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Fixing the "0xc0000005 (0) N" Crash in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

The "0xc0000005 (0) N" error possesses the power to ruin any Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 gaming session. One moment you‘re dominating your opponents, the next – CTD!

But what does this cryptic error code mean? Why does it crash MW2 to desktop without warning or allow saving progress?

In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we‘ll demystify "0xc0000005 (0) N" crashes, explain why they happen and detail proven solutions to resolve them for good.

Decoding the Mysterious "0xc0000005 (0) N" Crash

When MW2 suddenly crashes to desktop, this frustrating message pops up:

"0xc0000005 (0) N – The application faced an unexpected error. Select ‘Scan and Repair‘ to restart the game and authorize Battle.net to verify installation. This may resolve the issue."

The key components here are:

0xc0000005 – The hexadecimal (base 16) error code indicating a memory access violation1, specifically the reading of / writing to an invalid memory address.

(0) – Specifies the MW2 process causing the crash (e.g. main game, multiplayer client, etc.)

N – Module number identifying the DLL library facing issues2.

In simpler terms, MW2 tried accessing a memory location it shouldn‘t have, causing an immediate crash to desktop.

But what triggers it? And how do you prevent this showstopping error?

Core Causes of "0xc0000005 (0) N" Errors

Based on reports from affected players3, these are the main culprits behind "0xc0000005" crashes:

1. Outdated GPU Drivers – Graphics card drivers enable communication between hardware (GPU) and software (MW2). Old or broken drivers frequently cause conflict and crashes.

2. Windows OS Issues – An outdated Windows version with missing system files/corrupted drivers leads to 0xc0000005 errors.

3. Game File Corruption – Damaged game executables, missing packages or modified components create conflicts.

4. Insufficient System Specs – Not meeting minimum CPU/GPU/RAM/VRAM requisites overwhelms your hardware.

5. Game Bugs and Glitches – Being a new release, MW2 has bugs that remain to be squashed by future patches.

Meeting system requirements and updating software is crucial. Now let‘s fix your "0xc0000005 (0) N" crashes for good!

MW2 Minimum System Requirements

Before fixing crashes, ensure your system meets the minimum and recommended specifications to run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 smoothly4:

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 64-bit Windows 10 64-bit
CPU Intel Core i5-3570
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X		 Intel Core i7-4770K
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
RAM 8GB 16GB
GPU Nvidia GTX 960 4GB
AMD RX 470 4GB		 Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB
AMD RX 580 8GB
Storage (MP+SP) 72GB HDD 72GB SSD
  • Benchmarks:
    • Minimum Specs deliver 60 FPS @ 1080p, Medium settings.
    • Recommended Specs deliver 120+ FPS @ 1440p, Ultra.

Falling below these requirements creates performance issues leading to crashes. Update your graphics drivers and Windows to prevent this.

Fix 1: Update GPU Drivers to Latest Versions

The first solution is to install fresh drivers for your Nvidia or AMD graphics card:

Clean Uninstall Existing GPU Drivers

Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to wipe current graphics drivers. Reboot into Safe Mode beforehand for clean removal.

Install Latest GPU Drivers

  1. Nvidia: Download GeForce Experience and click "Drivers" to automatically get the latest GPU drivers tailored and optimized for your system‘s graphics card.

  2. AMD: Obtain the most recent [Recommended/Optional] Radeon Software drivers via their Auto-Detect Tool.

Updated graphics drivers fix DLL conflicts, boost performance and enhance stability for issue-free MW2 gameplay.

Fix 2: Update Windows to Latest Version

While Windows updates appear mundane, they fix core issues that remove obstacles to enjoying MW2 smoothly5.

Follow these steps:

  1. In Windows 10 Settings, go to Update & Security -> Windows Update
  2. Click on Check for updates. Install all Important/Recommended updates pending.
  3. Pay special attention to available driver updates for your specific hardware.
  4. Once the updates finish installing, restart your PC.

Latest Windows updates improve security, application compatibility plus game performance. Update immediately if your OS is outdated.

Fix 3: Scan and Repair MW2 Files

Corrupt game files also commonly trigger "0xc0000005" errors. Verify your MW2 installation through:

Steam Game File Validation

Right click MW2 in your Steam Library. Select Properties -> Local Files -> Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam scans game caches and replaces any missing or corrupted files6. Let the validation process run – this eliminates file related crashes.

Steam Game File Validation

Fix 4: Launch Modern Warfare 2 as Administrator

Try running MW2 with admin rights and elevated privileges:

  1. Navigate to \Call of Duty Modern Warfare II\ModernWarfare2.exe
  2. Right click ModernWarfare2.exe and select Run as administrator
  3. Confirm admin approval request. MW2 should launch normally.

This approach resolves permission issues or restrictions causing "0xc0000005" crashes7.

Contact Activision Support to Troubleshoot Further

For users still facing "0xc0000005" error messages, contact Activision Support directly:

  • Online Ticket Form: support.activision.com/mw2/contact-us
  • Support Categories: Crash/Freeze Errors; Game Install/Patch Issues; Graphics/Performance Issues

Provide your DXDIAG system details, MSInfo32 reports plus game logs. Activision technicians can then analyze your hardware config and trace logs to determine the crash origin8.

Remote troubleshooting sessions assist fixing configuration issues or identifying hardware faults. Submit tickets now to restore your MW2 gaming enjoyment.

Game Still Has Bugs – Updates Will Further Enhance Stability

As a brand new release, Modern Warfare 2 continues facing teething issues like obscure error codes and crashes. Activision‘s developers work continuously to fix these through game patches – so stay tuned!

In the meantime, following the solutions above should successfully troubleshoot and resolve the notorious "0xc0000005 (0) N" error plaguing MW2 gameplay sessions.

Update drivers and OS, verify game files, run with admin rights – then get back to enjoying MW2 multiplayer mayhem or special ops missions!

See you on the battlefield, soldier!