Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Warzone Season 4 released a few days back. The new installment of the game has fixed a range of old bugs and introduces one of its iconic characters Captain Price. But with the new patch comes back the persistent dev error that has plagued the community ever since the game released. I once said in one of my articles that Destiny 2 was the most bugged game ever, I take back my word. Call of Duty qualifies as the most bugged, but still the fact remains, it’s one of the best games that any serious gamer would love to play. The recent error that has resurfaced is the Call of Duty Modern Warfare & Warzone dev error 5523.
As with all the dev errors, there is not much we know about the error code. However, since the errors have been occurring so much, there are proven fixes that can resolve the dev error 5523. You may also want to check our other dev error guides as more often than not a fix for one dev error corresponds with other errors. The two articles we recommend is the dev error 5759 and dev error 6328. If the fix suggested in this blog fails, you may try some solutions from those blogs as well.
Causes of Call of Duty Dev Error 5523 in Warzone & Modern Warfare?
While the graphics card and DirectX appear to be the primary culprit, the dev error 5523 can arise due to a range of other issues such as third-party applications (predominantly overlay applications), game using integrated video card, overclocking, old COD MW files in Documents, a second monitor, and outdated audio driver. The game by default uses DirectX 12 which is known to be unstable. The DirectX seems to be one of the common cause for most dev errors.
You can follow our fixes that address all the possible causes of the error in Warzone and Modern Warfare.
Fix 1: Restart the PC
The age old restart still does the trick in resolving the dev error 5523. However, this is not a permanent fix and may not work for all players. Regardless, a lot of users were able to resolve the error message from appearing by simply restarting the system. Sometimes you have to reboot the system multiple times before the game starts to work. So, before you try our other fixes ensure you have made sufficient attempts at restarting the computer.
As a gamer’s modus operandi, ensure that the Windows and all the drivers and software on your computer is up-to-date. For driver updates, download the latest copy of the software from the manufacturers website and perform the update manually.
If still the error appears, proceed to our other fixes.
Fix 2: Disable Third Party Applications
Prior to launching the game disable all third-party software that work in parallel with the game as a support software. The software includes but not limited to Razer Synapse, Discord, GeForce Experience, any Recording Software, ShadowPlay, etc.
You can disable the application from the Task Manager. Press Windows + X and select Task Manager from the list. Identify all the programs running and disable them one at a time by selecting them and clicking on End task.
Just to be extra sure, disable any software or application that is not required by the operating system or the game. Now, try playing the game, the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone dev error 5523 should have resolved.
Fix 3: Run Battle.net as Administrator and Disable Full-Screen Optimization
Still the error has not resolved, continue with the fixes until the error has resolved. You can also bookmark this page as the fixes suggested here should work fine with most dev error is Call of Duty. If you are using the Battle.net client. Ensure its running in compatibility mode and also disable full-screen optimization. These settings have been known to cause problems with the game. Also, a lot of users fixed their problem by performing the two changes. Here are the steps to replicate the fix.
- Right-click on the Battle.net client
- Click on Properties and go to the Compatibility tab
- Now check Disable fullscreen optimization and Run this program as an administrator
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
While you are at it, ensure the game is also running with admin permissions. The same process explained above will allow you to provide admin permission to the game. Once you have performed the steps, check if the dev error 5523 still occurs.
Fix 4: Disable Second Display, Disable Integrated Video Card and Use HDMI Monitor
We do not know the exact reason why the second monitor causes a problem with the game, but dislodging it has resolved the error for several users. The second monitor probably interferes with the video card or DirectX. Additionally, you may also have to disable the integrated video card on your system if the game is using it instead of the dedicated Video card. This fix is for laptop players or those that have two graphics card installed.
For some reason, disabling the integrated video card (usually Intel) can fix the dev error with COD Warzone. The process to accomplish this is straightforward. Follow the below steps:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
- Expand Display adapters and select the integrated video card [Intel(R) HD Graphics]
- Right-click and choose Disable device.
There are other ways you can use only one screen. Simply hit Windows Key + p and then select PC Screen Only. That should do it, now try playing the game.
If you main monitor is using DisplayPort we suggest you switch to HDMI. Both connectors appear similar but the standards are different and the DisplayPort can cause problems with the game.
Fix 5: Disable Overlays
Overlays have been causing problem with Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Warzone since day 1. Although these software programs are important, they are not quintessential to play the game. Try disabling overlays such as Steam Overlay, AMD overlay, GeForce Experience, Discord, MSI Afterburner, Logitech Gaming Software, Xbox Game Bar, etc. whichever you have running on your system.
Disable Steam Overlay
- From the Steam client Home Screen, click on Steam
- Click on Settings and select the In-Game from the menu
- Uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game
- Click OK to save the changes.
Disable Discord Overlay
- Launch the Discord app and click on the gear icon at the bottom.
- Under App Settings, select Overlay
- Toggle on the Enable in-game overlay
- Click on the Games tab
- Select Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Warzone
- Toggle off the overlay.
Disable Xbox Game Bar
- Press Windows Key + I and select Gaming
- From the Game bar, toggle-off Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar
Now launch the game and check if the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone Dev Error 5523 is fixed. If you want the steps to disable other overlays, simply comment and I will help you.
Fix 6: Force the Game to Run on DirectX 11
Switching back to DirectX 11 to play the game has worked for a lot of users. DirectX 11 is more stable version, but you will have to sacrifice some features which DirectX 12 brings; however, not extreme. So, let’s force the game to run in DirectX 11 mode. Here are the steps.
- Open Battle.Net Client on the PC.
- Open the game COD Modern Warfare
- Go to Options
- Check Additional Command Line Arguments and type -d3d11
- Exit and try playing the game.
Once you have performed the above steps, restart the computer and the dev error 5523 should have disappeared.
Fix 7: Revert Overclocking
If you are using a software to overclock the GPU, disable the software and revert the overclocking. Sometimes factory overclocking can also cause the error, so try running the game at 60 FPS. Nvidia users, can easily limit the FPS from the Nvidia control panel. Once you have done the above, try running the game. See if the dev error 5523 is still occurring.
Fix 8: Disable Bluetooth or Headphones and Update Audio Driver
As we browsed through forums in search for the possible solution to this error, we found a number of users who suggested the dev error 5523 could be related to the audio driver. A number of users were able to resolve the error by either disabling the Bluetooth, dislodging the headphones, or updating the audio driver (particularly those who use Realtek).
The first fix we suggest is to update the audio driver, we are so focused on GPU that we often forget to update the audio driver. For this, visit the official website of the manufacturer and perform a manual install of the latest audio driver software.
Users with the Corsair Virtuoso, remove the USB Bluetooth dongle and the game should work fine. After the game has loaded completely you can connect the dongle and enjoy the game. (Source: Reddit)
If you have iCUE or other similar software running, disable them and unplug the headphones. Try loading the game and it should work. Once loaded, you can plug the headphones back (Source : Reddit)
To sum up, if you are using any type of audio tuning software, Bluetooth device or software, or headphones, remove or disable them prior to launching the game.
Fix 9: Delete Game Folder from My Documents
By now, one or the other fix should have resolved the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone Dev Error 5523. If not, we have one last fix you can try. Go to Documents or My Documents and locate the Call of Duty Modern Warfare folder > Delete the folder and try playing the game.
That’s all we have for now, but we will certainly update the post as we receive more info. Meanwhile, if you have a more effective fix, you can share them with us via comments.