Xbox App Won't Install or Launch Game Pass Games on PC? How to Fix It

If the Xbox app will not install or launch a game on your PC, first check the Xbox status page and confirm that the Store and the Xbox app are signed in to the same Microsoft account that holds your subscription. Next run the Gaming Services Repair Tool, which Microsoft says can often resolve launch, install and update problems. Note that a Game Pass for Console plan does not cover PC games, which is a common reason for "you need a subscription" messages.

The Xbox app on Windows relies on several parts working together: the app, the Microsoft Store, a background component called Gaming Services, your Microsoft account and Windows itself. If any one of them is out of step, a game may refuse to download, sit at a frozen progress bar, or fail silently when you press Play. Fortunately, Microsoft has published a clear troubleshooting sequence and a dedicated repair tool. This guide follows that sequence, explains the most common error codes, and adds practical tips on the issues that catch people out, particularly account mismatches and drive setup.

Key facts

• Microsoft says Windows 10 version 22H2 or newer is required for some features to work properly in the Xbox app and Game Bar.
• To install games from the Game Pass library you must have an active subscription, and Game Pass for Console plans are not supported on PC.
• You should be signed in to both the Store and the Xbox app with the same Microsoft account that purchased the game.
• The Gaming Services Repair Tool is built into the Xbox app, under your profile picture, then Support.
• Microsoft says third-party antivirus software can cause install or launch errors on Windows.
• The Xbox app includes a Verify and repair option for installed games, under Manage > Files.
• If the app itself is misbehaving, Microsoft suggests reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store.

Check the simple things first

Look at the Xbox status page. Microsoft's guide begins here. If a service shows an alert, there is probably nothing that you can fix at your end, and you can sign in to be notified when things are running again.

Check your Windows version. Microsoft says that Windows 10 22H2 or newer is required for some features. Find your version in Settings > System > About, under Windows Specifications.

Restart your PC. Microsoft acknowledges that this is basic, but says that a simple restart can set many things right. Do it after you have confirmed that you are signed in and online.

The most common cause: mismatched accounts

The Microsoft Store and the Xbox app are separate programs, and each one has its own sign-in. Microsoft says that to validate your permissions, you should be signed in to both using the same Microsoft account that was used to purchase the game.

This issue is common on family PCs, or on computers where Windows is signed in with one account and gaming happens with another. Here is how to check it.

1. Open the Xbox app and click your profile picture to see which account is active.
2. Open the Microsoft Store and click your profile icon to see which account it shows.
3. If they differ, sign out of the Store and sign in with the account that holds your Game Pass subscription.
4. Restart the Xbox app and try again.

Your Windows login itself can be a different account, and it often does not matter, but when in doubt, this is another place to look.

Check your subscription type

Game Pass comes in several versions, and not all of them include PC games. Microsoft states plainly in its troubleshooting guide that you need an active subscription to install games from the Game Pass library, and that Game Pass for Console subscriptions are not supported.

Sign in to your Microsoft account's Subscriptions page and confirm the following:

• The plan is still active and has not lapsed.
• It is the right tier. Some games and features depend on your subscription type.
• It is attached to the account that you are using on your PC.

If you paid with a gift card or prepaid code, then check that the balance covered the full period and that the code was redeemed on the right account. Our guide on using gift cards for Game Pass and PS Plus explains how those balances work, and our Game Pass code stacking guide covers prepaid conversions.

Run the Gaming Services Repair Tool

Gaming Services is the background component that handles installs and permissions. If it is damaged, then you can expect a wide range of odd behavior. Microsoft says the Repair Tool can often resolve launch, install, update or other issues for both games and the Xbox app, and it is also the fix if the app is launching with missing content.

From inside the Xbox app:

1. Launch the Xbox app.
2. Click your profile picture.
3. Go to Support.
4. Select Gaming Services Repair Tool.
5. Click Start Troubleshooting.

Using the downloadable version: Microsoft provides a separate download for when the app itself will not cooperate. Download it from Xbox Support, and open the file. A command prompt window opens, and it automatically runs checks and installs updates to Gaming Services. Microsoft recommends always downloading the newest copy before using it, since the tool can change over time. Afterward, you can type Y or N to give feedback on how it worked.

There is one wrinkle to be aware of. Microsoft says that on Windows 22H2 or older, you may not be able to run the tool unless you are logged in as the Local Administrator. If you cannot run it, you will need to update your version of Windows.

If an error continues after the repair tool has been run, Microsoft says this may indicate a critical system issue, and that you might need to reset your PC or upgrade Windows. Back up your files before doing either of those.

