Ready to dive into the epic World War II campaign of Call of Duty: Vanguard on your PS4? You've come to the right place! While it might seem like a straightforward install, sometimes these massive game files can be a bit tricky. But don't worry, we'll walk you through every step to get you battling on all fronts in no time.
Get Ready for War: Understanding the Vanguard Campaign Installation on PS4
Before we jump into the technicalities, let's understand a crucial point about Call of Duty: Vanguard. Unlike some games where the entire package downloads at once, Vanguard's campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies modes are often separate downloads, even after the initial game disc or digital download is complete. This is a common practice for Call of Duty titles to help manage file sizes and allow players to prioritize what they want to play first.
Specifically for the campaign, you'll need to download "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" to access the full story. These are essentially add-ons to the base game.
Step 1: The Initial Download – Engaging the Battlefield!
So, you've just brought Call of Duty: Vanguard home or purchased it digitally. Exciting, isn't it?! This first step is all about getting the main game files onto your PS4.
Sub-heading: Physical Disc Installation
If you have the physical disc:
- Insert the Disc: Gently slide your Call of Duty: Vanguard disc into your PS4's disc drive. Your PS4 should automatically begin to copy the game data to your console's hard drive.
- Monitor Progress: You'll see a progress bar indicating the installation. This part installs the core game files, but not necessarily the campaign packs yet.
- Automatic Updates: While the disc data is copying, your PS4 will likely also check for any game updates. These are crucial for performance and bug fixes, so let them download!
Sub-heading: Digital Purchase Download
If you purchased Call of Duty: Vanguard from the PlayStation Store:
- Access Your Library: Navigate to your Library on the PS4 XMB (main menu).
- Find Vanguard: Locate Call of Duty: Vanguard in your purchased games list.
- Start Download: Select the game and choose Download. The download size for the base game on PS4 is approximately 54.65 GB, but remember, this doesn't include everything!
- Wait it Out: Depending on your internet speed, this could take a significant amount of time. Be patient! You can monitor the download progress by pressing the PS button and going to Notifications > Downloads.
Step 2: Unlocking the Campaign – The Essential Packs
This is where many players encounter the "campaign locked" issue. Even after the initial game download, the campaign might still show a locked icon. This means you need to download the specific campaign packs.
Sub-heading: Navigating the In-Game Menu
- Launch Call of Duty: Vanguard: Once the initial game installation is complete, launch the game from your PS4's home screen.
- Head to the Main Menu: You'll be presented with the main menu, often showcasing options for Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone.
- Locate the Campaign Option: You'll likely see a locked symbol or a prompt to "Install" next to the Campaign option.
- Initiate Campaign Pack Download: Press the Square button (or whatever button is indicated on your screen) when highlighting the Campaign option. This should bring up a prompt to download "Campaign Pack 1."
- Important Note: Some users have reported needing to press Square twice, once for Campaign Pack 1 and then again for Campaign Pack 2, even if only one prompt initially appears.
- Confirm and Download: Confirm the download. The game will then download the necessary campaign packs. Each pack can be several gigabytes (e.g., Campaign Pack 1 might be around 10.9GB and Campaign Pack 2 around 7.1GB).
Sub-heading: Checking Your Downloads
While the campaign packs are downloading:
- Press the PS Button: To check the progress, press the PS button on your DualShock 4 controller.
- Go to Notifications: Navigate to Notifications on the XMB.
- Select Downloads: Here you'll see the progress of "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2." Do not close the game or turn off your PS4 until these downloads are complete.
Step 3: Verifying the Installation – Mission Accepted!
Once both campaign packs have finished downloading, it's time to confirm your readiness for the story.
- Return to the Game: Go back to the Call of Duty: Vanguard main menu.
- Check the Campaign Option: The locked symbol on the Campaign option should now be gone.
- Launch the Campaign: Select Campaign and you should be able to start the single-player story mode!
- Congratulations! You're ready to experience the gripping narrative of Call of Duty: Vanguard!
Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Sometimes, even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Sub-heading: "Campaign Locked" Even After Downloading
- Solution: Double-check your downloads in the Notifications area. Ensure both "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" have fully completed. If they have, try restarting your PS4 console entirely. Sometimes a fresh reboot can resolve display issues.
