How to fix “Required network service has failed” in MW2

Gotta check that server status.

Getting interrupted by an Error Code in MW2 is one of the worst experiences ever. It's hard to get more angry than getting forced out of a game on Shipment right before getting a kill streak.

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A popular message going around is "Required network service has failed." Fortunately, though, it can be fixed easily.

Solutions for "Required network service has failed" in MW2

The reasons for this error message popping up in MW2 are unknown as of the moment. The solutions to this issue are all very simple, though. In fact, you have likely read these before when dealing with other errors in Call of Duty or similar games. Here is what you can do to get rid of this error message:

  • Restart the game: Turning off the game and loading it back up usually resolves the issue.
  • Check the Internet Connection: This message can occur from a poor internet connection. It's always a good idea to check on the router and, if necessary, give the router a restart. Alternatively, players should always think about playing with an Ethernet cable, especially if they play MW2 on PC.

Related: Why is MW2 and Warzone ranked play down?

  • Check for new updates: Games like MW2 update regularly. You could be seeing the "Required network service has failed" message because you are missing a new update and can't load onto multiplayer. In this case, back out of the game and check for any new updates that came for MW2.
  • Check the server status: Any time you get an error message in MW2, you should check the status of the server. This can be done by going to the Activision Online Services website. Fortunately, you can check the Warzone server with this same website.

Want more MW2 guides? Pro Game Guides has you covered with MW2 Error Code 2020 – How to fix.

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About the Author

Shane Foley is both a huge gamer and a Contributing Writer at Pro Game Guides. He's been gaming ever since the Nintendo 64 came out, and he knows everything there is to know about Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Zelda, and several other Nintendo franchises.