Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Not Working

Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Not Working: How to FIX

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Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Not Working: Released in 2020, “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War” is a first-person shooter that generated significant excitement following the success of its predecessor, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” which launched in 2019.

While the developers had high hopes for Cold War’s success, the game encountered various challenges, including numerous bugs and a lack of distinctive gameplay elements.

Despite these issues, “Call of Duty” titles generally deliver engaging action-packed experiences. However, many players have reported difficulties with the multiplayer aspect of Cold War.

Upon closer examination of the “Call of Duty” series, it becomes evident that numerous players are experiencing issues connecting to online servers for matchmaking or gameplay.

Common error messages include “Cannot Connect to Online Services” or a persistent screen reading “Connecting to Call of Duty Online Services.” When players find themselves stuck on these notifications, it typically signifies a problem with online connectivity.

Fix: Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer Not Working

If you find yourself facing issues with multiplayer functionality, rest assured that you are not alone.

Several factors could be contributing to this problem, such as having an outdated version of the game, corrupted or missing files, incomplete downloads, running the game without administrative privileges, interference from Windows Firewall, complications with online services, conflicts with network drivers, or issues with account linking, among others.

Fortunately, we have compiled a series of troubleshooting steps that may help resolve the issue. We recommend going through each method systematically until the problem is resolved. Let’s get started on finding a solution.

1. Reboot the PC

To begin with, one effective step you can take is to restart your computer. This simple action can help resolve any temporary glitches or issues related to cached data. Often, a standard reboot can effectively address a variety of problems and errors that may arise.

2. Run the Game as an administrator

To optimize the performance of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War game on your PC, it’s advisable to run the application with administrator privileges. You can do this by following these steps:

  • 1. Navigate to the folder where Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is installed on your computer.
  • 2. Locate the game executable file and right-click on it.
  • 3. Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu, then switch to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
  • 4. Check the box labeled ‘Run this program as an administrator’ to enable this setting.
  • 5. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’ to confirm your changes.
  • 6. To launch the game, simply double-click the application file.

This process helps to prevent any potential issues while running the game.

3. Check the Activision Online Services

It’s quite possible that Activision’s online services are experiencing downtime or operational issues in certain areas, which could lead to server connectivity problems. To verify the status of the servers, please follow these steps:

  • 1. Navigate to the Activision Online Services page.
  • 2. Use the drop-down menu to select “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.”
  • 3. If the status indicates that “All Platforms are ONLINE,” then the game servers are functioning properly at that time.
  • 4. You can also click the Refresh link to update the page manually.

If you discover that there are issues with the Activision online services, it’s advisable to refresh the page and wait a few hours before attempting to connect again.

4. Check the Internet Connection

It’s advisable to assess your internet connection to rule out any issues related to a weak or unstable network.

If you find that your connection is lacking, consider switching from a wired setup to a wireless one, or the other way around.

Alternatively, you might want to execute a power cycle on your Wi-Fi router, which can help restore and improve your connectivity.

5. Update Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

We highly recommend that you manually verify the game update through your Steam client to prevent any potential issues associated with running an outdated version. An old game patch can often lead to glitches or stability problems, such as connectivity issues, which can be resolved by following these outlined steps.

**For Battle.net:

  • 1. Launch the Battle.net application and click on the Blizzard logo located in the top left corner.
  • 2. Navigate to Settings and select Game Install/Update.
  • 3. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and enable the option that says “Apply latest updates and download future patch data for recently played games.”
  • 4. Click Done to confirm your changes, then restart the Battle.net launcher to ensure the updates are applied.
  • 5. The game will then automatically update to the latest version available.

**For Steam:

  • 1. Open your Steam client and head to your Library.
  • 2. Select “COD: Black Ops Cold War” from the list on the left.
  • 3. Steam will automatically check for any available updates.
  • 4. If an update is found, click on the Update button to start the process.
  • 5. Allow some time for the update to complete, and once it’s finished, restart your PC to finalize the changes.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother gaming experience with the latest updates.

6. Verify and Repair Game Files

Missing or damaged game files can often lead to frustrating issues, especially when trying to launch your game. To resolve this, you can follow these procedures based on the platform you’re using:

**For Steam Users:

  • 1. Open the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
  • 2. Find and right-click on “COD: Black Ops Cold War” in your game list.
  • 3. Select “Properties” from the dropdown menu.
  • 4. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
  • 5. Choose “Verify Integrity of Game Files” to initiate the process.
  • 6. Allow the verification to complete.
  • 7. Afterward, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

**For Battle.net Users:

  • 1. Launch the Battle.net client on your computer.
  • 2. Select “COD: BOCW” from your games list and click on the OPTIONS icon (shaped like a gear).
  • 3. From the menu, select “Scan and Repair.”
  • 4. Click on “Begin Scan” to start the checking process.
  • 5. Wait for the scan to finish.
  • 6. Once completed, close the Battle.net launcher and restart your computer.