Sub-heading: Insufficient Storage Space
- Problem: Call of Duty games are notorious for their large file sizes. The total required space for Vanguard on PS4, including all modes and updates, can easily exceed 90-100GB, and sometimes even more with future updates. If you don't have enough free space, the downloads will fail.
- Solution:
- Check Storage: Go to Settings > Storage > System Storage to see how much free space you have.
- Delete Unused Content: Free up space by deleting old games, applications, or saved data you no longer need. Highlight the item, press the Options button, and select "Delete."
- Consider an External Hard Drive: If you frequently run out of space, investing in an external USB 3.0 hard drive for your PS4 is a highly recommended solution.
Sub-heading: Slow Download Speeds
- Problem: Large downloads can be frustratingly slow.
- Solution:
- Wired Connection: If possible, connect your PS4 to your router using an Ethernet cable. This almost always provides more stable and faster download speeds than Wi-Fi.
- Pause Other Downloads: Ensure no other devices on your network are heavily using bandwidth (streaming, other downloads, etc.).
- Restart Router: Sometimes a simple router restart can improve speeds.
- Download in Rest Mode: Your PS4 often downloads faster in Rest Mode. Just ensure "Stay Connected to the Internet" is enabled in your power saving settings (Settings > Power Saving Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode).
Sub-heading: Corrupted Data or Installation Errors
- Problem: Downloads can sometimes become corrupted, leading to installation errors or crashes.
- Solution:
- Delete and Re-download: The most effective fix is often to delete the entire game from your PS4 (Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications, select Vanguard, press Options, and Delete), then re-download it from scratch. While time-consuming, this often resolves underlying data corruption.
- Rebuild Database (Safe Mode): As a last resort, you can try rebuilding your PS4's database. This can sometimes fix system-level issues.
- Turn off your PS4 completely (do not enter Rest Mode).
- Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps (about 7 seconds).
- Connect your DualShock 4 controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.
- Select "Rebuild Database" from the Safe Mode menu. This will not delete your games or saves, but it reorganizes your hard drive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to installing Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign on PS4, with quick answers:
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How to check if Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign is installed on PS4?
- Launch the game and navigate to the main menu. If the "Campaign" option doesn't have a locked symbol and you can select it, it's installed. You can also check your PS4's Notifications > Downloads for campaign pack completion.
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How to free up space for Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS4?
- Go to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications. Highlight games or apps you don't play, press the Options button, and select "Delete." You can also delete saved data or capture gallery items.
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How to fix Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign locked on PS4 after download?
- Ensure both "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" are fully downloaded. If they are, try restarting your PS4 console.
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How to download Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign packs if they don't appear?
- Launch the game, go to the main menu, highlight "Campaign," and press the button indicated (usually Square) to initiate the download prompts for the campaign packs. If nothing happens, try restarting the game or your console.
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How to improve Call of Duty: Vanguard download speed on PS4?
- Use a wired Ethernet connection, pause other network activities, restart your router, and enable "Stay Connected to the Internet" in Rest Mode settings for faster downloads.
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How to reinstall Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign on PS4?
- Delete the entire Call of Duty: Vanguard game from your PS4 storage, then reinsert the disc or re-download from your PlayStation Store Library. Follow Step 1 and Step 2 above to ensure all components, including campaign packs, are installed.
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How to check Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign download progress on PS4?
- Press the PS button on your controller, then go to Notifications > Downloads on the PS4 XMB.
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How to play Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign offline on PS4?
- Once the campaign is fully installed, you can play it offline. However, the initial download and any subsequent updates require an internet connection.
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How to tell the difference between Vanguard base game and campaign packs?
- The base game is the initial large download. The campaign packs (usually "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2") are smaller, separate downloads that become available from within the game's main menu, typically when you try to access the locked campaign option.
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How to avoid Call of Duty: Vanguard installation issues on PS4?
- Ensure you have plenty of free storage space before starting the download. Use a stable internet connection (preferably wired), and be patient, allowing all downloads and updates to complete without interruption.
