Fix Error Game Pass Does Not Launch Your Games

Last update: 04/10/2024

Many people have recently reported that they are unable to launch games that are played using the service. Xbox Game Pass. Some of them can't launch just a couple of games, while others can't launch any of the games they should be able to play based on their Game Pass membership. This error is only found on PC. If you want to learn how to fix the error Game Pass does not launch your games, continue reading this entry.

What causes the error Game Pass does not launch your games?

After many affected players complained about this bug, we dove in and took a closer look at this Game Pass issue and came up with a list of all the possible causes:

  • Missing update Windows- This error could occur because one or more of the latest Windows updates are missing. Most commonly, GamePass is missing a key security WU infrastructure update that it needs. Unless your system has it, you can expect certain games (particularly first-party games) to refuse to launch. To fix this, you need to install the latest Windows infrastructure update that it's missing.
  • Application Corrupted Xbox: Your Xbox app may have some corrupt files which won’t let you launch any games. This is a common problem among users who recently upgraded to Win 11 from Win 10. You should be able to fix this problem by repairing the Xbox app and Xbox Game Pass from Apps & Features.
  • Problems with game services: Another reason that can cause this Game Pass not launching games error is because Microsoft's 'Gaming Services' is going through some issues or scheduled maintenance. You can try to fix this by force removing the Game Services from the use of PowerShell and then reinstalling Game Services. But this will only work if the problem is rooted locally.
  • Date and time error: For some players, this error was caused by the 'Set time automatically' option. It turns out that this could become an issue as GamePass compares the system date with the server date and discovers a discrepancy. If this scenario is applicable, you can fix this issue by syncing the date and time with the real-time one.
  • Offline permissions are disabled- This Game Pass error can also be caused by a scenario where the GamePass app is unable to set offline permissions. Due to this, you may be banned from launching any game that requires an internet connection through Game Pass. To fix this, you need to go to your Microsoft Store account settings and enable the option.
  • Error in the Gaming Service process: Players are reporting that this error could also occur due to a bug affecting the main Gaming Services process. You can fix this by closing the Gaming Services task to force it to restart and then launching any game you want to play.

Methods to fix the error Game Pass does not launch your games

Now that you know all the possible causes of this error, here is a list of each of the potential solutions that will help you fix this Game Pass issue on Windows computers:

1. Close the game services from Task Manager

Before moving on to more technical methods, the first thing you should try to fix this strange GamePass behavior is to close the Game Services process via the Task Manager.

By doing this you might be able to reset the Game Service and when you restart the game it should work in case it won't launch due to the service being stuck in limbo.

This is the easiest solution of the bunch presented in this article and is the ideal way to start troubleshooting this problem.

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Here are the steps you need to follow in case you don't know how to close Game Services from Task Manager:

  • First you need to open Task Manager. Press the CTRL + Shift + ESC keysto directly open the Task Manager, or you can use other forms if you wish.
  • Once you're inside the Task Manager,look for the process of Gaming services and right click on it, then click Finish homework. By doing this you will finish the task. of Gaming Services.

  • Once you have successfully completed the task, close Task Manager and try launching a game to see if you still get the Game Pass not launching games error.

If the problem is still not resolved, please move on to the next method below.

2. Update your version of Windows

The first potential solution to your problem is to see if there are any Windows updates available that you are missing.

Most commonly you will experience this issue in a situation where one or more Windows infrastructure updates are missing. This can be a problem on both Windows 10 and Windows XNUMX. Windows 11.

It turns out that GamePass needs a key WU infrastructure upgrade to validate certain first-party Microsoft titles. If you're missing out, it's likely that Game Pass will refuse to launch certain game titles like Gears of War, Forza Horizon, and more.

There are many affected users who managed to successfully resolve the issue after updating their Windows version to the latest one.

If you don't know how to update your Windows installation, follow these steps:

  • Opens a dialog box Run pressing the Windows key + R, then type into the search bar 'ms-settings:' and press Enter to open Configuration.

  • Once you are inside the Settings, look for Windows Update in the left menu and click on it.

  • After you've done that, install any pending updates, if any. Otherwise, click Check for Updates and wait until the check is complete.

  • If updates are available, be sure to install them. Depending on how many updates are missing on your system, you may need to reinstall your computer several times.
  • You may be prompted to restart your PC to complete the installation of the updates. Make sure to restart your PC.
  • Once your PC is back up and running, launch any game to see if you can now play it.

In case you are still unable to launch any game, check the following method below.

3. Repair the Xbox app

The next thing you can try is to repair the Xbox app from your computer's settings.

This method will fix the vast majority of scenarios where you are unable to launch game pass games due to some sort of corruption issue.

You can do it by accessing the menu Apps and Features and activating a procedure of reparación from the tab Restore. Users Windows 10 and Windows 11 confirmed that this method works.

After the app is repaired and restored, you will be able to play the games you want (if the problem is caused by some kind of local corruption).