Fixing common Xbox app error codes

Microsoft publishes individual pages for many of these codes. Here is what the main ones are about.

0x80070422. Microsoft says this means that Gaming Services needs to be repaired, enabled, or both. The Repair Tool is the solution.

0x87e00196. This points to an issue with the Gaming Services package. Microsoft's page provides a PowerShell command that removes the Gaming Services packages, followed by a reinstall. Follow the instructions on that official page exactly, and only use commands from Microsoft's own site. Be wary of copying commands from forums or videos.

0x80073D23. Microsoft says that this may be an account problem, or a sign that Windows or the Microsoft Store needs an update. Sign out and back in, or try signing in with a different account. Install any pending updates.

0x80073D02. This occurs when a game could not install because a game or app is open on your device. Close the app or the game and try again. Check Task Manager for anything still running.

0x87E0000F. Possible causes include a partial game or app installation which must be uninstalled first.

If your code does not appear here, search for it on Xbox Support. Exact searches work well for these pages. Beware of "fix-it" software adverts that show up alongside the results, since these programs are not needed.

Check your antivirus and launchers

Microsoft warns that third-party antivirus software might cause install or launch errors on Windows. Its advice is to try suspending your antivirus temporarily while you troubleshoot. If this solves the problem, add an exception and turn your protection back on straight away. Do not leave yourself unprotected.

Launchers can also interfere with each other. If you are playing a game from a partner publisher, such as those that use the EA, Riot or Ubisoft apps, Microsoft suggests closing the Xbox app, the game, and the third-party extension, and then relaunching the Xbox app. You can end a stuck program in Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del, selecting Task Manager and choosing End Task.

If that fails, you can disable and then re-enable the launcher extension in the Xbox app by clicking your profile picture and going to Settings > Extensions.

Repairing a game that has installed but will not start

When the install finished but the game does not open, Microsoft gives this route.

1. Open the Xbox app.
2. In My Library, select the game.
3. Select the More options (…) button.
4. Choose Manage > Files > Check for updates.
5. If updating does not help, choose Verify and repair.
6. Try launching the game again.

If that does not work either, uninstall the game and reinstall it. Before you uninstall a game, check how it handles saves. Many Game Pass titles sync progress through your Microsoft account, but it is worth confirming with any game that you have put a lot of hours into.

Check your drive setup

Disk problems are behind many install failures. Consider the following.

Check free space. Large games need extra room to install and update. Keep a comfortable margin available on the destination drive.

Check the drive's format. Windows games generally need an NTFS drive. A drive formatted with another system might not be offered as an install location.

Try a different install location. In the Xbox app's settings, under the General section, you can set your default install folder. If a game refuses to install on one drive, try another. If it then works, your first drive deserves a closer look.

Check the health of your drive. Run error checking from the drive's Properties window, under the Tools tab. Repeated failures across different games can be an early sign of a failing drive.

Be careful with external drives. They can work, but some connections are unreliable. Use a direct USB port and a good cable.

Do not move Game Pass game folders by hand. The Xbox app manages these installations, and renaming or moving folders in File Explorer can break the game's registration. Use the app's own tools.

Update Windows and your graphics drivers

Microsoft lists both of these as steps in its guide.

Windows updates. Open Settings. On Windows 11, select Windows Update. On Windows 10, select Update & Security. Select Check for updates, install what is available, and restart.

Graphics drivers. Microsoft says that updating video card drivers can resolve game crashes and frame rate issues. Get them from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel, or use the manufacturer's app. Install them directly rather than relying on a third-party driver-updating program.

Reset the Microsoft Store and Xbox app

If the Store itself is misbehaving, downloads can fail with vague errors. Microsoft's guidance is that if the app is the problem and not the games, reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store is the suggested step. Other useful things to try are:

• In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Store or Xbox, open Advanced options, and use Repair first.
• Use Reset only if Repair does not work. Reset removes the app's local data and will sign you out.
• Run the Store cache reset by typing wsreset into the Start menu and pressing Enter.

These do not delete your games, but you may need to sign in again.

Downloads stuck on "Preparing" or "Queued"

A download that sits at one of these stages has often not failed outright. It may be waiting for something else to finish, so check the Queue section in the Xbox app and see whether other items are in front of it. Pausing the other items can let the one that you want go first.

If nothing is moving at all, close the Xbox app and the Microsoft Store completely, restart your PC and try again. Also, check whether the Microsoft Store itself has updates waiting, as both the Store and the Xbox app can get stuck while they wait for their own updates to finish. Finally, confirm that the date and time on your PC are set automatically, as an incorrect clock can break secure connections and license checks.

