As one of the most anticipated titles in 2022, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2‘s release this October was hotly awaited by fans worldwide. Over 10 years after its original launch, this reboot aimed to capture the magic of the original Modern Warfare games that defined FPS multiplayer on consoles.
But many PC players found themselves dealing with crashes, freezes, and the cryptic "0x887A0005" error code instead of enjoying the campaign and addictive multiplayer.
If you‘ve encountered this pesky error, don‘t worry – we‘ll show you how to fix 0x887A0005 in MW2 so you can get back to quickscoping and earning new gear.
Demystifying the Mysterious 0x887A0005 Error Code
The 0x887A0005 error may look intimidating, but it‘s quite simple. The "0x" prefix indicates it‘s a hexadecimal (base 16) numeric error code. These codes are used universally in programming and games to pinpoint specific issues.
Some common reasons you might see error 0x887A0005 in MW2 include:
-
Corrupted or missing game files. Essential assets got altered or deleted somehow.
-
Problems with graphics drivers. The latest Nvidia drivers are clashing with the game‘s code.
-
Unsupported hardware/software. Your rig‘s components may not play nice with the game.
-
Buggy game code. Some flaw in the core programming is causing conflicts.
Whenever the game detects something is wrong under the hood, it halts loading with this error to prevent further problems.
Frustrated MW2 players have voiced their irritation:
"Constant 0x887a0005 crashes make the game unplayable. Wasted $70 @ATVIAssist @InfinityWard"
"3 weeks and still no fix for 0x887a0005 crashes. How did this get past testing @Activision?"
"Campaign and multiplayer crash with 0x887a0005. Happens 5 mins into game @BeenoxCODPC @Nvidia your drivers suck."
Let‘s dig into the main cause of this error and how you can get MW2 running smoothly again.
Pinpointing the Culprit: Nvidia Drivers
According to Infinity Ward and Beenox, the primary culprit behind the 0x887A0005 crashes is Nvidia‘s GeForce Game Ready GPU drivers.
The latest 526.47 driver version seems to conflict with MW2‘s code, resulting in frequent crashing when trying to load levels.
Nvidia constantly tweaks, tests, and updates their drivers to optimize performance for new games. But occasionally, bugs sneak through causing issues like this.
Rolling back or clean installing older, more stable drivers that have been tested with MW2 is the solution most likely to get the game running again.
AMD Users Less Affected
Interestingly, AMD users haven‘t reported frequent 0x887A0005 crashes. This suggests Nvidia‘s driver coding is specifically clashing with the game.
AMD‘s drivers use different architectures and programming. The game may be checking for specific Nvidia driver functions that error out and cause a crash when not found.
So AMD owners can likely update to the latest adrenalin drivers without issues. Though using older versions as a precaution is still wise.
Now let‘s walk through your options to resolve 0x887A0005 and get back on the virtual battlefield!
Fixing 0x887A0005 Error in MW2
Follow these top troubleshooting steps to squash the 0x887A0005 error code:
| Fix | Details |
|---|---|
| Roll Back Nvidia Drivers | Revert to an older driver version tested to work with MW2 |
| Clean Reinstall Old Nvidia Drivers | Fresh install a stable driver like 522.25 or 516.69 |
| Verify Integrity of Game Files | Validate install and download any missing/corrupted files |
| Update Windows and DirectX | Eliminate OS-related crashes |
| Update Visual C++ Runtimes | Resolve runtime conflicts |
| Contact Activision Support | Get help from the publisher‘s tech support team |
Let‘s look at each fix in more detail:
Roll Back Your Nvidia Driver Version
If you‘ve updated to the latest Game Ready driver causing issues, rolling back to a previous version can resolve 0x887A0005 crashes:
- Open Windows Device Manager
- Go to Display Adapters and right-click your Nvidia GPU
- Select Properties > Driver tab
- Click "Roll Back Driver" and confirm
- Restart your PC and launch Modern Warfare 2
If the Roll Back option is grayed out, you‘ll need to use the following clean install method…
Clean Install an Older, Stable Nvidia Driver
- Download driver 522.25 or 516.69 from Nvidia‘s website.
- Run the downloaded setup .exe file
- Choose Custom (Advanced) install
- Check "Perform clean install" to fully replace your current driver
- Follow the prompts to complete installation
- Restart your machine and try launching Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 again
This will wipe out your existing problematic drivers and replace them with an older, stable version confirmed to work with MW2.
Verify Your Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can also produce the 0x887A0005 error. Steam and Battle.net allow you to scan and restore them:
On Steam:
- Right click MW2 in your Library > Properties > Local Files tab
- Click "Verify Integrity of Game Files"
- Steam will scan and re-download any missing or corrupt files
- Launch the game after it finishes
On Battle.net:
- Select MW2 and click the Settings icon
- Choose Scan and Repair > Begin Scan
- Let it analyze your install and download any needed repairs
- Run the game again after it completes
This quick validation ensures you‘ve got the correct game files needed to prevent crashes on launch.
Update Windows and DirectX
An outdated Windows version or DirectX runtime can cause conflicts with games like MW2.
Updating these core components reduces the chance of OS-related issues:
- Install the latest Windows updates via Settings > Windows Update
- Make sure you‘re on Windows 10 version 1909 or higher
- Update DirectX using the official web installer
Update Visual C++ Runtimes
Many games depend on Microsoft Visual C++ runtimes being up-to-date. You can download the latest versions individually or use a tool like Dependency Walker to flag any outdated runtimes.
Updating these helps eliminate conflicts that can cause crashes like 0x887A0005 errors.
Contact Activision Support
If you still face Modern Warfare 2 crashes after trying these fixes, I recommend contacting Activision support directly:
https://support.activision.com
Their dedicated tech support team can further troubleshoot based on your PC setup and logs to pinpoint solutions.
Lessons Learned – Fixing Game Errors Fast
While frustrating, troubleshooting errors like 0x887A0005 helps us master resolving game issues:
-
Act quickly when a major new release has crashing problems. Patches are likely incoming.
-
Monitor gaming forums and social channels to identify common error patterns.
-
Update graphics drivers, OS software, runtimes, and games files to eliminate potential conflicts.
-
Seek help from publisher support teams, who have direct access to dev resources.
With the right mix of patience and persistence, you can get back to enjoying new titles again in no time.
Now get out there trooper, the fate of the world relies on you! Just remember – check your corners, and always have someone watching your six.
