Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign offers a gripping, cinematic World War II experience, and if you're eager to jump in on your PS5, you're in the right place! While it might seem straightforward, modern Call of Duty titles often split their content into separate packs, which can sometimes lead to confusion. Don't worry, we'll walk you through every step to ensure you're fighting on every front in no time.
Ready to Dive into WWII Action? Let's Get Started!
Have you ever booted up a game, only to find the mode you're most excited for is locked? It's a common Call of Duty phenomenon, and Vanguard is no exception. Before you panic, know that this is usually just a matter of ensuring all the necessary files are downloaded. So, let's unlock that campaign and get you into the heart of the action!
Step 1: Verify Your Game Installation and Initial Download
The first and most crucial step is to ensure that the base game of Call of Duty: Vanguard is fully installed on your PlayStation 5.
- Physical Disc Owners: If you have the disc, insert it into your PS5. The console will begin the initial installation process. Even with a disc, a significant portion of the game will likely be downloaded from the internet, as discs often only contain a launcher or a partial installation. Ensure your console is connected to the internet to facilitate this.
- Digital Owners: If you purchased Call of Duty: Vanguard digitally from the PlayStation Store, the download should have initiated automatically upon purchase. You can check the download progress by navigating to the "Downloads/Uploads" section on your PS5's home screen (look for the arrow pointing down).
Sub-heading: Check for Full Game Download
- Navigate to your PS5 Home screen.
- Find the Call of Duty: Vanguard icon.
- Highlight the game icon and press the Options button on your DualSense controller (the button with the three lines).
- Select "Manage Game Content" or "Game Content" from the pop-up menu. This is where the magic often happens. You'll likely see various content packs listed, such as "Multiplayer Pack," "Zombies Pack," and, most importantly, "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" (or similar variations).
Step 2: Downloading the Campaign Packs
This is often the step where players get stuck, as the campaign isn't always installed by default with the base game.
- Identify Locked Campaign: When you launch Call of Duty: Vanguard, you might see "Campaign" with a lock icon next to it. This indicates that the necessary campaign data isn't fully installed.
- Initiate Campaign Download:
- Hover over the "Campaign" mode on the game's main menu.
- You should see a prompt at the bottom of the screen, usually saying "Start Install" or similar, with an associated button (often the Square button on PlayStation). Press this button!
- This will typically take you to the "Manage Game Content" screen or initiate the download directly.
- Look for "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2." These are crucial.
- Select each campaign pack and initiate their download. They are separate downloads, so make sure both are queued. The download sizes can vary, but generally, Vanguard on PS5 requires around 90-120 GB total, with the campaign components contributing significantly to this.
Sub-heading: Patience is Key
- Do not close the game or turn off your console during the download process if possible. Background downloads are generally stable, but active monitoring is best for large files.
- Monitor your download progress from the PS5's Downloads/Uploads menu to ensure the campaign packs are actively downloading and not paused. A stable internet connection is vital here.
Step 3: Ensuring Sufficient Storage Space
One of the most common reasons for download failures or installation issues is insufficient storage. Call of Duty: Vanguard is a large game.
- Check Available Storage:
- From the PS5 Home screen, go to Settings (the cog icon in the top right).
- Select Storage.
- Here, you can see how much free space you have on your Console Storage (SSD) and any extended USB storage you might be using.
- Free Up Space (If Needed):
- If your storage is low, you'll need to delete other games or applications to make room.
- From the Storage menu, select "Games and Apps," then highlight titles you're willing to uninstall and press the Options button to select "Delete." Be mindful not to delete games you still actively play!
- As a rough estimate, aim for at least 100-150 GB of free space before starting the Vanguard download to be safe, especially if you plan to install other modes later.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, even with enough space and a good internet connection, things can go wrong. Here are some quick fixes:
Sub-heading: Restart Your PS5 Console
- A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Press the PS button on your controller, navigate to the Power icon, and select "Restart PS5."
Sub-heading: Check for PS5 System Software Updates
- Outdated system software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- Select "Update System Software" and install any available updates.
Sub-heading: Restore Licenses
- If you own the digital version and are having issues, restoring licenses can sometimes help the console recognize your ownership of the game and its content.
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
Sub-heading: Rebuild Database (Safe Mode)
- This is a more advanced troubleshooting step but can fix corrupted data that might be preventing downloads.
- Turn off your PS5 completely.
- Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps: one immediately and another after about seven seconds. This will boot your PS5 into Safe Mode.
- Connect your DualSense controller to the PS5 with a USB cable.
- Select "5. Clear Cache and Rebuild Database," then choose "Rebuild Database." This process can take some time but does not delete your games or saved data.
Step 5: Launching the Campaign
Once all the campaign packs have been successfully downloaded and installed:
- Launch Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- Navigate to the "Campaign" option on the main menu.
- The lock icon should now be gone, and you should be able to select it and start playing your epic World War II journey!
- You'll likely be prompted to choose a difficulty level before jumping into the first mission.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Check Call of Duty: Vanguard's Total File Size on PS5?
You can check the total installed size by going to PS5 Settings > Storage > Games and Apps, and then finding Call of Duty: Vanguard in the list. The initial full game installation for PS5 is around 89.84 GB, but with updates and all content packs, it can be significantly larger (over 120 GB).
How to Know if My Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign is Fully Downloaded?
On the game's main menu, if the "Campaign" option no longer has a lock icon and you can select it to start a new game or continue, it means the campaign files are successfully installed. You can also verify in PS5 Settings > Game Content.
How to Prioritize Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign Download on PS5?
While you can't strictly prioritize individual game modes in the PS5 download queue, ensure only the Call of Duty: Vanguard downloads are active and pause any other large downloads to allocate more bandwidth to Vanguard.
How to Resolve "Campaign Locked" Error in Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS5?
This error almost always means the campaign content packs haven't been downloaded or installed. Go to the game's main menu, hover over "Campaign," and press the "Start Install" button (Square on PlayStation) to trigger the download of "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2."
How to Fix Call of Duty: Vanguard Not Launching on PS5?
Try clearing your PS5's cache (Settings > System > System Software > Clear Cache and Rebuild Database), ensuring sufficient storage space (at least 100GB free), and restarting your console. If problems persist, consider reinstalling the entire game after deleting it.
How to Free Up Space for Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS5?
Go to PS5 Settings > Storage > Games and Apps. From there, you can select games and applications you no longer play and delete them to create more space on your console's SSD.
How to Reinstall Only the Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign on PS5?
If you've previously uninstalled campaign packs, go to the Call of Duty: Vanguard game icon on your PS5 home screen, press Options > Manage Game Content, and select "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" to reinstall them individually.
How to Prevent Future Download Issues with Call of Duty Games on PS5?
Always ensure you have ample free storage space, keep your PS5 system software updated, and use a stable, fast internet connection for large game downloads. It's also a good practice to restart your console periodically.
How to Check My Internet Connection Speed on PS5?
Go to PS5 Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection. This will show your download and upload speeds, which can impact download times for large games.
How to Contact PlayStation Support for Further Assistance?
If you've tried all troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing issues, you can visit the official PlayStation Support website for your region or contact their customer service for more personalized help.
