How to Fix Gaming Services Install Error 0x80073D26

You may encounter the Gaming Services install error 0x80073D26 due to conflicting applications (like EVGA Precision) and corrupt registry values of Gaming Services. Moreover, outdated or corrupt Windows of your system may also cause the issue at hand.

The issue arises when a user tries to install a Game on the Microsoft Store but encounter the following error:

Something unexpected happened…

Code: 0x80073D26

You can fix error 0x80073D26 by editing the relevant registry values or use the PowerShell cmdlets, but before that make sure to create a system restore point (just in case…). Also, check if downloading the Gaming Services from the Windows Store (not from the Xbox website) solves the problem.

Update The System’s Windows to the Latest Built

Gaming Services install error 0x80073D26 occurs if the Windows of your system is outdated and updating the Windows to the latest release may solve the Gaming Services issue.

1. Click Windows, key in Check for Updates, and open the result of Check for Updates.
2. Now, in the Update window, click on Check for Updates, and if updates are available, download and install the updates (optional updates as well).

   

3. Once the system’s OS is updated, check if the Gaming Services issue is resolved.

If the issue started after an update (and no other update is available), check if removing the conflicting update solves the Gaming Services issue.

Clean Boot Your PC

The Xbox Gaming Services may fail to install if an application on your system is interfering with the related OS modules. In this context, clean booting your PC may solve the Gaming Services issue.

1. Clean boot your PC and check if the Gaming Services issue is resolved.
2. If so, then remove the conflicting application causing the issue (you may enable back the disabled services/processes one by one till the problematic one is found).

Following applications/utilities are reported to cause the install error of Gaming Services (if you have any of these applications, make sure to disable at the system start or uninstall it):

Reset Microsoft Store to the Defaults

The Gaming Services issue might fail to install if the installation of the Microsoft Store is corrupt. In this case, resetting the Microsoft Store to the defaults may solve the problem.

1. Click Windows, key in WSReset, right-click on WSReset, and select Run as Administrator.

   

2. Now, wait till the process is complete and then check if the Gaming Services issue is resolved.

Perform an In-Place Upgrade of the System’s Windows

The corrupt and outdated Windows installation of your system may cause the install error 0x80073D26 of Gaming Services and performing an in-place upgrade of the system’s Windows may solve the problem.

1. Launch the web browser of your system and head to the download page of Windows 10 of Microsoft’s website.
2. Now click on the Update Now button for the latest Update Assistant (currently Windows 10 May 2021 Update) and once downloaded, launch it as administrator.

   

3. Then follow the prompts on your screen to update the system and once updated, check if it is clear of the error 0x80073D26.
4. If not, navigate to the Windows 10 download page and click on Download Tool Now (under Create Windows 10 Installation Media).

   

5. Once downloaded, launch it as administrator and select Upgrade This PC Now.

   

6. Now follow the prompts but during the process, when asked to, make sure to choose to Keep Windows, Personal Files, and Apps.

   

7. Once the upgrade process is completed, check if the Xbox Gaming Services issue is resolved.

Edit the System’s Registry

You may encounter the install error of the Gaming services of Xbox if the relevant registry entries are not properly configured or corrupt. In this context, properly configuring the Registry entries or deleting the corrupt Registry entries may solve the problem. Before moving on, make sure to perform a backup of the system’s Registry.

Warning:

Advance with utmost care and at your own risk as editing the system’s registry is a skillful task and if not done properly, you may cause everlasting damage to your system/data.

Delete the GamingServices and GamingServicesNet Registry Keys

1. Click Windows, key in Registry Editor, right-click on its result, and select Run as Administrator.

   

2. Now navigate to the following path (copy-paste it in the Registry Editor’s address bar):

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

3. Then in the left pane, right-click on GamingServices and select Delete.
4. Now confirm to delete the key and repeat the same to delete the GamingServicesNet key.

   

5. Then close the editor and restart your system.
6. Upon restart, launch the Microsoft Store and click on the 3 horizontal ellipses.
7. Then select Downloads and Updates and afterward, click on Get Updates.

   

8. Once updates are installed, reboot your PC and upon reboot, again check for updates of Microsoft Store (repeat steps 6 to 7).

   

9. Now reboot your PC and upon reboot, check if the Gaming Services install error is cleared.
10. If that did not do the trick, then check if launching the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store (not the shortcut) solves the issue.

Delete the Software Distribution Folder

1. Delete the Gaming Services and GamingServiceNet registry keys as discussed above (if present).
2. Then click on Windows, key in Command Prompt, right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator.

   

3. Then execute the following:

   net stop wuauserv
   
   net stop bits

   

4. Now right-click on Windows and open Run.

   

5. Then navigate to the following:

   \Windows\SoftwareDistribution

   

6. Now backup the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder to a safe place and then delete all the contents of the folder.

   

7. Now execute the following in an elevated Command Prompt:

   net start wuauserv
   
   net start bits

8. Then reboot your PC and upon reboot, launch the Microsoft Store and click on the 3 horizontal ellipses.
9. Then select Downloads and Updates and afterward, click on Get Updates.
10. Once updates are installed, reboot your PC and upon reboot, check if the Xbox Gaming Services issue is resolved.

Delete the Gaming Services Folders in the WindowsApps Directory

1. Right-click Windows and open Apps & Features.
2. Then select Gaming Services and open its Advanced Options.

   

3. Now click on Reset and then confirm to reset the Gaming Services.

   

4. Then right-click Windows and open Run.
5. Now navigate to the following path:

   \Program Files

   

6. Then take ownership of the WindowsApps directory and delete the 2 Gaming Services folders.

   

7. Now open the Registry Editor as administrator and delete the following Registry keys:

   HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Classes\Local Settings\MrtCache\C:%5CProgram Files%5CWindowsApps%5CMicrosoft.GamingServices_2.45.11001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe%5Cresources.pri
   
   HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Classes\Local Settings\MrtCache\C:%5CProgram Files%5CWindowsApps%5CMicrosoft.Gamingservices_2.45.11001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe%5Cresources.pri\1d6937194966bce
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet

   

8. Then restart the PC after closing the editor and upon restart, navigate to the following address in a web browser:

   https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/9MWPM2CQNLHN?hl=en-us&gl=US

9. Now click on the Get button and in the dialogue-box shown, select Open Microsoft Store.

   

10. Then install the Gaming Services and check if these services are clear of the error 0x80073D26.

Use the PowerShell to Reinstall the Gaming Services

If nothing has worked for you, then you can use the PowerShell cmdlets to install the Gaming Services to get rid of the error 0x80073D26. But before moving forward, if you still have not created a system restore point. make sure to create one.

1. Right-click Windows and open PowerShell (Admin).
2. Now execute the following (one by one):

   Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | remove-appxpackage -allusers
   
   Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices" -recurse
   
   Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet" -recurse

3. Then reboot your PC and upon reboot, execute the following in the PowerShell (Admin):

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

   

4. Now Microsoft Store will launch with the Gaming Services page, once launched, install the Gaming Services to check if the services are clear of the error 0x80073D26.

   

If the issue persists, then uninstall the Gaming Services by using the PowerShell commands as discussed above, delete the related registry keys (mentioned above), reboot your PC, and then install the Gaming Services to check if it is clear of the error 0x80073D26.

If the issue is still there, you may have to reset your PC to defaults (by choosing to keep Windows Settings, personal files, and apps) or perform a clean Windows installation.