PC players have the most flexibility and options for accessing bot lobbies in Warzone. This comprehensive guide covers VPN setup, split tunneling, optimization techniques, and advanced strategies specific to PC gaming.
VPN Setup for PC (Easiest Method)
PC players can install VPN clients directly, making this the simplest platform for VPN use.
Quick Start Guide
- Choose and Purchase VPN:
- NordVPN (Most servers, good for Warzone)
- ExpressVPN (Fastest, premium option)
- Surfshark (Budget-friendly)
- Download Windows Client:
- Visit VPN provider’s website
- Download Windows application
- Run installer (may require admin rights)
- Install and Configure:
- Complete installation
- Launch VPN application
- Log in with credentials
- Grant necessary permissions if requested
- Optimize Settings:
- Enable Kill Switch (prevents IP leaks)
- Select fastest protocol (WireGuard or IKEv2)
- Disable auto-connect (control when VPN is active)
- Enable split tunneling if available (see below)
- Connect to Server:
- Browse server list or use search
- Select target location (Egypt, Kenya, India, etc.)
- Click Connect
- Wait for connection confirmation
- Launch Warzone:
- Open Battle.net launcher (after VPN connected)
- Launch Warzone
- Queue for matchmaking
- Check lobby difficulty using tracker
Best VPN Protocols for PC Gaming
| Protocol | Speed | Security | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Fastest | High | Gaming (recommended) |
| IKEv2 | Fast | High | Stable connections |
| OpenVPN UDP | Good | High | Reliability |
| OpenVPN TCP | Slower | High | Unstable networks |
Split Tunneling (Advanced PC Feature)
Split tunneling allows you to route only Warzone through the VPN while other traffic uses your regular connection. This reduces latency and improves performance.
Benefits of Split Tunneling
- Lower ping (only game traffic goes through VPN)
- Better speeds for browsing/streaming on same PC
- Reduced VPN bandwidth usage
- Can use Discord/voice chat without VPN latency
How to Enable Split Tunneling
NordVPN Split Tunneling:
- Open NordVPN application
- Go to Settings
- Find “Split Tunneling” section
- Enable the feature
- Select “Add application”
- Browse to Warzone executable:
- Default location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Call of Duty
- Look for ModernWarfare.exe or Warzone.exe
- Add Battle.net launcher as well
- Save settings
- Connect to VPN
- Only selected apps will use VPN
ExpressVPN Split Tunneling:
- Open ExpressVPN
- Click menu (hamburger icon)
- Go to Options > Split Tunneling
- Enable “Manage connection on a per-app basis”
- Select “Only allow selected apps to use the VPN”
- Add Warzone and Battle.net
- Apply settings
Surfshark Bypasser:
- Open Surfshark app
- Go to Settings > VPN settings
- Find “Bypasser” feature
- Add Warzone and Battle.net to VPN list
- Everything else bypasses VPN
Pro Tip: With split tunneling, you can use Discord and browse normally while only Warzone uses the VPN, significantly reducing overall latency impact.
PC Optimization for VPN Bot Lobbies
Network Optimization
- Use Wired Connection: Always use Ethernet instead of WiFi when using VPN
- Close Background Apps: Discord, Chrome, streaming apps can consume bandwidth
- Disable Auto-Updates: Windows Update, Steam, etc. can spike ping
- QoS Settings: Prioritize gaming traffic in router settings
- DNS Configuration: Use VPN’s DNS or fast public DNS (1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8)
Windows Optimization
- Disable Windows Game Bar:
- Settings > Gaming > Game Bar
- Turn off
- High Performance Power Plan:
- Control Panel > Power Options
- Select “High Performance”
- Disable Background Apps:
- Settings > Privacy > Background apps
- Disable unnecessary apps
- Network Adapter Settings:
- Device Manager > Network Adapters
- Right-click adapter > Properties
- Configure for performance
VPN Application Optimization
- Use fastest available protocol (WireGuard)
- Connect to least congested servers
- Enable compression if available
- Disable unnecessary VPN features (ad blocking, etc.)
- Keep VPN client updated
Advanced PC Techniques
1. Server Hopping Strategy
PC makes it easy to quickly test multiple VPN servers:
- Create a list of target servers (Cairo 1, Cairo 2, Mumbai 1, etc.)
