After investigating this issue thoroughly, we determined that there are actually several different scenarios that might be responsible for producing this error code. Here’s a short list of scenarios that might end up producing the ‘Preparing (0%)’: Now that we have already gone over every potential scenario that might be causing this error, let’s go over some of the fixes that other users dealing with the same ‘Preparing (0%)’ have successfully used to fix the problem with Game App.
Install every pending Windows Update
If you’re dealing with this issue, the first thing you should do is ensure that you’re working with the latest Windows Updates available. Keep in mind that you might experience this issue is a scenario in which your Windows 11 installation is missing a key Windows 11 security update that Windows Store needs in order to install GamePass items. If you have pending updates that you keep postponing, take the time to install each one. After you do this, you should be allowed to complete the downloads you’re initiating through the Xbox app. Follow the instructions below for the complete guide on installing every pending Windows 11 or Windows 10 update in order to ensure that every infrastructure update needed is in place: If you’re still dealing with the same ‘Preparing (0%)’ error, move down to the next potential fix below.
Reset the Windows Store Cache
Another culprit that might be responsible for preventing you from downloading the game might be corrupted data that is currently residing inside the Windows Store cache. This is typically reported in situations where there’s been an unexpected system interruption while the game was installed in the first place. If you’re looking for a quick fix, you should start by doing a Windows Store cache reset. To do this, press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘wsreset.exe’ and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to effectively reset the Windows store cache. Note: If you’re prompted by the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. Once the wsreset procedure is complete, attempt to initiate the game download once again and see if the problem is now fixed. In case you’re still unable to install the game (even aver performing the wsreset procedure), follow the instructions below to manually clear the ca he folder of the Windows Store: If the same kind of problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Enable delivery optimization
As it turns out, one lesser-known cause that will surely trigger this behavior on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is a scenario in which the Delivery Optimization feature is actually turned off. Turning this feature on will allow downloads from other PCs which will likely improve your download attempts through the Xbox App. Several users dealing with the same kind of problem have reported that turning on Delivery Optimization allowed them to finally get past the Preparing 0% error and even improved their usual download speeds. Here’s how to turn on Delivery Optimization: If you’re still unable to download Xbox App games as you’re stuck with the “Preparing 0%” screen, move down to the next potential fix below.
Change the Startup type of Windows Update to Automatic
As it turns out, Windows Update is a key dependency for the Xbox app since the same download protocol used for Windows Updates is also used for downloading games via the Xbox app. Because of this, you need to make sure that the Windows Update service is enabled and configured to Automatic. Several users that we’re dealing with the same kind of problem have reported that they were finally able to download games via the Xbox app after accessing the Services screen and modifying the default behavior of the Windows Update service. Here’s how to do this: In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Repair or reset the Xbox App
As it turns out, ain inconsistency affecting the temporary files accumulated by the Xbox app or an application integrity problem can also lead to this issue. Note: Microsoft Store and the Xbox App are still in preview mode on Windows 11, so you should take into consideration that bugs and glitches are to be expected Several Windows 11 users that we’re also unable to install GamePass games confirmed that they manage to fix the issue by repairing or resetting Xbox app from the Installed Apps menu. Here’s how to do this from a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer: If you tried both resetting and restarting your PC and you’re still getting this error, move down to the next method below.
Reinstall the Xbox GamePass app
As it turns out, this problem can also be caused by a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) inconsistency. Some users that were also encountering this issue have managed to fix the issue by running a series of elevated Powershell commands that will reset the Xbox GamePass app. After doing this and restarting their system, you should find the issue fixed as the downloads should start working without remaining stuck at 0%. Here’s how to open an elevated Powershell prompt and run a series of commands that will uninstall and re-register the Xbox App:
Use a VPN when you start the download
As it turns out, this particular issue can occur due to a Level 3 Node that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) uses. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in this scenario, there’s no direct route you can use to bypass the occurrence of the Preparing 0% error. What you can do (and what a lot of other users did successfully) is to enable a VPN right before you start the download. This will allow you to bypass the Level 3 ISP node and access the download server normally. If this scenario is applicable to your particular case, try installing a VPN client and see if that allows you to complete the GamePass download. Note: Start by trying out a free VPN client since you don’t know for sure whether this fix will be effective. Here are some VPN services that include a free plan or free trials:
WindscribeExpressVPNNordVPNProtonVPN
In case you already tried using a VPN or it didn’t make a difference in your particular case, move down to the next confirmed fix below.
Disable IPV6
If you’re experiencing this issue only when trying to initiate downloads via the Xbox app, chances are you’re seeing this error due to a network inconsistency facilitated by IPv6. Several affected users dealing with the same kind of issue have confirmed that they finally managed to fix the issue by accessing the Advanced Network settings related to the active home/work network and disabling IPv6. Note: Going this route might interfere with certain applications that run exclusively on this newer protocol. Only consider enforcing this method temporarily. If you want to give this method a try, follow the instructions below to disable IPv6: If the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Reinstall Microsoft Gaming Services
If you’re on Windows 11, another scenario that might be applicable in your case is a classic setup where a key dependency (Gaming Services) is glitched to the point where it doesn’t respond when it’s called by the Xbox App. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue by opening a Powershell window and running a series of commands that will effectively reinstall the Microsoft Gaming Services. Here’s what you need to do: If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
Disable everything EA related
As it turns out, this particular issue can also occur due to a conflict with a series of EA Play services that will end up inhibiting the Xbox app download. Several users dealing with the same kind of a conflict have reported that once they opened up Task Manager and ended every task related to EA Play, the Xbox app downloads finally kicked off. If you have EA Play and the associated dependencies installed, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Task Manager. Note: If the minimalist interface opens by default, click on More Details to expand to the Expert UI. From the Processes tab end every task related to EA Play, then restart the Xbox App and see if the issue is now fixed. If the problem is still not resolved, move down to the next potential fix below.
Download the game via Microsoft Store instead (workaround)
If none of the methods above have allowed you to download the game via the Xbox app, you might be able to avoid the issue entirely by changing your approach. Some Windows 11 users have confirmed that the same download issue no longer occurs if they go to their Microsoft Store library and attempt to download the game from there instead of relying on the Xbox app. This is not a proper fix since the problem obstructing your Xbox App download will remain, but it might allow you to download the game and start playing. Follow the instructions below to install the game that’s stuck at “Preparing 0%” from My Library (in Microsoft Store): If the problem is still not fixed yet, move down to the next potential fix below.
Clean install or Repair install
If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, you can conclude that you’re dealing with a corrupted Windows 11 installation that cannot be resolved conventionally. In this case, you always have the option to clean install. But before you go this route, keep in mind that this option will end up erasing any personal data, games, applications, and documents that are currently stored on the OS drive (unless you back up the data in advance). A better solution (if you want to save time and make it easier for you) is to go for a repair install (in-place repair) procedure instead. Note: Doing a repair install will allow you to keep all your currently installed games, applications, documents, and other types of personal media.
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