If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (MWIII) multiplayer will not connect on PS5, first check whether Activision or PlayStation Network is having an outage. If both services appear available, test the PS5 connection, then troubleshoot your home network, account, game installation, and updates—in that order. The right fix depends on where the connection fails, so retry MWIII after each change.
1. Check whether MWIII or PlayStation Network is down
Before changing console or router settings, check Activision Online Services for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and PlayStation Network status. An outage, maintenance notice, or platform alert can prevent online play even when your PS5 and home network are working normally. If either service reports a problem, wait for it to clear and try again; resetting your console or changing router settings will not resolve a confirmed service interruption.
Status pages change over time, so check them when the problem occurs. A past status reading cannot establish whether either service is available now.
2. Test the PS5’s internet connection
On the PS5 home screen, open Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. Review whether the console connects to the internet and PlayStation Network.
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- If the test fails: troubleshoot the console’s internet or PlayStation connection before focusing on MWIII. PlayStation’s connectivity support provides guidance for connection problems.
- If the test passes: the console can connect, but that does not by itself rule out a temporary game-service problem, a home-network issue, or an MWIII installation or update problem. Continue with the local checks below.
3. Check the home network
Restart the router and reduce competing traffic
Restart your router, then retry MWIII. Pause large downloads and bandwidth-heavy streaming on other devices while testing. Make one change at a time so you can tell whether it affected the connection.
Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet
If practical, connect the PS5 to the router using an Ethernet cable and test multiplayer again. Activision Support says, “We strongly recommend using a wired Ethernet connection during online gameplay.” A wired test can help distinguish Wi-Fi reliability or bandwidth problems from other causes, but a cable is not a guaranteed fix.
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- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
4. Verify your account, installation, and updates
Confirm you are signed in and can use PlayStation services
Make sure the PS5 is signed in to the account you use for online play and that PlayStation services are accessible. If the console cannot connect to PlayStation Network, resolve that connection problem before treating MWIII as the cause.
Check that MWIII is installed and current
Activision’s MWIII Installation and Setup guide describes MWIII as a standalone title and gives PS5 installation directions through Game Library. Confirm the game is installed from the expected library or store location, and install any available game update.
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Check for PS5 system software updates at Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. PlayStation gives this path in its PS5 system-software update guidance. Updating the console or game is a sensible check, but it does not establish that an update is the cause of a connection failure.
5. Check whether a known issue matches your symptom
Activision’s MWIII known-issues page is the place to check for acknowledged game problems. The page displayed an update date of 2026-08-07 when reviewed. Its listed “Lost Connection to Host” issue concerned split-screen play across platforms; it did not establish a general PS5 multiplayer outage or explain every PS5 connection failure. A separate notice about persistent “One or more DLC packs are out of date” messages applied to PS4, not PS5. Check the live list for changes, and do not assume an issue for another platform or mode applies to your case.
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6. Escalate network troubleshooting carefully
If service status is normal and basic checks do not solve the problem, consult PlayStation support or Activision’s connection troubleshooting guidance. Activision discusses router UPnP and, separately, port forwarding with a static console IP; follow its sequence and test one configuration at a time. These are advanced router changes, not first steps.
Activision also describes DMZ as a console-only test and explicitly says to remove the console’s static IP from DMZ after testing. Do not leave the PS5 in the router DMZ. If you use a school, workplace, or other shared network, ask its administrator before changing network settings. Activision advises contacting your internet service provider if its troubleshooting does not resolve the connection problem.
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- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
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