Last updated on September 22, 2026
WARDOGS artillery tank reload not working? If R reloads your rifle but does nothing on the SPH-2, your ammo and your keyboard are fine. Here is the fix, tested on Patch 0.11 (Season 1).
Why the SPH-2 reload is not working
The SPH-2 uses its own reload binding, separate from your infantry Reload key, and the controls menu does not show it. It can end up with no key assigned, which is why R works on your weapons but not on the artillery tank. The same binding covers other vehicles and emplaced weapons. Resetting keybinds in the menu does not fix it. Vehicle controls in WARDOGS are not always self-explanatory, a known quirk from BULKHEAD, the studio behind the game, the same goes for helicopter controls.
How to fix the SPH-2 reload not working
- Close WARDOGS completely.
- Open
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Wardogs\Saved\Config\WindowsClientand back upGameUserSettings.ini. - Search the file for
Vehicle.WeaponExtension.Reload. - Set the key explicitly on that line:
PrimaryKey=(Key=R,bIsCustom=True) - Save, relaunch, get in the SPH-2 gunner seat, fire and press R.
Fallback: delete the files in that folder. This also resets your audio and graphics settings.
Prevention: do not rebind Reload after applying the fix.
Did it work for you? Tell us in the comments.
Test the artillery tank reload for free
Vehicles are free at the firing range, so you can check the SPH-2 reload there without buying a tank.
How to reload the SPH-2 artillery tank once it works
- Sit in the gunner seat, since the gunner operates the main cannon.
- Stabilize the tank before firing.
- Load 155 mm HE shells. Main battle tank ammo is different. You can buy ammo inside the vehicle with B.
- Fire, then press R immediately, even while the firing animation is still playing, so the reload can already be done by the time the animation ends.
- Enter the direction keys shown on screen. A mistake can reset your progress, so read the prompt instead of mashing.
The standard reload is not short. One community guide puts it around 27 seconds without the mini-game.
FAQ
Why is the WARDOGS artillery tank reload not working?
The SPH-2 reload uses its own hidden binding, which can lose its key. Setting it explicitly in GameUserSettings.ini fixes it.
Why does R work on my rifle but not on the SPH-2?
The rifle uses the infantry Reload binding. The artillery tank uses the separate vehicle one.
Does reinstalling or verifying files fix the SPH-2 reload?
Players report it does not, because the problem is in your config file, not the game files.
Which key reloads the SPH-2?
R, pressed right after firing from the gunner seat.
What ammo does the SPH-2 use?
155 mm HE shells, not main battle tank ammo.
What speed does the SPH-2 have?
Acceleration is fairly slow, and top speed reaches 64 km/h. Plan your approach and repositioning around that, since you won’t outrun faster vehicles once spotted.
