How to Fix Minecraft Launcher on Xbox App (Error 0xc0000005)

If your Minecraft Launcher refuses to open on the Xbox app and instantly shows “The game has crashed” with error 0xc0000005, the problem is usually not with Minecraft itself. This crash happens when Windows Gaming Services or the Xbox app becomes corrupted, which prevents the launcher from starting — even after reinstalling.

Why Minecraft Launcher Crashes with Error 0xc0000005

This error appears when the launcher can’t access important Windows gaming components, such as:

• Gaming Services (required for Xbox app games)
• Xbox App installation files
• Microsoft Store dependencies
• .NET Framework files
• Corrupted Minecraft Launcher cache or leftover files

Fixing these components almost always resolves the issue.

1. Reinstall Gaming Services (Most Reliable Fix)

Gaming Services is the backbone of all Xbox app games. If it breaks, Minecraft won’t launch at all.

Step 1 — Remove broken Gaming Services

1. Right-click Start → open Windows PowerShell (Admin)
2. Paste this command and press Enter:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers

This force-removes the corrupted service.

Step 2 — Install fresh Gaming Services

Paste this in the same window:

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

It opens the Microsoft Store page. Click Install, then restart your PC.

Try launching Minecraft again — for most players, it works at this stage.

2. Reinstall the Xbox App (Fixes broken launcher integration)

If Gaming Services wasn’t the issue, the Xbox app may be corrupted.

1. Open PowerShell (Admin)
2. Remove it:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.XboxApp | remove-AppxPackage -allusers

3. Reinstall:

start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9mv0b5hzvk9z

After reinstalling, restart your PC and try the launcher.

3. Repair .NET Framework (Prevents launcher crashes)

Minecraft Launcher relies on .NET for UI and startup components. Damaged files can block the app from opening.

Steps:

1. Download the official Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool
2. Run the tool (it automatically detects and fixes issues)
3. Restart Windows

Try launching Minecraft again.

4. Completely Reset Minecraft Launcher Data

Uninstalling Minecraft doesn’t always remove corrupted launcher files. Resetting them manually helps.

How to do it:

1. Press Win + R → type:

%appdata%

2. Delete the following folders:

• .minecraft
• Minecraft Launcher

3. Reinstall Minecraft Launcher from the Xbox app

If you play Bedrock Edition, your worlds are cloud-saved — removing these folders won’t lose data.

5. Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

A corrupted Store cache can break game dependencies.

1. Press Win + R
2. Type:

wsreset -i

A blank window opens for a few seconds. After it closes, restart your PC.

6. Check Event Viewer for Crash Logs (Advanced Fix)

If nothing has worked yet, gather more details using Event Viewer.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X → Event Viewer
2. Go to:
   Windows Logs → Application
3. Click Filter Current Log…
4. Set:

• Event Level: Critical + Error
• Event Sources: Application Error, Windows Error Reporting
• Event IDs: 1000, 1001

Find the crash event around the time Minecraft failed to start. This helps identify:

• Faulting DLL files
• Third-party conflicts
• Windows component failures

You can use this info to troubleshoot deeper or share it with Microsoft support.

7. Optional Fixes You Can Try

A. Reinstall Microsoft Store

Get-AppxPackage *WindowsStore* | Reset-AppxPackage

B. Disable overlays

Sometimes overlays from:

• Discord
• Xbox Game Bar
• Nvidia/AMD

can break the launcher. Disable them temporarily.

C. Update GPU drivers

Old or damaged drivers can trigger crash code 0xc0000005.

When to Consider a Windows Repair

If all methods fail, Windows system files may be damaged.

You can run:

System File Checker

sfc /scannow

DISM health restore

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Both commands repair core components required by the Xbox app and Gaming Services.

Error 0xc0000005 in the Minecraft Launcher looks serious, but it’s usually caused by one corrupted Windows gaming component. Reinstalling Gaming Services and Xbox App fixes the issue for most players.

If you still face the crash after trying all steps, the logs from Event Viewer will help pinpoint the exact issue — especially if there’s a conflicting app or broken DLL.