FAQ & Common issues Plutonium IW5

[Mr. Android]

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FAQ

Q: How do I install Plutonium IW5 / Modern Warfare 3 game files?
A: You can get a free copy of MW3 from steam. Follow this install guide: https://plutonium.pw/docs/install/#iw5

Q: Will I get VAC banned for using this?
A: No! Plutonium IW5 has it's own servers and is entirely separate from the steam version. We also don't modify your game folder to ensure complete separation.

Q: Can I use controller
A: Yes you can, we have native controller support!

Q: How can I change my FOV and FOVScale?
A: Open the in-game console with the tilde key and enter the following command - cg_fov X and cg_fovScale Y (Replace X and Y with your own values).

Q: How can I change the FPS cap?
A: Open the in-game console with the tilde key and enter the following command com_maxFps 250 (This will set max fps cap too 250)

Q: How can I get the DLC?
A: Follow this guide and skip to the Installing the DLC section: https://plutonium.pw/docs/install/#iw5

Q: How can I change my in-game name?
A: Your in-game name is based off your forum username. See this guide to learn how to change your username: https://forum.plutonium.pw/topic/565/how-to-change-your-in-game-name-iw5

Q: My game looks blurry but my resolution is correct, how do I fix it!?
A: This is due to a default graphic setting in MW3, see the graphics section of this guide: https://forum.plutonium.pw/topic/1496/quick-start-configuration-guide

Q: Why does my antivirus flag Plutonium as a virus and how can I add a folder exclusion to Plutonium to prevent this?
A: Follow this guide: https://plutonium.pw/docs/antivirus/

Common Issues

Error: Game crashes on the first-ever launch.
Fix: This is because some paths need re-writing, this will eventually be fixed but relaunching the game should get you going.

Error: Game crashes randomly ingame without any specific error or a crashdump.
Fix: This is most probably caused by shitty AVs such as Webroot/Avast and can't be solved even if you add Pluto to exclusions. We recommend uninstalling the AV, restarting your PC for changes to take effect and launching the game again.

Error: Unable to refresh server list
Fix: These are all likely firewall problems, ensure Plutonium IW5 (both launcher and game) is allowed through your Windows firewall, ensure your ISP doesn't have a router Firewall such as Xfinity. https://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Email-Web-Browsing/Unblock-all-websites/m-p/3303661/highlight/true#M215393
https://internet.xfinity.com/more/my-services go there and disable the xfi advanced security.

Error: Could not authenticate to Plutonium: Unknown error or Could not authenticate to Plutonium: An error occured while connecting to the server
Fix: Your DNS provider (likely your ISP) is filtering requests. Change your computers DNS servers to something that does not filter requests, such as 1.1.1.1 - Follow this guide if you don't know how to change your DNS: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-pcs-dns-settings-windows-10. If this doesn't work, use a VPN.

Error: Launcher says 'end of stream' when launching Plutonium IW5.
Fix: Restart the Launcher.

Error: Sounds are muffled / not right.
Fix: Open the console and type snd_enableEq 0 and press enter.

Error: Account not found.
Fix: Usernames and passwords are case sensitive, make sure you write them correctly - for example mr. android would fail but Mr. Android would be successful.

Error: Unable to see the servers button on the main menu.
Fix: If you are missing the servers option from the main menu do the following:
Enter /kill_dedicatedserver 0 and theater_active 1 into the console then restart the game.
If this doesn't work it's likely you are using an unclean install (Lots of random dll's etc in the game folder)
Please reinstall the base game mw3 via steam https://plutonium.pw/docs/install/#iw5

Error: Mouse does a 180 randomly, or behaves funny.
Fix: This is a problem with the base game showing it's age, lower your mouse polling rate to around 100Hz. Also try changing the MW3 process priority from high to normal.

Error: Could not authenticate: token expired
Fix: This issue is caused by your PC's clock not being set correctly. Please update it to the correct timezone.

