Gaming Services is corrupted on Xbox for PC: Clean reinstall actually works

If it appears to you that The Gaming Services service is corrupted on Xbox If you're having trouble opening the Xbox app on your PC, you're not alone. This issue often manifests itself with app update failures, black screens with the Xbox logo, and error codes pointing to a service that isn't starting properly.

Below you have a complete guide, based on real cases and practical recommendations, to get the app working again and force the installation of the Essential Xbox components (Gaming Services and dependencies)We explain the most common symptoms, the errors you'll see in Event Viewer, and proven steps to repair your system, the Microsoft Store, and reinstall Gaming Services.

Most common symptoms and error codes

A very typical situation is that when opening the Xbox app a appears black window with the Xbox logo and then the app tries to update; the progress bar reaches 100%, but an update failed message appears along with the error code. 0 x 80070426, and from then on the same thing happens every time you throw it again.

In the Windows Event Viewer it is common to find that the “GamingServices” service ends with the event 7023 indicating “The specified service does not exist as an installed service.” In addition, the event appears 10010 from DCOM with the text “The server {3E8C9ABE-9226-4609-BF5B-60288A391DEE} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.”

If you open “Services” (services.msc), you can see “GamingServicesNet running” while “GamingServices” does not appear to be started. When you try to start it manually, Windows throws the error 1060: The specified service does not exist as an installed service, which reinforces that the component installation has been corrupted or removed.

The “Gaming Services is corrupted” scenario has been observed on computers with Windows 10 Home 22H2 (Build 19045.4170) where everything was working until the Xbox App attempted to update. Even after resetting, repairing, or reinstalling the Xbox App and Gaming Services, the issue may persist if the Store or the service itself remains in an inconsistent state.

Some users have even gone so far as to make a System restore to a previous point, temporarily restoring the Xbox app's functionality. However, after a restart, the problem may reappear because Windows automatically updates Gaming Services in the background, reverting to a version that caused the same crash.

Before you start: quick checks you shouldn't skip

Before moving on to deep repairs to resolve the "Gaming Services is corrupted" issue, restart your PC and avoid opening other applications. You can keep your browser running while following this guide. leave the equipment without additional loads speeds up the process and avoids interference.

• Windows Store Troubleshooter: Start > Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot. Search for “Windows Store Apps” and launch it.
• Gaming Services Repair ToolDownload and run the Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC if available in your region. It usually restores damaged dependencies.
• Check your Game Pass subscription: Check that your Microsoft account is active and has no payment issues; see the New Game Pass price in Spain.
• Update Windows and drivers: Install the latest system and graphics driver updates; Store and Xbox components depend on them.
• Close other pitchers: Steam, Epic Games, etc. could hook services or add overlays that hinder the Xbox app.
• Antivirus- Confirm that your security suite isn't blocking the Xbox App or Microsoft Store; add exclusions if necessary.
• Reset the Xbox app: Settings (Win + I) > Apps > Apps & features > Xbox > Advanced options > Reset.

If after these checks the Xbox app remains the same and the message "Gaming Services is damaged" continues to appear, it is time to apply repairs at the system and Microsoft Store level, and finish with the explicit reinstallation of Gaming Services.

Step-by-step solution: repair system, restore the Store and reinstall Gaming Services

To troubleshoot the situation where Gaming Services is corrupted, you can try one of the following methods:

Method 1. System Check and Repair

First, we'll verify and repair the Windows image and protected files. This phase corrects component corruption that may prevent Gaming Services and the Xbox App are installed or updated correctly.

1. Open the Start menu, type “CMD.” In “Command Prompt,” right-click > “Run as administrator.” You need elevated privileges.
2. Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter at the end of each line:
   • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   • Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
   • sfc /scannow

DISM commands repair the Windows image and clean up cached components; SFC checks and repairs system files. Depending on the computer and connection, it may take a while. Wait for them to finish 100% without closing the window.

