CoD MW3: What Is the Kicked For Inactivity Bug? Explained

If you’re mid-match, sniping opponents, sprinting to cover, or using a remote turret, getting removed from the game under the claim that you were AFK is frustrating. In our guide, we’ll cover what the Kicked For Inactivity bug is in Modern Warfare 3 and whether you can fix it.

What Causes the Kicked For Inactivity Bug in MW3

Several players across all platforms are reporting that MW3 is kicking them for inactivity while playing the game. On the game’s subreddit, some have wondered if Activision simply set strict activity criteria to prevent players from camping. However, there are too many instances of players getting kicked while moving, reloading their weapon, or controlling the sentry gun. It’s also removing players in the middle of their killstreaks, so clearly, they’re active participants in the match. With this in mind, it’s likely a bug.

This isn’t the first time Call of Duty has tried to moderate camping by removing idle players. An activity timer can be great when used correctly. But now it’s backfiring. You could be in a spot for as little as 30 seconds and get removed from the match, which isn’t fair. This extra problem is yet another thing dampening an overall rocky launch. Whether on PC or console, you’ll likely run into this issue. Even if you get a warning, it might be too late. But there are a few things you can try if the problem persists.

Possible Fixes for the Inactivity Bug in MW3

Keep Moving

Although some have gotten kicked in the middle of running, it’s still best to move as often as possible. Don’t spend too much time in one spot, and avoid stationary weapons or vehicles. Additionally, pay attention to how long you’re prone, crouching, or aiming at other players. Honestly, it’s frustrating to have to think about this. Whenever I’m in a PvP situation, my attention is on surviving, not doing a cross-country run. Nonetheless, until Sledgehammer and Activision fix this, the best practice is to stay on the go.

Restart Your Game

In the event that you keep getting kicked or the Inactivity bug is accompanied by other errors, it’s best to restart the game. A fresh start might fix things under the hood, at least temporarily. You can also take a much-needed breather if you lost a close match.

Related: How to Fix the Packet Burst Error in MW3

Check the MW3 Trello Board

As players continue to provide feedback, the MW3 Trello board should be one of your go-to places to look up known issues. Important bugs like the Golden Enigma not unlocking or issues with Beta rewards are listed, but at time of writing, the Inactivity bug isn’t on the board. So it’s well worth reaching out to Sledgehammer Games on X or the Activision Support website to bring this to their attention.

That’s everything you need to know if you’ve been kicked for inactivity while actively playing Modern Warfare 3. Unfortunately, there’s not a surefire fix, since this is likely an issue on the developer side. For more assistance, such as how to turn off crossplay or how to fix the FOV glitch, head on over to our extensive guides hub.