Fix Call of Duty: Warzone may crash during startup on PC before reaching the main menu. The game may close without an error message or return to the desktop. This issue commonly occurs due to corrupted game files, outdated drivers, system conflicts, or misconfigured graphics settings. In most cases, the problem is software-related and can be resolved using structured troubleshooting steps.
Common Reasons Fix Call of Duty Warzone Crashes on Startup
Warzone depends on DirectX, GPU drivers, system memory, and background services. Crashes often occur when required files fail to load or when system resources are restricted. Incompatible updates, unstable overclocking, missing system libraries, or anti-cheat service errors are also common causes.
Fix 1 – Check System Requirements and Windows Updates
Warzone requires a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows 11. The minimum RAM requirement is 12 GB. A DirectX 12 compatible GPU is required. Press Windows + R, type winver, and confirm the operating system version. Open Settings and install all available Windows updates.
Outdated system components can cause startup instability.
Fix 2 – Run Battle.net and Warzone as Administrator
Permission issues can prevent the game from accessing system files.
Close Battle.net completely. Right-click the Battle.net shortcut and select Run as administrator. Navigate to the Warzone installation directory. Right-click the game executable and enable Run as administrator in Compatibility settings. Apply the changes and relaunch the game.
This allows proper access to required services during startup.
Fix 3 – Scan and Repair Game Files
Corrupted or missing files are a frequent cause of crashes.
Open Battle.net. Select Call of Duty: Warzone. Click Settings and choose Scan and Repair. Allow the launcher to verify and replace damaged files. Restart the system once the process completes.
This restores essential startup files.
Fix 4 – Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or unstable GPU drivers can crash the game before loading.
Open Device Manager and check the installed graphics card. Download the latest stable driver from NVIDIA or AMD official websites. Install the update and restart the PC.
Updated drivers ensure compatibility with Warzone’s graphics engine.
Fix 5 – Disable Overlays and Background Applications
Overlays can interfere with the game engine.
Disable overlays from Discord, GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar, and Steam. Open Task Manager and close unnecessary background programs. Avoid running screen recorders or performance tuning tools during startup.
This reduces software conflicts.
Fix 6 – Reset Graphics Settings and Config Files
Invalid graphics settings can cause immediate crashes.
Navigate to the Call of Duty configuration folder in Documents. Delete the config files related to graphics and display. Launch the game to regenerate default settings.
This forces safe display values at startup.
Fix 7 – Check Virtual Memory and RAM Usage
Insufficient memory can cause Warzone to crash during initialization.
Open System Properties and go to Advanced system settings. Under Performance, select Settings and open the Advanced tab. Ensure virtual memory is enabled and set to system-managed size. Restart the PC.
Warzone requires stable memory allocation during startup.
Fix 8 – Reinstall Warzone if Crashing Persists
If all other fixes fail, a clean installation is required.
Uninstall Call of Duty: Warzone from Battle.net. Restart the PC. Reinstall the game on a drive with at least 125 GB of free space. Maintain a stable internet connection during installation.
This removes deeply corrupted files.
FAQs
Why does Warzone crash immediately after clicking Play?
This usually happens due to corrupted game files, driver incompatibility, or missing system updates. File repair and driver updates resolve most cases.
Will these fixes work on both Battle.net and Steam versions?
Yes. The core game files and system dependencies are the same across platforms.
Can antivirus software cause Warzone to crash?
Yes. Antivirus or firewall software may block game files or anti-cheat services. Temporarily disabling them can help identify the issue.
Conclusion
Fix Call of Duty: Warzone crashing on startup is primarily caused by software conflicts, corrupted files, or outdated system components. Running the game with proper permissions, repairing files, updating drivers, and resetting graphics settings resolve most issues. Reinstallation is effective when deeper corruption exists. These steps restore stable game startup and reliable performance.