Fix MW2 join bug, you are on a different version

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has achieved record success with the game earning $1 billion in game sales in just 10 days. This obviously indicates that a lot of players want to play and enjoy the game, which also means there will be server issues, matchmaking errors, and possible connection issues. One such error that players are facing is “Failed to join because you are using a different version”in COD MW2 and this happens on all platforms. Here’s what you can do to fix it.

Error connecting to MW2. You are using a different version.

Although this issue occurs for players trying to connect with friends through cross-platform play, the game may still give the “Could not join because you are using a different version”error message if you and your friend are using the same platform. Here are the possible reasons:

  • Versions of the game are different.
  • Your console needs an update.
  • This is a bug that can be fixed with a reboot.

How to update the version of the game MW2

To update Modern Warfare 2, you need to follow these steps:

PC

Whether you’re playing MW2 through Steam or Battlenet on PC, all you have to do is download the client and click on the game’s icon (you’ll find it under the Library section on Steam). You will then see an Update button if an update is pending. Click on it, let the update files download, and then launch the game from there.

PS4/PS5

  • To update games on your PlayStation console, all you have to do is highlight the game thumbnail and click the Options button.
  • From here select Check for Updates.
  • If there is a new update to download, follow the instructions to install it on your console.

Xbox One/XS Series

  • Close the game first.
  • Highlight the game thumbnail.
  • Scroll down to Manage Game and Add-ons.
  • Check if there is an update along with the download size.
  • Confirm by clicking the “Update”button.

Be sure to turn on automatic updates for games on your console so you don’t have to update them manually.

How to update your console version (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series XS)

Another thing that can cause the “Could not join because you are using a different version”error in MW2 is that your console versions may differ. Here’s how to check your system’s software version.

Game console

  • Go to Settings > System > System Software > Console Information.
  • Under system software version, if you see “up to date”it means you have the latest version of the console.

Xbox

  • Press the Xbox button on your controller.
  • Select Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.
  • In the Updates section, you will see the message “Console update available”or “Console update not available”. If you see the latter, it means your console is up to date. But if you see the first one, you can choose the option to start updating.

We hope that one or more of the above steps helped you to fix the “Could not join, you are on a different version”error in MW2. There is a possibility that PC players may get a new update faster than console players (or vice versa), in which case you need to wait until you can play with friends. The wait is likely to be short. And if all else fails, contact Activision Support for further assistance.

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