Fix Modern Warfare 2 Not Launching on PC

Nov. 29, 2024 / Updated by Seraphina to Gaming Solutions

fix-modern-warfare-2-not-launching

Many PC players encounter issues with launching Modern Warfare 2. This article provides effective solutions to help you fix the problem and resume playing.

1. Check Minimum System Requirements

OS: Windows® 10 64 Bit (latest update)
Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-6100 / Core™ i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 or AMD Radeon™ RX 470 - DirectX 12.0 compatible system
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 125 GB available space

2. Check for Driver Updates

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are one of the most common reasons Modern Warfare 2 fails to launch. To ensure optimal game performance, you must make sure that your graphics drivers are up to date. We recommend using Driver Talent to automatically detect and update drivers, saving you time and avoiding the risk of downloading or installing the wrong drivers.

Download Driver Talent

Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Talent, install the software, and open it. Click "Scan" to check for outdated or missing drivers.
Once the scan is complete, find your graphics driver in the results and click the "Download" button.

driver-update

After the update is complete, restart your computer to ensure the new drivers are properly applied.

3. Verify Game File Integrity

On Steam:

Open the Steam client and go to your "Library".

Right-click on Modern Warfare 2 and select "Properties".

Go to the "Local Files" tab and click "Verify Integrity of Game Files".

verify-game-file-integrity

Steam will automatically check and fix any corrupted or missing files.

On Battle.net:

Open the Battle.net client and select Modern Warfare 2.

Click the gear icon next to the game and select "Scan and Repair".

Wait for the process to complete and then try launching the game again.

4. Run the Game as Administrator

Right-click on the Steam shortcut and select "Run as administrator".

Once Steam is launched, try to start Modern Warfare 2.

5. Manage Background Programs

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the "Task Manager".

In the Processes tab, check for any unnecessary programs that are using a lot of CPU or memory.

click-end-task

Right-click on these programs and select "End Task" to close them.

Try restarting the game after closing unnecessary programs.

6. Disable Antivirus Software or Firewall

Disable Windows Firewall:

Open Control Panel and go to "System and Security" > "Windows Defender Firewall".

Select "Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off", then choose "Turn off Windows Firewall".

disable-windows-firewall

Disable Antivirus Software:

Locate your antivirus software icon in the taskbar, right-click it, and choose Disable or Pause Protection.

Note: Disabling your firewall or antivirus software may expose your system to security risks. Only disable them temporarily for testing purposes and remember to re-enable them once you're done.

7. Reinstall the Game

Uninstall Modern Warfare 2 through the Steam or Battle.net client.

Re-download and reinstall the game using the same platform.

After installation is complete, try launching the game again.