0x8007012b Error When Trying to Launch a Game [Fix]

Windows has, of late, emerged as the preferred destination for gamers. They get a bunch of customizations, better performance, and, most importantly, can run a wide variety of games. But some reported Error code: 0x8007012b when trying to run a game.

The message reads, Something went wrong launching your game followed by the code. It affects several popular titles that are included in the Xbox Game Pass. A few include Minecraft, Halo Infinite, Atomic Heart, Back 4 Blood, and Flight Stimulator, amongst others.

Keep reading to find out all about it!

What is error code 0x8007012b?

The error code indicates the game’s inability to access the critical files or services; subsequently, it fails to launch. The 0x8007012b error affects all iterations of the OS, including Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Here are a few reasons users encounter the 0x8007012b error:

• Game files are corrupt: The most common reason behind the error is corrupt game files, and though there are ways to prevent this, it happens to the best of us.
• Critical services are not running: Several games, especially those that are a part of the Xbox Game Pass, require certain services to be running. And in their absence, an error would appear.
• Missing permissions: Oftentimes, it’s the missing administrative privileges that trigger the 0x8007012b error when launching Minecraft and other games.
• Issues with the disk: A few users identified disk errors, including a bad sector, to be the underlying cause.

How do I fix error 0x8007012b when launching games?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones first:

• Restart the computer.
• Disconnect any non-critical peripherals, especially the controller, then launch the game. After it starts running, you can plug the controller back in.
• Log out and then sign back into Game Pass.
• Make sure the Game Pass subscription is active.
• Check for pending Windows updates and install them.
• Disable any third-party antivirus, firewall, or VPN installed on the PC. A user who had Sophos installed fixed 0x8007012b by whitelisting the game. If that sounds too much trouble, get rid of the program and try Windows-friendly antivirus software.

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Run the game as an administrator

1. Right-click on the game’s launcher, and select Properties.
2. Now, head to the Compatibility tab, tick the checkbox for Run this app as an administrator, and click OK to save the changes.

When it’s the missing permissions behind Error code: 0x8007012b while launching a game, providing the administrative privilege should do the trick!

2. Use a dedicated tool

Sometimes, manually repairing your Windows errors is not a great idea, as you won’t get rid of all issues, or even worse, further errors may appear after this process. Thus, we suggest a comprehensive repair tool to handle the situation automatically.

3. Reset the Microsoft Store cache

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type wsreset.exe in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. A DOS window will appear for a few seconds and will vanish as soon as the reset is complete.

Often a corrupt Microsoft Store cache triggers issues with the Xbox games, including the 0x8007012b error, when trying to run games. If the same game works fine on Steam, resetting the cache would do!

4. Repair the disk issues

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following command and hit Enter to run Check Disk:chkdsk /r
4. If asked to schedule the scan the next time the PC reboots, press Y and hit Enter.
5. Now, restart the computer and wait for the Check Disk utility to kick in.

The Check Disk is a built-in utility in Windows that runs an extensive scan, repairs the drive, and fixes any bad sectors or trivial issues triggering errors, such as Error code: 0x8007012b.

Read more about this topic

• How to Fix INVALID_CALLBACK_STACK_ADDRESS BSoD
• How to Fix Libegl.dll Not Found or Missing Errors
• How to Fix ERROR_DUPLICATE_PRIVILEGES on Windows
• How to Fix the ERROR_INVALID_EXCEPTION_HANDLER BSoD
• What is Grooveex.dll & Should You Remove it?

5. Reinstall the gaming services

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows PowerShell in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
2. Click Yes in the prompt that appears.
3. Now, paste the following command and hit Enter:Get-AppxPackage *gamingservices* -allusers | remove-appxpackage -allusers
4. Once done, restart the computer and check whether the error code has disappeared.

6. Run the critical services

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Services in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Right-click on the IP Helper service, and select Properties.
3. Select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, click the Start button to run the service, and then OK.
4. Similarly, run the following services:
   • Xbox Live Auth Manager
   • Gaming Services
   • Xbox Live Game Save
   • Xbox Live Networking Service

Amongst the many services needed for the optimal performance or even basic functioning of Xbox games, these five play a vital role. So, ensure the critical ones are configured to run automatically at startup.

7. Repair and reset the game

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, navigate to the Apps tab, and click on Installed apps.
2. Locate the game throwing the error, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Advanced options.
3. Click on Repair and verify whether the problem is fixed.
4. If not, click on Reset.
5. Again, click Reset in the confirmation prompt.

If the previous solutions didn’t work, you can always make use of the built-in Repair and Reset feature. While the former takes care of minor issues, the latter will clear all data and log out any active accounts. But it’s found effective against Error code: 0x8007012b.

8. Reinstall the game

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Locate the affected game from the list, select it, and click Uninstall.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

As a last resort, reinstall the game. In case it doesn’t work out on the first attempt, we recommend using a reliable uninstaller tool to remove any leftover files and registry entries since these can continue causing problems even after an app is uninstalled.

That’s it! One of these solutions should have helped eliminate Error code: 0x8007012b for good when launching games. If the problem persists, check if other platforms offer the title and play the game there.

Before you leave, check some quick tips to improve the gaming performance in Windows.

For any queries or to share what worked for you, comment below.