Xbox replaces custom backgrounds with Call of Duty ads

A wave of complaints has emerged from Xbox Series X|S owners who found their personalized dashboard backgrounds replaced by the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 advertisement. The new image, featuring Captain Price, appeared automatically on the console’s main screen, catching users by surprise. Both Pure Xbox and MP1st reported the issue on October 23, the day the game was released.

How the backgrounds swap

The change is tied to a setting added to the console’s Personalisation tab. In the Settings menu, under General → Personalisation, a new checkbox labelled “Show event‑themed backgrounds” is enabled by default. When checked, Xbox can swap a chosen background with event-themed promotion, including for the new Call of Duty title. Users first voiced their frustration on Reddit.

To stop the automatic replacement, players need to disable the option. Open the console’s Settings, go to General → Personalisation, select My background, and uncheck “Show event‑themed backgrounds.” After the toggle is off, the previously selected background—whether a dynamic image or a self‑uploaded photo—remains visible. MP1st notes that simply picking a new image might not solve the problem; the checkbox must be turned off.

Modern Warfare 4, released on October 23, has already drawn praise for its campaign, with MP1st giving it a 9‑out‑10 score. However, the sudden promotional takeover has left some users displeased, arguing that ads should not replace personal choices on the dashboard. One Pure Xbox writer asked Xbox to warn players before making such changes next time.