How to fix the 'Exceeds Skill Restriction' error in Modern Warfare 3

How to fix the 'Exceeds Skill Restriction' error in Modern Warfare 3
Images via Activision

Written by 

Tarran Stockton

Published 

23rd Apr 2024 14:26

Some Modern Warfare 3 players looking to play the ranked mode may occasionally find they get an error that reads 'Exceeds Skill Restriction', stopping them from joining the match they're trying to get into.

As you would expect, it relates to your specific ranking and the people you're trying to match up with, so learn more below.

What is the 'Exceeds Skill Restriction' error?

The 'Exceeds Skill Restriction' message is an error in the game that means you're trying to play with people way above your Skill Rating and Skill Division.

Usually, this means you've queued with friends or other players who are of a higher rank than you. To stop the teams from being unbalanced, it'll just remove you and find someone else who fits the right profile for the match.

It can be annoying if you encounter this and you're trying to play with specific people, but it's for the best to ensure teams are even in ranked game modes.

How to fix it

The only real way to fix this error is to queue with players that are a similar Skill Rating or fall in the same Skill Division as you. For example, if you're in Bronze, you need to play with other competitors who are Bronze.

Alternatively, you can just team up with the same players in a non-ranked mode, as player skill level doesn't have an effect on matchmaking there.

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Check out our Modern Warfare 3 homepage for more guides. We've also covered the best meta weapons and loadouts, the best Warzone weapons, the best quickscoping loadouts, and how to check your stats.

Tarran Stockton
About the author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
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