How to Fix ‘Installation Stopped’ Error on Xbox Series X/S

The ‘Installation stopped’ error frequently appears when some Xbox Series S/X users attempt to install a game from a disc, and the installation stops abruptly. This is most likely caused by a console trying to download an update for a game that is still installed. 

This issue is most commonly caused by badly cached saved game data or by a glitch affecting the download queue. However, it’s also possible to experience this issue if you’re dealing with a network issue (caused by a bad DNS range or by your router).

Here’s a list of methods that other Xbox gamers have successfully used to get past the ‘Installation stopped’ error:

1. Clear the local saved games and reinstall the game

Since the “installation stopped” error is probably a result of improperly cached stored game data, deleting all of the locally saved data that your Xbox console retains is a good place to start when troubleshooting.

You need to go to My Library, choose Manage Saves, and then delete any saved files on your console.

IMPORTANT: Before completing the actions outlined below, ensure you have uploaded your local saves to the cloud.

To delete locally saved data from your Xbox console, follow these steps:

1. After hitting the Xbox button on your controller, go to the My games & applications menu.
2. After that, select the See all tab under My games & programs.
3. Start cycling through your games in the My games & apps section, highlighting the one that refuses to install or update.

   

4. After that, click More options to open a small menu.
5. Scroll down and select the Manage game & add-ons section.
6. To delete any locally saved data, choose to Delete everything from the Saved data section of the left-side menu.
7. When prompted for confirmation, choose Yes to confirm.

   

8. After successfully erasing all local data, restart your console and re-connect to a Wi-Fi network to see if the issue has been fixed.

2. Install in Offline mode

If you try to install an Xbox game from a disc and the process stops at or near 0%, this could be because the console is trying to download an update for the game while the game is still installing.

In this case, the solution recommended by Microsoft is to take your console offline and power cycle the console after you cancel the download. If this works and you manage to successfully install the game. go online and download the update again.

Here’s how to take your Xbox Series S / X console offline:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open up the guide menu.
2. Go to Profile & System, then choose Settings.
3. From the General tab, open Network Settings.
4.  Choose Go offline, then confirm your choice.
5. From the guide menu, go down to My games & apps. 

   

6. Scroll down to Manage (Queue, Updates), then move over to the right-hand side menu and access the Queue menu. 
7. Inside your queue, go under Installing and select Cancel all.
8. Confirm by selecting Clear the queue when prompted. 

   

9. Restart your console. 

3. Power cycle Xbox console

Perform a power cycling procedure on your Xbox Series S / X console and see if the installation error fixes itself. This procedure allows you to troubleshoot most issues caused by badly cached data.

Power cycling your device will also have the intended consequence of clearing any temporary files that are usually stored even when your console is turned off or in sleep mode.

After this operation is complete, the temporary folder will be deleted the power capacitors will be cleared. 

Here’s a quick guide on power cycling your Xbox Series X/S console:

1. First, ensure your Xbox Series S/X console is turned on properly (not in hibernation mode).
2. When the console’s front LED stops flashing, hold down the Xbox button (on the console) for about 10 seconds.

   

3. Once your console no longer shows signs of life, disconnect the power cord from the socket and wait for 1 full minute to ensure that the power capacitors are completely drained. 
4. Reconnect the power cable, turn on your console, and start your console again.
5. At the next startup, pay attention to the animation logo.

   

   Note: The power cycling operation was successful if you see the long animation with the Xbox logo.

6. Install the game previously failing with the ‘Installation Stopped’ error and see if the problem is now fixed. 

4. Change DNS to Custom Range

Your DNS might also be responsible for the “Installation Stopped” error. This is likely if you encounter the same error with multiple game titles or updates. 

To fix it, access the network settings of your console and change the DNS (domain name address) for IPv6 and IPv4). Google and Cloudflare are two public DNS ranges that have a history of being stable and secure. 

Here’s how to change your DNS range:

1. To access the guide menu, press the Xbox button on your controller.
2. From the guide menu, access the Settings menu (gear icon).
3. Select the General tab from the left, then access the Network settings menu. 
4. Access the Network tab from the main Settings screen, then navigate to Network Settings.
   

   

5. From the Network settings, use your controller to access Advanced settings. 

   

6. Next, select DNS settings from the list and choose Manual from the list. 
7. Replace the Primary IPv4 DNS and Secondary IPv4 DNS with the following for Google :
   1. For the Primary IPv4 DNS, enter 8.8.8.8.
   2. For the Secondary IPv4 DNS, use 8.8.4.4.
8. Submit the modifications after you’re done, then restart your console.
9. Download the same game again and see if the problem is now fixed. 

7. Install the game on an external device (if applicable)

Another reason why you can expect to deal with this issue is a console glitch that occurs when the game is installed on internal storage.

If you have an external NVME drive available, force the on the external drive directly.

Note: If the game is already installed and you are experiencing this issue with an update, Transfer the existing installation to external drive from Settings > Manage > Storage Devices.  This action might allow you to bypass the ‘installation stopped’ error.

9. Restart or reset the router

If you’re getting the ‘installation stopped’ error with every game update that you attempt to install, there’s a chance you’re dealing with an issue caused by your router.

You can test this theory out by restarting your router; this will get rid of any cached data while leaving every custom setting intact.

Press the ON/OFF button on the back of your router once to power it down, then wait a full minute without plugging it back in. This will ensure that you also clear the power capacitors and get rid of any gateway data’s stored permanently.

If the restart procedure didn’t make any difference, resetting your router should be your last attempt troubleshooting a network cause. 

Important: Before resetting your router, you should know that doing so will erase any custom setting along with login credentials and administrator rules. 

10. Reset Xbox Console

Keep this method a last resort since you’ll lose every bit of locally saved data (saved games, account info, and game installation data).

Important: If you decide to reset your Xbox console, back up all your saved game data on the cloud or on an external device.

Resetting your Xbox Series S / X console will revert all your console’s settings to the default values, eliminating any problem caused by a network setting. 

If you want to go through with the console reset, follow the steps below:

1. Press the eject button + Xbox button on the console simultaneously for a few seconds to bring up the Troubleshoot menu. 

   

2. To restart your Xbox, select “Reset this Xbox” on the Troubleshoot menu.

   

3. Under “System”, click the button that says “Remove everything.”
4. Confirm the operation and wait until your console finishes this operation. 
5. Initiatlize your console once again and see if the ‘installation stopped’ error is now fixed.