How to Fix Minecraft “Waiting on Install” in 7 Easy Ways

Almost everyone has played Minecraft at least once by now. Whether you’re goofing off with friends or just enjoying its cozy, retro charm, Minecraft is that one game people keep coming back to. It’s the best-selling game of all time, a household name for gamers, and it’s available on just about every platform at a budget-friendly price.

But just like any other game, Minecraft comes with its fair share of issues. Mojang Studios, the team behind Minecraft, is always updating it to keep things fresh and interesting, but sometimes new updates can introduce bugs or glitches. That’s just part of the process!

Depending on the platform you’re using, you might encounter different errors. One common issue Windows PC players face is the “Waiting on Install” error when trying to install Minecraft through the Xbox app.

What is the “Minecraft Waiting on Install” Error?

The “Minecraft Waiting on Install” error is a bug that often pops up for players trying to install Minecraft on Windows PCs via the Xbox app. This usually happens when installing the Bedrock version of Minecraft, or when launching an update for either the Java or Bedrock version through the Minecraft Launcher. This bug can be really frustrating because it blocks you from playing the game at all.

How to Fix Minecraft Waiting on Install Error

Case 1: There’s a problem with the launcher

The Minecraft Launcher has a reputation for sometimes being glitchy and difficult to deal with. Try restarting the launcher first. If that doesn’t help, you could try using a third-party launcher like Prism Launcher, which is open-source and offers extra features.

Case 2: A Glitch in Windows Won’t Let Minecraft be Installed

Sometimes, Windows itself can be the culprit. If that’s the case, simply restarting your computer can work wonders and might resolve the “Waiting on Install” error.

Case 3: The Xbox app is not functioning properly

The Xbox app and some related services can sometimes interfere with Minecraft’s installation. You can use the Task Manager to end the Xbox process. It’s a good idea to close the Minecraft Launcher from Task Manager as well.

1. Open the Task Manager by right-clicking the Taskbar or pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.
2. Close the Xbox app process. You can close the Minecraft Launcher process while you’re at it.
   

   

3. Go to the Services tab.
   

   

4. Find the service named “ClipSVC”. Right-click it and select Restart. If it’s not running, choose Start.
   

   

5. Restart your PC and try launching Minecraft again.

Case 4: Mods are causing issues

If you’ve installed any mods, they could be interfering with the update or installation process. We recommend removing any mods and adding them back once the game or update has finished installing properly.

Case 5: Your Windows is not up-to-date

In some cases, updating Windows, or stopping a stuck update, can resolve the issue completely.

1. Open Settings. You can use the Windows Search function to find it.
   

   

2. In Settings, search for the Updates section and click on Check for updates.
   

   

3. Wait while Windows checks for major updates. If there are pending updates, install them. If only optional updates are waiting, you may cancel those.
   

   

Case 6: The Microsoft Store is causing issues

Many players have found that the Microsoft Store can cause this error by interfering with Minecraft’s updates or installation.

1. Open the Microsoft Store and go to the Updates menu.
   

   

2. Check if Minecraft is listed among the apps being updated.
   

   

3. If Minecraft is on the list, stop the update by clicking the stop button next to it.
   

   

Case 7: The game files have become corrupted

Sometimes, your game files might get corrupted due to overlapping updates or failed downloads. If nothing else works, the most effective solution is to uninstall and reinstall Minecraft. If you can, make a backup of your worlds and mods before doing this, so you don’t lose your progress.