Are you ready to jump back into the action in Call of Duty: Vanguard and dominate the battlefield? But wait, you're getting a notification that an update is available! Don't worry, updating your game is a straightforward process on your PS4. Let's get you back in the fight with this detailed, step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Check Your PS4's Connection and Status
First things first, let's make sure your PlayStation 4 is ready to receive the update. Before you even think about the game, we need to ensure your console is connected to the internet and has enough power to complete the download.
Is your PS4 online? Go to your PS4's main menu, navigate to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. Make sure you have a successful connection to both the internet and PlayStation Network (PSN).
Do you have enough storage? Game updates can be quite large, and Call of Duty games are notorious for their big file sizes. The initial download size for Vanguard on PS4 was around 54.65GB, with a required space of over 93GB for installation. You need to have enough free space on your console's hard drive to download and install the update. To check, go to Settings > Storage > System Storage. If you're running low, you might need to delete some old games or saved data to make room. Don't worry, your progress is usually saved to the cloud if you have PlayStation Plus!
Step 2: Manually Check for the Update
This is the most direct and reliable way to get the update started. It puts you in control and ensures you're getting the latest version right away.
Navigate to the Game Icon: From your PS4's home screen, find the Call of Duty: Vanguard icon in your library. It should be right there on the main bar if you've played it recently.
Press the Options Button: With the game icon highlighted, press the OPTIONS button on your DualShock 4 controller. This will bring up a side menu with various options.
Select 'Check for Update': Scroll down the menu and select the option that says "Check for Update." This is a crucial step.
Initiate the Download: Your PS4 will now connect to the PlayStation Network servers to check for any available updates. If an update is available, a notification will pop up. A new download will automatically be added to your Downloads list. You can see the progress of the download in the Notifications menu.
Step 3: Enable Automatic Updates (A Pro-Gamer Move!)
Want to avoid this manual process in the future? Setting up automatic downloads is a great way to ensure your games are always ready to play.
Access PS4 Settings: From the home screen, go to Settings.
Go to System Settings: Navigate to System.
Find 'Automatic Downloads': Scroll down and select Automatic Downloads.
Check the Boxes: Make sure the box next to "Application Update Files" is checked.
Enable Rest Mode Connectivity: For this to work seamlessly, you also need to ensure your PS4 can stay connected to the internet in rest mode. Go back to Settings > Power Saving Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode. Here, make sure "Stay Connected to the Internet" is enabled.
When you put your PS4 in rest mode with these settings enabled, it will automatically download updates for your games and system software. So, the next time you power up, your game will be updated and ready to go!
Step 4: Troubleshoot Common Update Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. If you're having trouble, don't panic. Here are some common problems and their solutions.
Sub-heading: The Download is Stuck or Not Starting
Pause and Resume: Go to Notifications > Downloads. Find the Vanguard update and press the OPTIONS button. Select "Pause", wait a few seconds, and then select "Resume". This can sometimes kickstart a stuck download.
Restart Your PS4: A simple restart can often clear up glitches. Turn off your PS4 completely (not just rest mode), wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.
Check Your Network Connection Again: A weak or unstable internet connection is a common culprit. Try connecting your PS4 with a wired ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi for a more stable connection.
Rebuild Database: This is a more advanced step but can fix corrupted data. Turn off your PS4 completely. Press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep. This will boot your console into Safe Mode. Select "Rebuild Database". Don't worry, this won't delete your games or saved data, but it can take some time.
Sub-heading: "Cannot Download" Error
Not enough storage: As mentioned in Step 1, this is the most likely cause. You'll need to free up space.
Corrupted Data: If a previous download failed, it might have left corrupted files. Go to Notifications > Downloads, find the failed update, press OPTIONS, and select "Delete". Then, try checking for the update again from the game icon.
Step 5: Be Patient and Let It Finish!
Once the update has started, do not turn off your PS4 or disconnect it from the internet. Doing so can corrupt the game data and force you to re-download everything from scratch. Just let it run its course. You can check the download progress in the Downloads section of your Notifications.
Once the download and installation are complete, you'll be able to launch Call of Duty: Vanguard and enjoy all the new content, bug fixes, and improvements that the developers have released.
Happy gaming! Now go get that win!
Related FAQ Questions
How to check the update size for Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS4? To check the update size, follow the steps in this guide to manually check for an update. Once the download begins, you can view its size and progress in the Notifications menu under Downloads.
How to enable automatic updates for all games on my PS4? Go to Settings > System > Automatic Downloads and check the box for "Application Update Files". Also, ensure your PS4 is set to "Stay Connected to the Internet" in rest mode under Power Saving Settings.
How to free up storage space on my PS4 for the update? Go to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications. From there, you can select games you don't play anymore and delete them to free up space. You can also delete saved data, capture galleries, and themes if needed.
How to find out if an update is available without turning on my PS4? If you have automatic downloads enabled and your PS4 is in rest mode, it should download the update automatically. You can also check for news from official Call of Duty or PlayStation social media accounts and websites for update announcements.
How to fix a slow download speed for the Vanguard update? Try using a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. You can also pause other downloads and close other applications or streaming services on your network to dedicate more bandwidth to your PS4.
How to check my PSN status if I'm having trouble updating? You can check the PSN status on the official PlayStation website or a dedicated third-party status checker website. If the servers are down, you won't be able to download the update.
How to update my PS4's system software, which might be required for the game update? Go to Settings > System Software Update. Your PS4 will automatically check for and download any available system updates. Make sure you install these before trying to update the game.
How to cancel a game update in progress on PS4? Go to Notifications > Downloads, select the update, press the OPTIONS button, and choose "Cancel and Delete". Be aware that you'll have to restart the download from the beginning.
How to see the patch notes for the latest Vanguard update? After the update is installed, when you launch the game, you may see a splash screen with the patch notes. You can also check the official Call of Duty or Raven Software blog/website for detailed patch notes.
How to update a disc-based version of Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS4? Even with a physical disc, your PS4 will still download updates from the internet. The process is exactly the same as for a digital version: simply highlight the game icon and press "Check for Update".
