Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation: Potential fixes and reason

Modified Oct 24, 2024 18:39 GMT

An Operator in Black Ops 6 shooting their weapon at a knocked down enemy — Exploring possible fixes for Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation (Image via Activision)

The Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation error has been bugging players ever since the pre-load option was made available. Although users have reported issues across different platforms, it seems like people on Steam have been affected the most.

Unfortunately, the exact reason for the issue is currently unclear, but many believe it has something to do with the updated Call of Duty HQ, which is preventing them from properly pre-loading the game.

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at some of the possible fixes for Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

How to possibly fix Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation

The following are some of the potential solutions known to resolve the Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation error:

Update your console firmware

While most console firmware updates are automatic, you may have missed one or two if you haven't used the device in a while. Hence, the first thing you should do is go to your console settings and check for system updates. If there are any pending, it is highly recommended to download and install it.

Once your system is updated, the Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation error should be resolved.

Also read: Black Ops 6 pre-load guide: How to, and sizes for all platforms

Pre-load through Call of Duty HQ

Pre-loading Black Ops 6 through Call of Duty HQ (Image via Activision)

If you have downloaded the latest version of Call of Duty HQ and have the license for Black Ops 6, you should be able to pre-load it directly via the HQ client. To do so, follow these steps:

Launch Call of Duty HQ.
Go to Settings by clicking on the cog wheel icon in the top-right corner.
Scroll down to Manage Files under More.
Here, select Black Ops 6.
Download Black Ops 6 Campaign and Multiplayer individually.
Now, exit Call of Duty HQ.

This should see the title's Campaign and Multiplayer being separately downloaded on your respective platform, and the Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation error should be fixed for you.

Manually pre-loading on Steam

Verifying Black Ops 6 game files on Steam (Image via Valve)

This fix is for Steam users only. If your pre-load still hasn't begun, your best bet is to download the files manually. To do so, follow these steps:

Launch Steam and go to your game Library.
Right-click on Call of Duty and go to Properties.
Find DLC on the left panel and click on it.
Here, check all the entries with Black Ops 6 in their titles.
Now go to Installed Files from the left panel.
Select Verify Integrity of Game files. Let the file verification process complete.
New downloads should now be detected. If not, simply exit Steam and relaunch.

This method should start pre-loading the title for you. However, do note that you must own the license for the game. If you plan on downloading the files before buying the title, it simply won't work.

Hence, make sure you have bought the game with the same Steam account that you are using to pre-load the files.

Read more: Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 1 date leaked

That covers all the possible fixes for the Black Ops 6 pre-load not working on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation error. If the issue persists even after implementing the fixes that are mentioned above, it is recommended to contact the Activision Support team for further assistance.

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Edited by Shraman Mitra