What is ‘Join failed because you are on a different version’ error in MW3

Have you been experiencing issues with playing MW3, specifically the strange error message ‘Join failed because you are on a different version’?

If you’re in need of a solution to this problem, look no further. We’ll explain why you’re encountering this error and how to resolve it.

MW3: How to fix ‘Join failed because you are on a different version’ error

If you’re seeing the ‘Join failed because you are on a different version’ error while attempting to play MW3, it means that you are likely using an outdated version of the game. When games undergo updates, some players receive the updates immediately, while others may launch the game without updating.

Screenshot: Activision

Whether you forgot to enable automatic updates for your game or missed an update, fixing this error is a simple process. Here are the steps to ensure you’re using the latest version of MW3 based on your gaming platform:

Steam:
1. Right-click on MW3 in your Library
2. Select ‘Properties’
3. Go to the ‘Updates’ page
4. Set it to ‘Always keep this game updated’
Battle.net:
1. Click on the gear icon next to the ‘Play’ button
2. Choose ‘Check for Updates’
PlayStation:
- Press the Options button while on MW3
- Select ‘Check for Update’
Xbox:
- Press the Start button while on MW3
- Choose ‘Manage game and add-ons’
- Select ‘Updates’

Related: How to fix ‘Can’t play on PS5’ error in MW3

No matter your gaming platform, these steps should ensure that you’re using the most recent version of MW3, ultimately resolving the ‘Join failed because you are on a different version’ error. If the issue persists, restart MW3 and your PC/console if needed.

Now that you have the solution to this frustrating error, if you ever suspect that the MW3 Warzone servers are offline, it’s advisable to check the status of the servers using the appropriate resources.