Xbox Game Bar "Enable" option not saving

Vert3x · Nov 30, 2021

Hello, as the title partially describes, I am unable to get the Xbox Game Bar app to work properly once installed: with "work properly" I mean that it will launch if I look it up through the Windows Search bar, but it won't if I try to use any intended shortcuts (neither Win+G nor any custom shortcut I try to set for it).

I have been looking for solutions and updating everything I had to for a few days in a vane attempt to solve this (I've been using Game Bar for probably not too long, but the shortcut issue has always been there) and I am quite confident that there's no doubt on what's causing this issue:

The first Game Bar checkbox setting labeled "Enable Xbox Game Bar for things like recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invitations (...)" is off by default for me and if I try and simply flag it on it'll appear enabled just for as long as I stick to that specific setting page and it'll reset to Off right as soon as I close the window or switch Settings tab. I think it may be relevant to specify that every other setting in the Xbox Game Bar tab is working properly unlike this one (I mean... as I said before I may enter and save a custom shortcut to open Gamebar but it won't work because of the first option to begin with)
I thought this would be something simple that someone else has encountered and shared/inquired about in these forums or anywhere on the internet but... you're reading this so I doubt there's much to add!

I have obviously tried every possible troubleshooting tool as well as various procedures such as Repair, Reset, Uninstall and Reinstall of both Game Bar and Microsoft Store, but I've got no result and, as mentioned above, ensuring Windows, Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Bar were up to date didn't help either.

I'm unsure on what software and hardware specifics to provide the question with as of now since it's my first time asking for help here, but as soon as any info is requested I'll make sure to add it to the main post.

Thanks in advance!

:)

Kathy A.

Hi Vert3x,

Hope you are doing fine.

We would like to follow up your concern.

Kindly let us know if you still have issue by posting a reply.

Kind regards,

Kathy A.

You're most welcome, Vert3x.

Just to confirm, is the Xbox Game bar cannot be toggle as enabled on PC Settings (in newly created user profile)?

There is what we call the registry that you can check but we would suggest you to be careful modifying it and backup is also a must to redo changes. But before we proceed to check if there is a way to do that on registry, would you mind checking this thread if will help? Can't enable game bar - Microsoft Community

You may try this on the newly created user profile if your answer is yes on the question above. Here are the troubleshooting suggested on that thread:

Method 1: Run troubleshooter

The Windows apps troubleshooter can help resolve issues regarding applications downloaded from the Windows Store. Click this Use a fix-it tool with Windows 10 to proceed.

Method 2: Check for updates for the app and the device

See Check for updates for apps and games from Windows Store and How to get software and driver updates for Windows 10 for the steps.

Method 3: Perform a clean boot

To eliminate software conflicts, kindly follow the steps provided on this How to perform a clean boot in Windows on how to perform a clean boot.

Method 4: Uninstall and reinstall the Xbox app

Uninstalling and reinstalling the Xbox app can help resolve corrupted installation files. Here are the steps:

Click Start > All apps > Windows PowerShell.
Right-click Windows PowerShell and click More > Run as Administrator.
In the Windows PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command: Get-AppxPackage *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Restart your device so that the changes can take effect.
Click this Get Xbox Console Companion and download the Xbox app.

Method 5: Reset the Xbox app.

Click Start and click Settings.
Select System.
Select Apps & features.
Find the Xbox app and click Advanced options.
Click Reset.
Restart your device so that the changes can take effect.
Launch the Xbox app and check if the same instance occurs.

Again, just leave a reply if this works or not. 😊

Kind regards,

Kathy A.

Thanks for your swift answer, Vert3x.

If enabling Xbox Game Bar is still not possible, then kindly try to create new user profile on your computer. Next, check the Settings of the new user profile, if the Xbox Game bar is enabled. Try using the combination of Windows + G and customizing the Xbox Game Bar shortcuts.

Guide: Create a local user or administrator account in Windows

Let me know if this works.

Kind regards,

Vert3x

Hi again, so I followed the procedure you showed me and I still couldn't keep the Enable (...) option saved on On.

Using Windows + G from within Game Bar to relaunch it was also not possible.

1,2) Here follow my Windows Specifications (which show that I'm not running Windows 10 in S mode):

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 21H2
Installed on ‎29/‎11/‎2021
OS build 19044.1387
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0

3) I should be able to get a different keyboard to try to test this on, but again the fact that the checkbox is not updating would explain why Windows + G is the only Windows key shortcut that isn't working on my computer (while others do like Windows + I, Windows + R, etc...)

4) I'm not sure if you're asking whether the keyboard has come all-together with the computer, but if so the answer is no, but again I feel like it is not the core of the problem.

5) As I mentioned in the first post, I have simply given up on using Windows + G ever since I installed Xbox Game Bar on my computer considering it never in fact worked.

Kathy A.

You're welcome and thanks for sharing the details about your concern, Vert3x.

I see that neither default shortcut nor customized shortcut will launch Xbox Game Bar on your PC. This is something like a hardware issue or system issue because pressing Windows key + G should launch Xbox Game Bar. By the way, to answer your question regarding Sticky Keys, this is actually related to CTRL, SHIFT, ALT and Windows Logo that if triggers you will no need to press them simultaneously if you need the combination of this keys. So if you notice in customizing the Xbox Game Bar you have Ctrl, shift and Windows Logo paired with letter to use as shortcut. So, let us isolate the issue but first, kindly perform these suggested troubleshooting first.

Suggested Troubleshooting:

Keep your Device and Xbox app updated.
Restart PC.
Launch Xbox Game Bar by searching it on Windows search bar.
On PC and Xbox Game Bar settings. Kindly turn on Game Mode of your PC and put a check on open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller.
Kindly empty out the boxes for customization of Game Bar.
Turn off or disable all antivirus, antimalware, VPN, firewall and PC Optimizer.
Turn off Sticky Keys by pressing Shift 5 times and select the highlighted sentence for disabling Sticky Keys.
Try to relaunch the Xbox Game Bar by pressing simultaneously the keys Windows + G on keyboard.
Please try launching your On-Screen Keyboard and press Windows + G. Let us know if this works so we can provide advance troubleshooting or refer you to the experts for this concern

Kindly provide answers for the following questions:

May we ask for your Windows Specification? Kindly go to PC settings > Systems > About > Windows Specification and select copy.
Is your Windows PC on S mode? Please check more details here: Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ
May we know if you have other keyboard that you can plug into the PC to isolate the problem?
Is your keyboard came from the PC manufacturer or you have replaced it with new one?
When did this issue happen? Was there a recent Windows update or new application installed on your device?

We are eager to hear your response.

Kind regards,

Xbox Game Bar "Enable" option not saving