My Minecraft Launcher only says "Play Demo"

woahitsgabe · May 17, 2022

I purchased my account years ago under the email ********@gmail.com. I migrated my account to my Microsoft email when the service first became available, and my Microsoft account was under *****@hotmail.com. A couple of days ago, I was cleaning up my accounts and passwords and changed my Microsoft account's primary email to ********@gmail.com so that everything was consistent. I have not used the Hotmail address in years.

I play Minecraft: Java Edition on two devices-- my Windows PC and my Apple MacBook. Ever since I changed my Microsoft info, my PC version of the Minecraft Launcher has been "offline." I can log in just fine, but the launcher will not connect to the internet and only displays "Play Demo." Any time I attempt to follow the launcher's instructions and purchase the game again, I am taken to the Minecraft.net page that tells me I already own the game. This issue does not occur on my MacBook. I can play on there just fine, and my account details have clearly been updated. I have attempted to reboot the launcher, uninstall the launcher, uninstall the game, play the game off of the Microsoft/Xbox store, and rebooted my PC half a dozen times. I do not know what to do now.

:)

Lucas Lauer

You're welcome! I'm glad it worked.

If you have any other question, please let me know. If you don't, have a great week.

Lucas Lauer

I understand. I'd recommend you to create another local account on your PC:

Press Win+R Keys.

Type netplwiz and press Enter.

Click Add button.

Click Sign in without a Microsoft Account. If you do not see that option, disconnect from the Internet.

Click Local account if prompted.

Type the username you want, and the password. You must also specify a hint. Click Next.

Click Finish.

Make the new local account an admin account:

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & Other Users > Select the Account Owner Name (you should see "Local account" below the name) > Change Account Type.

Select Administrator, and then select OK.

Sign in with the new Administrator Account.

After that:

Go to Start > Type Services > Open it.

Find all Xbox Services (Xbox Accessory Management Service, Live Auth Manager, Live Game Save, Live Networking Service). Right Click > Properties> Set the startup type to Automatic. Also Start them.

Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options > Privacy > Uncheck "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update and restart."

Restart your PC.

See if you are logged into Microsoft Store with the correct account and try to launch Minecraft again.

woahitsgabe

Somehow that worked. Thank you!

kevin guerra1

a garbage answer, nothing to do with the issue at all.

woahitsgabe

The new local account, when I downloaded minecraft onto it, ran everything just fine, no account login. It did not fix the issue on my main profile though.

My Minecraft Launcher only says "Play Demo"