5 Ways to Fix the Xbox App Not Working on PC

Many Game Pass players download and install Windows PC games with the Xbox app. However, some users can’t access their Game Pass libraries when the Xbox app doesn’t open (work). For example, this is what one user said in a Reddit post, “Xbox App/Microsoft Store not working… I figured I would use the Xbox App to install the game; however, it is stuck on the initial screen with the message, ‘Launching the Xbox App.‘ This is how you can fix the Xbox app not working on PC.

Update the Xbox App

First, check if there are any updates available for the Xbox app. You might need to update the Xbox app to repair it. You can update the Xbox app like this:

1. Open the Microsoft Store by clicking the Start menu button and the shortcut for that app.
2. Next, input Xbox app into the Microsoft Store’s search box.
   
   

   The xbox app search results in MS Store

3. Select the Xbox app shown in the search results.
4. If there’s an Update button on the Xbox app page, click on that option to apply this potential fix.

Repair/Reset the Xbox App

Windows 11/10 includes handy Repair and Reset troubleshooting options that might fix the Xbox App not working on PC for some users. This page on the Microsoft website provides instructions for selecting the Repair and Reset app option in Windows. So, select those troubleshooting options for the Xbox app as instructed on that page.

The Repair and Reset options

Start Xbox Services

Some players have fixed the Xbox app not working on PC by setting Xbox services to an automatic startup and manually starting them. The Xbox app can fail to start because some of the services required for it aren’t enabled and running. So, try starting Xbox services like this:

1. Activate the file search tool using its Windows logo + S keyboard shortcut.
2. Enter a services keyword and select the matching result.
3. Scroll down and double-click on Xbox Accessory Management Service Properties.
4. Set the Startup type option to Automatic.
5. Press Start in the Xbox Accessory service window.
   
   

   The Xbox Accessory Management Services Properties window

6. Click Apply to save the settings as configured.
7. Select OK to exit the window.
8. Repeat the previous five steps for the Xbox Live Auth Manager, Xbox Live Game Save, and Xbox Live Networking services.

Reinstall Gaming Services

Many users confirm that reinstalling Gaming Services can fix the Xbox App not working on PC. Gaming Services is a Microsoft background app that supports Xbox app features. This is how you can reinstall Gaming Services:

1. Open the search tool in Windows 11 or 10.
2. Type Windows PowerShell inside the search box.
3. Click Run as administrator for the Windows PowerShell app found.
4. Input and execute the get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage –allusers in PowerShell.
   
   

   The remove Xbox app command

5. Next, input start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN and press Enter.
6. Click Install within the Gaming Services app window.
7. Restart your PC after reinstalling the Gaming Services app.

Set Automatic Time in Windows

Misconfigured time settings on your PC can cause Xbox app issues to occur. To address that potential cause for the Xbox app not working on PC, try setting Windows time settings to automatic if they are a manually configured. You can set automatic time settings in Windows 11 like this:

1. Right-click the Windows 11 system tray clock to select Adjust date and time.
2. Turn on the Set time automatically option by clicking its toggle switch.
   
   

   The Set time zone automatically settings

3. If the Set time zone automatically option is off, click its toggle switch to turn that setting on.

I hope one of those potential remedies fixes your Xbox app not working on PC. Nothing is guaranteed, but the troubleshooting methods covered above have kick-started the Xbox app for many users. With that app fixed, you can then access your game library and other features within the Xbox app again.