Quick Answer: Summary of Steps
- Restart the game Activision says a single crash usually just needs a restart.
- Update your system software Out-of-date console software is the first thing Activision checks.
- Check the known issues list Some bugs, like Loadouts not saving, are on Activision's side.
- Send a PC crash report PC players can submit logs to Activision.
Prerequisites & Materials Needed
Required tools & items
- Your console or PC — PS5, Xbox Series X|S or PC
- An internet connection — For updates and crash reports
- Estimated time — 5 minutes for a restart and update check, about 20 minutes for a crash report
Estimated time
- Preparation: PT5M
- Execution: PT20M
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Step 1: Restart the game
Most crashes send you to the dashboard and a restart is enough.
- Close the game fully.
- Relaunch it.
- If it froze, quit the application; reboot the console if needed.
- Pro Tip: On PS5, error CE-34878-0 is a crash code; Activision says to restart first.
How you know it worked: The game runs normally.
Step 2: Step 2: Update your system software
Activision calls this the best way to avoid crashes.
- Xbox: Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.
- PS5: Settings > System > System Software Update and Settings.
- PC: update Windows and your graphics driver.
- Pro Tip: Turn on automatic updates.
How you know it worked: No updates are pending.
Step 3: Step 3: Check heat and storage
Overheating and full storage cause freezes.
- Move the console somewhere cool and well ventilated.
- On PS5, delete old files and game data.
- On Xbox, clear the cache.
- Pro Tip: Leave space around the console's vents.
How you know it worked: The console stays cool during play.
Step 4: Step 4: Reset the Xbox MAC address
Activision lists this for persistent Xbox crashes.
- Press the Xbox button and open Settings.
- Go to Network > Network settings > Advanced settings.
- Select Alternate MAC Address, then Clear, then Restart.
- Pro Tip: This only applies to Xbox.
How you know it worked: The console restarts and reconnects.
Step 5: Step 5: Check known issues and send reports
Some problems are bugs Activision is already fixing.
- Read Activision's Known Issues page for MW4.
- If your issue is not listed, use the MW4 Bug Report form.
- On PC, submit a Call of Duty PC Crash Report with your logs.
- Pro Tip: Note the time and what you were doing when it crashed.
How you know it worked: Your report is submitted.
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance from the official support pages listed in the sources, then edited and fact-checked by Tulasiram Pemmadi. We have not tested these fixes on our own hardware.
Quick answer: restart the game, update your console or PC, keep the system cool and check Activision's Known Issues page for Modern Warfare 4. On Xbox, clearing the alternate MAC address can help. On PC, send a Call of Duty PC Crash Report. These steps come from Activision Support and cost nothing.
The problem
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 can crash to the dashboard, freeze or show bugs such as Loadouts that won't save. Activision says most Xbox crashes happen in the multiplayer lobby, just before or just after a match. On PS5, a crash usually shows error CE-34878-0 or "An error has occurred with an application or system software". We have not reproduced these crashes ourselves. The fixes come from Activision's support pages, last updated 16 October and 23 October 2026.
Likely causes
Cause | What it looks like | Fix step |
|---|---|---|
One-off crash | Kicked to the dashboard once | Step 1 |
Out-of-date system software | Repeated crashes | Step 2 |
Heat or full storage | Freezes after long sessions | Step 3 |
Xbox network cache | Repeated lobby crashes on Xbox | Step 4 |
Known game bug | Loadouts or stats missing | Step 5 |
Known issues Activision is tracking
Issue | Platforms | Activision's note |
|---|---|---|
Can't save Loadouts in Multiplayer | All | Under investigation |
Stats not shown in Combat Record and Leaderboards | All | Display issue only; stats are still tracked |
No launch button in COD Home | Xbox on PC | Check you haven't passed the Microsoft Store 10-device limit, and install any missing MW4 Content Packs |
Can't Prestige an Operator in DMZ | All | Workaround: equip Rare weapons with only three attachment slots |
From Activision's Known Issues page, updated 23 October 2026. Check the page for the current list.
Fixes from easiest to hardest
Restarting and updating take a few minutes and solve most one-off crashes. Checking heat and storage is next. The Xbox MAC reset changes a network setting but is easy to do. Crash reports take longer, but they help Activision find the cause.
