How To Fix COD Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Stuck On Checking For Updates

How to Fix COD Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Stuck on Checking for Updates

Are you experiencing the frustrating issue of your COD Modern Warfare 3 game getting stuck on the “Checking for Updates” screen?

Many players have reported this issue ruining their gaming experience.

This issue can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re eager to jump into the action. Fortunately, there are several solutions available to fix this problem, 

In this article, we will explore some of the most effective methods to get your game running again.  

How To Fix COD Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Stuck On Checking For Updates

How to Fix COD Modern Warfare 3 MW3 Stuck on Checking for Updates

1. Cancel And Retry

One of the simplest solutions is to cancel the update and retry. Many users have reported that this simple step has worked for them. To do this:

  • When you see the “Checking for Updates” message, click on the Cancel button.
  • Wait for a few seconds and click on the Play button again to retry the update.
  • If this works, the game should start updating normally.

2. Verify Game Cache

If the first step doesn’t work, try verifying the game cache. To do this:

  • Go to your Steam library and right-click on Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.
  • Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
  • Go to the Local Files tab and click on “Verify Integrity of Game Cache.”
  • Steam will now check for any missing or corrupted files and fix them.
  • Once the verification process is complete, try running the game and see if the issue is resolved.

3. Reset Router

If the previous steps don’t work, try resetting your router. To do this:

  • Unplug your router from the power source.
  • Wait for 30 seconds and plug it back in.
  • Wait for the router to reconnect to the internet and try running the game again.
  • If this works, the issue was likely caused by a temporary network glitch.

4. Change DNS Server

Another solution is to change your DNS server. Incorrect DNS server settings can cause the “Checking for Updates” error. To change your DNS server:

  • Go to your network settings and select your connection.
  • Click on Properties and then select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  • Click on Properties again and then select “Use the following DNS server addresses.”
  • Type in 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 as the Preferred DNS server.
  • Click on OK to save the changes.
  • Try running the game and see if the issue is resolved.

5. Reinstall Modern Warfare 3

If none of the above steps work, your can try to reinstall the game. Uninstall the game completely and then reinstall it. This may take a few hours depending on your internet speed. To reinstall Modern Warfare 3:

  • Go to your Steam library and right-click on Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.
  • Select Uninstall from the drop-down menu.
  • Follow the prompts to completely uninstall the game from your system.
  • Once the game is uninstalled, go to the Steam store and reinstall the game.
  • This may take a few hours depending on your internet speed.
  • Once the game is reinstalled, try running it and see if the issue is resolved.

6. Disable Antivirus/Firewall

Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software can interfere with the game’s update process. Try disabling your antivirus or firewall temporarily and see if the issue is resolved.

If this works, you may need to add an exception for the game in your antivirus or firewall settings.

7. Run Steam As Administrator

Running Steam as an administrator gives it the necessary permissions to update the game. This can help resolve any permission-related issues that may be causing the “Checking for Updates” issue. To do this:

  • Right-click on the Steam shortcut and select “Run as Administrator.”
  • This will give Steam the necessary permissions to update the game.
  • Try running the game and see if the issue is resolved.

8. Contact Modern Warfare 3 Customer Support

If the “Checking for Updates” issue still persists in Modern Warfare 3, you may want to consider reaching out to customer support for assistance.

Start by visiting the game’s official website or support page and look for a “Contact Us” or “Support” section.  

They may be able to help you with more troubleshooting or escalate the issue to their technical team.