Updating Gaming Services in MS Store causes FS2024 to crash on Startup

User Support Hub Crashes (CTDs)
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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue:
Updating GamingServices in MS Store causes FS2024 to crash on Startup - new problem that first appeared on 15 July 2025

[PC Only] Did you remove all your community mods/add-ons? If yes, are you still experiencing the issue?
Yes

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

How often does this occur for you (Example: Just once, every time on sim load, intermittently)?

Every time I update Gaming Services in MS Store, but only appeared from 15 July 2025.

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

  1. Update Gaming Services in MS Store
  2. Start FS2024
  3. Wait ~ 50 seconds

[PC ONLY] FAULT BUCKET ID

If you experienced a crash on PC, sharing your Fault Bucket ID would be extremely helpful. You can learn how to find that ID here: How to find your Fault Bucket ID after a crash [PC]

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YOUR SETTINGS

If the issue still occurs with no mods and add-ons, please continue to report your issue. If not, please move this post to the User Support Hub.

What peripherals are you using, if relevant:
N/A

[PC Only] Are you using Developer Mode or have you made any changes to it?
No

[PC, MSFS 2020 Only] Are you using DX11 or DX12?
DX12

[PC Only] Many issues may be due to an outdated graphics card. Please state your Graphics Card Driver Manufacturer (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) and Version:
NVIDIA
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[PC Only] What other relevant PC specs can you share?
GPU is ASUS 3090

MEDIA

Please add a screenshot or video of the issue occurring.

Video that show problem and solution:

[END OF FIRST USER REPORT]

:loudspeaker: For anyone who wants to contribute on this issue, Click on the button below to use this template:

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
•

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
•

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
•

MSFS24 no longer starting
MSFS24 no longer starting
2

Do you have the same issue if you follow the OP’s steps to reproduce it?
No

Provide extra information to complete the original description of the issue:
On my PC, gaming services was last updated on 07/09 to v29.103.2001.0. A manual update check today (07/15) indicates that this is still the current version for my PC. I have not had a CTD since the update & with a number of flights.
My MSFS build is currently 1.5.16.0.

If relevant, provide additional screenshots/video:
Current Version

Version
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3

Just a quick FYI - OP has a newer version of Gaming Services than you do.
Most likely that’s because he joined the “PC Gaming” preview.

4

Actually, I never joined any “PC Gaming” preview. I never opted for this…
I don’t know why the MS Store installs version 30.103.10001.0, when checking for any update available:

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And when GS v 30.103.10001.0 is installed, FS 2024 crashes on startup, as shown in the video above.

When I uninstall Gaming Services from Apps, then have it reinstalled when starting the Xbox App,
I get version 29.103.2001.0

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FS 2024 does start without problems with GS version 29.103.2001.0.

EDIT: video showing the description above:

I can’t be the only one to have this problem.
I fear that when the Xbox app will no longer install version 29.103.2001.0, but instead version 30.103.10001.0, I will no longer be able to start FS 2024.

@Jummivana , it seems the latest Gaming Services version 30.103.10001.0 will crash FS 2024 on startup.
Is Microsoft/Asobo aware of this?

I am just trying to help other users having this problem.

5

I am having the same issue and I also assumed that this was the reason

1 Like
6

Thank you for confirming I am not the only one.
Please Vote a the top:

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Solution
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/msfs24-no-longer-starting/729926/37?u=tenpatrol

8

I actually tried it. Running the Simulator from the Xbox App encounter the same crash.

9

What time will you be available?
And please don’t try to fix anything on your own before then - it won’t make much sense without the proper steps.

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@TenPatrol
What is weird is:

  • the MS Store installs/updates to GS version 30.103.10001.0
  • but when GS is uninstalled, the Xbox app installs GS version 29.103.2001.0.

So, it seems that the Xbox app installs a version of GS that is reliable (v 29.103.2001.0), but, and only since yesterday, the MS Store installs some beta version of GS (v 30.103.10001.0).

2 Likes
11

Life saver!! I’ve been trying to fix it for 3 hours and nothing… but if it weren’t for that, I would probably format the computer, thanks a lot!

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London, UK time from around 15:00

OK. :+1:

1 Like
13

Copy that. 1500Z

1 Like
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But if you update GS with the MS Store, FS 2024 will crash on startup again.

15

Summer time in London, so:

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1 Like
16

Thanks for the correction!

1 Like
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@TenPatrol

I found the solution and fixed it:

It turned out that in Xbox Insider Hub

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I somehow in the past had joined the PC Gaming previews!
(I was not aware of this)

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So, I just quit PC Gaming preview, hence NOW, only Join appears:

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And after installing Gaming Services from the MS Store, version 29.103.2001.0 got installed.

So, since 15 July 2025:

  • if part of PC Gaming preview, the MS Store installs version 30.103.10001.0
  • if NOT part of PC Gaming preview, the MS Store installs version 29.103.2001.0

Before 15 July 2025, the MS Store would NOT install version 30.103.10001.0; it would install version 29.103.2001.0.

2 Likes
18

@RevampedSine732

  • Join the PC Gaming Preview and restart PC.
  • After the restart, check if there are any updates in the Microsoft Store app.
  • If there are no updates, launch MSFS 2024 and check if there’s a CTD.
  • If there’s a CTD, leave the PC Gaming Preview and restart PC.
  • After starting PC, open the Microsoft Store app and check for updates - do the same in the Xbox app.
  • Check the Gaming Services version through the Xbox app.
  • If it’s still version 30.103.10001.0, close the Xbox app.
  • Use Task Manager to end the processes for Gaming Services, Game Bar, and the Xbox app.
  • Uninstall Gaming Services via Windows settings > Apps > Installed apps
  • Restart PC
  • After starting PC, open the Microsoft Store app and check for updates.

Using the steps above, I was able to force the installation of Gaming Services version 30.103.10001.0 and then successfully roll back to version 29.103.2001.0.

You must follow every step exactly as described - no skipping or changing anything.

EDIT

@RevampedSine732
Also, never edit your previous messages - it wastes time because I won’t get notified and we might miss important updates in the conversation.

Always write a new reply instead.

That said, I’m glad it turned out I was right - looks like you had joined the PC Gaming preview at some point after all.

2 Likes
19

@TenPatrol

Well, I had done this earlier before writing my reply above, to investigate. I did not even need to restart the PC.

Then, I just saw your latest post!

So:

  • joining PC Gaming preview will now make the MS Store install Gaming Services version 30.103.10001.0
  • quitting PC Gaming preview will now make the MS Store install Gaming Services version 29.103.2001.0

Yes I must have had, a long time ago because I did not even remember it!

But until 15 July 2025, the MS Store would always install Gaming Services version 29.103.2001.0, REGARDLESS of having joined or not the PC Gaming preview.

20

@TenPatrol

Thank you again for you loyal help! :gem_stone:

1 Like