The Definitive Guide to Fixing "Disconnected from Steam" Error in Modern Warfare 2

The long-awaited sequel to 2019‘s blockbuster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot has finally arrived with the launch of Modern Warfare 2. Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, MW2 thrusts players into an unprecedented global conflict as part of the iconic Task Force 141. With cutting-edge graphics, advanced AI, an overhauled Gunsmith, and a gripping campaign alongside co-op and multiplayer, MW2 aims to set a new high watermark for the franchise.

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However, the launch has not been without issues. Numerous players on PC have reported seeing a "disconnected from Steam" error when trying to play online, preventing them from accessing the game‘s marquee multiplayer modes. This guide will provide an in-depth look at the causes of this error and the most effective solutions to get you back in action.

Understanding the "Disconnected from Steam" Error

When attempting to play MW2 online on PC, you may be greeted with the following error message:

Disconnected from Steam.
Error: VIGOROUS (5662_0)

This typically indicates a connectivity problem between the MW2 client and the Steam platform, which handles authentication, matchmaking, and other online services for the game. There are a few potential causes for this error:

Steam server outage or maintenance – If Steam‘s backend servers are down, undergoing maintenance, or experiencing high traffic, it can prevent MW2 from connecting. This is usually a temporary issue that resolves itself once Steam is back online.
Client bugs or corrupted files – Occasionally a bug in the MW2 client or missing/corrupted game files can lead to this error, even if Steam is working normally. This often happens after a patch introduces a new technical issue.
Unstable or slow internet connection – MW2 requires a stable internet connection to maintain synchronization with the Steam servers. If your network is unreliable or too slow, it may lead to disconnects.
Firewall or antivirus blocking – Windows Firewall or your antivirus software may incorrectly flag MW2 as a security threat, blocking its access to the internet and Steam.
Interference from other programs – Certain applications like MSI Afterburner, Discord, or RGB lighting software can conflict with MW2 and cause disconnects when running in the background.

According to data from Activision‘s support team, network instability and client bugs have been the most common culprits in the first week since MW2‘s launch. However, there are numerous potential causes and fixes, so it‘s important to troubleshoot methodically.

How Widespread is the Disconnected from Steam Error?

While it‘s difficult to gauge precisely how many players have encountered this error, a look at online discussions and social media posts indicates it‘s a relatively common issue in MW2‘s post-launch window.

As of November 2022, there are over 75,000 Steam reviews for MW2, with around 35% of them being negative. Many of the negative reviews cite the disconnected from Steam error as a primary complaint.

On the r/ModernWarfareII subreddit, which has over 125,000 members, a search for "disconnected" returns hundreds of posts from users seeking help for the error since MW2‘s launch. The official Activision support twitter has also been inundated with reports of connectivity issues.

These anecdotal reports align with Activision‘s own remarks that they are actively investigating the error and working on fixes. In a blog post, the developers acknowledged the prevalence of "disconnected from Steam" reports, stating:

We are aware of the reports of some PC players experiencing crashes or disconnects from Steam when attempting to play Modern Warfare 2. Our teams are actively investigating and working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
We appreciate our community‘s patience as we work to address this and will provide updates as soon as they are available.

While it‘s a frustrating problem, it‘s not abnormal for a massive online game like MW2 to have some connectivity hiccups, especially at launch as servers are hit with a deluge of new players. Historically, most Call of Duty titles have had a rocky launch period before stabilizing.

For context, here‘s a look at the first week launch sales of previous Call of Duty games:
| Title | First Week Sales (in millions) |
|———————–|——————————-:|
| Modern Warfare 3 | 13.3 |
| Black Ops 2 | 12.8 |
| Black Ops | 8.6 |
| Advanced Warfare | 7.7 |
| Modern Warfare (2019) | 7.6 |
| Modern Warfare 2 | 7.5 (estimate) |

Data via VGChartz and Statista

As you can see, MW2 is on par with some of the series‘ biggest launches, which inevitably leads to strains on the infrastructure. Still, there are numerous avenues to troubleshoot the issue on your end.

How to Fix the "Disconnected from Steam" Error in MW2

Let‘s walk through the most common solutions for the disconnected from Steam error, starting with the easiest and quickest fixes. Follow these steps in order, restarting MW2 after each attempt to see if the error is resolved.

1. Basic Troubleshooting

Begin with these simple steps that resolve a surprising number of issues:

Restart MW2 – Exit the game and relaunch it from your Steam library. If the error persists, restart your PC as well.
Check for updates – Make sure both your Steam client and MW2 are fully updated. Developers often release patches to address bugs and server issues.
Verify game files – Corrupted or missing game files can prevent MW2 from connecting properly. To check this:
1. Open the Steam client and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on MW2 and select Properties.
3. Navigate to the Local Files tab and click "Verify integrity of game files".
4. Let the process complete, then relaunch MW2.
Run as administrator – Running MW2 with admin privileges can bypass certain connectivity blocks. Here‘s how:
1. Go to your Steam library and right-click MW2.
2. Select Manage > Browse local files.
3. Right-click the MW2 .exe file and choose Properties.
4. Check the "Run this program as an administrator" box.
5. Click Apply and OK, then restart the game.

