Cannot play or install any games via Xbox app / Microsoft Store

IainPurdie · Nov 13, 2021

This problem has been ongoing for a week or two and, while trying to fix it using advice from MS forums, seems to have become worse. When I open the Xbox app, a big green flash is across the top telling me ti "Fix it now" if I'm having trouble installing or launching games. I've done this, followed the instructions and absolutely no progress has been made.

I've flushed everything to do with the Store and run commands in PowerShell to refresh all the apps and dependencies. I've checked I have all updates, including installing a Preview one that was offered by the update tool - something I'd usually prefer not to do (I am on 21H1). I've logged out, logged in, rebooted... nothing helps. If I use an external shortcut or one within the Xbox app to load a game, I'm taken to the Store page for Gaming Services. If I try to install one, it sits on "Preparing 0%" forever and never installs.

The Gaming Services service itself never starts. If I try to start it manually via Task Manager, it says "Starting" for 2-3 seconds then reverts to "Stopped". However, if I go into the Services app and try to start it, it gives Error 1060: The specified service does not exist as an installed service.

:)

JosefLBohorquez

May I know if you tried installing the Xbox app from here and not Microsoft Store?

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/apps/xbox-app-for-pc

And, when you say "I can install games now, but I still cannot see any of the games"

This is via Xbox app? Or are you installing the games from the Microsoft Store?

IainPurdie

I was actually in the process of running the Media Creation Tool when you responded. Two hours or so later, and I now have an Xbox app that works. I am now worried about installing any more updates in case they break it again...

L4c3rd4

Hello dear Gamer, first it's a pleasure to be able to help you today.
My name is Vinicius.
I am a gamer and independent advisor on the XBOX community platform.

Hey IAINPURDIE, how are you today? Hope you're well.

Have you tried to restore your Windows already? If you don't mind, please try first and one more time, all of the above, before trying to restore your OS.

So, let's try this, first, make sure your windows and all its services are up to date:

Open Settings, click Update and Security and then Windows Update;

Click Check for Updates;

Click the Download and Install Now option, if available;

Also, check the Microsoft Store for any updates on the Xbox apps and its services.
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Then try this:

Go to windows settings > apps > search for gaming services app > click on it and select advanced options.

After that, click repair and then restore, open the app and try again.

Then do the same for the Xbox app:

Go to windows settings > apps > search for gaming services app > click on it and select advanced options.

After that, click repair and then restore, open the app and try again.

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If it still doesn't work you're going to uninstall the games services using a powershell command, then you're going to open the gamepass app, it will ask you to download and install the game services again :

In the windows search bar type Powershell > Right click and select open as administrator > Type the command: "get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-Appxpackage –allusers" > Wait for the process to finish and then restart the PC, then open your Xbox gamepass app, it will ask you to install the gaming services again, install it and try again.

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If neither of those procedures works, try to restore your PC's OS via the ISO image tool, using that tool you will be able to maintain your installed games and files.

If you're using Windows 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

If you're using Windows 11:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

JosefLBohorquez

Just to double check, Gaming Services are not installable via Microsoft Store

You need to open the Xbox app

incognitony

I don't think you actually need the Xbox beta app to launch any game? The app is useful for checking the Xbox Game Pass for PC catalog, but you can also download any games via the Microsoft Store without the Xbox beta app. And the app doesn't need to run
in the background when you're playing Microsoft Store games on your PC

Cannot play or install any games via Xbox app / Microsoft Store