Updated October 21, 2026
Getting stuck on the Gear Up Order in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ can prevent you from starting your first deployment into Hajin. This can happen if you've sold equipment needed for the Order, such as a Medkit, Backpack, or Armor Vest, and can no longer complete the required preparation.
You might still have other items in your Stash, but that doesn't necessarily help. A Bandage, for example, isn't the same item as a Medkit.
Fortunately, there's an official workaround for the Gear Up progression bug: join a friend who can already deploy into DMZ and enter Hajin together.
This guide explains how to try that workaround, what to check if your Medkit is missing, and what to do if Gear Up remains stuck.
📋 Table of Contents
Quick Answer: How to Fix Gear Up When You Can't Deploy
If you're stuck on the first Gear Up Order after selling required equipment, try these steps:
- Find a friend who can successfully deploy into DMZ.
- Join that friend's party.
- Have your friend start a DMZ deployment.
- Enter Hajin together.
- Once you're in Hajin, check whether your Gear Up progression has been restored.
This is Activision's official workaround for the Gear Up bug involving sold required equipment.
The workaround is intended to restore progression once you enter Hajin. However, it doesn't guarantee that previously sold items will return to your Stash or that unrelated deployment errors will be resolved.
If you haven't sold any required equipment, check your current Order and Loadout before assuming you're experiencing the same issue.
Why Gear Up Gets Stuck in MW4 DMZ
Gear Up is the first DMZ Order. It introduces the equipment preparation needed before entering the Hajin Exclusion Zone.
The Order involves equipping essential gear, including a weapon, Backpack, Armor Vest, and Medkit.
The progression bug can occur when you sell equipment required to complete the Order.
Affected items include:
- Backpacks
- Armor Vests
- Medkits
If you've sold required equipment, Gear Up may stop progressing normally, leaving you unable to finish the opening deployment preparation.
Is This a Known Bug?
Yes. The Gear Up progression issue involving sold required equipment has been officially acknowledged.
It affects players across platforms and is being investigated.
However, the confirmed issue specifically concerns equipment sold before the first Order is completed.
If you haven't sold any required items, your missing Medkit or disabled deployment option may have a different cause.
How to Try the Official Gear Up Workaround
The official workaround is to join another player who can already deploy into DMZ.
Step 1: Find a Friend Who Can Deploy
Ask a friend who can successfully enter DMZ and isn't blocked by Gear Up.
The friend must be able to start a deployment into Hajin.
Step 2: Join Their Party
Join your friend's party before deployment.
The goal is to enter DMZ with someone whose deployment progression is already working.
Step 3: Deploy Into Hajin Together
Have your friend initiate the deployment.
If the party can deploy successfully, enter Hajin together.
Step 4: Check Your Gear Up Progress
After entering Hajin, check your Order progression.
The workaround is intended to restore progression once you enter the Exclusion Zone.
If the blocker has cleared, continue with your DMZ objectives.
Important: Entering Hajin with a friend may resolve the progression issue, but it doesn't guarantee that sold equipment will be returned to your Stash.
What If the Workaround Doesn't Work?
If you still cannot deploy or Gear Up remains incomplete, avoid selling or discarding additional equipment to force a reset.
Check the Order's remaining requirements and report the issue if necessary.
What If Your Medkit Is Missing?
A missing Medkit can be especially confusing during the first Gear Up Order because other medical supplies may still be available.
Before trying additional fixes, check whether you have the exact item required.
Check Your Stash and Equipment
Open the relevant Stash and equipment interfaces.
Look for:
- A Medkit.
- A Bandage.
- Other medical consumables.
These items aren't interchangeable.
If Gear Up requires a Medkit, having a Bandage doesn't satisfy the same equipment requirement.
Check Whether You Sold Required Gear
If you remember selling a Medkit, Backpack, or Armor Vest before completing Gear Up, your problem may match the known progression bug.
In that situation, the official friend-deployment workaround is the best place to start.
If you never sold the required equipment, don't assume the same workaround will resolve the problem.
Can You Craft Another Medkit?
Medkits can be crafted through the Forward Operating Base (FOB) 3D Printer once the appropriate recipe and materials are available.
However, crafting another Medkit is not a confirmed workaround for players already blocked during the initial Gear Up progression.
If the crafting option is locked or unavailable, don't assume you've missed a hidden setting.
For the known sold-equipment issue, try the official workaround first.
Bandage vs Medkit: Why the Difference Matters
Bandages and Medkits serve different purposes in MW4 DMZ.
| Item | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Bandage | Temporarily patches a wound |
| Medkit | Repairs a wound and restores the Tourniquet |
A Bandage helps manage a wounded state, but it doesn't provide the permanent wound repair of a Medkit.
