Fix MSFS Gaming Services not loading, Store redirects and launch failures with safe Windows repair, reset, account and reinstall steps.
On Windows PC, fix Microsoft Flight Simulator Gaming Services loading failures by updating Windows, Microsoft Store, the Xbox app and Gaming Services, then repair or reset Gaming Services and restart. If MSFS still redirects to the Store or will not launch, reinstall Gaming Services—not the simulator—and verify the Store account owns the licence.
These instructions apply to MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 on Windows. Microsoft Store, Xbox app and Game Pass installations are affected most directly. Steam installations still use Xbox identity services, but their simulator files must be managed through Steam. Console editions do not expose the Windows Gaming Services package.
Why does Gaming Services stop MSFS from loading?
Gaming Services usually blocks MSFS because its Windows app package is missing, outdated, damaged or registered incorrectly. Account entitlement problems can produce similar symptoms, particularly after changing Microsoft accounts or renewing Game Pass.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Best first action |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store opens at Gaming Services | Package missing or registration damaged | Update, repair, then reinstall Gaming Services |
| Gaming Services repeatedly asks to install | Store cache or package registration failure | Reset the Store cache and reinstall the package |
| Xbox sign-in button does nothing | Xbox app or identity component problem | Use our focused Xbox sign-in repair sequence |
| Error 0x80070005 appears | Permissions or security software blocking access | Follow our permission-error checks for 0x80070005 |
| MSFS reaches its main menu but a flight will not load | Usually not Gaming Services | Check add-ons, content and simulator files instead |
How do I repair Gaming Services for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Repair Gaming Services in stages, testing after each restart so you do not reinstall the simulator unnecessarily.
- Restart Windows cleanly. Close MSFS, the Xbox app and Microsoft Store, then use Restart rather than Shut down. This clears suspended Gaming Services and Store processes.
- Install all pending updates. Run Windows Update, including any required restart. In Microsoft Store, open Library and install available updates for Gaming Services and the Xbox app.
- Check the account entitlement. Microsoft Store must be signed into the account that owns MSFS or the applicable Game Pass subscription. The Xbox app should show the intended gaming profile. Those accounts can differ in some sharing arrangements, but an unexpected mismatch is a common cause of licence and authentication failures.
- Repair Gaming Services. Open Windows Settings, select Apps and find Gaming Services under Installed apps. Open its advanced options and choose Repair. If that changes nothing, choose Reset. Windows 10 may label the main page Apps & features. Resetting Gaming Services does not remove the large MSFS content packages.
- Clear the Store cache. Press Windows key and R, run
wsreset.exe, and wait for Microsoft Store to reopen. Confirm the correct Store account is still signed in. - Reinstall Gaming Services if repair fails. Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as administrator. Run
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.GamingServices | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers, followed byStart-Process 'ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN'. Install Gaming Services from the Store page that opens, then restart Windows. If the first command returns no package, continue with the second command. - Launch everything at normal privilege. Do not run MSFS as administrator while the Xbox app runs normally, or vice versa. For a Store or Game Pass copy, open the Xbox app first and launch the simulator from its library. Launch a Steam copy through Steam.
What if Microsoft Store keeps opening instead of MSFS?
A Store redirect means Windows still considers Gaming Services absent, incomplete or incorrectly registered. Allow any Gaming Services installation to finish, restart Windows, then confirm the package appears under Installed apps before launching MSFS again.
If the Store shows Gaming Services as installed but MSFS still redirects there, repeat the reset and PowerShell reinstall once. Do not keep pressing Install or reinstall the simulator repeatedly; neither action fixes a stale package registration. If the Store instead asks you to buy MSFS, recheck the licence-owning Microsoft account and Game Pass status.
What if MSFS stalls at Waiting for Authentication?
Once Gaming Services loads, a stall at Waiting for Authentication points to Xbox credentials, clock synchronisation or network filtering rather than the simulator files. Use our authentication checks for account mismatches and Xbox components rather than reinstalling Gaming Services again.
Also set the Windows date, time and time zone automatically. An incorrect system clock can invalidate Microsoft account tokens even when ordinary web access works.
Should I reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator?
No—reinstalling MSFS should be the last step because Gaming Services is a separate Windows package. A full simulator reinstall often leaves the same broken service or account problem untouched.
Only consider reinstalling after Gaming Services opens correctly, Microsoft Store recognises the licence, authentication succeeds and your platform's file verification or repair option has failed. If MSFS then hangs later in the start-up sequence, use our broader MSFS start-up checks for add-ons, cache and damaged files.