Fix Xbox Error Code 0x87e00196 on Windows PC

When you are installing new games or updating the existing ones on your Windows PC, the system checks the current status of the Gaming Services. If this app is disabled or is configured not to run in the background, this may trigger an error code 0x87e00196. Additionally, when the Microsoft gaming servers are down, this may also trigger a similar error code on your computer. 

Before you proceed ahead to the solutions, check the Xbox Live Status page. Only when all services are up and running, and there isn’t any major outage, attempt the below fixes. 

Fix Xbox Error Code 0x87e00196

We suggest applying the below fixes one after another to solve this error code 0x87e00196 on Windows 11/10 PC. In case you have already applied a few solutions here and there, you better reinstall the Gaming Services app and have this problem resolved soon. 

• Check the current status of Microsoft’s Gaming Services
• Check if Gaming Services is running in the background
• Update Gaming Services and make it run in the background
• Repair or Reset the Gaming Services Package

1. Check the current status of Microsoft’s Gaming Services

If you are getting an error code while installing a new game or updating the existing ones on Xbox, make sure to check for server outages at Xbox Live. Only when you see the Games & gaming service up and running, proceed to the next solution. 

Else wait for the resolution to go green. In that case, you will also see a message – “All Services are up and running”. 

2. Update Gaming Services and make it run in the background

The error code 0x87e00196 may also occur if you are using an outdated version of the Gaming Services app. So, launch the Microsoft Store next and search for “Gaming Services” there. If there is any pending update for this app, download and install that on your PC. 

After you have upgraded this gaming app, check if this is set to run in the background as well. Any restriction to it from running in the background may cause Xbox not to install any new games or update the existing ones. Here’s how to perform this task –

• Right-click on the Windows icon and select Installed Apps/ Apps and Features. 
• Search for Gaming Services and when found, click on the three dots available on its right end. 
• Select Advanced options here and on the subsequent page, check what’s there under “Background app permissions“.
• Use the drop-down menu and change its default value to Always. 

• Reboot Windows and check if the problem resolves this way. 

3. Check if Gaming Services is running in the background

The error code 0x87e00196 might also occur when the Gaming Services app is not running in the background. Open Task Manager and check the current status of this app. Here’s what you need to do –

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc altogether.
• When Task Manager opens up, scroll down to the GamingServices and see what’s its current status. 

• If its status reads “stopped“, right-click on it and select the Start button on the context menu. 
• Wait for this service to restart and when it does, restart your computer. 

Sign back into your device again and retry installing or updating games that were earlier throwing an error 0x87e00196.

4. Repair or Reset the Gaming Services Package

If the error 0x87e00196 occurs even after your device fulfills the above conditions, i.e. services are up and running, you are on an updated version of Gaming Services, and it is set to run in the background always, there must be an internal glitch associated with this app. In such cases, you must repair or reset the Gaming Services package. Here’s how to perform this task – 

• Press Win + I to launch Settings.
• Select Apps > Installed apps. On Windows 11 21H1 or earlier versions, go to Apps > Apps and Features instead. 
• On the Search bar, type “Gaming Services” and press Enter.
• Click on the three horizontal dots next to Gaming Services and select Advanced options.

• On the next screen, scroll down to the Reset section, and hit the Repair button first. Go and check if the error code 0x87e00196 resolves this way. 
• If not, come back to the Settings page and this time hit the Reset button. Resetting Gaming Services will get rid of any data stored inside it. That’s the reason why we suggest trying to repair it first. 

• Restart your PC and check if the problem resolves on your computer from the subsequent login.

Note: In case you are encountering this error code on Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features. Search for Gaming Services and when found click on it. You will get the advanced options lying within it. Click on it and follow the same instructions i.e. repair or reset this gaming app on your Windows 10 PC. 

5. Reinstall the Gaming Services Package

In cases where none of the above workarounds help, you should uninstall and then reinstall the gaming services package. Follow the below instructions on how to do the reinstallation –

• Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the Power Menu. 

• The UAC window will prompt next, hit Yes to authorize accessing it.
• The terminal will default land into Windows PowerShell having administrative privileges. 
• On the elevated terminal, copy/paste the following, and press Enter –

Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | remove-appxpackage -allusers

• Wait for this command to run and finish successfully. 
• Once this is over, the gaming services app will be removed from your computer.
• Restart your PC next so that your device gets rid of its residual files or registry keys. 

Sign back into your device again and you will not face any trouble installing any new game on your Windows PC. Since the gaming services app is already uninstalled from your computer, visit the Microsoft Store, and get this app from there. 

To do so, right-click on the Windows icon and select Windows Terminal (Admin) again. Copy/paste the below code on it and press Enter. 

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

Microsoft Store will launch next with the Gaming Services app on its front page. Click Install to reinstall the Gaming Services app on your computer. After this app installs successfully, you may try again to install new games from here. I hope you didn’t encounter the error code 0x87e00196 this time on your PC. 

How do I reinstall the Game Bar on a Windows PC?

Open Windows PowerShell as administrator, and execute the below command on it. This code will permanently remove the Game bar from your Windows PC. 

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage

To install it back, visit Xbox Game Bar’s official site on your default web browser, and click the Get button. 

Why Forza Horizon is not downloading on my computer? 

The Forza Horizon game doesn’t download on incompatible PCs. If you are sure that your device meets the minimum system requirements for this game, sync your PC’s clock to your locale. Other possible solutions to this problem include disabling your firewall, clearing temp folders, or reinstalling the Xbox app. In case neither of these solutions helps, reset the Gaming Services to its default settings.