Game Pass for PC: No games launching, error 0x80004005, "frowning face" instead of install...

I have the same issue as you.

The only thing that "worked" so far is creating a second admin user on the system and installing and running games there.

I have tried pretty much all that I could find online and more, except resetting/reinstalling Windows (unacceptable as a solution):

• Search for updates (everything is up to date)
  
• Reset Xbox app
  
• Reset Store
  
• Store troubleshooter (completely pointless)
  
• Reinstall gaming services via PowerShell
  
• The usual DSIM and SFC commands (nothing was ever found)
  
• Updating to Windows 11
  
• Going back to Windows 10
  
• Taking ownership of the WindowsApps folder and deleting it completely and then reinstalling Store and Apps via PowerShell
  

Nothing worked, except using a second admin account (definitely also not an acceptable solution).

Symptoms:

• It all started a week ago when I was still able to launch Forza Horizon 5 (Game Pass), but noticed all online components in the game were greyed out. After that I restarted the PC and the game and since then I can't even launch the game or any other game pass game anymore.
  
• Trying to launch an installed Game Pass game gives error 0x80004005
  
• Trying to install a Game Pass game (with the Xbox app) that was previously installed also gives error 0x80004005 before it starts downloading
  
• Trying to install a Game Pass game that has never been installed on this PC gives error 0x00000001 before it starts downloading
  
• After I have run into the above described errors trying to install Game Pass games the Xbox app will then show the "sad face" icon instead of the "Install" button for every Game Pass game that I haven't had installed before, until I reset the Xbox app (I still see the "Install" button for all Game Pass games that have previously been installed, but of course any attempt of actually installing ends with error 0x80004005)
  
• I can download, install and play any games that are in my library and that I own just fine (e.g. Forza Horizon 4)
  

Other infos:

• I am a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber and the subscription is valid.
  
• On the secondary admin account on the very same PC everything works fine, any installation and launching any Game Pass game works as expected (but it is no long term solution having to switch to a secondary account each time I want to play a game, I use my PC for other purposes also)
  
• Installing and launching non Game Pass owned Windows Store/Xbox games still works on the main account
  
• Installing and launching games from any other service like Steam or Epic works on the main account as well
  

I would really appreciate a solution that doesn't involve resetting or reinstalling my PC or having to switch to a secondary user account in Windows every time I want to play a Game Pass game.

Hi Dericka,

Yes, it is with all my games on PC Game Pass. I have an Xbox Series X and have no issues installing/playing games on that device. Occasionally, the error also switches to the Install button on the Xbox app changing into a frowny face. I do have some games still installed from when things were working correctly, and i get the same errors as well for those games. They will go to the launch screen for a moment, then the same error code will pop up.

Hello XBF Leo G,

Thanks for your reply!

Actually there is no error message. I played the game on a day, and in the next day I had to download the game again. The game still appears in the left side of the Xbox App as installed. But when I click on it, it starts the download instead of launching
the game.

I'm not facing any installing issue and I'm using Xbox (Beta).

Hi there! I'm more than happy to help you!

I'm sorry you are experiencing this with your Xbox game pass. I know how frustrating this is and I would totally feel the same way if I were in your shoes. No worries, let me help you sort this out.

Based on the information I've gathered, it seems a lot of users were also suffering from the same error codes without an appropriate solution.

In the meantime, kindly try to perform the steps suggested by another user:

"Search the game via Microsoft Store and download it there

Launch the game through Microsoft Store (not via shortcut or any other way)"

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...rkaround/5669e663-4050-41dc-9a44-e0fe127f92cd

You may also check these links for reference:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...c/463b9a53-17d8-44d5-bac2-df2746e78b94?page=2

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...80004005/24dd9d3b-992e-4a7c-80d9-ec42bfc4e517

Thank you for your kindness and understanding! Please feel free to let me know if you need anything else.

Best Regards,
Darhyl

I have the same issue. I get error 0x80004005 and then "unspecified error code" only on No Man Sky's. I have it installed in the xbox app installed with gamepass for pc. I also have SOT installed the same way but that game plays fine and no error codes.

edit: I have tried the solutions about except the full reinstallation as it isnt all games just NMS.