Modern Warfare 2 Lag - How To Fix Lag In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2


A tactical team prepare to launch an assault - Modern Warfare 2
Credit: Activison

The launch of the latest Call of Duty game has seen the almost inevitable rise of the Modern Warfare 2 lag issue. We say almost inevitable because it seems to crop up with depressing reliability when new games are launched.

Thankfully, Infinity Ward has already fixed the stuttering and lag issues. So, if you are still experiencing lag in the gameplay, the problem is likely on your end. Probably packet loss or high ping rate is to blame.

Anyway, the good news is that there are plenty of tried-and-tested fixes that will help to reduce lag when you are playing Modern Warfare 2. Let's take a look.

How To Fix Lag In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

A soldier stands over a fallen enemy with his gun raised - Modern warfare 2 lag
click to enlarge
Credit: Activision

Given that MW2 is a game that depends on fast reactions, lag can really make life difficult. That slight delay in response time may be catastrophic at a crucial stage in the game.

Try the step we've outlined below, and hopefully, you'll see this issue improve significantly.

Check System Requirements

If you are repeatedly running into performance issues, it may be an indicator that you're system is struggling to cope with the demands of the game. So make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the game.

  • OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)
  • CPU: Core™ i3-6100 / Core™ i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200
  • RAM: 8 GB RAM
  • STORAGE SPAGE: 125 GB available space
  • HIGH-REZ ASSET CACHE: Up to 32 GB
  • VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 960 or AMD Radeon™ RX 470 - DirectX 12.0 compatible system
  • VIDEO MEMORY: 2 GB
  • GRAPHIC DRIVER: NVIDIA 516.59 or AMD 22.9.1

If you don't meet these requirements, then there's a very good chance you are going to struggle to play MW2 without having major issues.

Read More: Modern Warfare 2 File Size: How Many GB Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2022?

Change Graphics Settings

Ok, so you've made sure your computer can run the game. But if you're trying to run the game at the highest possible settings, you may find that this leads to lag.

Changing some of your graphics settings can help to reduce lag. We recommend the following tweaks:

  • Switch on High-Performance Mode in your GPU Settings.
  • Check your V-Sync settings. In some cases, switching this on will improve performance. But sometimes, turning it on will actually make things worse. So try turning it on and off, and see which settings work better.
  • Cap your frame rate at 60 FPS.
  • Play the game in Full-Screen mode.
  • Don't overclock your GPU, as this can actually damage your hardware.

We'd also recommend that you check for any software updates for your device, and on PC, make sure your graphics drivers are fully up-to-date.f you use AMD, you can check for updates here. If you are on NVIDIA, go here. And for Intel, click here.

Use a Wired Connection

It's possible that the issue isn't with your console or PC, and is actually more of an issue with your internet connection.

One solution (if you are on WiFi) is to try switching to a wired connection. These tend to be significantly more stable.

If you aren't close to the router, or don't have an Ethernet cable, try reducing the traffic on the network. So don't be streaming a 4K movie at the same time as trying to play Modern Warfare 2, for example.

You can also try moving your device to be closer to the router, to try and improve the signal.

Run A Speed Test

It's also possible that lag issues are caused if you aren't getting the speeds you were promised by your ISP.

Run a speed test by going to a site such as this. If you find you aren't getting the speeds you are contractually entitled to, then it may be time to call your ISP and see what they can do to help.

Read More: Will COD Points Transfer To Warzone 2 And Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?

Check Server Status

It's important to recognise that when a new game comes out, the servers are often inundated as fans clamour to be the first to try the new game. As such, it is pretty common for servers to start struggling with traffic.

It's well worth making sure that the game servers are working properly. You can check the Xbox Live servers here and PSN here. You can also go to the Activision Support pages and see if any server issues are reported. This page will also report any recent outages.

Following all these steps will give you the best chance of reducing lag issues on Modern Warfare 2. And you can focus on the important business of turning the tide of battle.

The Modern Warfare 2 Puget-Altus error and the stuck connecting to data centre error are other common issues reported by players. If you encounter any of these while trying to play the game, come back here as we have found some easy fixes for them.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Gaming, How To, and Call Of Duty pages.