How To Fix Call Of Duty Unable To Find Match Error in 2024

The “unable to find match” or “failed to find match” error is a common issue in Call of Duty games like Warzone, Modern Warfare, and Vanguard. This frustrating error prevents you from joining matches and finding lobbies.

There are several potential causes for this Call of Duty matchmaking error and multiple solutions you can try to resolve it. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll outline the top reasons for the Call Of Duty Unable To Find Match problem and walk you through the steps to fix it.

What Causes the “Unable to Find Match” Error in Call of Duty?

Here are the most common reasons why you may get stuck at the matchmaking or connecting screen in Call of Duty games:

Disabled crossplay – Having crossplay turned off limits the pool of potential matches especially if you’re on console.
Shadowban – Getting shadowbanned restricts matchmaking as punishment for cheating or suspicious behavior.
Poor connection – Slow internet speeds or packet loss can interfere with finding matches.
Outdated game – Not having the latest Call of Duty update can cause bugs that prevent matchmaking.
Corrupted game files – Damaged or missing game files may lead to errors joining matches.
VPN usage – Connecting via a VPN hides your IP address and location, interfering with matchmaking.
Background programs – Bandwidth-intensive apps running in the background can hog resources needed for online play.
Router/modem issues – Problems with your network hardware like NAT issues may disrupt matchmaking.
Server outages – Call of Duty servers going down makes it impossible to get into matches.

10 Solutions to Fix the Call of Duty Matchmaking Error

Here are the top 10 ways to troubleshoot and resolve the “unable to find match” or “failed to matchmake” error in Call of Duty:

1. Check Call of Duty Server Status

First, check the Call of Duty server status website or Downdetector to see if the game servers are down or having issues.

To check the server status:

Go to the Call of Duty server status website or Downdetector site
See if there are any reported issues or outages for Call of Duty servers
If the servers are down, wait until Activision resolves the outage

If the servers are up and running, move on to the next solutions.

2. Restart Your Console, PC, Router, and Modem

Restarting your platform, computer, internet router, and modem may clear up any temporary glitches preventing matchmaking. Restarting refreshes the connections which can fix the “failed to find match” error.

To restart your devices:

Fully shut down your PC or console
Unplug your router and modem for 60 seconds
Plug them back in and turn them on
Restart your PC or console
Try matchmaking in Call of Duty again

3. Enable Crossplay

Make sure crossplay is enabled in your Call of Duty account settings. Having crossplay on vastly expands your pool of potential matches which improves matchmaking speeds.

To enable crossplay:

Open Call of Duty and access your account settings
Go to the Crossplay setting
Enable it if it’s turned off

4. Scan and Repair Your Game

Corrupted, damaged, or missing game files can cause all sorts of errors including matchmaking issues. Verify your game files through Battle.net or reinstall the game as a fresh install guarantees intact game files.

To scan and repair on Battle.net:

Open the Battle.net launcher
Select Call of Duty from your games list
Click Options next to the Play button
Choose Scan and Repair
Begin the scan to find and fix faulty game files

Here are the steps to verify game files on Steam:

Open Steam.
Go to your game library.
Right-click on the game you want to verify.
Select “Properties.”
Go to the “Installed Files” tab.
Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”

5. Update Your Call of Duty Game

Having an outdated version of a Call of Duty game can trigger bugs and glitches that interfere with getting into matches. Install the latest Call of Duty patch to ensure compatibility with the game servers.

To update Call of Duty:

Open Battle.net and go to your Call of Duty game
Click on Options next to the Play button
Select Check for Updates
If an update is available, install it
Relaunch Call of Duty once updated

6. Update Your Network Drivers

Outdated and corrupt network drivers can negatively impact connectivity and matchmaking. Updating to the newest network drivers improves stability and compatibility for gaming online.

To update your network drivers:

Open Device Manager on Windows
Go to Network Adapters and expand the list
Right click your adapter and select Update Driver
Click Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software
Restart your computer after the update

7. Close Bandwidth-Intensive Apps

Apps and programs running in the background that consume bandwidth may lag and disrupt matchmaking. Close out of other network-intensive software to prioritize your internet connectivity for Call of Duty.

To close background apps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Go to the Processes tab
Sort by network usage to see bandwidth heavy apps
Select apps wasting bandwidth and click End Task

8. Switch DNS Server

Try changing your DNS server to Google or Cloudflare’s DNS address. DNS issues can prevent connecting to matches so switching to reliable DNS servers may resolve connection problems.

To change DNS server:

Go to your Network Adapter Settings
Select TCP/IPv4 and click Properties
Switch to Use the following DNS server addresses
Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google DNS
Click OK to save changes

9. Powercycle Your Modem and Router

If you continue having trouble finding matches, powercycle your modem and router by unplugging them for 60 seconds before plugging back in. This clears the cache and resets connections which can fix intermittent matchmaking errors.

To powercycle your hardware:

Unplug your modem and router from power
Wait 60 seconds
Plug them back in and turn them on
Try connecting to a match after they reset

10. Contact Activision Support

If you still can’t get into matches after trying the above solutions, reach out to Activision support. They can look into your account and determine if you’re shadowbanned plus troubleshoot any other underlying issues.

To contact support:

Go to Activision’s Call of Duty support site
Click on Contact Us to submit a ticket
Provide details about your error and troubleshooting
Chat or call support for further assistance

Final Thoughts

The “unable to find match” or “failed to find match” error is a nuisance plaguing Call of Duty players but fortunately can be fixed. Enabling crossplay, verifying your game files, updating the game, restarting hardware, and contacting Activision support are your best ways to troubleshoot and resolve Call of Duty matchmaking issues. With the fixes in this guide, you’ll be back to enjoying online matches in no time.