MW4 DEV ERROR on PC, including 0x00001338
A "DEV ERROR" is a crash message from the game itself. Activision has not published a fix for any specific Modern Warfare 4 dev error code, including 0x00001338, as of 29 October 2026. Its crash article says most PC crashes happen at launch or in public Multiplayer matches and lists these checks:
Keep the PC in a cool, well-ventilated place.
Check that it meets the MW4 minimum system requirements.
Close background applications. Activision says input remapping software, overlays and recording software can interfere with the boot process even when they are not running, and suggests uninstalling them if crashes persist.
Install Activision's recommended video card drivers.
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot: Activision's MW4 system requirements say both are required. Its TPM and Secure Boot page lists Windows 10 22H2 or later or Windows 11, Intel 8th Gen or newer with PTT, or AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer with fTPM, UEFI boot mode, a GPT disk and Secure Boot on. It recommends running the Call of Duty Secure Attestation Wizard. Activision warns that wrong UEFI/BIOS changes can stop a PC booting, so check your motherboard manual first.
0x00001338 on startup (user reports): in an r/modernwarfare4 thread from August 2026, players in Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported 0x00001338 crashes at startup during the beta. The original poster's crash log pointed to a regional game file. Players said launching once with a Steam account set to their current country, or through a VPN, got past it. This is not an Activision fix and we have not tested it. VPNs can cause other connection problems, so treat it as a last resort and report the crash first.
Send the crash log: close the game, open the MW4 install folder and run CrashLogGenerator.exe. It saves an Error Log zip in your Documents folder, which you can upload through Activision's PC Crash Report form. The form does not create a support ticket.
Crashes on Switch 2
Activision says a crash on Switch 2 needs a full restart, not Sleep Mode. Hold POWER for three seconds, then choose Power Options > Restart. If the console is frozen, hold POWER to force a shutdown and wait at least 30 seconds. To send crash reports, turn on Settings > System > Share Error Information.
What it costs
Fix | US | UK | EU | India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Every fix on this page | $0 | £0 | €0 | ₹0 |
Activision support and crash reports | Free | Free | Free | Free |
No fix on this page needs a purchase.
India: notes for players
In hot Indian summers, console overheating is a real risk, so Activision's advice to keep the console in a cool, well-ventilated place matters more. Avoid enclosed TV cabinets. A voltage stabiliser or UPS can protect against power cuts mid-update, which can damage an install.
When to contact official support
If your console is up to date and in good working order and crashes continue, Activision says the problem may be with the console itself. Contact Xbox Support or PlayStation Support for hardware problems. For game problems, use Activision Support for Modern Warfare 4. Send bugs through the MW4 Bug Report form and PC crashes through the PC Crash Report.
Related NextPlayIntel pages
Modern Warfare 4 game page
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using third-party hardware Activision cannot guarantee functionality with third-party memory, controllers or cables.
- Reinstalling straight away It costs time and data; restart and update first.
- Ignoring the known issues page You may spend hours on a bug that only a patch will fix.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Modern Warfare 4 keep crashing?
Common causes are out-of-date system software, heat, full storage or a known bug. Restart and update first.
What is PS5 error CE-34878-0 in MW4?
It is a game crash. Activision says to restart the game and keep your PS5 updated.
Why can't I save Loadouts in MW4?
It is a known issue on all platforms, and Activision is investigating it.
How do I send an MW4 crash report on PC?
Use Activision's Call of Duty PC Crash Report page and follow its steps to include your logs.
Are my MW4 stats lost?
No. Activision says the missing stats are a display issue only and are still being tracked.
How do I fix the missing launch button in COD Home on Xbox PC?
Check you are under the Microsoft Store 10-device limit and install any missing MW4 Content Packs.
How do I fix MW4 dev error 0x00001338?
Activision has not published a fix for this code. Use its PC crash steps, check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, and send a crash report. Some Middle East players reported a region workaround, which is not official.
Does MW4 need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
Yes. Activision's MW4 PC requirements say both are required, on Windows 10 22H2 or later or Windows 11.
Sources & verification
Sources last verified on . This article covers published information, not hands-on testing.
- Activision Support: Crashes or game freezes in Modern Warfare 4
- Activision Support: Known issues in Modern Warfare 4
- Activision Support: PC Crash Report
- Activision Support: Modern Warfare 4
- Activision: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for Call of Duty
- Activision: PC Crash Report
- r/modernwarfare4: 0x00001338 startup crash reports (user reports, not official)
