Starfield preload keeps failing to download

Hello,

I have had the exact same issue ever since pre-loading was supposed to be allowed. It pre-installed on my Series X with no problem (bought the Premium Edition) and everything said I should have been able to pre-install onto my PC as well. However, it wouldn't. The computer is brand new and running Windows 11. I followed every post here and in Reddit to find out why it kept conking out at 800MB downloaded. I uninstalled/reinstalled/reset/repaired both the Microsoft Store app and the Xbox app. Every driver of every bit of software and hardware updated. No VPN or antivirus issues (unless your own Microsoft Defender is just as suspect). Yet, it kept giving me the same error (0x80070005, which your error site says is a console error, not a PC error).

Strangely enough, though, at 5 pm PDT, it worked. No conking out. No errors. Just a slow download because everyone is coming home and logging in and bottlenecking the internet in my area (> 1 million people). So, I'll be lucky if by sometime tomorrow evening that the game finally finishes downloading.

So, my question is this: This whole thing is suspicious as heck. Everyone having the exact same issue. Getting only the same low-level troubleshooting tips IF they even get a response at all. I want transparency. I want someone (if it really is true) to admit that MS purposely blocked downloading, even from customers who were told they were allowed to pre-install, and the reason for doing so (more than likely to keep people from cracking the game open and leaking info/gameplay early). Why am I getting ruffled up like this? Because this whole thing came very close to a breach of contract of the purchase of the game. Fortunately or otherwise, this is how game purchasing shall proceed in the near future, with no more physical media and purchasers at the mercy of the seller and the internet on whether they get their product in a timely fashion or not.

Are you effing serious Microsoft! First all the preload issues, now early access was supposed to begin at 8PM EST, then I get the "too early" message for 30 minutes AFTER the early launch time. Then when it finally actually launches it says I need a 117GB update. You suck at early launches Microsoft.

Hello alaingraham,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

I can see that you're having trouble downloading Starfield. Have you tried any troubleshooting steps yet? Here are a few things you can try:



1. Check your internet connection: Make sure that your internet connection is stable and strong enough to support the download.



2. Clear the cache: Clear the cache of the Xbox app by going to Settings > Apps > Xbox > Advanced Options > Reset.



3. Restart your PC: Sometimes, restarting your PC can help resolve download issues.



4. Disable any VPN or proxy: If you're using a VPN or proxy, try disabling it and then attempt the download again.



Please see: Troubleshoot issues with the Xbox app for Windows | Xbox Support



Looking forward for your response.

Same issue. So annoying that things just don 't work on Windows

Error 0x80070490 Starfield pre-load download fail. I was trying to fix this issue to no avail, last resort was to go to Windows->Start->Settings->System->Recovery click on Reset this PC. After about 30mins game was downloading fine.