DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
VGSources
Gaming Services

How to Fix Microsoft Store or Xbox Error Code 0x80073CF6 on Windows 10 and 11

Error 0x80073CF6 is a Windows package-registration failure, not an Xbox-only diagnosis. Follow this Windows 10/11 guide to repair Store, Xbox, Gaming Services, and the affected game.

By VGSources Team 6 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Error 0x80073CF6 means Windows could not register an AppX/MSIX package. The failed package might be Microsoft Store, Xbox, Gaming Services, Game Bar, a framework dependency, or one game. On a Windows 10 or 11 PC, work through the fixes below in order; the package name and secondary error in Event Viewer usually determine the final fix. These commands do not apply to an Xbox console.

What 0x80073CF6 means

Microsoft defines 0x80073CF6 as ERROR_INSTALL_REGISTRATION_FAILURE: a package could not be registered during installation or update. The code is generic, so it does not prove that Gaming Services is the problem. Microsoft recommends checking AppX deployment logs for the underlying package and error details (Microsoft AppX deployment troubleshooting).

You may see it while an Xbox PC download is finalizing at 99% or 100%, but registration can fail at other points too. A console does not use Windows AppX commands; Xbox-console users should use console restart, update, account, and Xbox Support procedures instead.

Before changing anything

  • Confirm whether every Store/Xbox app fails or only one game.
  • Note the Microsoft account signed into Microsoft Store and the Xbox app. The Store account should own the game or subscription.
  • Check Windows date, time, time zone, region, available storage, installation drive, and the game’s hardware requirements.
  • Check family controls, regional availability, payment problems, or account/Xbox suspensions if the issue is entitlement or purchase-related. Microsoft lists these as possible Store availability or buying issues (availability guidance; buying troubleshooting).

Try the low-risk fixes first

1. Restart Windows

Restart once before troubleshooting further. A reboot can finish a pending update and release a package, service, or file still in use. It is not a guaranteed repair, but it is safe and quick.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Shock Blue
  • MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
  • PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
  • SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
  • VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
  • BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.

2. Install Windows updates

  1. In Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  2. In Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  3. Install everything offered, restart, and test the Store or Xbox app again.

Microsoft places Windows updating among its first remedies for Store-app failures (Microsoft Store app fixes).

3. Update Store, Xbox, and related components

  1. Open Microsoft Store > Library.
  2. Select Get updates or Check for updates.
  3. Install updates for Microsoft Store, Xbox, Gaming Services, Xbox Identity Provider, Game Bar, and any related component listed.

Store apps normally update automatically, but Microsoft documents a manual library check (Store update instructions). Microsoft also recommends updating the Xbox app when its transaction process requires a newer build (transaction-error guidance).

4. Verify the accounts

Sign out and back in to both Microsoft Store and Xbox using the intended Microsoft/Xbox account. A mismatch can make a title appear unavailable even when the installation machinery is working.

5. Reset the Store cache

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. Enter wsreset.exe and select OK.
  3. Wait while the blank Command Prompt window runs. Microsoft says it can remain visible for roughly 10 seconds before Store opens automatically.
  4. Retry the installation.

This clears Store cache data; it does not repair every Xbox or Gaming Services component. If nothing opens, restart and try again, then use the app Repair/Reset controls below. Avoid manually deleting Store package folders.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
Sale
Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Deep Pink
  • MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
  • PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
  • SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
  • VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
  • BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.

Repair or reset Store, Xbox, Gaming Services, or the game

  1. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. On Windows 10, use Apps > Apps & features.
  2. Find Microsoft Store, Xbox, Gaming Services, or the affected title.
  3. Open its More options menu, choose Advanced options, and select Repair.
  4. Restart and test. If Repair fails, return to the same page and choose Reset.

Repair attempts to fix the app without removing stored data. Reset is more aggressive and can remove settings, cached data, or sign-in state. Check the game’s installation and save-data behavior before resetting; resetting an app does not necessarily remove a separate game installation, but you should verify first. Microsoft documents these controls for Store-installed apps (Repair and Reset guidance). Do not reset every Xbox-related package indiscriminately.

Repair Gaming Services when Xbox games fail

Use this branch when Xbox cannot install or update games, a Game Pass download fails at the end, Xbox asks to install Gaming Services, or the Xbox app itself will not update.

Use the Xbox app’s repair tool first

If your current Xbox PC app displays a Gaming Services Repair Tool, run it and follow its prompts. Menu names and locations vary by app build, so use the label shown in your installation rather than an older fixed path. Restart Windows afterward.

PowerShell fallback

A Microsoft Q&A moderator recommended the following sequence for a 2026 Xbox PC case involving this code (case details):

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Electric Volt
  • MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
  • PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
  • SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
  • VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
  • BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
  1. Open PowerShell as administrator.
  2. Run:
get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
  1. Then run:
start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN
  1. Install Gaming Services from the Store page that opens.
  2. Restart Windows, open Xbox, and retry.

