🎮 Game Error Codes What it means & how to fix it

Xbox Game Pass PC Error Codes

PC Game Pass install failures are nearly always the Gaming Services component, permissions, or the install drive — not the game. Here's each code and the fix.

Error codes

0x80073CF9 Install failed / couldn't complete

Cause: A corrupted Gaming Services install, a bad WindowsApps folder, or the Xbox app pointing at a drive it can't write to.

Fix:
  1. Reset the Xbox app: Settings › Apps › Xbox › Advanced options › Reset.
  2. Reinstall Gaming Services (see 0x80073D26 steps).
  3. Change the install drive under Xbox app › Settings › Install location.
  4. Make sure the target drive is NTFS with free space.
0x87E00017 Install stalled or failed mid-download

Cause: A dropped download, low disk space, or a locked file left by a previous attempt.

Fix:
  1. Cancel the install, restart the Xbox app, and retry.
  2. Free up space and confirm the install drive is healthy.
  3. Run: wsreset.exe to clear the Store cache, then reboot.
0x87E0000F Game couldn't be installed or launched

Cause: Corrupted app data or a Gaming Services mismatch after a Windows update.

Fix:
  1. Reset the Xbox app.
  2. Update Windows fully, then reboot.
  3. Uninstall and reinstall Gaming Services.
0x80073D26 Gaming Services is corrupt or missing

Cause: The Gaming Services component that PC Game Pass relies on is broken — the single most common cause of install errors.

Fix:
  1. Open PowerShell as admin and run: get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-appxpackage
  2. Then run: start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN to reinstall Gaming Services.
  3. Reboot and retry the install.
0x80070005 Access denied during install

Cause: The Xbox app or WindowsApps folder lacks write permission, often after moving the folder or a permissions change.

Fix:
  1. Run the Xbox app as administrator once.
  2. Take ownership of the WindowsApps folder on the install drive, or change the install location to another drive.
  3. Ensure your Windows account is an administrator.
0x80070422 A required Windows service is disabled

Cause: The Windows Update or Xbox/Gaming Services service has been turned off, so installs can't run.

Fix:
  1. Open services.msc and set 'Windows Update' and 'Xbox Live' services to Automatic and Start them.
  2. Reboot and retry.
  3. Re-enable Microsoft Store if it was disabled by a tweak/debloat tool.
0x00000001 Generic install failure

Cause: Usually a leftover partial install or a Store cache problem.

Fix:
  1. Run wsreset.exe, reboot, and retry.
  2. Reset the Xbox app and Microsoft Store from Apps › Advanced options.
  3. Reinstall Gaming Services if it persists.

Fixes that work for most Xbox Game Pass (PC) errors

  1. Fully quit the launcher from the system tray (right-click › Exit), then reopen it — a half-loaded client throws most generic errors.
  2. Restart your PC and router, and on Windows flush DNS (Command Prompt: ipconfig /flushdns).
  3. Update or reinstall the launcher/client to the latest version — many 'connection' or 'version' errors are just an out-of-date client.
  4. Temporarily disable VPN and add the launcher as an exception in your antivirus/firewall, then retry.
  5. Check the service's official status page or its X/Twitter — if the servers are down for maintenance there is no local fix; wait it out.

FAQ

How do I fix Xbox app error 0x80073CF9 on PC?

Reset the Xbox app (Settings › Apps › Xbox › Reset), reinstall Gaming Services via PowerShell, and change the install drive to a healthy NTFS drive with free space. This error is almost always Gaming Services or the install location.

What is Gaming Services and why does it break Game Pass installs?

Gaming Services is the Microsoft component the Xbox app uses to install and manage PC Game Pass games. When it's corrupt you get errors like 0x80073D26 or 0x80073CF9. Remove it with 'get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-appxpackage' in admin PowerShell, reinstall from the Store, and reboot.

Other games