Please follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to repair the application. Xbox from the Apps & features menu.

  • You need to access the apps and features. To get there quickly, open a dialog box Run and type 'ms-settings:appsfeatures' within the search bar.

  • Once you've done that, you need to look for the Xbox Game Pass app in the list.
  • After finding it, click on Advanced Options and scroll down until you find Repair, then click on the button to begin the process.
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  • Once the process is complete, you need to do the exact same thing with the Xbox app.
  • Once you're done with that, you can close the settings and test to see if the games still won't launch.

In case Game Pass still won't launch games even after repairing the app, go to the next method below.

4. Force reinstall Gaming Services app via PowerShell

If none of the methods so far have fixed the Game Pass issue for you, another thing that many affected PC-based Game Pass subscribers recommend is to remove Game Services using a PowerShell command.

Nota: This operation will resolve a more advanced corruption issue that cannot be addressed with a simple repair procedure. Forced reinstallation also means that all cache files currently stored by the application will also be deleted.

After removing Game Services using the Powershell command, you will need to open the Xbox Game Pass app to reinstall Game Services – you will be prompted to do so right after opening the app for the first time after the forced reinstall.

Here are the steps you need to follow to force reinstall Game Pass gaming services:

  • You must first open a dialog box Run pressing the Windows key + R and writing 'powershell' within the search bar.

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Powershell with administrator access.
  • In User Account Control,click  Yes to grant administrator access.
  • Now that you are inside the elevated PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter to start the process:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-Appxpackage –all users

Wait until the removal process is complete.

Nota: Depending on whether you are using a SSD or an HDD, this operation may take several minutes.

  • Once the process is complete, close the elevated Power Shell window and restart your computer.
  • After the game services are reinstalled, try launching any games to see if you can now play them.

If this problem continues to occur, feel free to try the following method that we will describe right now.

5. Synchronize your date and time

Some players managed to fix this strange behavior where Game Pass would not launch games by changing the date and time.

As a result, you can expect this to be an issue because the Game Pass service ends up checking the system date against the server date and terminates the game's launch if it discovers a mismatch.

If this scenario seems like it could be applicable, you can fix the issue by syncing the date and time from the dedicated Date & Time menu. After doing this, you should be able to launch any game using Game Pass.

Important: After unchecking the box next to the option Set the time automatically, you must manually set the correct date and time.

In case you don't know how to manually sync date and time, here is a guide that will walk you through it:

  • First, press the Windows key + R to open a dialog box
  • Then write 'ms-settings:'inside the text box and press Enter to open the menu  Date and Time.

  • Once you are inside the Settings menu, you must click on the section Date and Time in the menu on the left side.

Nota: Additionally, you can access the same settings by right-clicking the arrow on the right side of the taskbar and then clicking Adjust date and time.

  • Once you're inside Date and Time, click the toggle button next to Set time automatically to disable the option.
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  • Now click on the button Change next to where it says Set the date and time manually. Change the date and time to what it is currently.

  • When you're done with that, try launching any game to see if it now works for you.

In case your Game Pass is still showing the same issues, try the next method below.

6. Remove Game Services via Registry Editor

If the above method did not produce the results you were looking for, you can also try to get rid of the potentially corrupted Gaming Services infrastructure via Registry Editor – only try this if the Powershell method above has failed.

Important: After removing the Game Services via Registry Editor, you need to go to the section Apps and Features and repair the Game Services, as well as the Application installer. This is necessary to regenerate the registry keys you need and just deleted.

Many Windows 10 Game Pass subscribers have used this method to finally get the games they were entitled to after the conventional method failed.

Here are the steps you need to follow to remove Game Services via Registry Editor:

  • Press the Windows key + R to open a dialog Run, then type into the search bar 'regedit' and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Now that you're inside Registry Editor,make sure to remove the following services:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet]

  • After removing both services, you can close the Registry Editor.
  • Now you must press the Windows key + R to open a dialog box Run, then type 'ms-settings:appsfeatures' inside the search bar and press Enter to open Applications and features.
  • Once you're done with that, access the Advanced options de Gaming Services, then click Reset.

  • Now you need to repeat the process with the application installer.
  • After that, you can close the apps and features and try to see if the Game Pass error still occurs.
  • If this error keeps appearing, please refer to the next method below.

7. Enable offline permissions

Another reason you may experience this issue is when Game Pass is unable to launch games while your PC is not connected to the internet. In order to do this, the app needs offline permissions.

Some affected users managed to fix this Game Pass issue by enabling offline permission on their Xbox accounts.

You can do this from your account's App Settings, in the Microsoft Store app. This process is easy to do and will allow you to fix your issue if this scenario is applicable.

Here's how you can enable offline permissions in case you don't know the steps:

  • Opens Microsoft Store and click on their profile, then go to the application settings.
  • Once you are inside the application settings,Click the switch next to Offline Permissions to enable the option.
  • Now that the option is enabled, you should be able to launch games without any issues. Test the games to see if you can now play them.

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