Fix: COD Modern Warfare 2 Stuttering or Freezing constantly

Are you experiencing frustrating lags, framerate drops, stutters, or freezing issues while playing COD Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) on your PC? You’re not alone. Many players are facing the same problems, regardless of their PC specifications. In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore several possible reasons for these issues and provide you with actionable solutions to fix them.

Let’s dive into each solution in detail and get your COD Modern Warfare 2 gaming experience back on track.

Check System Requirements

Before troubleshooting any issues, it’s essential to ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for COD Modern Warfare 2. Inadequate hardware or outdated software can cause performance problems. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements:

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580

If your PC doesn’t meet these requirements, consider upgrading your hardware or software to ensure compatibility. If your PC meets the requirements, proceed to the next solution.

Run MW2 as an Administrator

Running MW2 as an administrator can grant necessary user account control access and prevent crashing or launching issues. Follow these steps to run the game as an administrator:

1. Right-click on the COD: Modern Warfare 2 exe file on your PC.
2. Select Properties and click on the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
4. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
5. Launch the game and check if the issue persists.

If you’re using the Battle.net or Steam client to run the game, follow the same steps for the specific game launcher.

Update GPU Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause various graphical issues, including stuttering and freezing in MW2. It’s crucial to keep your GPU drivers up to date. Here’s how you can update them:

1. Right-click on the Start Menu and open the Quick Access Menu.
2. Click on Device Manager.
3. Double-click on Display adapters to expand it.
4. Right-click on the dedicated graphics card you’re using.
5. Click on Update driver and choose Search automatically for drivers.
6. The system will search for available updates and install the latest version.
7. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

If there are no available updates through the automatic search, visit the official manufacturer website of your graphics card and manually download the latest driver version.

Update Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Check for game updates to ensure you’re running the latest version of MW2. Outdated game patches can cause conflicts and affect the game’s performance. Here’s how to update MW2:

For Battle.net:

1. Open the Battle.net launcher and click on the Blizzard logo.
2. Go to Settings and click on Game Install/Update.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and enable Apply latest updates and download future patch data for recently played games.
4. Click Done to save the changes.
5. Restart the Battle.net launcher to apply the changes and update the game automatically.

For Steam:

1. Launch the Steam client and go to Library.
2. Right-click on COD: Modern Warfare 2 from the left pane.
3. Steam will automatically search for available updates.
4. If there is an update available, click on Update.
5. Wait for the update to complete and restart your PC.

Try Lowering In-Game Graphics Settings

High in-game graphics settings can overload your PC, leading to lags and stutters. Adjusting the graphics settings based on your PC’s capabilities can improve performance. Follow these steps to lower the graphics settings:

1. Open the game settings menu.
2. Reduce the graphics options, such as texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing.
3. Save the changes and launch the game.

Experiment with different graphics settings until you find a balance between visual quality and performance.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Fullscreen optimizations and DPI settings can sometimes cause issues with game performance. Disabling fullscreen optimizations may help resolve stuttering or freezing problems. Here’s how:

1. Go to the COD Modern Warfare 2 game directory.
2. Right-click on the ModernWarfareII.exe application file.
3. Select Properties and click on the Compatibility tab.
4. Check the Disable Full-Screen Optimizations checkbox.
5. Click on Change high DPI settings and select the Override high DPI scaling behavior checkbox.
6. Choose Application from the drop-down menu.
7. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
8. Launch the game and check if the issue persists.

Turn On Nvidia DLSS

If you’re using an Nvidia graphics card, enabling Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) can help reduce in-game stuttering. Follow these steps:

1. Disable FidelityFX CAS (if enabled) and turn on DLSS in the game settings.
2. Set DLSS to Quality for visual improvements and fewer FPS drops.

Enabling DLSS can enhance the game’s performance and provide a smoother gaming experience.

Disable NVIDIA ShadowPlay

If you’re using Nvidia GeForce Experience, disabling the ShadowPlay feature can resolve game loading or gameplay performance issues. Here’s how:

1. Open the Nvidia GeForce Experience app.
2. Go to Settings and click on the General tab.
3. Disable the Share option.
4. Save the changes and reboot your PC.

If you’re using an AMD GPU, skip this solution.