Error: MENU_CONTENT_NOT_AVAIVABLE
Fix: You will get this error if you try to join a server running a DLC map when you yourself don't have the DLC installed.
Solution: Install the DLC https://plutonium.pw/docs/install/#installing-the-dlc

Error: It appears you have selected an invalid game folder

Fix: This is because you didn't select a valid MW3 folder. If you are confident you have the right folder selected and are still getting the error this means your game install is incomplete or broken. Follow this guide.

Error: Stuck on bound to socket / Stuck on cmd window / game not starting at all
Fix: This is caused by some software running on your machine clashing with Pluto. SONAR RADAR, SONAR STUDIO, GAMERSFIRST IV, NAHIMIC, ADVANCED SYSTEMCARE ULTIMATE, PREMIER OPINION are some of the programs that cause issue, uninstall them if you have them. Can also be caused by some antivirus softwares.

Error: Problems launching Steam MW3 after installing Plutonium
Fix: This is caused by the fact that Plutonium deletes steam_api.dll which is required if you want to play MW3 on steam. To reacquire this file simply go to MW3's properties from within steam -> Local Files -> Verify Integrity. This will re-download the missing dll, allowing you to play.

Error: Disc Read error
Fix: Ensure your hard drive isn't full or close to being full. If there is only a few GB left or less this could result in this error. This could also be caused by a broken basegame, verify integrity of your files through Steam.

Error: steam_api issue

Fix: Run Plutonium.exe as admin, or alternatively manually go to your game folder and delete steam_api.dll

Error: Oops Plutonium ran into a problem

Fix: If this is your first time launching the game, please try again as it may resolve itself. However, if this occurs every launch it is highly likely you have another piece of software running interfering with the game, examples of software that cause this issue are MSI Afterburner and RiverTuner. Please exit these if running or uninstall them.

Error: After clicking 'Play' or 'Setup' the launcher closes and nothing happens
Fix: You may be missing a required runtime, please download and run the Redist Installer. If this does not help, exclude your Plutonium installation from Windows Defender's scanning by following this guide.

Error: Could not authenticate to Plutonium: snowroller uninitialized

OR
Error: Handshake: certificate verify failed

Fix: This error occurs when you are trying to launch an outdated version of Plutonium. However, this should not happen if you are launching the game via Plutonium.exe which checks for updates on each launch. So if you are starting the launcher via plutonium-launcher-win32.exe please do not. Launch via Plutonium.exe

Error: The code execution cannot proceed because D3DCompiler_47.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.
Fix: You are missing redists the game needs to run. To fix this download and run the following redist installer then restart your pc and it will be fixed: https://github.com/ChxseH/Redist-Installer/releases/download/latest/Redist-Installer.bat

Error: The code execution cannot proceed because D3DCompiler_43.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.
Fix: Same as above ^

Error: The code execution cannot proceed because MSVCP140.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.

Fix: Same as above ^

Error: The code execution cannot proceed because XINPUT1_3.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.
Fix: Same as above ^

Error: The code execution cannot proceed because XINPUT1_4.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.
Fix: Pluto doesn't support Windows 7, upgrade to Windows 10.

Error: Extremely Low FPS (Gaming Laptop)
Fix: This documentation page

Error: Your game is outdated (rxxxx against rxxxx).

Fix: This is caused when your client is out of date and you try to join a server. Generally this is caused by you pinning the launcher to your taskbar while the launcher is open. This pins the wrong exe and skips the auto update process allowing your client to get outdated. Please make sure you instead always launch from Plutonium.exe you can also simply pin this exe to your taskbar by storing it in a safe place like your game folder then right clicking the exe -> pin to taskbar. If you can't find Plutonium.exe you can download a fresh copy here: https://cdn.plutonium.pw/updater/plutonium.exe

Still not found your issue?

Make a new post in: https://forum.plutonium.pw/category/15/mw3-client-support