2. Disable On-Demand Texture Streaming

Modern Warfare 2 uses an on-demand texture streaming system to dynamically load high-resolution assets. Disabling this can improve performance and reduce disconnects:

Launch MW2 and go to Settings > Graphics
Locate "On-Demand Texture Streaming" and set it to Disabled
Restart the game

You may need to lower some graphics settings to offset the VRAM usage, but this will provide a more stable experience, especially on weaker internet connections.

3. Allow MW2 Through Firewall and Antivirus

To ensure your firewall isn‘t blocking MW2‘s access to the internet:

Search for "Windows Defender Firewall" in the Start Menu
Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall"
Click "Change settings" then "Allow another app…"
Browse to the MW2 install folder (default is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Call of Duty Modern Warfare II)
Add the .exe files for MW2 to the allowed apps list
Restart the game

If you use a third-party antivirus program, check the documentation for how to whitelist a program or add an exception for MW2.

4. Disable Conflicting Programs

Some applications can interfere with MW2 and Steam‘s connection if running in the background. Common culprits include:

MSI Afterburner
Discord
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
f.lux
RivaTuner Statistics Server
peripheral software like Razer Synapse
RGB lighting control programs

Close out of any non-essential tasks before launching MW2. You may need to test different combinations to isolate a problematic program.

Also take this time to disable any in-game overlays:

Open the Steam client and click Steam > Settings
Select the In-Game tab
Uncheck the "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game" box
Restart Steam and MW2

If you have the GeForce Experience overlay enabled, turn that off as well.

5. Optimize Your Network

A slow or unstable internet connection is one of the most prevalent reasons for disconnects in MW2. Try these steps to optimize your network:

Opt for a wired ethernet connection over WiFi if possible
Avoid using a VPN or proxy server while playing
Close any bandwidth-heavy applications like streaming services or downloads
Open the following ports for MW2 on your router:
- TCP: 3074, 27014-27050
- UDP: 3074, 3478, 4379-4380, 27000-27031, 27036
Enable port forwarding for the ports above
Turn on Quality of Service (QoS) in your router settings to prioritize gaming traffic

For reference, MW2‘s minimum internet speed requirements are:

10 Mbps download
2 Mbps upload
Less than 50 ms ping

You can run a speed test to check your connection and compare it to these guidelines. If you‘re consistently falling short, contact your ISP for assistance.

6. Advanced Troubleshooting

If you‘ve made it this far and are still encountering the disconnected from Steam error, here are some final steps to try:

Completely uninstall and reinstall MW2 through Steam. This will remove any stubborn corrupted files or configurations.
Verify that your PC meets the minimum system requirements to run MW2:
- Intel Core i5-3570 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X CPU
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470 GPU
- 25 GB storage space
- Broadband internet connection
Remove any overclocks on your CPU, GPU, or RAM. Even if stable in other games, MW2 may not play nice with overclocked hardware.
Update to the latest versions of your motherboard BIOS, lan, audio, and video drivers.
Use diagnostic tools to check for faulty hardware components like your network card, RAM, or hard drive.

If nothing else has worked, don‘t hesitate to reach out to Activision‘s support team. They can investigate your specific issue in greater depth and have more tools for escalating stubborn problems.

Wrapping Up

Encountering the disconnected from Steam error in Modern Warfare 2 can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you‘re eager to squad up with your friends and dive into the new maps and modes. But with some persistence and methodical troubleshooting, it‘s almost always fixable.

Start with the fundamental steps like restarting the game, checking for updates, and verifying your game files. Move on to in-game settings like disabling on-demand texture streaming, then check that your firewall and antivirus aren‘t blocking the connection.

Ensure any unnecessary programs are closed out and optimize your network settings with a wired connection, open NAT type, and forwarded ports. Finally, uninstall and reinstall the game, check your hardware, and reach out to Activision as last resorts.

Above all, be patient and stay frosty. With Modern Warfare 2‘s colossal launch, some technical speedbumps are inevitable. But Infinity Ward and Activision are actively monitoring the issues and pushing out fixes as rapidly as possible.

While you wait, why not dive into the thrilling campaign mode, or brush up on your skills with a few matches of local multiplayer or co-op? Before long, Task Force 141 will be back online and you‘ll be racking up killstreaks and grinding camos like the rest of us.

Happy hunting! We‘ll see you on the battlefield.