- Connect to first server
- Launch Warzone and queue
- Check lobby difficulty
- If not satisfactory, disconnect VPN
- Connect to next server
- Repeat until finding easier lobbies
2. Dual VPN (Rarely Needed)
Chaining two VPNs for extra location masking:
- Requires two separate VPN subscriptions
- Install both VPN clients
- Connect to first VPN
- Then connect to second VPN
- Extremely high latency, not recommended for gaming
- Only theoretical benefit, no proven advantage for lobbies
3. Virtual Machine VPN
Running Warzone in VM with VPN (advanced, high system requirements):
- Requires powerful PC (16GB+ RAM, good CPU/GPU)
- Setup VM (VMware, VirtualBox)
- Install Windows in VM
- Configure VPN in VM only
- Install Warzone in VM
- Very high performance cost, not practical
4. Custom Routing Tables (Very Advanced)
Manually routing specific IPs through VPN:
- Requires command line knowledge
- Identify Warzone server IPs
- Create custom routing rules
- More flexible than app-based split tunneling
- Risk of misconfiguration
Best VPN Servers for PC Players
PC players can afford slightly higher ping than console due to better overall performance. Recommended priority order:
Primary Targets (Highest Success Rate)
- Egypt (Cairo) – Multiple servers, try different ones
- Kenya (Nairobi) – Very effective, higher ping
- India (Mumbai, Bangalore) – Large casual player base
Secondary Targets (Good Backup Options)
- UAE (Dubai) – Lower ping from EU/NA
- Singapore – Gateway to SEA region
- South Africa (Johannesburg) – Variable results
Time-Dependent Options
- Australia (Sydney) – Only during their late night/early morning
- Turkey (Istanbul) – Moderate results during off-peak
- Pakistan (Karachi) – Mixed results
PC-Specific Troubleshooting
Battle.net Won’t Connect with VPN
Solutions:
- Launch Battle.net AFTER connecting to VPN
- Add Battle.net to firewall exceptions
- Try different VPN server
- Temporarily disable Windows Firewall to test
- Check VPN doesn’t block Battle.net ports
Warzone Crashes When VPN Active
Solutions:
- Disable VPN’s firewall/threat protection features
- Add Warzone to VPN exceptions
- Update graphics drivers
- Run Warzone and VPN as administrator
- Verify game files in Battle.net
Extremely High Packet Loss
Solutions:
- Switch to UDP-based protocol (WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP)
- Try different VPN server in same region
- Check if ISP is throttling VPN traffic
- Use obfuscated servers if available
- Test connection outside peak hours
VPN Disconnects Mid-Game
Solutions:
- Enable Kill Switch feature
- Use more stable protocol (IKEv2)
- Close bandwidth-heavy background apps
- Switch to wired connection
- Contact VPN support for server recommendations
Monitoring and Verification
Check If VPN Is Working
- Visit whatismyipaddress.com
- Verify location shows VPN server location
- Note the IP address
- Ensure it’s not your real IP
Monitor Ping in Warzone
- Enable latency display in Warzone settings
- Check ping during matches
- 50-100ms: Excellent for VPN
- 100-150ms: Good, playable
- 150-200ms: Acceptable
- 200ms+: May impact gameplay
Track Lobby Success Rate
- Keep notes on which servers/times work best
- Use lobby tracker consistently
- Log: Server location, time, lobby rank achieved
- Identify patterns in your results
Alternatives to VPN for PC
1. Router-Level VPN
Same as console method – protects all devices on network.
2. Timing Strategy
Play during off-peak hours without VPN:
- Early morning (3-7 AM)
- Weekday afternoons
- During major events (pulls casual players)
3. Different Battle.net Regions
Some players report changing Battle.net region helps, though limited by available regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get bot lobbies in Warzone PC?
Install VPN software (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.), connect to bot lobby regions like Egypt or Kenya, then launch Warzone. Split tunneling can reduce ping impact.
Best VPN for Warzone PC?
ExpressVPN for speed, NordVPN for server variety, or Surfshark for budget. All three support split tunneling and have servers in key bot lobby regions.
Does split tunneling work for Warzone?
Yes, split tunneling works excellently for Warzone on PC. It routes only game traffic through VPN while other applications use regular connection, significantly reducing overall system latency.
Can I get banned for VPN on PC Warzone?
Activision’s official stance on VPN is unclear. While not explicitly banned, using VPN to manipulate matchmaking could potentially violate TOS. Use at your own risk.
Why is my ping so high with VPN?
VPN adds extra routing distance. Choose geographically closer servers, use WireGuard protocol, enable split tunneling, and ensure wired connection to minimize ping increase.