Start here
| Symptom | Most likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Game does not launch at all | TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot disabled | Enable both in firmware, confirm in Windows Security |
| Crash on launch or black screen | GPU driver or shader cache | Clean driver install, clear shader cache |
| Stuck on "Installing Shaders" | Corrupt cache or slow storage | Restart, verify files, clear cache |
| Dev error 0x887a0005 | Driver crash / unstable GPU | Update or roll back driver, verify files |
| "Networking failed to start (Hueneme Negev)" | Activision services or local network | Check server status before changing anything |
| Stuck on "Connecting" | NAT, DNS, platform services | Power cycle router, wired connection, DNS change |
| Console crash | Corrupt install or system cache | Power cycle, restore licences, reinstall pack |
PC: the four checks that solve most launches
1. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
Modern Warfare 4 requires both on PC. RICOCHET uses hardware-backed attestation, and the game will refuse to start if either is missing. Enter your motherboard firmware, enable TPM (sometimes labelled PTT or fTPM), enable Secure Boot, save, and confirm in Windows Security → Device Security. On older boards you may need a firmware update before Secure Boot works.
2. Verify the install
Steam: right-click MW4 → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity. Battle.net: click the gear → Scan and Repair. Xbox on PC: open the Xbox app → Manage → Repair. This fixes missing mode packs and corrupted manifests, which are common when a preload is interrupted.
3. Clear the shader cache
In-game, look for Restart Shaders Installation or Clear Shader Cache under Settings → Graphics. On NVIDIA, you can also clear the driver shader cache from the NVIDIA Control Panel. Delete the game's shader cache folder only after the in-game option fails. Let the shaders compile once without alt-tabbing.
4. Clean-install the GPU driver
Use AMD 26.7.1, NVIDIA 616.56 or Intel 32.0.101.8974. Use the vendor's clean install option. If you recently switched GPU brands, run DDU in safe mode before installing the new driver. Do not install a "game-ready" driver from a third-party download site.
Black screen and display issues
- Disable HDR in Windows and in-game, then relaunch.
- Switch from fullscreen exclusive to windowed or borderless.
- Reset the resolution to 1920×1080 and let the game detect your monitor.
- Disconnect a second monitor or capture card if the game launches on the wrong display.
- If you use a TV, set the HDMI input to "PC" or "Game" mode and disable any post-processing.
"Installing Shaders" stuck at a percentage
1. Wait five minutes. Large shader packages can pause at 90%. 2. Restart the game. Do not delete the install. 3. Verify files / Scan and Repair. 4. Clear the shader cache in-game. 5. Move the install to an NVMe SSD if it is on a mechanical drive or a full SATA drive. 6. Install the Xbox PC app so Advanced Shader Delivery can precompile shaders on supported platforms.
If the bar resets to zero every launch, the cache is not writable. Check folder permissions and antivirus exclusions for the game directory.
Connection errors on launch day
"Networking failed to start (Hueneme Negev)" means the game could not establish a session with Activision's services. In the beta it appeared in waves when everyone logged in at once.
Before changing your network: 1. Check the official Activision status page. 2. Check PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Steam and Battle.net status. 3. Ask your party whether they are also disconnected. If everyone is out, it is server-side; wait.
If it is local:
- Power cycle the router and modem.
- Use a wired connection.
- Set DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8.
- Disable VPNs and network accelerators.
- Check NAT type; moderate NAT can block party joins.
- Restart the console or launcher, not just the game.
Console fixes
- Power cycle: hold the power button until the console shuts down, unplug for 30 seconds, restart.
- Restore licences on PS5: Settings → Users and Accounts → Other → Restore Licences.
- Clear the cache on Xbox: power cycle, then remove and re-add your profile only if the issue persists.
- Reinstall the mode pack if campaign or multiplayer is missing. Do not reinstall the whole game first.
- Check storage: a full SSD causes stutter and failed installs. Leave 15–20 GB free.
When to stop and contact support
Contact Activision support if:
- The game crashes at the same point after a clean driver install and a verified install.
- You receive a permanent ban or account error you do not understand.
- A purchase or preorder entitlement is missing after 24 hours.
- A platform error code persists across two different networks.
Include your platform, region, error code, the exact steps that reproduce the issue, and a screenshot. "It doesn't work" cannot be diagnosed.
If the servers are simply down
Launch-day capacity is the most common cause of "my game is broken." The server status page explains how to distinguish a queue from a local fault. Do not reinstall the game while the status page is red; you will just lose an hour.
FAQ
Why won't MW4 launch on my PC?
Check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot first. MW4 requires both. Then update the GPU driver, verify the install and clear the shader cache.
How do I fix the MW4 shader cache?
Use Settings → Graphics → Restart Shaders Installation in-game. If that fails, verify the game files and clear the NVIDIA driver cache. Do not delete the whole install.
What does Networking failed to start Hueneme Negev mean?
The game could not connect to Activision's online services. Check the official status page first; if the servers are up, power cycle your router, use wired, and change DNS.
Is dev error 0x887a0005 fixable?
Usually. It is a GPU/driver crash. Do a clean driver install, clear the shader cache, verify the files, and remove GPU overclocks. If it persists, roll back one driver version.