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Player Aiming Over The Shoulder At Enemies In Mw3
Image: Activision

How to fix Packet Burst Error in Modern Warfare 3 (MW3)

I just wanted to kill some zombies.

Packet burst error is an issue that has been plaguing Call of Duty players since MW2, and it still keeps coming back. Luckily there are some ways you can mitigate this problem.

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Why does a Packet Burst Error occur?

Packet burst errors commonly arise as a result of server-side issues, meaning that the blame falls on Activision rather than on your network or device. However, should there be any potential hiccups on the client side, implementing the following steps will remedy them.

MW3 – Packet Burst Error fix

First, restart MW3. Little glitches can often happen in big games like this, especially newly released ones. Simply closing MW3 on your platform and reopening it allows the game to start back from a clean slate. If you’re on PC, remember to also close the client you purchased MW3 on, like Battle.Net or Steam. In case the issue persists, doing a full restart of your PC is recommended as it will clear any minor issues due to Windows.

Related:How to unlock Schematics in Modern Warfare Zombies (MWZ): Aetherium, Perk-a-Colas, Ammo Mods, and Wonder Weapons

Check for packet loss. You can use a tool like packetlosstest to check if your ISP is dropping packets. If so, you might need to call them to find out more. For the majority of people, this is the most likely solution.

Restarting your router often helps in packet burst errors. Unplug your router and remove any network cables plugged in. Wait for around 30 seconds. Then plug your router back in along with any cables and wait another 1-2 min for the router to properly start.

A popular way of dealing with packet burst errors in general is to check your application priority in Task Manager. If it’s Normal, change it to High. And if it’s High, change it back to normal. This is my go-to solution whenever I face any packet burst or packet loss issues in online games.

To change application priority, open Task Manager, and go to the Details tab. Find ModernWarfare.exe in the list, right-click it, and hover above the set priority option. From the drop-down menu, you can change the application’s priority. It’s good practice to restart after performing this.


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Author
Image of Sarib Zahoor
Sarib Zahoor
Sarib is a Freelance Writer for PC Invasion with a diverse writing experience of three years and counting. When he’s not delving into the fascinating realms and epic adventures of his favorite games, he studies medicine (what a nerd!) and occasionally enjoys books like the “Hitchhiker’s” series and “World War Z.” His gaming interests span a wide range of genres, but it's the rich narratives and expansive worlds that truly capture his attention. A passionate gamer at heart, Sarib is drawn to story-driven open world titles like Starfield and Spiderman that have captivated his dopamine molecules.