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Call of Duty can appear to “keep restarting” for several different reasons: the game may close and relaunch, crash to your desktop or console dashboard, repeat an update or file check, or trigger a full PC or console reboot. Those symptoms have different causes, so first identify what is actually restarting.
Activision’s troubleshooting guidance for specific Call of Duty releases points to checks such as updating system software and graphics drivers, verifying game files or clearing cached data, closing interfering background apps, checking PC requirements, and ensuring good ventilation. These are troubleshooting steps, not a diagnosis or a guaranteed fix.
What does “Call of Duty keeps restarting” mean?
Watch what happens immediately before the game starts again. A game-only crash is different from a launcher repeating an update and from the entire device rebooting.
- The game closes, then opens again: Treat this as a game crash or launch problem. Note whether it happens at startup, during a match, or after returning to a menu.
- The game closes to the desktop or console dashboard: The game has crashed, but the operating system is still running. Follow the troubleshooting guidance for your release and platform.
- An update, installation, or file check repeats: This may be a launcher or installation loop rather than a gameplay crash. Record the launcher’s message and check the exact game’s official support resources.
- The whole console or PC restarts: That is a system reboot, not merely the game restarting. If it continues after game-specific checks, seek support for the device as well as the game.
The symptom alone does not establish a cause. Activision notes that games can freeze or crash for a variety of reasons, and its recommendations vary by release and platform.
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Which Call of Duty support guidance should you use?
Start with the official support material for the exact release you play; menu paths and steps can differ across games and console models. Activision’s guidance for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II covers particular versions and platforms, so do not assume every instruction applies to every Call of Duty title. For newer releases, consult the relevant official support hub; Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 support hub lists game-specific resources, including installation, known issues, and PC troubleshooting.
What to check on a console
- Update the console system software. Activision’s Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare II guidance recommends confirming that console software is current. Use your console’s current system-update settings rather than relying on an old menu path.
- Check ventilation. Make sure the console has space for airflow and is not obstructed. This is a basic troubleshooting check; it does not prove that overheating is causing the restart.
- Consider cached data or old game data. Activision says corrupted temporary cached data might contribute to connectivity problems, freezes, or slow or unsuccessful loads. Its general cache and file guidance explains console cache steps. Follow the instructions for your console model and understand what data a step removes before proceeding.
- Retest and note the result. If the game still closes or the entire console reboots, record the release, console model, when it happens, and any displayed error before contacting platform support.
What to check on a PC
- Confirm the PC meets minimum requirements. Activision’s Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare II guidance recommends checking the requirements for the specific game you play.
- Update the graphics driver to the recommended version. Use the driver guidance for your release rather than assuming the newest available driver is always the one specified.
- Close background applications and overlays. Background tools can interfere with gameplay or startup. The Modern Warfare support page specifically notes that some third-party overlays, input-remapping, or recording software may interfere.
- Verify game files through the launcher. Activision’s general cache guidance recommends verifying PC game files. The exact verification controls depend on the launcher, so use its current instructions.
- Check ventilation and retest. Ensure the PC can shed heat normally, then test whether the game-only crash, launcher loop, or full system restart continues.
When to escalate
If the relevant game-specific checks do not resolve the problem, contact the support channel for the platform. A full-system reboot deserves particular attention: Activision’s cited game support pages treat a console issue as a possibility to escalate after other checks, not as a confirmed diagnosis. Share the game release, platform and model, exact behavior, error message, and the steps already tried. Avoid assuming a faulty drive, hardware defect, corrupted files, or overheating without evidence from your own case.
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