Fix: Minecraft Bedrock “Error Code: Drowned”

When Minecraft Bedrock (Minecraft for Windows) loads your Microsoft profile, it may show:

“Failed to login: We could not sign you into your Microsoft Account… Error Code: Drowned”.

This blocks Realms, Marketplace, and other online/synced features because Xbox/Microsoft authentication fails.

This usually happens due to account restrictions (family/age settings), a stuck sign-in token, or broken Xbox / Gaming Services components on Windows.

1. Check Microsoft/Xbox Service Status

If Xbox/Microsoft sign-in services are down, local fixes won’t help. Check status first.

1. Open the Xbox Status page: support.xbox.com/xbox-live-status.
2. Look for incidents under Sign-in, Account & Profile, or similar.
3. If there’s an active issue, wait, then retry.

2. If You Use Passwordless Sign-In, Add a Temporary Password

Passwordless sign-in can sometimes loop on a specific PC. Adding a password helps force a standard login path (you can remove it later).

1. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.
2. Open Security and find Passwordless account / Sign-in methods (wording varies).
3. Add a password (or temporarily disable passwordless).
4. Restart Minecraft and try signing in (choose the password option if prompted).

3. Ensure Xbox/Gaming Services Aren’t Disabled

If required Xbox services are Disabled or can’t start, Minecraft can’t complete authentication.

1. Press Windows + R > type services.msc.
2. Find these services (skip any that aren’t listed on your PC):
   • Xbox Live Auth Manager (XblAuthManager)
   • Xbox Live Game Save (XblGameSave)
   • Xbox Live Networking Service (XboxNetApiSvc)
   • Gaming Services (GamingServices / GamingServicesNet)
3. Open each service and set Startup type to not Disabled (Automatic or Manual/Trigger Start is fine).
4. If the service is Stopped, click Start > Apply > OK.
5. Restart the PC and test Minecraft again.

4. Launch Offline, Then Reconnect

This can break a stuck session and force a fresh sign-in attempt.

1. Disconnect from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi or unplug ethernet).
2. Open Minecraft and wait for the main menu.
3. Reconnect the internet.
4. Try signing in again.

5. Change Your Microsoft Account Password

This resets active sessions and can clear stale/corrupted tokens.

1. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in.
2. Go to Security > Change password.
3. Set a new password.
4. Launch Minecraft and sign in with the new password.

6. Sign Out/In of Xbox App and Microsoft Store (Same Account)

If the Store/Xbox account doesn’t match Minecraft (or the token chain is broken), re-signing often fixes it.

1. Open the Xbox app > sign out.
2. Fully close the Xbox app (don’t leave it in the tray).
3. Open Microsoft Store > profile icon > Sign out.
4. Sign into the Store using the same Microsoft account used for Minecraft.
5. Reopen the Xbox app and sign in again.
6. Launch Minecraft and test.