As an avid Call of Duty player, I know how frustrating it can be when you get the “Activision account could not be linked” error while trying to play Modern Warfare 2. This linking issue prevents you from accessing all of the game’s online features, essentially rendering MW2 unplayable.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through how to fix this error based on my extensive research and experience troubleshooting account linking problems.
Understanding the Account Linking Error
When you first launch Modern Warfare 2, you’re prompted to link your Activision account to your platform account—either Battle.net for PC or Steam for console. This links your entire COD profile, including progression and purchases, across all games.
The “Activision account could not be linked” error appears when this account linking process fails. Based on user reports, the main reasons are:
- Your Activision account is already linked to another platform account
- A bug is causing incorrect account detection
- Your accounts are region-locked and can‘t be linked
According to Activision’s support site, over 18% of players report account linking issues. They disproportionately impact Battle.net users, likely due to the complexity of Blizzard’s friend system.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the Linking Error
Follow these troubleshooting steps to get your Activision account successfully linked and start playing Modern Warfare 2 online:
Double Check Account Linking Status
First, log into your Activision account and visit the Account Linking page. Verify whether your account is already linked. If so, you’ll need to unlink it first.
Relink Accounts from Activision Website
If your account isn‘t linked, try linking directly from the Activision website:
- Log into your Activision account and go to Account Linking
- Select your platform (Steam/Battle.net)
- Click "Link Account" and enter your platform login credentials
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete linking
This direct linking method resolves many errors caused by bugs.
Contact Activision Support to Unlock Accounts
If your Activision account is linked to the wrong region version of a platform, you‘ll need to contact Activision Support to unlink it before relinking to the correct one.
Their linking unlock process takes 3-5 business days. Refer to this support article for instructions.
Create a Brand New Activision Account
As a last resort, create a fresh Activision account and link it to your platform. This is guaranteed to work, but you’ll lose all existing stats and purchases tied to your old account.
- Go to https://s.activision.com/activision/signup to make a new account
- Log into MW2 and link this new account when prompted
And that’s it! With a properly linked account, you can finally enjoy online play in Modern Warfare 2. Just be sure to take care when unlinking accounts to avoid losing your progress. Let me know in the comments if you have any other issues getting linked up.
