Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Call of Duty crashes on Windows 11 can have different causes depending on the game, launcher, and when the failure occurs. Start by noting the exact Call of Duty release, whether you use Steam or Battle.net, when it crashes, the full error text or code, your graphics card, and whether the problem began after a game, Windows, or driver update. Then work through the checks below in order, using the instructions for your specific title.

1. Record what happens before changing settings

A crash at startup, during shader preloading, or in a match does not necessarily have the same cause. Write down the details Activision asks for when investigating PC crashes: the game and platform, crash timing and frequency, graphics card, error code, and steps that reproduce the problem. Activision’s PC Crash Report explains how to submit those details.

  • Which Call of Duty game is affected, and does it launch through Steam, Battle.net, or another supported distribution?
  • Does it close on startup, freeze at a particular screen, crash while preloading shaders, or fail during a match?
  • What is the exact error message or code? If there is none, note that too.
  • Did the issue begin after a game, Windows, graphics-driver, or other software update?
  • What graphics card is installed, and does the crash happen every time or intermittently?

2. Update Windows and the graphics driver for your exact game

Install available Windows updates, restart the PC, and check Activision’s current support page for the specific Call of Duty release. Activision advises keeping the operating system and drivers up to date, but recommended graphics-driver versions vary by game and GPU maker; an old version listed for another title is not a universal recommendation. See Activision’s PC video-card driver instructions for its current title-specific guidance.

Identify your graphics card with DxDiag

  1. Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
  2. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, open the Display tab and note the device name and driver details. If the PC has multiple graphics devices, check each relevant display tab.
  3. Use the appropriate GPU maker’s official site—NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel—to find and install the driver recommended for your card and game.
  4. Restart Windows and test the game before making another change.

3. If you play Warzone, let shader preloading finish

Activision’s Warzone PC troubleshooting guidance says to allow shader preloading to complete before leaving the Main Menu; interrupting preloading can affect performance. This is Warzone-specific advice, so follow the instructions shown by your own Call of Duty release rather than assuming every title uses the same process. The Warzone page also notes that the latest Windows 11 version improves NVIDIA stability. Check Activision’s Warzone PC troubleshooting page for current title-specific guidance.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
KAIGERR Gaming Laptop, 15.6inch Laptop Computer with AMD Ryzen 7 5700U(8C/16T, Up to 4.3GHz), 16GB RAM 512GB NVMe SSD Windows 11 Laptop, Radeon RX Vega 8 Graphics,WiFi 6, Webcam Cover Slide
  • 【Enhanced Your Experience】The KAIGERR 2025 newest laptop is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor (8C/16T, up to 4.3GHz), delivering superior performance and responsiveness. This upgraded hardware ensures smooth browse, fast loading times, and high-quality visuals. It provides an immersive, lag-free creative experience that brings your favorite titles to life.
  • 【15.6" High-Definition IPS Screen】With its wide color gamut and high refresh rate, this laptop delivers smoother visuals and sharper detail, offering a more vivid and accurate representation than standard displays. This enhanced clarity brings a stunning and immersive visual experience, making every scene more dynamic.
  • 【Upgradeable Storage Capacity】This ryzen laptop computer comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, ensuring faster response times and ample storage for your files. The dual-channel DDR4 memory can be upgraded to 64GB (2x32GB), while the NVMe/NGFF SSD supports expansion up to 2TB. With this level of upgradeability, you'll have more than enough space to store all your favorite videos/files and handle even the most demanding tasks with ease.
  • 【Extensive & Premium Connectivity】Designed for ultra-fast running, KAIGERR AMD Ryzen 7 Laptop is equipped with webcam × 1, USB 3.2 × 2, HDMI × 1, Type_C (full function) × 1, 3.5mm audio/microphone × 1, TF card holder × 1, Type_C DC jack × 1. Enjoy higher speeds with Wi-Fi 6, compatible with the 802.11ax standard and up to 3x faster than Wi-Fi 5.
  • 【KAIGERR: Quality Laptops, Exceptional Support.】Enjoy peace of mind with unlimited technical support and 12 months of repair for all customers, with our team always ready to help. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to help.