Following these steps should help resolve any issues related to missing or corrupted game files.

7. Allow the Game through Windows Firewall

To resolve multiplayer connectivity issues in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, you may want to consider whitelisting the game in your Windows Firewall. Here’s how to do it:

  • 1. Begin by opening the Start menu and typing “Control Panel” into the search bar, then press Enter to access it.
  • 2. Navigate to the “System and Security” section and select “Windows Firewall.”
  • 3. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.”
  • 4. Next, click on “Change settings” and then choose “Allow another app.”
  • 5. Use the “Browse” option to locate and select Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
  • 6. After selecting the game, click on “Add” and ensure you save your changes.

Following these steps should help improve your multiplayer experience.

8. Update Networking Drivers

An outdated networking driver can lead to various problems with your online server connectivity. To resolve this, it’s advisable to check for updates to your networking driver on your computer. Follow these steps to ensure you have the latest version installed:

  • 1. Right-click on the Start Menu to access the Quick Link Menu.
  • 2. Select “Device Manager” from the options presented.
  • 3. Locate and double-click on “Network Adapters” to expand the list of devices.
  • 4. Right-click on the relevant networking device and choose “Update driver.”
  • 5. Opt for “Search automatically for drivers” to allow the system to find any available updates.
  • 6. If an update is found, it will download and install automatically.

After the installation is complete, don’t forget to restart your computer to apply the changes effectively.

10. Ensure Activision and Blizzard Accounts are Linked

Several reports indicate that players may experience frequent crashes, freezes, or connection issues with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War if their Blizzard account is not correctly linked to their Activision account. To prevent these problems, it is advisable to ensure both accounts are connected. Here’s how to do this:

  • 1. Navigate to the Activision website and log in to your account.
  • 2. Click on the PROFILE option located in the top-right corner of the screen.
  • 3. In the ACCOUNT LINKING section, you’ll be able to view your profile details.
  • 4. Ensure that you link it to your Blizzard Battle.net account.

Follow the prompts provided on the screen to complete the linking process. Once done, try launching the game again to see if the issues persist.

11. Try Downloading All Resources in COD: BOCW

To ensure optimal gameplay in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, it’s essential to download all necessary resources during the game’s launch.

A weak or unstable internet connection can prevent these resources from downloading fully, potentially leading to issues with multiplayer connectivity. Therefore, taking this step will help enhance your gaming experience and reduce the likelihood of errors.

12. Clear Battle.net Cache Data

If you’re experiencing issues with the multiplayer mode of COD Black Ops Cold War on your PC, it could be due to corrupted game files or problems with the Battle.net cache. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below to clear the Battle.net cache on your computer:

  • 1. Begin by closing the Battle.net client.
  • 2. Next, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  • 3. In the Task Manager, find and terminate the Battle.net launcher process.
  • 4. Now, press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog box.
  • 5. Type in %ProgramData% and press Enter.
  • 6. In the directory that opens, locate the Battle.net folder and delete it.
  • 7. Finally, restart the Battle.net launcher and check if the issue persists.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the multiplayer connectivity problem.

13. Try to Restore Licenses for PlayStation

It’s not unusual for your purchased licenses to become misaligned on the PlayStation platform. If you encounter this issue, a good first step is to restore your licenses through the Account Management Settings.

Ensure that you are using a legitimate Call of Duty account along with your PlayStation account to facilitate a smooth restoration process.

14. Uninstall and Reinstall COD: Black Ops Cold War

If you’ve tried all the previous solutions without success, consider uninstalling and reinstalling Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on your PC. This process can help eliminate any underlying glitches or issues with the game files that might be causing launch problems or multiplayer connectivity difficulties.

To proceed with the reinstallation, follow these steps:

  • 1. Launch the Battle.net client and navigate to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War in the left-hand panel.
  • 2. Click on the Options menu located on the left side.
  • 3. Select “Uninstall Game” and confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
  • 4. After the uninstallation is complete, exit the Battle.net launcher and restart your computer.
  • 5. Reopen the Battle.net launcher and begin the installation of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
  • 6. Click on the Options menu again and choose “Modify Install.”
  • 7. Select your desired game mode and click “Confirm.”
  • 8. Finally, click “Start Install” and wait for the installation process to finish.

Once the installation is complete, you’re all set to jump back into the action. We hope this guide has been useful to you. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below!

COD Black Ops Cold War Crashing Error Code 0xc0000005: How to FIX

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