MW4 Error Code 0x00001338 and DirectX Error: Fixes

Updated October 25, 2026 for the Modern Warfare 4 launch.

Players running into modern warfare launch crashes most frequently encounter the Steam startup crash 0x00001338 or the DirectX error 0x887A0005. Resolving these issues involves adjusting hardware clock stability, verifying core game installations, cleaning corrupted driver caches, and configuring system security rules. The sections below walk through the direct steps to solve these mw4 error codes across PC and consoles.

Fixing Error Code 0x00001338

Error code 0x00001338 typically indicates an unexpected application crash on launch, frequently tied to processor frequency spikes or system security settings.

Intel Processors

1. Open Windows Security, select Device security, click Core isolation, and turn off Memory integrity before restarting the system.
2. Install the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) and open the utility.
3. Locate the Performance Core Ratio setting.
4. Lower the ratio multiplier by one or two notches (for example, stepping an i9-13900K down from 55 toward 49 to 50) and select Apply.
5. Relaunch Modern Warfare 4.

AMD Processors

1. Reboot the PC into the motherboard BIOS interface by pressing F2 or Delete during boot, or by executing shutdown /fw /r /t 0 in an administrative Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the CPU settings or AMD CBS configuration.
3. Find Core Performance Boost and set it to Disabled.
4. Save the configuration and reboot Windows.

Deleting Settings Cache

Corrupted local configurations can sustain the error even after processor changes. Navigate to Documents\Call of Duty and locate the players folder. If absent, open %localappdata%\Activision\Call of Duty\players. Rename or delete the folder, or wipe the COD 26 configuration files directly to force the game to generate default settings on startup.

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Fixing DirectX Error 0x887A0005

The DirectX code 0x887A0005 (DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED) occurs when the operating system drops communication with the graphics card.

• Clean Install GPU Drivers: Download the latest setup files from NVIDIA or AMD alongside Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). Boot into Windows Safe Mode, run DDU to scrub existing driver traces, restart, and complete a fresh driver installation.
• Disable Memory Profiles: Enter the motherboard BIOS and set XMP or EXPO memory profiles to Disabled to run RAM at stock JEDEC speeds. Unstable memory profiles frequently interrupt the data flow between the processor and graphics pipeline.
• Reset GPU Clocks: Open MSI Afterburner or your GPU configuration software and reset clock profiles to factory defaults. For factory-overclocked models, apply a small negative core clock offset of -50 MHz to -100 MHz.
• Turn On Debug Mode: Inside the Nvidia App, open System, select Advanced, and toggle Debug Mode to disable vendor overclocks. On AMD systems, open Adrenalin, access Performance Tuning, and restore automatic tuning to Default.
• Verify Integrity and Clear Cache: Verify game files through Steam (Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files) or Battle.net (Gear icon > Scan and Repair). Then, run Windows Disk Cleanup on the installation drive, tick DirectX Shader Cache, and confirm the cleanup.

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Additional PC Launch Fixes

Additional background and security conflicts can prevent the game client from initializing.

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

Modern Warfare 4 requires active hardware security standards. Open the Run dialog, input tpm.msc, and ensure the specification reads version 2.0. If disabled, enter the BIOS, enable Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, set the boot sequence to UEFI rather than CSM, and enable Secure Boot. Even with TPM, Secure Boot and BIOS fully set up as required, the game still throws errors and won't launch, so the fixes don't actually resolve it, according to some players.

Service Configuration and Executable Permissions

Open Windows Services, locate the COD Broker Service, set its startup profile to Automatic, and trigger Start. Navigate to the installation directory (steamapps\common\Call of Duty HQ), right-click CODBrokerInstaller as well as CODBrokerService, and run both as administrator.

In Windows Security, open Ransomware Protection and add both cod.exe and sp26\sp26-cod.exe to Controlled Folder Access. Grant both executables full inbound permissions through the Windows Defender Firewall, and disable background overlays from Steam, Discord, or GeForce Experience.

Console Crash Troubleshooting

Xbox crashes most often occur while in the Public Multiplayer Lobby before a match begins or immediately after a match ends.

• Xbox Consoles: Clear the console cache and update system software via Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates. Reset the network address by going to Settings > Network > Network settings > Advanced settings > Alternate MAC Address, selecting Clear, and restarting the console.
• PlayStation 5: Ensure system software is updated under Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. If error CE-34878-0 occurs repeatedly, delete old files and game data from your PlayStation and ensure it is in a cool, well-ventilated place.
• Nintendo Switch 2: Avoid resting the system in Sleep Mode during crash loops. Hold the physical power button down for three seconds to choose Restart, or hold it down continuously for a forced 30-second shutdown before powering on again.

Persistent crashes can still stem from server-side matchmaking outages or post-match network drops.

See also: Modern Warfare 4 After the Beta