4. Repair or verify the game files in your launcher

Damaged or incomplete installation files are a reason to try the launcher’s repair check. Use the option for the launcher and title you actually have installed; the following steps are the ones Activision lists for Warzone.

Battle.net: Scan and Repair

  1. Open the Battle.net desktop app and select Call of Duty: Warzone.
  2. Open the options menu beside the Play button.
  3. Select Scan and Repair, then Begin Scan.
  4. When the scan and any repair finish, launch the game and retest.

Steam: verify game-file integrity

  1. Open Steam and go to Library.
  2. Right-click the installed Warzone entry and choose Properties.
  3. Select Installed Files, then Verify integrity of game files.
  4. Wait for verification to finish before launching the game.

Launcher labels and available repair options may differ for other Call of Duty releases. Use that game’s current Activision or launcher support instructions if the Warzone-specific options above do not match your installation.

Rank #2
KAIGERR Laptop, 1TB NVMe SSD 16GB RAM, 15.6inch Laptop Computer with AMD Ryzen 7 5825U(8C/16T, Up to 4.5GHz), Radeon RX Vega 8 Graphics,WiFi 6
  • 【Enhanced Your Experience】The KAIGERR 2026 LX15PRO newest laptop is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor (8C/16T, up to 4.5GHz), delivering superior performance and responsiveness.
  • 【15.6" High-Definition IPS Screen】With its wide color gamut and high refresh rate, this laptop delivers smoother visuals and sharper detail, offering a more vivid and accurate representation than standard displays.
  • 【1TB Large Capacity】This ryzen laptop computer comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, ensuring faster response times and ample storage for your files. The dual-channel DDR4 memory can be upgraded to 64GB (2x32GB), while the NVMe/NGFF SSD supports expansion up to 2TB.
  • 【Extensive & Premium Connectivity】Designed for ultra-fast running, KAIGERR AMD Ryzen 7 Laptop is equipped with webcam × 1, USB 3.2 × 2, HDMI × 1, Type_C (full function) × 1, 3.5mm audio/microphone × 1, TF card holder × 1, Type_C DC jack × 1. Enjoy higher speeds with Wi-Fi 6, compatible with the 802.11ax standard and up to 3x faster than Wi-Fi 5.
  • 【KAIGERR: Quality Laptops, Exceptional Support.】Enjoy peace of mind with unlimited technical support and 12 months of repair for all customers, with our team always ready to help. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to help.

5. Test for a conflict with background software

Overlays, monitoring tools, capture software, RGB utilities, and other applications can interfere with a game. Activision’s Warzone guidance names NZXT CAM, MSI Afterburner, and Razer Cortex as possible conflicts in that context. That is a reason to test with them closed—not proof that any one application is responsible, or that the list applies to every Call of Duty title.

  1. Save your work, then temporarily close overlays and other nonessential background apps, especially any recently installed or updated around the time crashes began.
  2. Launch the game and try to reproduce the crash.
  3. If it works, reopen the apps one at a time and retest to identify a possible conflict.
  4. If the issue remains, Activision suggests a clean boot for Warzone troubleshooting. Treat it as a temporary diagnostic, follow Microsoft’s clean-boot instructions, and restore normal startup afterward.