The removal command affects Gaming Services for all Windows users on the PC and requires elevation. Verify the package name before running it. Reinstalling Gaming Services can help when that package is damaged, but it is not a universal fix for every registration failure.

Do not use registry or service-key deletion instructions from old forum posts as a normal solution. Microsoft’s older workaround addresses different codes, 0x80073D26 and 0x8007139F, on a 2021 Windows 10 issue (historical KB).

If only one game fails

  • Remove that title through Xbox or Windows Settings, restart, and reinstall it.
  • Check free space and the selected installation drive.
  • Confirm the title is compatible with your Windows edition, hardware, region, and account entitlement.
  • Install a small, unrelated Store app or game as a test.

If Store, Xbox, and other games work, the problem is more likely the title’s package, dependency, installation record, or drive than a system-wide Store failure. Preserve the exact package name and Event Viewer error before contacting the publisher or Xbox Support.

Repair Windows component and system files

Use these commands after app-level repairs, particularly when multiple built-in apps fail. They address Windows component integrity; Microsoft Q&A guidance recommends the order below, but neither command is a code-specific guaranteed cure (Q&A troubleshooting case).

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Sale
Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Ice Breaker Special Edition
  • BREAKER SERIES — Hold nothing back. Ice Breaker keeps it forever fresh with a mix of iced and frosted blues. Part of the collective debut of the Breaker special edition series.
  • BOLD STYLE, BUILT TO PERFORM — Define your swagger with a wild, head-turning design. Stay elegantly on target with textured triggers built for every moment.
  • RUBBERIZED GRIPS — Hold on to the action with rubberized grips on the back cases, designed for comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
  • UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can keep playing without stopping to recharge.
  • PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  1. When DISM completes, run:
sfc /scannow
  1. Restart Windows and test again.

Find the package and secondary error

Stop retrying blindly if the failure persists. The deployment log often identifies the component that the generic code does not.

  1. Open Event Viewer from Start search.
  2. Go to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > AppXDeployment-Server > Operational.
  3. Find an event timestamped when the installation failed.
  4. Record the package name, full HRESULT, secondary error, and any file, dependency, service, path, or user profile mentioned.
  5. Also inspect AppxPackagingOM > Microsoft-Windows-AppxPackaging/Operational.

In PowerShell, Get-AppxLog displays recent deployment events. Get-AppxLog | Out-GridView provides a separate interactive view when Out-GridView is available. Microsoft documents these diagnostic routes at AppX deployment troubleshooting.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Advanced recovery

Test a new Windows profile

If unrelated Store apps fail only in your account, create a temporary local Windows user and test there. A profile-specific registration or permission problem points to the original account rather than the whole operating system.

Use an in-place repair upgrade

If multiple built-in apps show AppX registration failures after DISM/SFC and profile testing, an in-place Windows repair upgrade can restore Windows components while preserving personal files and installed applications when performed correctly. Follow Microsoft’s current Windows recovery instructions and back up important data first.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
GameSir G7 Pro Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Wireless Gamepad for PC&Android with TMR Sticks, Hall Effect Analog Triggers, 1000Hz Polling Rate, 3.5mm Audio Jack - Black
  • Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
  • TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
  • Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
  • 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
  • GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.

Reserve Reset this PC for last

Reset this PC is a final recovery option, not a first fix. Carefully distinguish Keep my files from a full drive wipe, and make a backup before proceeding.

When to contact support

Contact Microsoft, Xbox Support, or the game’s publisher with:

  • The exact 0x80073CF6 code and any secondary HRESULT.
  • The package or app name from Event Viewer.
  • Your Windows version/build and Xbox app version, if visible.
  • Whether every Store app fails or only one title.
  • Whether Gaming Services can be removed and reinstalled successfully.
  • The affected drive, available storage, and the time of the latest failed attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will wsreset.exe delete my installed games?

It resets Microsoft Store cache; it is not an uninstall command for your games. Store and Xbox app sign-in or cached state can still require repair afterward.

Why can a download fail at 100%?

The download may be complete while Windows fails during package registration or finalization. Check AppXDeployment-Server logs instead of assuming the network is at fault.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Is it safe to use a third-party Store repair script?

Avoid unofficial scripts and registry cleaners. Prefer Windows Settings, Microsoft Store, Microsoft documentation, and clearly attributed Microsoft Q&A commands.

The Bottom Line

On Windows 10/11, treat 0x80073CF6 as a generic AppX package-registration failure: update and reset the Store stack first, repair Gaming Services when Xbox is involved, then use DISM/SFC and Event Viewer to identify the failing package. Escalate to a new profile or Windows repair only after those steps.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Patch Notes

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.