Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has launched with a ton of launch and crashing issues that are quite hard to fix. There are also a ton of issues around the new Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements, which are adding another layer of drama to the launch. While most of these issues are easy to fix, so long as your hardware supports them, you might need to consider getting a refund. Before you resort to that, though check out some of the steps below to see if you can fix things first.

Takeaways:

  1. Why does COD Modern Warfare 4 keep crashing on PC?
  2. What's the best solution to fix Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 from constantly crashing on PC?

How to Fix MW4 Crashing or Not Launching

Once TPM and Secure Boot are enabled, make sure Windows is fully updated. This is especially important on Windows 10, where Call of Duty can have specific version requirements. It's also worth clean-installing your Graphics drivers as well.

  • Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).
  • Download the latest stable GPU drivers from:
  • Disconnect your PC from the internet.
  • Run DDU and completely remove your graphics drivers.
  • Restart your system.
  • Install the latest GPU driver.
  • Restart again and reconnect to the internet.

Update Your BIOS and Check TPM and Secure Boot Settings

Make sure that you are using the latest BIOS version available for your system. A lot of modern games are using new anti-cheat technology, so having an up-to-date BIOS is super important. Check out the following guide if you are getting TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot issues.

How to Fix Attestation Required (Secure Boot & TPM) Modern Warfare 4

Remove reWASD and Other Controller Remapping Software

Controller remapping software, particularly reWASD can cause problems, so if you use reWASD or another controller remapping application, temporarily uninstall or disable it and then try launching the game again. This has been a known issue in the past, so it's a good thing to check this time around as well.

Close Other Apps and Overlays

Disable all of the background junk that you might have running on your system. Temporarily close or disable applications like these.

  • Discord
  • Nvidia ShadowPlay overlay
  • AMD overlay
  • RivaTuner
  • Overwolf
  • Other overlay, performance monitoring, tracking, or recording software

Disable as much of the junk that you have running on your system. You will notice a performance boost and the game might actually launch.

Think about disabling these as well:

  • MSI Afterburner
  • Razer Synapse
  • MSI Dragon
  • Corsair software
  • Similar hardware control utilities
  • Then try launching MW4 again.

Disable Overclocks and Undervolts

If your CPU or GPU is currently overclocked or undervolted, temporarily return it to its default settings. If nothing changes, you can add the overclock or undervolt or whatever other configuration you're using.

Check Compatibility Settings

Right-click the game's executable and select Properties.

Open the Compatibility tab and make sure compatibility options are unchecked, particularly:

  • Full-screen optimizations
  • Compatibility mode

The guide recommends leaving these disabled, although you can experiment with them if necessary.

Try Different Launch Arguments

For whatever weird reason, this actually has a decent success rate for a lot of people, so don't skip it.

Steam

  • Right-click Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4.
  • Select Properties.
  • Stay on the General tab.
  • Find Launch Options.
  • Try entering -DX12.
  • Launch the game.

If that doesn't work, try -DX11.

If you're still having problems, try D3D11 instead.

Battle.net

  • Select the game.
  • Open Options.
  • Select Game Settings.
  • Find Additional command line arguments.
  • Try the relevant launch argument, such as DX12 or D3D11.
  • Launch the game again.

Verify the Game Files

If MW4 is still crashing or refusing to launch, verify the installation files.

Verify Files in Steam

  • Right-click the game in Steam.
  • Select Properties.
  • Open Installed Files.
  • Select Verify integrity of game files.
  • Wait for Steam to finish checking the installation.

How to Fix MW4 Crashing or Not Launching

Scan and Repair in Battle.net

  • Select the game.
  • Open the Settings menu.
  • Choose Scan and Repair.
  • Allow the process to finish.
  • Try launching MW4 again.

Allow MW4 Through Controlled Folder Access

Windows Security can also block some of the stuff that COD MW4 uses to launch.

  • Open the Start menu.
  • Search for Settings.
  • Open Privacy & security.
  • Select Windows Security.
  • Open Virus & threat protection.
  • Find Ransomware protection.
  • Select Manage ransomware protection.
  • If Controlled folder access is already enabled, choose Allow an app through Controlled folder access.
  • Select Add an allowed app.
  • Choose Browse all apps.
  • Navigate to the game's installation folder.
  • Select COD26-COD.exe.

The guide specifically notes that you should not enable Controlled folder access just for this troubleshooting step if it is currently disabled.

Force MW4 to Use Your High-Performance GPU

If you're using a laptop or a PC with multiple GPUs, Windows may be assigning the game to the wrong graphics processor.

  • Open the Start menu.
  • Search for Graphics settings.
  • Open Graphics settings.
  • Find Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 in the application list.
  • If it isn't listed, choose Add desktop app.
  • Browse to the game's installation folder.
  • Select COD26.exe.
  • Add it to the list.
  • Expand the game's entry.
  • Under GPU preference, select your high-performance graphics card.
  • Avoid leaving it on Windows' automatic choice or the power-saving GPU.
  • Try launching the game again.

The source gives a high-performance Nvidia GPU as an example, but the same principle applies when selecting the appropriate dedicated GPU on a system with multiple graphics processors.