Method 2. Repair the Microsoft Store and reinstall app packages

The Microsoft Store provides the Xbox app and its dependencies. If the Store is corrupted, the app may get stuck in an update loop or install incompletely. Forcing a cache cleanup and re-registering packages can be very effective in the case of a “Gaming Services is corrupted” situation:

1. Press Win + R, type wsreset and execute. Repeat this action three times in a row. This clears the Store cache.
2. Open the Start menu, type “PowerShell.” In “Windows PowerShell,” right-click > “Run as administrator.”
3. Run the following command (all on one line) to re-register apps for all users:PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Don't close PowerShell when finishing this method, because we'll use it right after to remove and reinstall Gaming Services. Maintaining the same administrative session helps avoid permission lockouts.

Method 3. Completely remove Gaming Services and force install it from the Store

If the "GamingServices" service doesn't exist or isn't running (error 1060), it's a good idea to remove any traces and run the installation directly from the Store. This restores the service keys and binaries for the Xbox app component. needs to function.

1. In the same PowerShell window with administrator permissions, run these commands one by one:
   • 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
   • start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN
2. When the Microsoft Store opens on the Gaming Services page, click "Install." Wait for the installation to complete without closing anything.

After completion, restart your computer and test the Xbox App again. If all went well, the “GamingServices” service should exist and be started, and the error code 0x80070426 disappear. Also check in “Services” that “GamingServicesNet” is still running.

Event Viewer messages to guide you

If after the previous steps you still see event 7023 (“The specified service does not exist as an installed service”), it means the installation failed to register the service. This suggests repeating method 3, making sure that PowerShell has privileges and that the Store downloads without interruptions.

DCOM event 10010 (“failed to register within timeout”) usually disappears when Gaming Services is successfully installed. If it persists, it's a good idea to run it again. wsreset and app re-registration from method 2, and then reinstall Gaming Services from its page in the Store.

If it is fixed and breaks again on reboot

There are cases where a System Restore or clean reinstall leaves the app working, but after a restart the automatic update of Gaming Services triggers the problem again. In that case, repeat method 3 and, for a few days, monitor the app after restarts with the Xbox Insider Program in case any update reinstalls a conflicting version.

If the fault reappears after a few hours without you making any changes, note the exact time and go to the Event Viewer to confirm if it matches a Gaming Services updateThis hint helps you determine whether the source is the version pushed by the Store and not another system component.

Gaming Services is corrupted: Additional recommendations

Finally, here are some tips that can help us find a solution to this "Gaming Services is damaged" problem:

• Run the Windows Store Troubleshooter after reinstalling Gaming Services, to ensure that there are no licensing or caching issues that could affect future downloads.
• If the Microsoft Store displays the message "something is wrong on our part", is a sign that your service is temporarily down or your cache has not yet been completely cleared. Repeat wsreset, sign out of the Store and sign back in with your Microsoft account.
• Check that your Game Pass subscription is active and there are no billing issues, as the app sometimes limits functions when it detects account issues.
• Close third-party overlays and launchers while testing (Steam, Epic, Discord Overlay, etc.) Some overlays inject hooks into DirectX or the window, causing conflicts with the Xbox app.
• Check that your antivirus or firewall is not blocking connections to the Xbox app or the StoreIf you're suspicious, add temporary exclusions for Xbox, Gaming Services, and the Microsoft Store while you make the repairs.
• If the app still won't open after all of the above, reinstall the Xbox App from the Store After successfully reinstalling Gaming Services. Recommended order: repair system, clean Store, reinstall Gaming Services, and finally, reinstall Xbox.

When to ask for extra help

If the Xbox app is still stuck after all three methods and previous checks, collect screenshots of the errors (including 0x80070426 and events 7023/10010), note the exact Windows version (e.g., Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.4170) and the behavior of the “GamingServices/GamingServicesNet” services. With this information, support can escalate your case more quickly.

It also helps to generate a report from the Microsoft Store (from the app, in your profile, history and settings), since sometimes a bad download queue prevents install critical dependencies even if everything seems to be correct.

With this set of steps—system check, Store cleanup, and explicit reinstallation of Gaming Services—you should be able to get the Xbox app back to normal and forget about the "Gaming Services is corrupted" issue. If you've tried everything and the issue persists, please provide screenshots and logs to support so they can resolve the issue. validate your specific case and prevent it from becoming a dead-end loop.

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Daniel Terrasa

Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.