What does Exceeds Skill Restrictions mean in Modern Warfare 3 and how to fix it?

Modern Warfare 3: Understanding the “Exceeds Skill Restrictions” Label

Have you encountered the “Exceeds Skill Restrictions” label while playing Modern Warfare 3 and wondered what it meant? Don’t worry, it’s not a game-breaking error. In fact, it simply indicates that there’s a discrepancy in skill levels among the players in your party. This guide will help you understand what this label signifies and how you can address it.

If you’re unsure about how to interpret this label, it’s essentially a notification that there’s a mismatch in the skill levels of players within your group. For instance, if you’re in the Bronze tier, you can play with individuals in the Platinum Rank. However, if you’re in the Gold tier, your potential playing partners are limited to the Crimison Division. As a result, it’s imperative to ensure that everyone in your party meets the eligibility criteria for playing together; otherwise, some players will be removed from the party until the skill level aligns.

Moreover, playing with teammates who are one or two ranks higher than you can actually help you progress faster in the game.

Resolving the Issue

The most straightforward solution to address the “Exceeds Skill Restrictions” label is to play with individuals within your own skill level. If you are in the lower ranks, such as Bronze, you may find it easier to find matches due to the wider pool of players up to Platinum. However, as you progress to higher ranks like Iridescent and the Top 250, the player base becomes smaller, making matchmaking more challenging.

Even if you are at the Iridescent rank, the game will eventually match you with players in the Crimson and Top 250 ranks, reducing the likelihood of encountering this label as you climb the rankings.

Ranked play in Modern Warfare 3 offers various rewards based on your rank, so be sure to take advantage of these incentives as you progress through the tiers.


The popular Modern Warfare 3 is available across various platforms, including Battle.net, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5.