Set CPU Affinity via Task Manager

Setting up CPU affinity via Task Manager can help reduce frame drops and stutters, especially if your processor has a 6-12 core architecture. Follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Details tab.
3. Right-click on the COD MW2 process (cod.exe).
4. Click on Set Affinity and manually select CPU cores (e.g., CPU 0, 1, 2, 3).
5. Uncheck the rest of the processors.
6. Click OK to save the changes.
7. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Verify and Repair Game Files

Missing or corrupted game files can cause significant issues. Verifying and repairing game files can help resolve these problems. Here’s how:

For Battle.net:

1. Open the Battle.net client.
2. Click on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
3. Go to OPTIONS (Gear icon) and click on Scan and Repair.
4. Choose Begin Scan and wait for the process to complete.
5. Close the Battle.net launcher and restart your PC.

For Steam:

1. Launch the Steam client and go to Library.
2. Right-click on COD: Modern Warfare 2.
3. Click on Properties and go to Local Files.
4. Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
5. Wait for the process to complete.
6. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Update Windows

Updating your Windows Operating System is crucial to reduce system glitches, compatibility issues, and crashes. It’s recommended to keep your Windows version up to date. Here’s how:

1. Press Win+I to open Windows Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
4. If updates are available, click on Download and Install.
5. Wait for the update process to complete.
6. Restart your computer to install the update.

Close Background Tasks

Unnecessary background tasks or programs can consume system resources, leading to performance issues. Closing these tasks can free up resources and improve gameplay. Follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Select and close unnecessary tasks running in the background.
4. Click on End Task to close each selected task.
5. Restart your system.

Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot can help identify if any programs or services running in the background are causing the issue. Here’s how:

1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
3. Go to the Services tab and enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
4. Click on Disable all and then Apply and OK to save the changes.
5. Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager.
6. In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab.
7. Disable high startup impact programs one by one.
8. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Disable Steam Overlay

If you’ve enabled the Steam Overlay app but don’t use it frequently, disabling it can reduce the load on your system and potentially improve performance. Here’s how:

1. Open the Steam client and go to Library.
2. Right-click on COD Modern Warfare 2 and click on Properties.
3. Uncheck Enable Steam Overlay while in-game under the GENERAL tab.
4. Launch the game and check if the issue persists.

Increase Virtual Memory

Manually increasing the virtual memory on your PC can optimize performance. Follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel from the Windows Start menu and go to System.
2. Click on Advanced system settings and go to the Advanced tab.
3. Open Settings under Performance and click on the Advanced tab.
4. Click on Change under Virtual memory.
5. Disable the Automatically manage paging file size for all drivers option.
6. Select Custom size and enter a higher value than your actual RAM size in both Initial size and Maximum size (e.g., if you have 8GB RAM, enter 12000 MB).
7. Click OK and restart your computer.
8. Once restarted, check if the issue is resolved.

Keep the PC in a Well-Ventilated Area

Ensuring proper airflow and ventilation around your PC is essential to prevent overheating. If your PC is located in an air-conditioned room, you may not face overheating issues. However, if your PC is prone to overheating, follow these tips:

• Place your PC in a well-ventilated area with adequate air circulation.
• Avoid placing your PC near windows or direct sunlight.
• Use a good quality thermal paste on your CPU for better cooling.
• Consider using water cooling for better heat dissipation (mainly for gaming rigs).

Remember to power off your computer regularly, especially in hot weather or after extended usage, to give it some rest.

Reset BIOS Settings to Default

Resetting your BIOS settings to the default optimized configuration can help resolve certain issues. However, proceed with caution and refer to your specific laptop or desktop model’s user manual for guidance. Note down any boot drive settings or information before proceeding. Here are some general steps:

• Turn on TPM (if disabled).
• Check for BIOS updates from your laptop manufacturer’s website or support application.
• Once updated, check if the stuttering or freezing issues are resolved.

Try Upgrading Physical RAM

If none of the above methods work, and your current RAM capacity is insufficient to run MW2 smoothly, consider upgrading your physical RAM. Check if your PC supports RAM expansion, and if it does, upgrade to a higher capacity. Ensure you buy a compatible RAM stick of the same generation. Upgrading your RAM can significantly improve gaming performance.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the stuttering or freezing issues in COD Modern Warfare 2. If the problem persists, it’s recommended to contact the game’s support team for further assistance.

Remember, a smooth gaming experience enhances your enjoyment, and with these solutions, your COD MW2 journey will be free from frustrating lags and freezes.

Additional Information:

• It’s always a good practice to keep your PC’s hardware drivers, including GPU drivers, up to date. Regularly check for updates from the manufacturer’s website or use automatic update tools.
• Avoid running resource-intensive applications or tasks in the background while playing games to ensure optimal performance.
• Keep your operating system updated with the latest patches and security updates to minimize compatibility issues and enhance system stability.