data Packs may be required and older ones deprecated. Failure to manually install new Packs results in disconnects from matches or failure to find lobbies entirely. Updates can also reset your proper Packs, so double-check after patching.
Server Connectivity Issues
During peak usage hours, Modern Warfare’s online services sometimes struggle under the active player load. You may randomly encounter “Connection Failed” or “Servers Unavailable” errors even with the proper Multiplayer Packs installed. First, check Activision’s Call of Duty Server Status page for any active outages. If all systems show green, retry connecting to multiplayer in 5-10 minutes when traffic may lower.
As a last resort, completely restart your network hardware – router, modem, console etc – to refresh all connections. Testing with another online game can also determine if issues are isolated to Modern Warfare or wider network problems.
Modern Warfare Multiplayer Still Worth Playing?
While Infinity Ward’s latest release, 2022’s Modern Warfare II has consumed some fans’ attention (and hard drive space), the vibrant community keeping the original Modern Warfare’s multiplayer alive speaks to its staying power.
With expanded content through Season 6 Reloaded and expertise tuning weapon balance, showcasing your FPS dexterity in Modern Warfare remains incredibly satisfying. Its tactical, lifelike gameplay hits the sweet spot between the Black Ops arcades-shooter roots and battlefield-simulator levels of realism.
So whether you cherished memories ranking up during quarantine or recently discovered Modern Warfare’s greatness through PlayStation Plus, don’t let technical gremlins deter you. Patience and know-how conquers all – now get out there and claim your place atop the leaderboards, soldiers!
