Call of Duty: Warzone Devs Address Frustrating Lobby Crash Issue

Call of Duty: Warzone players have been dealing with a frustrating glitch causing games to freeze or crash during loading screens. The issue has sparked widespread complaints, with some players even facing unwarranted in-game penalties for disconnecting. Fortunately, Raven Software, the developers behind Warzone, have acknowledged the problem and are taking steps to ease the situation.

The issue, which began gaining attention earlier this month, has left many players stuck in limbo, unable to enjoy the game. On January 9, Raven Software announced a temporary fix aimed at reducing the frustration. Players who disconnect from Ranked matches before the game officially starts will no longer face penalties like Skill Rating (SR) losses or timeouts. While the underlying glitch remains unpatched for now, this move offers some relief to those affected.

Previously, players could lose hard-earned SR points or face delays before joining another match due to these crashes. Ironically, the early leaving penalty was a feature players had requested years ago, but now it’s creating headaches when bugs like this force unintentional disconnections. Raven Software’s update attempts to strike a balance—players kicked before a match won’t be penalized, but those who quit mid-game will still face consequences.

This glitch is the latest challenge for Call of Duty: Warzone, which had a rollercoaster year in 2024. Late December saw matchmaking disruptions after an accidental update, and the game continues to struggle with cheating and other bugs. Even after a massive update in January 2025, lingering technical issues like this one are frustrating fans, particularly those who enjoy the competitive Ranked mode.

While the temporary fix helps, many players remain eager for a permanent solution. Bugs and disruptions in Ranked play are never ideal, and the pressure is on for Raven Software to deliver. Until then, players can at least rest assured that lobby crashes won’t result in unfair penalties—though patience is wearing thin.