This is the most common cause of the error, especially for users who have installed Steam or the game in the Program Files (x86) folder, which Windows protects heavily. If Steam is running with standard user privileges, but the game requests elevated privileges to run, the handshake fails.
By forcing Steam to run with Administrator rights, you ensure that when MW3 asks "Is this a valid user?", Steam has the Windows permissions necessary to respond "Yes."
, select the drive where MW3 is installed, click the three dots, and choose Repair Library Clear Download Cache : In Steam Clear Cache . This can resolve underlying connectivity issues. Disable Full-Screen Optimisations : Some users report success by finding in the game's local files, right-clicking for Properties , and checking Disable full-screen optimisations in the Compatibility tab. Check for Software Conflicts : Programs like Riot Vanguard