How to fix Warzone & Modern Warfare’s Error Code 65538

Various Warzone and Modern Warfare players have had to deal with Error Code 65538 which ruins their online multiplayer experience, and here’s how you can get around it.

When you hop into a match of Warzone or Modern Warfare, you’ll get to test your skills in combat against other players and have fun with friends. However, sometimes getting online can be complicated.

You might encounter certain factors that prevent you from joining an online game. One of these is Error Code 65538, which has been causing problems for Warzone and Modern Warfare players.

Here’s how you can fix this error and join an online game.

How to fix Error Code 65538 in Modern Warfare and Warzone

This Error Code appears in a message which tells you that you’re currently unable to access online services in Warzone and Modern Warfare. You’ll get kicked out of the lobby during the matchmaking process.

• Read more: What packs are needed for Modern Warfare Multiplayer?

It mainly happens when there’s an issue with either your Internet connection or the Activision servers. You may also encounter it if your device isn’t set in the right timezone or the game needs to update.

Depending on the cause, there are different workarounds that you can try for Error Code 65538 in Modern Warfare and Warzone.

Check your Internet connection

If you’re having trouble joining an online match then the first thing you should try is refreshing your network connection. Simply turn your device off and back on again, to see if it fixes the issue.

Alternatively, you can also leave a game and rejoin it. It’s worth checking that nobody is using the Internet for bandwidth-heavy activities while you’re playing. Take a look at your connection speed to see if there’s a problem.

Reset your region or timezone

You might not be able to enter an online match because your device is set in the wrong region or timezone. In that case, you’ll need to readjust both of those in the device settings.

• Read more: Modern Warfare 3 Remastered does not exist, Activision says

Here’s how you can reset your region or timezone on Xbox:

1. Sign in to your console
2. Open the guide by pressing the Xbox button
3. Head over to Profile & system and select Settings 
4. Visit System and navigate to Language & location
5. Pick a new location from the list, and then restart your console

If you play Warzone and Modern Warfare on PlayStation or Windows, then you can only change your region by creating a new account.

Check for Modern Warfare and Warzone updates

Modern Warfare and Warzone players sometimes encounter Error Code 65538 due to pending updates. You can check if you have any before downloading and installing them. Once that’s done, simply restart your device and try joining a match again.

While updates are usually automatically installed, they can be halted due to storage issues. if that’s the case, then you should try clearing up space in your device in the storage settings.

Check the status of the Activision servers

If the solutions above haven’t fixed the problem then you might be seeing Error Code 65538 simply because of an issue with the servers. Luckily, there’s a useful tool for checking the server status.

• Read more: Modern Warfare players disappointed with Soap Operator after long wait

You might also see this Error Code if you’ve been suspended for violating the rules. In that scenario, all you can do is wait it out until Activision give you your account back.

For more Modern Warfare and Warzone fixes, you can check out our fix for the missing friends list glitch.

Image Credits: Raven Software / Activision