User save storage could not be initialized. Error code: 0x80004004

I just started having this same problem, except I'm on PC rather than a console. I've been playing on my desktop PC and my laptop since early access was open, and the only 'issue' I've had was about a month ago where I got a message that my save game storage was full and no more saves could be created. I resolved that by deleting all but my last 10 save points. Since then (early November), the game has worked fine on both computers until this morning. The game still launches on my laptop, but on the desktop, I get "User save storage could not be initialized. Error code: 0x80004004". My desktop computer c: drive (where the XboxGames folder is) has 680GB free. I have game version 1.8.86.0 installed, last updated today (4 Dec 2023). I tried the 'Verify and Repair' button, but even after running it and rebooting, I still get the error. The game does continue to open on my laptop... I'm at a loss and am looking for help to fix this issue. Thanks!

EDIT: the sequence of events is that I launch the game via the icon on my desktop. The game syncs files and the opening graphic (the rolling vault door logo) appears, animates, and disappears. The photogenic warning page comes and goes. The planetary background with the star emerging from behind the planet appears and is animated. The text appears at the bottom of the screen: "Press any key to start". I press a key and instead of getting the menu page, I get the error.

EDIT 2: After letting the game sync for an hour from the laptop, I relaunched the game on my desktop... The sync splash box appeared and stayed there for almost 10 minutes before disappearing. The normal startup process happened and I now have my menu options available - no error message. The game launches and everything is fine.

I have no idea why a slow or failed sync on the laptop would leave my desktop with that particular error message, but I guess one thing for people to try - assuming you are playing on two different computers (not consoles) is to...

1. go to the machine that worked most recently and launch the game.
   
2. Then quit with an exit to desktop.
   
3. Once the game is shut down, from a command prompt, run the two commands:
   
   

   net stop gamingservices

   net start gamingservices

   The commands take just a few seconds each to execute.
   
4. Let the machine stay connected to the internet for 30-45 minutes to ensure it completes any remaining sync actions.
   
5. Go to the second computer and launch the game. If prompted to 'log on here', do that
   

This worked for me - maybe it will help someone else.

GL!

When I attempt to clear local games, it turns off my Xbox. I have 700+ hours on this game. This is ridiculous. My gamertag is JockPuppet101

Hello Gabriel Mataloun,

We appreciate you going through the troubleshooting steps. Since it is still not working, the problem may seem to be more complicated and require further investigation. We advise that you contact our live support team. It's advisable to work with them due to the complexity of the issue, as they have the tools needed to further diagnose it and give you an efficient solution.

To contact live support, please follow the guide below:

1. Please use this link: Contact us | Xbox Support
   
   1. Scroll down and look at the lower left side if you can see the page matches the country/region you are currently located.
      
   2. If not, please select the country/region it is showing and select the correct one among the list.
      
   3. Make sure to use to check the available contact times of the support.
      
   4. Select the "Contact Us" button
      
   5. Select the drop-down menu options that will match your concern.
      
   6. The next window will provide you with support articles based on your request and we recommend reviewing the relevant articles before selecting the "See contact options" button.
      
   7. On the final window, you will be presented with multiple options. We suggest selecting either the "Chat online" or the "Request a call" options to speak with someone. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible.
      
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Hello ,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this issue with Starfield on your Xbox One X console. This error code indicates that there is a problem with your cloud save data. To fix this, please follow these steps:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, and then go to Profile & system > Settings > System > Storage.

2. Select Clear local saved games. This will delete the local copies of your games from your console, but they will still be available in the cloud.

3. Restart your console by holding the Xbox button on your controller and selecting Restart console.

4. Launch Starfield and try to reconnect. It should sync your cloud save data and let you access the main menu.

Please also see: Error 80004004 occurs when you try to access a game saved in the cloud from Xbox 360 | Xbox Support

If this does not resolve the issue, please let me know and I will assist you further. Thank you for choosing Xbox and have a great day.

Thanks for the reply, but it didn’t work.

DONT DO THIS!!!! STOP DONT DELETE YOU SAVED GAME DATA!!! THE XBOX SYSTEM ON PC AND XBOX ARE GOING TO LOAD THE NEWEST LATEST (CORRUPTED) SAVED GAME FILE FROM THE CLOUD EVERYTIME!! THE DATA ON YOUR CONSOLE IS ALL YOU HAVE TO ASK THE DEVELOPERS TO HELP YOU WITH. YOU NEED TO DELETE THE CLOUD SAVED GAME SINCE ITS THE NEWEST AND ITS WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, IT TRYING TO SAVE CORRUPTED DATA FROM THE MESSED UP SAVE TO YOUR CONSOLE OR VISE VERSA, MAKING A BACK UP DOESNT HELP EITHER SINCE YOU CANT OVER RIDE SYCHING FROM THE CLOUD SAVED GAME FILE AND USE YOUR BACK UP ANYWAY. DONT PLAY DONT CREATE ANY NEW SAVED GAME DATA UNTILL THEY FIGURE OUT A BETTER WAY TO FIX IT IF YOUV SPENT HOURS ON HOURS LIKE I HAVE PLAYING ONLY TO LOOSE ALL THE HARD WORK. This is now game three for me i can no longer play since microsift encrypt the pc saved data differernt from the pc xbox app data and different from the xbox console. JUST GIVE US ACCESS TO OUR PAYED SOFTWARE FILES MS!!AT LEAST OUR SAVED GAME FILES TO STORE, LOAD, SAVE, MOD IF ALLOWED, AS WE WANT. STOP HIDING THEM SEPARATE FROM THE GAME DATA AND GIVE US A WAY TO DO THE SAME ON XBOX CONSOLES. NO MAN SKY 3,426 HOURS PLAYTIME LOST RUINED THE GAME FIR ME, CHIVALRY 2 MAXED OUT LEVEL 1000, SAVED GAME LOST WONT LOAD CANT PLAY, JUST PURCHSSED STARFIELD LIKE AN IDIOT LOADED IT ONE TIME ON PC, AND BOOM CANT PLAY EITHER ON PC OR XBOX. THIS IS BEYOND COMPREHENSIVE WHY I STIIL GIVE YOU ALL MY MONEY TO HIDE ABD ENCRYPT MY PAYED FOR SOFTWARE DATA, SOMETHING AS SUCH RUINED XBOX FOR ME. IM AFRIAD IT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN TO ANY GAME I PLAY AND LOOSE INTEREST 5 MINUTES INTO STARTING ANY GAME NOW, THANKS.