Here is a very lengthy and detailed guide on how to install and play the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign on your PS5.
Ready to dive into the epic World War II story? Let's get your Vanguard campaign locked and loaded!
Have you ever been excited to jump into a new game's story mode, only to find it's locked and you can't figure out why? It's a frustrating experience, but don't worry, you're not alone. The way Call of Duty games are structured on modern consoles can be a little confusing, with different parts of the game (Multiplayer, Zombies, and Campaign) often being separate downloads. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can start your journey as a Special Forces operator in no time!
Step 1: Check Your Game and Console Status
First, let's make sure everything is in order. This is the foundation of a smooth installation.
Do you own the game? This might sound obvious, but you need to own Call of Duty: Vanguard, either digitally from the PlayStation Store or as a physical disc. If you have the digital version, make sure it's in your Game Library. If you have the physical disc, make sure it's inserted into your PS5.
Is your PS5 system software up to date? Outdated system software can cause all sorts of issues. To check, go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. If an update is available, download and install it. It's a quick process that can prevent many headaches.
Do you have enough storage space? This is a critical step. Call of Duty games are notorious for their large file sizes, and Vanguard is no exception. The base game and all its components can take up a significant chunk of your PS5's internal SSD.
Check your storage: Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage. Look at how much free space you have.
How much space do you need? The initial download size for the PS5 version of Vanguard is around 64 GB, but the required space for installation can be closer to 90 GB or more. It's a good idea to have at least 100 GB of free space to be safe and to allow for future updates.
What to do if you don't have enough space? You'll need to free up some space. You can delete games, saved data, or media you no longer need. Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps to see what's taking up the most space.
Step 2: Install the Base Game and Additional Content
This is where you'll get the main game files onto your PS5.
If you have the physical disc: Insert the disc into your PS5. The console should automatically start the installation process.
If you have the digital version: Go to your Game Library, find Call of Duty: Vanguard, and select Download.
Important Note on Content Packs: This is the part that often trips people up. When you download or install Call of Duty: Vanguard, you are often given the option to download multiple "packs" or "add-ons". These aren't always optional DLC. For the campaign, you need specific packs.
Step 3: Manage Game Content and Download the Campaign Packs
This is the most crucial step to unlock the campaign. If you've installed the base game and the campaign mode is still locked, it's because you haven't downloaded the necessary campaign content packs.
From the PS5 home screen, hover over the Call of Duty: Vanguard game icon.
Press the Options button on your DualSense controller (the button with three lines).
A menu will pop up on the right side of the screen. Select Manage Game Content.
This will bring you to a screen that shows all the installed and available content for the game, such as Multiplayer, Zombies, and the Campaign packs.
Look for "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" (or similar names).
If they say "Not Installed" next to them, select them and choose Download.
Wait for the downloads to complete. You can check the progress in the Downloads/Uploads menu by pressing the PS button and going to the download icon.
Step 4: Restart the Game and Play!
Once the campaign packs have finished downloading and installing, you are just one step away from playing.
Close the game completely. If you have the game running in the background, press the PS button, highlight the game's icon on the game bar, press the Options button, and select "Close Game".
Relaunch Call of Duty: Vanguard.
The campaign option on the main menu should now be unlocked and accessible! You can now select Campaign and start the single-player story.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My campaign is still locked after downloading the packs! Double-check that both "Campaign Pack 1" and "Campaign Pack 2" (or any other required campaign packs) have fully downloaded and are listed as "Installed" in the "Manage Game Content" menu. Sometimes, a download can get stuck or a file might be corrupted.
The game is stuck in a loading screen or crashing. This is often a storage-related issue. Even if you have enough space for the initial download, the game might require more for patching and running. Try clearing even more space on your console, as suggested in Step 1. If that doesn't work, you might need to delete the entire game and reinstall it, making sure you have ample free space beforehand.
I can't find the Campaign packs in "Manage Game Content". Make sure you have the correct version of the game. If you bought a digital version, ensure it's the PS5 version and not the PS4 version. The game will often let you download the PS4 version on a PS5, which can lead to content discrepancies. You can check the version by pressing the Options button on the game icon and selecting "Game Version".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check the total file size of Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS5?
You can check the total file size by going to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps and finding Call of Duty: Vanguard. The total size will be displayed there.
How to free up storage space on my PS5?
Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps. From there, you can select games and apps you no longer play and choose to delete them.
How to update my PS5 system software?
Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings and follow the on-screen prompts.
How to find the "Manage Game Content" menu on PS5?
Hover over the game icon on your home screen and press the Options button on your controller. The "Manage Game Content" option will be in the menu that appears.
How to check the progress of a download on PS5?
Press the PS button on your controller to bring up the control center, then navigate to the Downloads/Uploads icon (it looks like an arrow pointing down into a folder).
How to tell if I have the PS4 or PS5 version of the game installed?
On the game icon on your home screen, the game title will usually have a small PS5 or PS4 logo next to it. You can also press the Options button and select "Game Version" to confirm.
How to fix a corrupted game installation on PS5?
The best way to fix a corrupted installation is to delete the entire game and then reinstall it from scratch.
How to contact Activision Support if I'm still having issues?
You can visit the official Activision Support website and navigate to the Call of Duty: Vanguard section to find troubleshooting articles and submit a support ticket.
How to access the campaign after I've installed the packs?
Simply close and restart the game. The "Campaign" option on the main menu should no longer have a lock icon.
How to manage other game modes like Multiplayer and Zombies?
Just like with the campaign, you can manage the installation of Multiplayer and Zombies packs from the "Manage Game Content" menu. You can install or delete these packs independently to save storage space if you only want to play a specific mode.