waw issue

[Mazdarati]

ok , I'm hoping someone has some insight on why this is happening , I have already dumped the game and reinstalled it and it did not help , I'll provide a screenshot as to what I mean so hopefully there is no confusion , So when I deviate

from my favorites the game locks up and I lose everything and have to start all over again as if i'm installing it for the first time, It seems to happen when I get to the LAN portion of that list , I'm hoping someone has a fix for this , any help would be appreciated.

Kind regards 

Mazdarati  

[BUDMAN]

sounds like a virus to me ...

[wingnut]

found this maz

sounds alot like your issue, and not too bad to fix

 

 

 

 

If you are having trouble loading Call of Duty: World at War (CoD 5) games via LAN and are forced to use manual IP addresses, it is likely due to the game's inability to automatically broadcast or discover servers on your network, or because of conflicting network adapters

. 

Here are the tested fixes for this issue:

 

1. Fix LAN Discovery (Set Net Port)

Often, the game fails to establish a proper LAN handshake, requiring you to force the port.

• Open the console in the game using the ~ key (tilde).
• Type: /set net_port 28961 and press Enter.
• Type it again to verify the output shows: net_port 28960 -> latched value 28961.
• Have all players do this, then try to see the lobby. 

 

2. Disable Virtual/VPN Network Adapters 

If you have VirtualBox, VMware, Hamachi, or a VPN installed, CoD 5 may be trying to use those network connections instead of your actual LAN/Ethernet connection. 

• Go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings.
• Disable all adapters except the one you are currently using (e.g., disable Wi-Fi if using Ethernet, disable VirtualBox Host-Only Network). 

 

3. Check for Firewall/Antivirus Blocking

Windows Firewall may be blocking the game from acting as a server, even on a local network. 

• Allow the CoDWaW.exe or CoDWaWMP.exe through Windows Firewall.

 

4. Direct IP Connect (Alternative)

Since you are already comfortable with using IP addresses, you can force the connection in the console, which is sometimes more reliable than the lobby browser:

• Host opens the server.
• Clients open the console (~) and type: /connect <HOST_IP_ADDRESS>. 

 

Summary of Common Causes

• Multiple Network Adapters: The game gets confused.
• Port Conflicts: Using the same port (28960) for multiple computers on the same router.
• Firewall Rules: Blocking the game's ability to broadcast. 

[wingnut]

first i would make sure firewall is allowing game and that you dont have a vpn running

[Mazdarati]

Thanks Wingnut, I will certainly look into this 

[Rocket_Jay]

Thank you SIr! I'll try this. I've had the same issues. Still not cool that would blow up your profile! 

RJS

[wingnut]

yeah im unsure about that part, but the not being able to join LAN sounds like a fix

[MikelMahou]

 

On 3/30/2026 at 11:32 AM, Mazdarati said:

ok , I'm hoping someone has some insight on why this is happening , I have already dumped the game and reinstalled it and it did not help , I'll provide a screenshot as to what I mean so hopefully there is no confusion , So when I deviate

from my favorites the game locks up and I lose everything and have to start all over again as if i'm installing it for the first time, It seems to happen when I get to the LAN portion of that list , I'm hoping someone has a fix for this , any help would be appreciated.

Kind regards 

Mazdarati  

Hello!

Its much more simple fix this than you imagine.

There are 2 ways to fix this:

 

1-Go to your profile player allocated somewhere like this if you are a non steam user: 

"C:\Users\mikel\AppData\Local\Activision\CoDWaW\players\profiles\MikelMahou"

 

Where the profile is allocated in %appdata" hidden folder, that is currently in your user from Windows, in the route: (for example mine)

"C:\Users\mikel" 

(From here locate the folder %appdata%/activision/codwaw/players/profile/yourplayerprofile)

Inside that folder, you will see some like these files (check in screen capture i add)

If you see a named "mpdatabk0000.corrupt" file, just delete that one.

Then return and open the game, go to Main Menu, then go to refresh ALL SERVERS and check ALL GAME MODES are Checked, then do a new update/refresh servers and then go to your FAVORITE SERVERS, Do same, push the refresh button and check all again.

Solution 2:

The Punkbuster issue that delete favorites.

Sometimes enable/disable the PB have some funny issues in the refresh list of servers.,

As much for Global Server List as for Favorites Servers etc.

This is due a conflict generated when you sometimes got an internet issue, a server disconnect or lose too much pakects issue when you play.

To solve this: Solution 2

2-Go to Main Menu, in game, go to PUnkbuster Section. ENABLE Punkbuster, Then Refresh ALL List servers.

Then return Favorites Servers, Refresh ALL. Check.

 

Sometimes, is just a corrupt file, what lets search and favorites in a way looks is block or lose, but is just cause sometimes, t7his makes a conflict with your actual config in game settings, or cause due a malfuntion of server conection, or you ISP fails and you got disconnected in some server etc, that made the .corrupt file appears in your config and that broke the system to keep favorites, progress in servers etc etc.

Always, do a PROFILE copy from the Activision Folder located in %appdata% and keep it save place when is working fine, or you did some progress in game or servers etc, in that way you will be always able to backup your profile if this happens again or you miss some in the way cause an error, etc etc-

 

Some alternative checks you need to do:

1-check ALWAYS you are in same network, LAN or WIFI, but the same, not get the both connected at same time, that can make conflicts and then this happens. Is better you always if possible plays in LAN connection mode. Wifi adds Input Lag and have mostly, packet loss in game. Lan cable is better for gaming. No doubt.

2-Do a Flush DNS in CMD.

Open CMD as admin and type:

ipconfig /flushdns

Clean Nvidia Chache (if you use Nvidia Video Card)

Press Windows + R then type %localappdata%

And then look for NVIDIA folder, open it , look for DXCache and GLCache Folders and delete them! then look same directory for NVIDIA Corporation > NV_Cache and delete this one too.

When all is done, remember do a restart pc, the go the game, open it and must be all ok.

Let me know how is going and if you still have issues.

Mikel

 

 

 

 

 

me files like this:

 

 

Then open your profile player,