Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
VGSOURCES
Get listed

Gaming ServicesPATCH 2026.09.13

How to Fix the “Xbox needs an update” Issue in the Windows 11 Xbox App

By VGSources Team 4 min read

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

If the Xbox app keeps saying “Xbox needs an update” after you update the app, update Windows and the Microsoft Store first, then repair or reinstall Gaming Services. The warning is often caused by an out-of-sync dependency rather than the Xbox app itself.

1. Install every pending Windows 11 update

  1. Open Start → Settings → Windows Update.
  2. Select Check for updates.
  3. Install everything available.
  4. Restart the PC if Windows installs an update or says a restart is required.

A pending restart can prevent Xbox-related packages from registering correctly. For Microsoft’s Windows Update guidance, see Microsoft’s Windows Update FAQ.

When the Xbox app requests an update repeatedly, Outbyte PC Repair can scan Windows components and settings for related problems.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

2. Update Xbox, Gaming Services, and Microsoft Store

Updating Xbox alone may not clear the warning because the Xbox app relies on Gaming Services and Microsoft Store components.

  1. Open Microsoft Store.
  2. Select Library in the left navigation.
  3. Select Get updates.
  4. Install updates for Xbox, Gaming Services, and Microsoft Store if they appear.

Simply reopening or restarting the Xbox app does not force a pending Microsoft Store package to update. If the Store cannot download anything, select the profile icon in the upper-right corner and sign in with the Microsoft account used for your Xbox PC installation and subscriptions.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Shock Blue | Textured triggers and bumpers, Hybrid D-pad, XBOX Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C, Play across Console & PC & Cloud Devices
  • 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.

3. Repair the Xbox app

  1. Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  2. Find Xbox.
  3. Select the three-dot button (…) → Advanced options.
  4. Select Repair.

Repair attempts to fix the app without deleting its local data. Open Xbox again and check whether the update message has disappeared.

Windows 11 uses the label Installed apps. Guides that say Apps & features are using older Windows 10 terminology. See Microsoft’s app repair instructions.

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.

4. Repair Gaming Services and Microsoft Store

If Xbox updates successfully but continues to show the same message, repair its supporting packages too.

Rank #2
Sale
Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Deep Pink | Textured triggers and bumpers, Hybrid D-pad, XBOX Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C, Play across Console & PC & Cloud Devices
  • 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.

Gaming Services

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  2. Find Gaming Services.
  3. Select … → Advanced options → Repair.

Microsoft Store

  1. Return to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  2. Find Microsoft Store.
  3. Select … → Advanced options → Repair.

Restart Windows, then repeat Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates.

5. Reset the affected apps

If repair does not work, use Reset from the same Advanced options screen. Reset Xbox, Gaming Services, or Microsoft Store only after trying Repair.

Resetting removes an app’s local data. You will need to sign in to Xbox again, and any locally stored app state may be removed. After resetting, restart Windows and check the Store library for updates.

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 | Textured triggers and bumpers, Hybrid D-pad, XBOX Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C, Play across Console & PC & Cloud Devices
  • 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.

6. Clear the Microsoft Store cache

  1. Press Win + R.
  2. Enter wsreset.exe.
  3. Select OK.

A blank Command Prompt window may remain open for approximately 10–30 seconds. Microsoft Store should open automatically afterward. Then select Library → Get updates.

wsreset.exe clears the Microsoft Store cache; it does not directly update or reinstall Xbox or Gaming Services. Microsoft’s Store troubleshooting guidance is available here.

7. Reinstall Gaming Services

Use this step when Xbox is current but the update prompt returns, Gaming Services is missing, or repair and reset have failed.

Rank #4
Sale
Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller | Ice Breaker Special Edition | Textured triggers and bumpers, Hybrid D-pad, XBOX Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C, Play across Console & PC & Cloud Devices
  • 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 Windows PowerShell or Terminal as administrator. Search for it in Start, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run this command exactly:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.GamingServices | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

The command removes Gaming Services; it does not reinstall it. Access-denied or deployment errors usually mean the terminal was not opened with administrator rights.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  1. Restart Windows after the command finishes.
  2. Open an administrator or regular Terminal window and run:
start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN
  1. On the Gaming Services Microsoft Store page, select Get or Install.
  2. Restart Windows again before opening Xbox.

The button can differ depending on whether Gaming Services is already associated with your Microsoft account or still registered as installed. Microsoft documents this procedure in its Gaming Services installation troubleshooting guide.

If PowerShell returns no package, Gaming Services may already be absent for the relevant user. Continue to the Microsoft Store installation step.

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

What to do when the error persists

Xbox updates, but the message remains

Do not reinstall only Xbox repeatedly. Repair or reset Gaming Services, update it through the Store, and use the reinstall procedure above if necessary.

Microsoft Store shows no updates

Open the Store directly, verify that it is signed in, run wsreset.exe, restart Windows, and return to Library → Get updates.

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

The Store product page has no Install button

The Store may be signed out, Gaming Services may already be installed, or Store registration may be damaged. Check the Store library, repair or reset Microsoft Store, and then open the Gaming Services page again.

The PowerShell command appears to do nothing

Gaming Services may not be installed for the current user, or the package may already be absent. Proceed to the Store URI installation step rather than repeatedly running the removal command.

The prompt returns after reinstalling Gaming Services

Restart Windows before reopening Xbox. Package registration and service startup may not complete until after a reboot. Then run Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates once more.

Windows 10 is a separate issue

This guide is for the Windows 11 Xbox app. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. If the PC is actually running Windows 10 and displays an end-of-support notification, that is an operating-system support issue—not the same thing as the Windows 11 Xbox update warning. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 notification guidance.

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

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.

Gaming ServicesMicrosoft StoretroubleshootingWindows 11Xbox

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.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

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.