Do not permanently disable antivirus protection as a routine fix. If security software appears to be blocking the game, check Activision’s current instructions and your security vendor’s guidance rather than leaving the PC unprotected.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
FUNYET 2026 Gaming Laptop Computer Windows 11 Pro, 16 Inch Lap Top PC, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, Intel 12th Gen N100 Processor(up to 3.4GHz), Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Unlock, Office 365, Business
  • Smooth Power for Work & Play: Tackle tasks smoothly with the 12th Gen Intel Celeron N100 processor (up to 3.4 GHz), which handles your daily work and entertainment without lag.
  • Vibrant 16" FHD Display: See more on the vibrant 16 inch FHD (1920x1200) IPS screen, featuring ultra-narrow bezels and a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an engaging viewing experience.
  • Multitask & Store It All: Switch between apps easily with 16GB of RAM and save everything fast on the 1TB SSD, from large files to your favorite software.
  • Backlit Keyboard & Fingerprint Unlocking: The backlit keyboard allows for accurate typing in any lighting, while fingerprint unlock provides quick and secure access to your device with just one touch.
  • Windows 11 Pro and Office 365: Benefit from the business-grade security and efficiency of Windows 11 Pro, with Office 365(life time) pre-installed to jumpstart your productivity right away.

6. Use DirectX guidance only when the error points to DirectX

If the message explicitly names DirectX, follow the relevant steps in Activision’s DirectX error troubleshooting article and ensure Windows is current. That article is dated November 22, 2019, so prioritize current Windows and game-specific support directions if its steps or labels no longer match your PC. Do not apply DirectX-specific changes to an unrelated crash without an error that points to it.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

7. Check TPM and Secure Boot only for titles that require them

Activision’s article dated August 27, 2026 says TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required for Black Ops 7 and Warzone, but not for other currently available Call of Duty titles. These are requirements for specified games, not general crash fixes. If your title shows a relevant security notification, confirm its current requirements first. Activision warns that changing UEFI or BIOS settings incorrectly can cause system problems; consult your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s documentation or a qualified technician before changing firmware settings. See Activision’s TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot guidance.

Rank #4
KAIGERR Light Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen R2544, 16inch
  • EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE: KAIGERR light gaming laptop featuring the latest AMD Ryzen R2544 Processor (boasting 3.7GHz high-frequency). Outperforming the Celeron N5095/N100/N97/N95, it delivers robust multitasking capabilities. The laptop computer has an integrated UHD graphics card clocked at up to 1200MHz for stronger graphics processing performance. KAIGERR laptop is designed to elevate your computing experience
  • POWERFUL CONFIGURATION: Featuring 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a speedy 512GB M.2 SSD, this light gaming offers a 50% performance boost compared to DDR3-equipped machines and ensures seamless system operation while accommodating your personal files. Support expand your storage with a 128GB TF card, and enjoy the convenience of a pre-installed operating system. The 512 GB SSD can be replaced with a maximum SSD of 2TB to provide you with ample space to record and store your files
  • 16.0 INCH VISUAL TREAT: Immerse yourself in a traditional laptop computer experience with an innovative thin-bezel display, offering more screen real estate for immersive viewing. The colors of the 16 inch traditional light gaming are fuller, more vivid, and concise, the details on the screen are clearer, and the viewing angle is wide. It will create extraordinary visual effects for you
  • LONG BATTERY LIFE: Take KAIGERR light gaming laptops with you anywhere without bringing the power adaptor. Its 54.72Wh long battery life gives you the flexibility to work or play anywhere for long time. The long battery life and reliable performance make your life and work more secure
  • QUALITY SUPPORT: Enjoy peace of mind with unlimited technical support and 12 months of repair for all customers, with our team always ready to help. Close other background programs before running games to ensure smoother performance

8. Send Activision a crash log if the problem continues

Activision’s voluntary PC crash report form describes its purpose as gathering information to help investigate PC crashes. It does not create a support ticket or promise that an individual crash will be resolved. To submit a report:

  1. Open the affected game’s installation folder and locate CrashLogGenerator.exe.
  2. Run the utility and follow its prompts to generate the Error Log ZIP file.
  3. Upload the ZIP through Activision’s PC Crash Report form, along with the requested game, platform, timing, frequency, GPU, error-code, and reproduction details.

If you need direct assistance from an agent, use Activision’s Support Options; submitting the crash report alone does not open a support case.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.