Windows services that need to be running

Some Xbox errors appear because the background services that support gaming have been disabled, often by "PC optimizer" tools. Microsoft's description of error 0x80070422 mentions that Gaming Services may need to be enabled.

If you have ever run a debloat script or a "gaming booster" program, consider whether it has switched something off. These tools often disable services such as Xbox-related components, Windows Update or the Microsoft Store. It is another reason to be very careful with them. If you know which tool you used, try reversing its changes, or use System Restore if you have a restore point.

Handhelds and Windows-based devices

If you are using a Windows handheld, the same fixes apply. Microsoft's instructions mention that you can reach Task Manager on a handheld by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to expose the Start bar, long-pressing an empty area and selecting Task Manager. Touch-friendly versions of the Xbox app can look a bit different, so if a menu seems to be missing, look under your profile picture.

Handhelds tend to have limited storage too, so if a game cannot install because of space, it might be worth checking what else has been installed. The Xbox app offers management options for the games you have added, while Windows Storage settings show everything else.

Playing offline

Plan ahead if you are about to travel, since offline access is much easier to set up at home than in an airport.

Microsoft notes that if you are signed in correctly but having trouble while trying to play offline, you may need to adjust your settings for offline play. Do this while you are online, before you travel. Game Pass titles need to check your subscription periodically, so do not expect to be able to play indefinitely without connecting.

When the fault is with the game

Sometimes everything is working except for one title. Before you spend hours on your system, take a moment to look for that game on its publisher's support site or community forums. Newly released games often have launch issues that get fixed in a patch.

If several games fail and nothing above helps, then contact Xbox Support. Have these details ready:

• Your exact error code.
• Your Windows version.
• Your Game Pass plan.
• What you have already tried.

Is the issue actually Game Pass at all?

If you are mainly on Steam, then many of these steps are different. Our guide to Steam games that will not launch covers the Steam side. If your problem is a controller rather than a game, see our Xbox controller guide.

Deciding whether to keep your subscription

If you have been through all of this and only really use Game Pass for one game, it may be worth reconsidering whether the subscription still suits you. Our guide to cancelling Game Pass and getting a refund explains your options.

If you are staying, you can reduce the cost with gift cards. XPReward is one way to build credit gradually: make a free account, complete offers for points and put them toward an Xbox gift card. A $25 card costs 3,600 points, so it is a long-term project, and the offers on hand depend on your country.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't the Xbox app install games on my PC?

The usual causes are mismatched accounts in the Store and Xbox app, a lapsed or console-only subscription, damaged Gaming Services, antivirus interference or a lack of drive space. Check the Xbox status page, match your accounts, and then run the Gaming Services Repair Tool.

Why is Game Pass not working on my PC?

Check that you have an active plan that includes PC games, since Microsoft says Game Pass for Console subscriptions are not supported on PC. Make sure the Store and Xbox app use the same account, and confirm that you are running Windows 10 22H2 or newer.

What is the Gaming Services Repair Tool?

It is a Microsoft tool that fixes problems with the background component that manages Xbox installs on Windows. Run it from the Xbox app by clicking your profile picture, then Support, or download the standalone version from Xbox Support.

What does error 0x80070422 mean?

Microsoft says this code means Gaming Services on your PC needs to be repaired, enabled, or both. The recommended solution is to run the Gaming Services Repair Tool, and to install any pending Windows updates.

How do I repair a game in the Xbox app?

Open the Xbox app, select the game in My Library, choose the More options button, then go to Manage > Files. Choose Check for updates first, and then use Verify and repair if the game still does not launch.

Why does the Xbox app say I need a subscription when I have one?

You may be signed in to the wrong account in the Store or the Xbox app, or your plan may not cover PC games. Check the Subscriptions page for your Microsoft account, and sign both apps in with the account holding the plan.

Should I turn off my antivirus to install a game?

Microsoft suggests temporarily suspending third-party antivirus software while you troubleshoot. If that fixes the problem, then add an exception for the game and turn your protection back on immediately. Do not leave your PC unprotected.

Can I move Game Pass games to another drive?

Use the Xbox app's own management tools rather than moving folders by hand in File Explorer. Moving or renaming folders manually can break how the game is registered, which leads to more errors and possibly a reinstall.

Sources

• Xbox Support: Fix gaming issues with the Xbox app for PC and handhelds, for the troubleshooting sequence.
• Xbox Support: Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC, for the repair steps.
• Xbox Support: Error 0x80070422, 0x87e00196, 0x80073D23, 0x80073D02 and 87E0000F, for error details.

Drive and Windows settings tips reflect common practice and vary by version. Xbox details checked on 8 November 2026.