Can't install a game on either the Xbox App or Windows Store

Brendan Smith 15 Reputation points
2025-08-27T02:24:35.39+00:00

Hi!! So yesterday I activated a code for Gears 5 on the Xbox App on my PC. I tried to install it, but was faced with an error with the code 0x00000000, and the install button went from "install" to "content failed to load." I then tried to install on the microsoft store, and was faced with "something went wrong" and an error code of 0x80072F8F.

I have done everything I can find online through videos or forum/reddit posts, and nothing seems to work. I even did a live chat with xbox TWICE to no avail.

Here's what I've done:

  1. Logged out and logged back in
  2. restarted pc (10 times now)
  3. wsreset.exe
  4. reinstalled the xbox app and ms store entirely through powershell
  5. deleted all XBL credentials on my PC in the credential manager
  6. Gaming services repair tool (both in-app and the standalone tool)

I've tried everything, and I'm not sure what else I can possibly do.

I cannot reinstall the game, as I can't even install it to begin with, so it doesn't appear in my Appdata folders either. It's especially frustrating because I can install any other app or game with no issue, even games like Sonic Dash that aren't even available anymore!! It's just Gears 5 that seems to be broken. Does anyone know what else can be done here??

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Windows for home | Windows 11 | Gaming

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  1. Zoama Fatima 5 Reputation points
    2026-11-11T13:15:37.6466667+00:00

    Since Gears 5 installs successfully on another PC using the same account, this seems more like a Windows system issue than a license problem.

    Try these steps:

    Open Settings → Time & Language → Date & Time. Enable automatic time and time zone, then click Sync now.

    Open Windows Terminal as Administrator and run: sfc /scannow

    After it finishes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    Restart your PC.

    Open Microsoft Store, go to Library, and install all pending updates for Gaming Services, Xbox, and Microsoft Store.

    Also check that Windows is fully updated.

    The 0x80072F8F error can be related to system time or secure connection issues, so checking these settings is a good place to start.

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  2. Jack Morgan 75 Reputation points
    2025-11-08T13:55:50.9633333+00:00

    Hey Brendan! That really sounds frustrating. I’ve seen this happen before with certain Game Pass titles. You could try checking your date, time, and region settings in Windows — the 0x80072F8F error sometimes pops up because of a mismatch there.

    Also, make sure all the Windows updates (including optional ones) are installed, and try running the Windows Store troubleshooter from Settings → System → Troubleshoot. It sometimes resets the right permissions automatically.

    Hopefully one of these steps gets Gears 5 to finally install!

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  3. Kimberly Olaño 23,635 Reputation points
    2025-08-28T01:55:35.7466667+00:00

    Okay please try this next advanced steps:

    Run PowerShell as Administrator and paste the following (this wipes and re-registers the Store + Gaming Services + Xbox apps):

    Remove Gaming Services

    get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers

    Reinstall Gaming Services

    start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN

    Re-register Store and Xbox apps

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

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

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

    After running, reboot, then try the install again.

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  4. Kimberly Olaño 23,635 Reputation points
    2025-08-27T05:29:22.85+00:00

    Hello! Brendan. Thanks for reaching out.

    Since you redeemed a code:

    Go to account.microsoft.com/services

    and make sure Gears 5 shows as owned in your library.

    If it’s missing or says “expired,” it’s a license issue, not your PC.

    Best regards,

    Kimberly

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  5. Sharbel Fadul 0 Reputation points
    2025-08-27T04:02:45.3166667+00:00

    Hello Brendan, my name is Sharbel

    When you first launched the game, did you allow it through the Windows Firewall? The game usually asks this right after you open it for the first time. If you didn't, I recommend going into the Windows Firewall settings and manually allowing Gears 5.

    Another thing that could block the installation of the remaining components is your antivirus. If you have one installed, try temporarily disabling it and then resume the installation, or even better, reinstall the game from scratch and see if that solves the problem.

    If none of this works, the issue might be related to your home network. Try setting a different DNS server. Also, if you're using both a modem and a router, connect your PC directly to the modem since some routers have built‑in firewalls that can block downloads or connections depending on how they’re configured.

    Lastly, if possible, try connecting to a completely different network and see if the installation goes through there.

    I hope that helps

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