If Call of Duty won’t load on PS5, restart, check PSN status, clear cache, rebuild the database, then update or reinstall the game.
Stuck at the splash screen, spinning circle, or a flicker back to the Home screen? This guide walks you through proven steps that get Call of Duty running on a PlayStation 5 without guesswork. Start with the quick checks below, then move into deeper fixes that target licenses, cache, and data integrity.
Call Of Duty Won’t Load On PS5: Fixes That Work
The items in this section are listed from fastest to most involved. Move in order and test the game after each step. One of these usually clears the snag in minutes.
Quick Checks Table
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Endless loading | Cached data hiccup | Full power cycle; then clear system cache in Safe Mode |
| Back to Home | Corrupt game data | Delete and reinstall the game only |
| Padlock icon | License mismatch | Run Restore Licenses in Settings |
| Can’t reach online | PSN service outage | Check PSN status; wait until all services are up |
| Crashes on load | Old build or system | Update both the game and the PS5 system software |
| Disc spins then stops | Read error or install hit a snag | Clean the disc; reinstall from disc while online |
Step 1: Power Cycle And Test Offline
Hold the PS5 power button until two beeps, wait until the light stops, unplug for one minute, then boot. Disable internet in Settings and launch the title in offline mode. If the campaign loads offline, the issue likely ties to PSN, a pending update, or live services.
Step 2: Check Network Status
Open the PSN status page on your phone or a browser. If Account Management or Gaming and Social shows a yellow or red marker, digital titles may fail to open. Wait for green across the board, then try again.
Step 3: Update The Game And System
Highlight Call of Duty, press Options, and choose Check for Update. Then go to System Software Update. Many launch failures trace back to a patch that didn’t finish. Let the downloads complete, reboot, and test.
Step 4: Restore Licenses
Licenses tell the console that your account owns the content. On PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. Run it, then restart the console. This often clears blank tiles, padlocks, and launch loops for digital copies and add-ons.
Step 5: Clear Cache And Rebuild The Database
Cache and index data can get noisy after many updates. Start the console in Safe Mode, pick Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, and run Clear System Software Cache first. Then run Rebuild Database to refresh the index. Your games and saves stay in place. After boot, try the title again. If you need a walkthrough, use Sony’s PS5 Safe Mode guide.
Step 6: Reinstall Cleanly
Delete only the application, not your saves. If you play the campaign or carry progress, check that your cloud saves are current. Reinstall from your library or disc while signed in. Launch the game before adding large packs to confirm the base build works.
Step 7: Storage Health And Free Space
Keep at least 20–30 GB free on the internal SSD to leave room for patches and shader caches. If you installed to an M.2 drive, try moving the title to the internal storage and test. Fragmented or nearly full drives can slow validation during launch.
Why Call Of Duty Won’t Launch: Root Causes
Most PS5 launch failures fall into a few buckets. Understanding them helps you pick the right fix faster and skip noise.
Live Service Outage
When PSN or the game’s online services are down, digital titles can fail to validate, and pre-menu checks may stall. If other online apps feel sluggish, treat status as the first stop.
License Or Account Confusion
Shared consoles, game sharing, or switching primary console settings can confuse license checks. Restoring licenses refreshes entitlements linked to your account and clears the padlock state.
Cache Conflicts
Large games write a lot of temporary data. After several hotfixes, cached files can conflict with the current build. Clearing the system cache and rebuilding the database resets that layer without touching your installs or saves.
Corrupt Install Data
A power cut, a full drive, or a crash mid-patch can leave broken files. A clean reinstall replaces damaged chunks, while a rebuild refreshes the index that tells the PS5 where each file sits.
Step-By-Step Fixes With Detail
Check PSN And Server Health
Visit the official status page for PlayStation Network. If you see a service alert, you’ve found the reason a digital title won’t pass the launch gate. For server-side issues specific to Call of Duty, don’t chase local fixes until the status page is clear.
Run System And Game Updates
From the Home screen, check updates for both the application and the console. Reboot the PS5 after each round of updates. If your console was in Rest Mode during a patch, a manual reboot helps complete pending tasks.
Restore Licenses The Right Way
Use the built-in Restore Licenses tool, then restart the console. If you share a console, also confirm which account holds the purchase and set that account’s console as the primary device.
Clear Cache Safely In Safe Mode
To enter Safe Mode, power off fully, then hold the power button until the second beep. Connect the controller via USB, choose Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, then select Clear System Software Cache. This step clears temporary files used by launchers and services.
Rebuild The Database
In the same Safe Mode menu, pick Rebuild Database. This scans the drive and recreates the index. It can fix slow Home navigation and launch stalls without removing apps. The run time depends on how much you’ve installed.
Delete And Reinstall
Highlight the title, press Options, choose Delete, and install fresh from your library. For discs, clean the disc, install while online, and let patches finish before opening large modes. If you use an M.2 SSD, install to internal storage for the first boot test.
Check Add-Ons And Packs
Large titles ship with campaign, multiplayer, and high-res packs. If a mode fails to load, verify that the required packs are installed and current. Remove any pack that shows a download error, reboot, then redownload.
Network Hygiene Tips
Use a wired connection during large updates. Power cycle the router and modem if downloads crawl. If NAT Type shows Strict, reboot network gear and the console. Avoid background downloads while starting the game.
Disc Edition Notes
Make sure the disc region matches the console region. Avoid moving the console during install. If read errors repeat, try a different title to rule out a drive issue.
Safe Mode Options Cheat Sheet
| Option | Use When | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Update System Software | System update failed or won’t start | Applies the latest firmware from internet or USB |
| Clear System Software Cache | Endless loading or menu glitches | Removes temporary files; no data loss |
| Rebuild Database | Slow menus, launch stalls, missing tiles | Re-indexes storage; keeps games and saves |
| Restore Default Settings | Settings conflict after many tweaks | Resets settings only |
| Reset PS5 | Persistent issues after all steps | Reinstalls system software; you’ll redownload games |
When To Reinstall Everything
If the game still won’t open after a cache clear, rebuild, and clean reinstall, the system layer may be the blocker. Back up saves to the cloud or a USB drive, then use Safe Mode to Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software). After setup, install only Call of Duty and test first. If that works, add your other titles and packs in batches.
Prevent The Next Launch Snag
Leave time for patches to finish before you try to open the game on release days. Keep free space on the internal SSD. Run a cache clear and a database rebuild after a string of hotfixes. Make a habit of closing the game from the Home screen before powering off the console.
What To Do If It’s Only Call Of Duty
If other titles open and only this one stalls, check for a patch or a known issue on the game’s page. Follow the official steps for connection errors and pack downloads. If a new season just landed, servers may be busy for a while, so wait until peak traffic settles, then try again.
Recap: The Order That Solves It Fast
Power cycle. Check PSN status. Update game and system. Restore licenses. Clear cache. Rebuild database. Reinstall. Test on internal storage. Reset PS5 only as a last resort. Work through those steps and you’ll usually be back in the lobby soon.