The notorious "Goldflake" error is a common issue plaguing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 players on all platforms. This frustrating crash prevents you from properly launching the game, instead greeting you with the ambiguous Goldflake status on startup.
In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore the Goldflake error in depth, uncovering its causes and walking through proven solutions to fix it on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. Follow these steps to banish Goldflake and get back into the action of MW2.
What Triggers the Goldflake Error in MW2?
Before jumping into fixes, let’s first demystify what causes Goldflake errors so you can better prevent these crashes in the future.
Server Outages
The most common trigger for Goldflake errors is server outages. When the MW2 servers go down for maintenance or suffer technical issues, players receive Goldflake crashes trying to connect.
You can check the real-time status of MW2 servers on the Activision Support Twitter profile. When you see them tweet about ongoing server issues, that’s a sign Goldflake errors are imminent.
According to Downdetector’s outage data, MW2 server crashes spiked at launch, with over 6,000 reports of connection problems:
These widespread connectivity problems resulted in rampant Goldflake errors. So always check third-party sites like Downdetector before launching the game.
Network Connectivity Issues
Your own internet connection instability can also lead to Goldflake crashes. Ensure you have a fast, low-latency broadband connection when playing MW2.
Run a speed test and check if your download and upload speeds meet the MW2 network requirements:
- Download Speed: 5 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 1.75 Mbps
Gaming over Wi-Fi is ill-advised. Always use a wired Ethernet connection for the most stable online experience.
Platform Network Problems
Issues with online services like Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Battle.net or Steam could also cause Goldflake errors. These networks see occasional outages and degradation.
When one of these vital services goes down, you can expect to see Goldflake crashes across the board.
Game File Corruption
Damaged or missing game files are a common source of Goldflake issues. Game file corruption can occur after a forced crash or improper shutdown.
Scanning and repairing your MW2 installation will fix corrupted files triggering Goldflake.
Outdated Game Version
It‘s essential to keep Modern Warfare 2 updated by installing new patches. Playing on an outdated game version can lead to connectivity issues and Goldflake crashes.
Always install the latest MW2 title update before launching the game.
Now let’s dive into the step-by-step solutions to eliminate Goldflake errors on each platform.
Fixing Goldflake on Xbox Consoles
Here are the top methods for resolving Goldflake errors on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
1. Check Xbox Live Server Status
First, visit the Xbox Live status page and confirm the network is up and running smoothly without any reported issues.
If Xbox Live is undergoing outages or service degradation, you‘ll have to wait for Microsoft to fully restore functionality before Goldflake disappears.
2. Reset Your Xbox Network Settings
Open the Settings menu, go to General > Network settings > Advanced settings > Alternate MAC address > Clear > Restart.
This flushes your cached network settings and fetches fresh configurations from the Xbox Live servers. It can resolve any network conflicts causing Goldflake crashes.
3. Update Your Xbox and MW2
Navigate to Settings > System > Updates and install all pending console system updates.
Then go to My games & apps > Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 > Manage game and add-ons and check for any ready-to-install game updates.
Installing the latest Xbox and MW2 updates prevents bugs that trigger Goldflake errors.
4. Uninstall and Reinstall MW2
If the above steps fail, completely uninstall MW2 from your Xbox and then reinstall it fresh from the Microsoft Store.
Doing a full reinstall replaces potentially corrupted game files that are causing Goldflake status on launch.
5. Initialize Your Xbox
As a last resort, attempt initializing your Xbox One or Series X/S console to factory default settings.
On Xbox One:
- Go to Settings > System > Console info
- Select Reset console > Reset and keep my games & apps
This will wipe all settings but retain your installed games.
On Xbox Series X/S:
- Go to Settings > System > Console info
- Select Reset console > Reset and keep my games & apps
Initialization can fix OS issues contributing to Goldflake errors.
6. Contact Xbox Support
If Goldflake persists after trying all troubleshooting, you‘ll need to contact Xbox Support for further assistance.
You can reach out to them via 24/7 live chat or request a callback here. Provide all details of the issue and your efforts to resolve it.
Fixing Goldflake Status on PlayStation
For PS4 and PS5 players, here are the top methods to fix Goldflake errors:
1. Check PSN Server Status
Visit the PlayStation Network server status page and verify PSN is online with no issues reported.
If PSN is down, you‘ll need to wait until Sony brings servers fully back up before you can bypass Goldflake errors.
2. Reset Your PS4/PS5 Network Settings
On PS4 or PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection. Select your connection type, choose Custom for IP address settings.
Set DNS settings to Manual and enter the Google DNS servers:
-
Primary DNS:
8.8.8.8 -
Secondary DNS:
8.8.4.4
This resets your network configurations and establishes a fresh connection with PSN.
