When Call of Duty won’t launch on PS5, clear cache in Safe Mode, rebuild the database, and verify licenses and content packs.
If your PlayStation 5 stalls on the splash screen, loops on “checking for update,” or drops you back to the dashboard when starting a Call of Duty title, you’re in the right place. This guide gives you clear steps that solve the most common causes: bad cache, a cluttered database, missing content packs, license hiccups, storage limits, and service outages. Start with the quick checks, then move through the fixes in order. Most players can get back in without reinstalling the whole game.
Ps5 Not Opening Call Of Duty — Quick Checks That Save Time
Run through these basics first. They take minutes and often clear launch blocks before you dive deeper.
- Restart the console, then power it off fully. Wait 30 seconds and start it again.
- Open another game or app to confirm the system can launch content.
- Check free space. Keep at least 100 GB free for big updates and shader builds.
- Test with a second PSN account on the same console to rule out account-specific prompts.
- If you own a disc, reseat it and confirm the label faces the correct way in a vertical stand.
Fast Diagnostic Matrix
This table maps common symptoms to likely causes and the first action to try.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | First Action |
|---|---|---|
| App closes on launch | Corrupt cache or database | Clear cache & rebuild database in Safe Mode |
| “Content not found” or “Disc required” | Missing packs or license issue | Restore licenses; install required packs |
| Stuck on “Checking for update” | Service outage or network snag | Review PSN status; retry after reboot |
| Endless “Installing shaders” on first run | Cache conflict or low free space | Free space; clear cache; relaunch |
| Error CE-100005-6 | Game can’t load (disc or install) | Delete and reinstall the title |
| Multiplayer packs missing | Partial install or wrong add-on set | Manage Game Content > install packs |
Step 1: Clear Cache And Rebuild The Database (Safe Mode)
Bad cache or a fragmented database can block a fresh boot of Call of Duty. Safe Mode gives you a clean sweep without touching saves.
- Power off the console.
- Hold the power button until you hear a second beep (about seven seconds).
- Connect the controller with a USB-C cable and press the PS button.
- Select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database, then run Rebuild Database. This can take a while on large libraries.
These Safe Mode options are documented by PlayStation and are the safest first repair for launch loops and slow menus. After it finishes, try Call of Duty again. If you still can’t launch, move on.
Step 2: Confirm PlayStation Network Status
Digital licenses, updates, and COD HQ checks rely on online services. If PSN is having a rough day, digital titles may fail to open or stall on checks.
- Open the official PlayStation Network status page in a browser. If there’s an outage for “Gaming and social” or “PlayStation Store,” wait until it shows green and try again.
Step 3: Restore Licenses
If the tile shows a padlock or the game bounces at launch, your license may need a refresh. This affects digital purchases and add-ons such as campaign or multiplayer packs.
- On the PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. Let it complete.
- Back on the Home screen, highlight your COD tile, press Options, and select Check for Update and then Manage Game Content to verify packs.
This built-in repair often resolves “content not found,” missing add-ons, and launch locks tied to account entitlements.
Step 4: Verify And Install The Right Content Packs
Current Call of Duty releases split modes into separate packs. If any required pack is missing, the game can appear to load, then fail. Install from the game tile with Options > Manage Game Content, then check every pack that matches the mode you want (campaign, multiplayer, Warzone, high-res textures, etc.).
For title-specific steps and known issues, see Activision’s hub for installation and setup. It lists mode packs, known bugs, and the latest fixes: Modern Warfare III installation and setup.
Step 5: Free Space And Pick The Right Drive
Call of Duty titles download large patches, shaders, and pack updates. Running near zero free space can break installs or stall at launch.
- Go to Settings > Storage. Keep a healthy buffer (100 GB or more) for smooth updates.
- If you use an M.2 SSD, confirm the game sits on a drive marked as a valid install location. PS5 games can run from internal storage or a supported M.2 SSD, not from a plain USB hard drive.
Step 6: Update System Software
System updates include launch and stability fixes that can clear issues with shader building, controller firmware, and storage handling.
- Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- Run the update. If the console can’t update inside the OS, use Safe Mode’s Update System Software option with a USB drive.
Step 7: Reinstall The Game (Targeted)
When all else fails, a clean install is the surest fix for corrupted files or partial content sets.
- Highlight the COD tile, press Options, choose Delete.
- Reinstall from your Library or disc. Let the base game finish, then enter Manage Game Content and install the packs you need before launching.
