What is causing the ‘Game Bar Not Opening’ error?
We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that they used to get the issue resolved. Based on our investigations, there are several common scenarios that will trigger this particular error message: Note: Keep in mind that if you are encountering this issue while running a game in full-screen mode, chances are the Game Bar is actually running. Keep in mind that the Game Bar is configured to not appear (the graphical interface) while the game is running in full screen. However, you can still use its hotkeys (e.g. Press Alt + R to start and stop recordings). You should notice a little flash when the recording starts and when it completes. If you’re currently struggling to resolve this particular issue, this article will provide you with a selection of troubleshooting strategies. Down below, you’ll find a selection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to get the issue resolved. To be as efficient as possible, we encourage you to follow the methods in a chronological order as they are ordered by efficiency and severity. You should eventually stumble upon a fix that resolves the issue in your particular scenario.
Method 1: Enabling the Game Bar from the Settings menu
Before you try anything else, it’s important to make sure that you have the Game bar feature enabled from the Settings menu. Several users struggling to resolve the same issue have reported that the issue was resolved after they allowed the feature to Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this: If you’re still encountering the issue, move down to the next method below.
Method 2: Installing the Media Feature Pack for N and KN version of Windows 10
With some particular Windows 10 versions, the Media Feature pack isn’t preinstalled and it will not installed via a Windows update. This also means that some of the features the Game Bar will not work as expected. If you’re encountering this issue on an N or KN version of Windows 10, chances are you will be able to resolve the issue by installing the missing Media Feature Pack. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this: If you’re still encountering the issue, move down to the next method below.
Method 3: Enabling the Game Bar via Registry Editor
It is possible that the Game Bar functionality of Windows 10 is disabled via a registry value. You might have done this modification yourself in the past or a 3rd party app might have done it for you. If this particular scenario is applicable to your current situation, you will most likely manage to resolve the issue by using the Registry Editor to navigate to the GAMEDVR key and making sure that the AppCaptureEnabled Dword is enabled. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this: If you’re still encountering the same error message, move down to the next method below.
Method 4: Performing a repair install or Reset PC
Several users that have tried all sorts of fixes have reported that they finally managed to get the issue resolved by resetting their PC or performing a repair install. Both of these methods will allow you to resolve the issue while letting you keep your personal files and applications. If you decide to go with a PC reset, follow the instructions in this article (here). But keep in mind that you’ll need to select the Keep my files option if you want to preserve your personal files, settings, and applications. If you decide to go for a repair install, follow the instructions provided inside this article (here). But keep in mind that this procedure will likely require you to have the installation media of your Windows version. This procedure will reset all Windows components and default Windows apps without affecting any of your files or applications. Regardless of the repair option that you used, the issue should be resolved now that the Windows components have been reinitiated. Verify whether this is true by opening the Game bar once again. The Game Bar should be opening normally now.
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