3. Update Your PS4/PS5 System and MW2
Check for pending PlayStation system software updates under Settings > System > System Software Update.
Install any ready-to-download PS4/PS5 firmware updates.
Also update MW2 to the latest version. Go to your Game Library, select MW2 using the context menu, and choose Check for Update.
Staying up-to-date prevents bugs that cause Goldflake crashes.
4. Initialize Your PS4/PS5
If you‘re still seeing Goldflake errors, initialize your PlayStation console to factory defaults.
On PS4:
- Go to Settings > Initialization
- Select Initialize PS4 > Initialize
On PS5:
- Go to Settings > System > System Software > Reset PS5
- Choose Reset Settings > Initialize PS5
This wipes the system and reinstalls the OS, potentially fixing software issues behind Goldflake status.
5. Delete and Reinstall MW2
As a last PS4/PS5 resort, delete MW2 from your console and re-download a fresh digital copy from PSN.
Reinstalling the game replaces any corrupted data files that could be triggering Goldflake crashes on launch.
6. Contact PlayStation Support
If the error persists after trying all troubleshooting steps, you‘ll need to reach out to PlayStation Support for further assistance.
You can contact them 24/7 via live chat or request a callback here. Provide full details of the Goldflake issue.
Fixing Goldflake on PC
For PC players, here are the top methods to resolve Goldflake errors:
1. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated Nvidia or AMD graphics drivers can trigger connectivity issues leading to Goldflake crashes.
Open GeForce Experience or Radeon Settings and install the latest Game Ready driver for your GPU. Restart your PC after updating.
2. Scan and Repair MW2
Open the Battle.net app, click the Settings icon next to MW2, and select Scan and Repair.
This scans game files and replaces any corrupted data that could be causing Goldflake errors.
3. Change Your Battle.net Region
In the Battle.net desktop app, click the globe icon to open Region/Account Settings and change regions.
Switching to a different Battle.net region may help resolve network issues leading to Goldflake.
4. Connect via a VPN
Using a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN can mask your network identity and bypass any ISP restrictions causing Goldflake crashes.
Connect to a nearby VPN server and launch MW2 to test if this fixes Goldflake errors.
5. Port Forward Your Router
Open your router settings and manually forward the following MW2 ports:
- TCP: 3074, 27014-27050
- UDP: 3074, 3478, 4379-4380, 27000-27031, 27036
Port forwarding improves connectivity and may prevent Goldflake crashes.
6. Reinstall MW2
As a last resort, completely uninstall MW2 from your PC, delete any remaining game folders, and do a fresh install by downloading it again on Battle.net.
A clean install replaces any corrupted files that could be the culprit behind pesky Goldflake errors.
7. Contact Activision Support
If you still can‘t get past the Goldflake error, reach out to Activision Support for further troubleshooting assistance.
You can contact them 24/7 via live chat or submit a ticket. Provide your Battle.net ID and all details of the issue.
Waiting for MW2 Server Restarts
During major service outages, Goldflake issues may persist until Infinity Ward performs maintenance and server restarts.
In these cases, all you can do is wait patiently for services to come back online. Follow @InfinityWard on Twitter to get live updates when fixes are implemented.
According to Downdetector data, it took Inifinity Ward 8 hours to stabilize MW2 servers after widespread crashes on launch day:
So server-related Goldflake errors may take hours to resolve as developers work behind the scenes.
Preventing Goldflake Errors Going Forward
While frustrating, Goldflake crashes are typically temporary and can be overcome. But you can take steps to avoid them happening as frequently:
- Maintain a fast, low-latency internet connection
- Connect your PC or console via Ethernet
- Keep your platforms and MW2 updated
- Avoid force quitting the game during matches
- Periodically scan and repair files
Following these best practices will go a long way in preventing pesky Goldflake errors from ruining your MW2 experience.
Summary of Goldflake Fixes
To recap, here are the key troubleshooting steps to resolve Goldflake errors:
- Check server status pages during outages
- Reset network settings on your platform
- Update console/PC and game to latest versions
- Reinstall or initialize MW2
- Use a VPN (PC only)
- Forward ports on your router (PC only)
- Contact Activision or platform support
- Wait for server restarts after extended outages
With this comprehensive guide, you now have a complete toolkit to overcome Goldflake errors on all platforms. No more rage quitting MW2 matches and streams due to sudden crashes!
Implement these fixes and you‘ll get back to enjoying Modern Warfare 2‘s thrilling multiplayer in no time. Stay frosty out there on the virtual battlefield.
