How do I fix the Xbox app stuck on "Launching Xbox"?

Hi John Jefferson,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand how frustrating this must be, especially after you’ve already tried the usual troubleshooting and the Xbox app is still stuck on “Launching Xbox.” When this happens, it usually means something in the background may be blocking the Xbox gaming components from starting correctly.

Let’s focus on a couple of deeper checks to narrow this down:

Step 1: Test in a clean boot environment

Sometimes background startup programs or services can silently interfere with Gaming Services and prevent the Xbox app from loading. A clean boot helps us rule that out.

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
• Next, open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager. Disable all startup items listed there.
• Restart your PC and try launching the Xbox app again. If the app opens in this state, it confirms that a third‑party startup item is causing the conflict.

*Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. 

These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track. 

Step 2: Temporarily disable third‑party security, VPN or overlay software

Third‑party antivirus tools, VPNs, or game/graphics overlay utilities can sometimes block Xbox Gaming Services without showing an error.

• Temporarily disable any third‑party antivirus or firewall software, VPNs, and game or GPU overlay tools (for example, performance or FPS overlays).

*Disclaimer: Temporarily turn off antivirus protection. However, keep in mind that if you do so, your device may be vulnerable to threats. So please turn it on immediately once issue fixed. 

• Restart the PC and test the Xbox app again. If the app launches successfully, you can re‑enable these tools one by one to identify which one is causing the issue.

Please let me know what happens after these two steps, and I’ll guide you on the best next action based on the results.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

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Follow these steps in order on Windows 11 to fix the Xbox app hanging on “Launching Xbox”:

1. Make sure Windows and Microsoft Store are updated

• Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any available updates.
• Open Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates and let Store and Xbox-related apps update.

2. Repair/reset the Xbox app and Microsoft Store

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Find Xbox → Advanced options → click Repair. If it still hangs, go back and click Reset.
• Do the same for Microsoft Store (Advanced options → Repair, then Reset if needed).

3. Ensure Gaming Services is healthy If Gaming Services is broken, the Xbox app can hang at launch.

Option A – Standard repair (safer):

• Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Locate Gaming Services.
• Use Repair or Reset if available.

Option B – Full removal and reinstall (if the above fails)

• Open PowerShell as administrator.
• Run this script (from the Gaming Services KB workaround):

    Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | remove-appxpackage -allusers
    Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices" -recurse
    Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet" -recurse
  

• Restart the PC.
• Open the Xbox app; a blue banner should appear: “This app needs an extra component. Gaming Services is needed…” → click Install to reinstall Gaming Services.

4. Re-register Store apps if Store/Xbox still misbehave

• Open PowerShell as administrator.
• Run:

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

• Restart and try launching the Xbox app again.

5. General Store-app troubleshooting If the Xbox app still gets stuck:

• Confirm apps in general work by trying another Store app.
• If multiple Store apps fail, follow the Microsoft Store app guidance:
  • Make sure Windows is fully updated.
  • Update Microsoft Store from Library > Get updates.
  • If needed, uninstall and reinstall the Xbox app from Microsoft Store > Library.

If after all of this the Xbox app still hangs on “Launching Xbox,” collect any error codes you see when installing or starting games (for example, Gaming Services errors like 0x80073D26/0x8007139F) and use those specific codes with the documented Gaming Services repair steps.

References:

• KB5004327: Error 0x80073D26 or 0x8007139F occurs when you install or start Gaming Services on a Windows 10 device
• Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store
• Modern, Inbox, and Microsoft Store Apps troubleshooting guidance
• Utilizing Microsoft Game Development Kit tools to install and launch your PC title
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