Likewise, owning a Bandage doesn't mean you have the Medkit required for Gear Up.
If you're unsure how these items work after being downed, see our Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Wounded: How to Heal and Restore Your Tourniquet guide.
That guide explains the difference between temporary healing, wound repair, and Tourniquet recovery.
What If You Don't Have a Friend Who Can Deploy?
The official workaround requires another player who can already enter DMZ.
If you don't have an available friend, you can try finding another player willing to invite you into their party.
Otherwise, there isn't a separately confirmed solo workaround for the sold-equipment Gear Up bug.
Preserve your remaining equipment, report the issue, and check for updates rather than repeatedly selling items or attempting unverified inventory resets.
Other Things to Check Before Deploying
Not every deployment problem is caused by the Gear Up bug.
If you're unsure what's preventing you from entering Hajin, check the following.
1. Review Your Gear Up Requirements
Open your current Order and identify which equipment requirement remains incomplete.
Gear Up involves essential deployment equipment, so make sure you're checking the specific item the Order requests.
2. Check Your Stash and Loadout
Verify that the required item is present and can be equipped.
A missing Medkit and a Medkit that appears in your inventory but cannot be equipped are different problems.
If the item is present but Gear Up still doesn't progress, the cause may be different from the known sold-equipment bug.
3. Restart the Game if Equipment Menus Look Incorrect
Restarting the game is a reasonable basic troubleshooting step when an inventory or equipment menu appears to be displaying incorrect information.
However, restarting is not a confirmed fix for the Gear Up progression bug.
If the problem remains, focus on the official workaround.
4. Don't Treat Operator Switching as a Guaranteed Fix
Some players have tried changing Operators or adjusting their equipment to bypass deployment restrictions.
Results have been inconsistent.
These methods shouldn't be treated as reliable solutions for the missing-Medkit problem.
5. Avoid Selling More Required Equipment
While troubleshooting, keep any remaining Medkits, Backpacks, and Armor Vests until Gear Up is complete.
Selling more items isn't an established way to reset the Order and could leave you with fewer options.
If you're also struggling with inventory space during deployments, our Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Backpack Full guide explains how to manage loot and make room for important supplies.
Is There a Permanent Fix for the Gear Up Bug?
As of October 21, 2026, the Gear Up progression issue remains under investigation.
The friend-deployment method is an official workaround, not a permanent patch.
For the latest status, check Activision's Modern Warfare 4 Known Issues page.
How to Report the Problem
If you're still blocked, use Activision's Modern Warfare 4 Bug Reporting page.
Include the following details:
- Your platform.
- Whether you're stuck on the first Gear Up Order.
- Which equipment requirement remains incomplete.
- Whether you sold a Medkit, Backpack, or Armor Vest.
- Whether the missing item appears in your Stash or equipment interface.
- Whether you tried deploying with a friend.
- Any error message shown when attempting to deploy.
These details can help distinguish the known Gear Up bug from other equipment and deployment issues.
Once you're able to enter Hajin, you can continue progressing through your Orders. For another early objective, our Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Broken Resupply walkthrough covers the keypad code and bomb location.
MW4 DMZ Gear Up FAQ
Why Can't I Deploy Into DMZ After Selling My Medkit?
Selling equipment required for Gear Up can cause the first Order to stop progressing. The official workaround is to join a friend who can deploy and enter Hajin together.
What Is the Official Gear Up Bug Workaround?
Join a friend who can already deploy into DMZ, enter Hajin with their party, and check your Order progression afterward.
Can I Use a Bandage Instead of a Medkit?
No. Bandages and Medkits are different items. A Bandage doesn't replace the Medkit required for Gear Up.
Can I Craft a Medkit to Fix Gear Up?
Medkits can be crafted through the FOB's 3D Printer after the appropriate unlocks, but crafting isn't a confirmed solution for the initial Gear Up progression bug.
Does Restarting the Game Fix the Missing Medkit Bug?
Restarting may help rule out a temporary interface problem, but it isn't a confirmed fix for the known Gear Up bug.
Can I Fix Gear Up Without a Friend?
There is currently no separately confirmed solo workaround for the sold-equipment Gear Up issue.
Is the Gear Up Bug Fixed?
As of October 21, 2026, the issue remains under investigation. Check Activision's Known Issues page for the latest status.
Final Tips: Don't Sell Required Gear Before Completing Gear Up
If Gear Up is stuck after you sold a Medkit, Backpack, or Armor Vest, join a friend who can already deploy into Hajin and check your progression after entering the match.
This is the official workaround for the known first-Order bug.
If you haven't sold any required equipment, check your current Order and Stash before assuming the same issue is responsible.
Until a permanent fix is available, preserve your remaining gear, avoid unverified inventory-reset methods, and follow official updates before trying more drastic troubleshooting steps.
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