If you see error CE-100005-6 while installing or launching, deleting the game and reinstalling is the recommended fix for a failed load.
Mode-By-Mode Pack Basics
Use this guide to double-check you’ve got the right add-ons for what you want to play. Names can vary by season, but the layout below is consistent across recent releases.
| Title | What You Need To Play | Where To Check |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | Base game + Campaign Pack(s) | Options > Manage Game Content |
| Multiplayer | Base game + Multiplayer Pack(s) + Compatibility Pack | Options > Manage Game Content |
| Warzone | COD HQ + Warzone Pack(s) | Options > Manage Game Content |
Disc Owners: Simple Disc Checks
Physical copies still download most data online, but the disc must read cleanly to start the install and confirm ownership for cross-gen editions.
- Clean the disc with a lint-free cloth, wiping from center to edge.
- Insert with the label facing left when the console sits on the vertical stand.
- If the drive grinds or fails on many discs, test another game disc to confirm hardware health.
Wi-Fi, NAT, And Launch Prompts
COD HQ pings online services during launch. A weak link can kick you back to the home screen without a clear error.
- Use a wired connection during first launch after a big update.
- Restart the router and modem. Then run Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection.
- If NAT is Strict and matchmaking fails later, set up UPnP on your router or a manual port forward for PlayStation.
Safe Mode Options: What Each One Does
Not all Safe Mode tools touch your data. Use the least heavy option that matches your issue.
- Clear Cache and Rebuild Database: Refreshes the console’s index of files and wipes temporary data. Saves and games stay intact.
- Change Resolution: Handy if the screen goes blank due to a video handshake error after an update.
- Update System Software: Installs firmware from the internet or a USB drive.
- Reset Your Console: Last resort. Reinstalls system software and removes user data. Back up first.
Storage Hygiene For Large Shooters
Big titles write big patches. A full drive breeds errors and slow boots.
- Keep a buffer of free space so shader compilation and seasonal packs complete without stalls.
- Move small PS4 titles to external USB storage to open room for PS5-native games on the internal SSD or M.2 SSD.
- Use Settings > Storage to sort by size and clear items you no longer play.
When You Should Rebuild Again
If you notice slow Home navigation, tiles missing art, or long “preparing to start” delays, a second database rebuild can help. It’s safe and often restores snap in the menus after a few large installs or a season’s worth of patches.
Two High-Trust References You Can Use Mid-Fix
Keep these two links handy while you work through the steps:
- PS5 Safe Mode guide — how to enter Safe Mode and what each option does.
- Activision MWIII install hub — current pack layout, install flow, and known issues.
If You Still Can’t Start The Game
You’ve rebuilt the database, restored licenses, checked PSN, installed the right packs, updated the system, and reinstalled the game. If launch still fails, capture the exact message and move to these last steps.
- Test another demanding title to confirm broader system health.
- Remove and reseat the M.2 SSD if you installed one, then retest from internal storage.
- Back up saves to PS Plus cloud or a USB drive. Then use Safe Mode to Reset Your Console. Reinstall only Call of Duty first and try again before adding the rest of your library.
- Contact support with your error code, console model, storage setup, and steps tried. Screenshots of “Manage Game Content” help the agent see missing packs fast.
Practical Launch Routine For Next Time
Large seasonal updates can reshuffle packs and cache. This short routine keeps launch clean on patch day:
- Update the console firmware first.
- Open the COD tile, press Options, run Check for Update, then open Manage Game Content and install any new packs.
- Reboot the PS5, then launch once and let shaders complete before jumping into a match.
FAQ-Style Notes Without The Fluff
Why Does Clearing Cache Help?
It removes stale temp files that block shader builds and pack validation. The database rebuild also refreshes file records, which fixes many “app closes on start” cases.
Do I Lose Saves When I Rebuild?
No. Cache clear and database rebuild leave games and saves intact. Only a reset removes data. Backups are still wise before any heavy repair.
Do I Need Every Pack?
No. Install the packs for the modes you actually play. If you only want Warzone, you don’t need campaign packs. If multiplayer is your thing, grab the multiplayer and compatibility packs first.
One-Page Checklist
- Reboot console.
- Clear cache & rebuild database in Safe Mode.
- Review PSN status.
- Restore licenses.
- Install required mode packs.
- Free up storage and place the game on a valid drive.
- Update system software.
- Reinstall the game if needed.
Follow the list in order. Most launch failures fall within these fixes. If yours doesn’t, capture the exact error text and reach out with those details so support can zero in fast.