You’re sitting there, controller in hand, ready to grind some camos or finally hit that next prestige level, and then it pops up. The dreaded "BO6 could not complete matchmaking" error. It’s frustrating. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to put the controller through the TV. One minute you're looking at the lobby screen, and the next, the game just gives up on you.
It feels personal, but it isn't.
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Usually, this happens because of a weird handshake issue between your console and the Activision servers. Or, more likely, the game thinks you’re trying to access content you don't "own" because of a licensing bug. Let’s figure out why your Black Ops 6 session is hitting a brick wall and how to actually get back into the fight.
The Licensing Glitch No One Mentions
Most people will tell you to restart your router. Sure, do that. But if you're getting a message saying matchmaking was canceled because "one or more members does not have this feature," you might be dealing with a ghost from the trial period.
Back when Black Ops 6 had its free trial weeks, the game files basically flagged certain accounts as "trial users." Even if you bought the full $70 game later, the software sometimes gets confused. It tries to put you in a lobby for a map or mode that it thinks you aren't allowed to play.
Wait, I have the disc? Doesn't matter. Digital or physical, the license check is the culprit. On PlayStation, I've seen dozens of players fix this just by going to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. It sounds like corporate jargon, but it basically tells the PSN servers, "Hey, I actually paid for this, let me in."
On Xbox, it's a bit different. You might need to check your "Manage Game and Add-ons" section. If you see a tiny "Trial" file still hanging around in your storage, delete it. That single 10MB file can brick your entire matchmaking experience.
BO6 Could Not Complete Matchmaking and the Relay Issue
Have you ever checked your network info in the game settings and seen "Relay Disconnected"?
That’s a huge red flag.
Call of Duty uses a relay system to help players connect when their home network is a bit stubborn. If that relay isn't talking to your console, you aren't getting into a match. This is often tied to your NAT Type. If you're on NAT Type 3 (Strict), you’re basically trying to talk through a soundproof wall.
Quick Fixes for Network Hang-ups
- Toggle Crossplay: Sometimes the matchmaking pool for your specific console is just broken at that moment. Turning Crossplay ON (or even toggling it OFF and back ON) forces the game to refresh its search parameters.
- The DNS Trick: Automatic DNS is usually fine, but when the CoD servers are acting up, manual is better. Use Google’s DNS ($8.8.8.8$ and $8.8.4.4$) or Cloudflare ($1.1.1.1$). It sounds technical, but it’s just five minutes in your console's network settings.
- The "Zombie" Lobby: Weirdly enough, entering a Solo Zombies lobby and then backing out to Multiplayer can sometimes "reset" your connection status. It's an old Treyarch trick that still works in 2026.
Is it SBMM or a Shadowban?
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re searching for a match and the ping suddenly jumps from 30ms to 200ms and then stays there forever, you might be in "Limited Matchmaking."
Activision’s automated anti-cheat system sometimes puts players in a timeout. You aren't banned, but the game is "investigating" your account. This happens if you’ve been reported too many times in a short window or if the system detected something weird with your hardware.
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If you suspect this is the case, you can actually check your status on the Activision Support Appeal Page. If it says "Under Review," then "BO6 could not complete matchmaking" isn't a bug—it’s a holding cell. You usually just have to wait 48 to 72 hours for a human (or a better bot) to clear your name.
The Router Setting You Probably Ignored
There is a thing called CGNAT. Most people have never heard of it, but many modern ISPs use it to save on IP addresses.
If your ISP uses CGNAT, your router doesn't have a unique "public" face to the internet. This causes the game to fail during the final handshake of the matchmaking process. You'll see the lobby fill up with 11 other players, the timer will hit zero, and then—poof—matchmaking canceled.
If you've tried everything else and you're still stuck, call your ISP. Ask them if you're behind a CGNAT and if they can give you a "Static IP" or a "Public IP." It’s often a small monthly fee, but for gaming, it’s night and day.
Practical Steps to Try Right Now
Don't just keep hitting "Search" and hoping for the best. Try this specific sequence:
- Check for an Update: Sometimes a "playlist update" happens while you're in the menu. Close the game entirely and check for a system update.
- Verify PS Plus/Xbox Game Pass: It sounds stupid, but check your sub. If your payment bounced this morning, the game will let you into the menus but kill the matchmaking the second you try to join a live game.
- Clear Cache: On Xbox, pull the power cord for 30 seconds. On PC, delete the "players" folder in your Documents/Call of Duty directory (don't worry, your stats are saved in the cloud).
- Simplify your Party: If you're playing with friends, have someone else host. If they can find a match and you can't, the issue is 100% on your end, likely a licensing or NAT issue.
If you’re still seeing the error after doing a license restore and a hard reboot, the problem is likely on Activision's side. Check the official Call of Duty Updates X account. If there's a server outage in your region, no amount of router resetting is going to fix it.
The best thing you can do right now is to verify your "Account Region" matches where you are actually playing from. A mismatch there will cause the matchmaking to time out every single time because it's trying to put you in a server 5,000 miles away.
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Next Steps for You
Check your NAT type in the "Network Information" tab in the BO6 settings menu. If it says Strict or Moderate, look into "Port Forwarding" for Call of Duty or enable UPnP on your router settings to open up your connection. This is the most permanent fix for most matchmaking errors.