The Xbox app on Windows 11 is the gateway to Game Pass but it's also one of the worst apps on the entire operating system. It's so bad that sometimes it gets stuck trying to launch stopping itself from showing you all the other problems it has. So in this guide, we're going to show you how to stop the Xbox App from getting stuck while launching.

Takeaways:

  1. Learn how to fix the Xbox app on Windows 11 getting stuck while launching on Windows 11.
  2. Help the Xbox app keeps freezing while launching on Windows 11.

How to fix Xbox app stuck at Launching Xbox App in Windows 11

While this might seem odd you should clear the Microsoft Store cache. As these apps are closely connected doing this quite often solves the problem.

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

  • Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.

  • A command prompt window will open and reset the Windows Store cache. Wait for it to close automatically.

  • Once the reset is complete, restart your computer and try launching the Xbox app again.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

This built-in tool can automatically detect and fix common issues with the Xbox app.

  • Type Troubleshoot in Windows search and hit Enter.

  • Click Additional troubleshooters or Other troubleshooters.

  • Scroll down to find Windows Store Apps and select it.

  • Click Run the troubleshooter and wait for the process to complete.

  • Apply the suggested fixes and check if the app launches properly.

Update the Xbox App

Installing the latest version may fix bugs causing the app to hang.

  • Open Microsoft Store.

  • Click Library.

  • If updates are available, click Update all or Get updates.

  • You can also update the Xbox app individually.

Repair or Reset the Xbox App

Restoring the app to its default settings usually solves this problem (Usually!)

  • Right-click Start and select Apps & Features or Installed apps.

  • Scroll down to find Microsoft Store and click Advanced options.

  • Scroll down and click Terminate and Repair.

  • If the issue persists, try using Reset.

  • Repeat this process for the Xbox app and Gaming Services.

How to fix Xbox app is stuck at Launching Xbox App in Windows

Reinstall the Xbox App

Re-registering the app can restore its original configuration and fix persistent launch issues.

  • Close the Microsoft Store and Xbox App.

  • Open Windows search, type PowerShell, and right-click to select Run as administrator.

  • Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control.

  • Enter the following command and press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

  • Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC.

Check and Restart Essential Services

Certain services must be running for the Xbox app to function properly.

  • Type Services in Windows search and hit Enter.

  • Scroll down to find Gaming Services.

  • Right-click on it and select Restart.

  • If it is grayed out, double-click to open Properties.

  • Set Startup type to Automatic, then click Start, Apply, and OK.

  • Repeat this process for the following services:

    • Gaming Services

    • Microsoft Store

Fix Xbox app is stuck at Launching Xbox App in Windows

Reinstall Gaming Services in PowerShell

If Gaming Services are not working correctly, reinstalling them can help.

  • Open PowerShell as administrator.

Enter the following commands one by one and press Enter:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-Appxpackage –allusers
Remove-Item -Path “HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices” -recurse
Remove-Item -Path “HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet” -recurse

Close PowerShell and restart your PC.

  • Reinstall Gaming Services from the Microsoft Store.

Reset Windows 11

If you are using Windows 11 you can check out our guide here for the new resetting process. It’s similar to the process for Windows 10, however, does have some extra options available. To get the best results choose the Cloud option when it appears.

Xbox app is stuck at Launching Xbox App in Windows

So what happens after you Reset your Computer?

Once you have completed an entirely clean installation of Windows 10 or 11, you can reinstall the Xbox App along with Gaming services and Microsoft Game Pass should work perfectly fine. Sadly the cause of this issue still doesn’t have any answers so there is a chance that whatever caused the issue in the first place may return. Fingers crossed it doesn’t as the process is an absolute nightmare to resolve.