Game Bar Not Opening? Here’s how to fix it

XBOX Game Bar is a handy little feature that allows you to capture the screen, control sound on the system, and record or stream your gameplay with a push of a button. The default button to enable Game Bar is Windows + G.

If the Game Bar is disabled from Windows settings, it may not open. However, it is not the only reason Game Bar does not open. Anything from a PC failing to run the right services to corrupted system files could halt the Game Bar process from running.

To fix this, you first need to make sure that Game Bar is enabled from Windows settings. If it is enabled and you still cannot open the Game Bar overlay, you might need to perform some advanced fixes.

Why is My XBOX Game Bar Not Opening?

Windows + G automatically opens the XBOX game bar overlay. Even if you have disabled the setting, the overlay will automatically start. However, if the application is not installed in the application package itself, Game Bar will not run.

Game Bar Not Opening? Here’s How to Fix It

Before we jump into the fixes, make sure that the version of Windows you are running is Windows 10 or newer. Windows 8.1 or lower does not support XBOX Game Bar. If you are on a Windows version 10 or greater but cannot open the game bar, try enabling it from Windows Settings.

Enable Game Bar

First, let us make sure that you have enabled the game bar. As previously discussed, the shortcut key will automatically start the game bar, even if you have a disabled game bar. However, there are cases where disabling it will not open the game bar.

Therefore, first, let’s check whether your game bar is enabled.

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Go to Gaming.
3. Select XBOX Game Bar.
   
4. Enable Open XBOX Game Bar using this button on a controller.
   
5. Press Windows + G or the X button on your XBOX controller to open XBOX Game Bar

Start XBOX Services

Several XBOX services must run when you open the Game Bar. If the XBOX-related Service’s startup type is manual, it may not run automatically when you try to run Game Bar. You need to set these service startup types to automatic.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open Services.
   
3. Scroll down and select XBOX Accessory Management Service.
   
4. Set the Startup type to automatic. Also, if the service is not running, click on Start to ensure that the service is running.
   
5. Click on Apply and then OK.

Once you enable this Service, set the startup type to automatic and the Service status to running on the following services as well.

• XBOX Live Auth Manager
• XBOX Live Game Save
• XBOX Live Networking Service

Repair/Reset XBOX and XBOX Game Bar

Most pre-installed applications on Windows come with a feature to repair. The repair function scans for possible errors and bugs in the application and fixes any issues found. The same is the case for XBOX Game Bar and XBOX. 

If the application is not functioning correctly, you can repair or even reset it. Repairing the application will not affect the app data, which means it won’t delete any saved information. However, resetting will set the application to its default state, and the system will reset any saved settings, configuration, and application data.

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
   
3. Click on the three horizontal dots on XBOX Game Bar and click on Advanced Options.
   
4. Scroll down to Reset and select Repair. The repair process may take a few minutes.
   
5. Once done, press Windows + G to open the XBOX Game Bar overlay.
6. If that does not work, under Repair, click on Reset. Wait for the reset process to complete.
   
7. Now, try opening XBOX Game Bar.

Manage Background Permission

Background permission on any application manages whether the app runs in the background. If the settings are configured for the application not to run in the background, the shortcut key may not open the Game Bar.

To fix this, you will need to manage background permission.

1. Open Settings.
2. Then, Navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
   
3. Click on the three horizontal dots on XBOX Game Bar and click on Advanced Options.
   
4. Under Background apps and permissions, make sure that the drop-down menu is either selected to Power optimized or Always.
   

Enable Game Bar from Application Package

Sometimes, just enabling Game Bar from Windows Settings may not work. This can happen if XBOX Game Bar is disabled from the application package. When disabled from the application package, the game bar will not open even when you press the shortcut key.

If that’s the case for you, you will need to enter a command that will enable the game bar from Powershell.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
2. Type powershell and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open PowerShell as Administrator.
   
3. Now type the following Command. Press Enter after each command.
   • Get-AppxPackage -allusers *Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
     
   • Get-AppxPackage -allusers *Xbox* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
     
4. Restart the PC once you run both commands.

The first command re-installs Game Bar, and the second command re-installs XBOX apps and services.

Clean Boot Your PC

Another reason XBOX Game Bar fails to run can be due to conflicts between Services from an application and XBOX services. These conflicts could be complications in resource usage or memory issues. No matter the reasons, you will need to end this Service to run XBOX Game Bar.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System configuration.
   
3. Go to the Services tab.
4. Check Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all.
   
5. Click on Apply and then OK.
6. Restart your PC and see if you can run the XBOX game bar.

Change Registry Value

In the registry, you will find a particular value named Game DVR. Game DVR is responsible for recording video in the background while you are gaming. If a specific D-word value in Game DVR is disabled, XBOX Game Bar may not record your screens.

To fix this, you need to change the value from the registry editor. However, changing registry values can be risky as changing wrong values can cause the entire system to malfunction. Therefore, make sure that you backup the registry before making any changes to the registry.

1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/GameDVR
4. Now on the right panel, double-click on AppCaptureEnabled.
5. Set Value data to 1.
   
6. Now, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore.
7. On the right panel, double-click on GameDVR_Enabled.
   
8. Set Value Data to 1.
9. Now, restart your PC and check if the Game Bar works