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Windows 11 - Xbox Controller doesn't open game bar

Anonymous
2023-02-21T20:32:34+00:00

Good Afternoon,

I have tried multiple times and I cannot get the Xbox Gamebar to open by pressing the button on the controller. It only works with the keyboard shortcut

So far I have done the following:

Enable Xbox Game Bar via Settings -DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

  1. Press Win + I key and launch Windows Settings
  2. Click the Gaming tab in the left pane and select Xbox Game Bar
  3. Toggle the button next to Open Xbox Game Bar to “On”
  4. Reboot the system to apply changes and then launch Xbox Game Bar

Repair or Reset Xbox Game Bar - DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

  1. Press Win + I key to launch Windows Settings
  2. Click Apps > Apps & features
  3. Search for “Xbox Game Bar” in the search box and hit Enter
  4. Next, click the three-dot > Advanced options
  5. Select Repair. If this does not do anything, select Reset

Use Registry Editor - DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run window
  2. Type regedit and then press Enter
  3. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
  4. Look for the AppCatureEnabled key. If you cannot find it, right-click on the space > New > DROWD (32 bit) Value. Name it as AppCaptureEnabled > double-click and set value data to 1.
  5. Try to use Xbox Game Bar and see if issue is resolved

Repair the ieframe.dll file - DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

  1. In the search bar, type Command Prompt > right-click > Run as administrator
  2. Type in the following commands. Ensure that you press Enter after entering each command:
    • sfc /scanfile=c:\windows\system32\ieframe.dll
    • sfc /verifyfile=c:\windows\system32\ieframe.dll
    • assoc
    • sfc /scannow
  3. Restart your PC and see if Xbox Game Bar is working

I have also installed the Xbox Accessories app and within this app I have updated the controller (plugged in via USB) and also used the test mode to which every button comes back except the Xbox button and the share button do not register on the test page of the app almost as if the PC refuses to see the input from these buttons specifically. I have used Game Controller Tester App to confirm it wasn't just the app which also shows no input from the Xbox Button - DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

I have gone into device manager and uninstalled and then reinstalled the Xbox Wireless Adapter for windows and its drivers under Network Adapters. - DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

I have tried connecting the controller via Bluetooth rather than the Xbox Wireless Adapter to which it also does not work -DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

I have gone to Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers and it appears that the controller comes up as "XINPUT-Compatible HID device" and so I have gone to update the driver manually by selecting from the list and changing this to Xbox One Wireless Controller or Xbox Wireless Controller but nothing seems to change - If I go to Game Controller settings it shows it as Controller (Xbox One For Windows) and I can get all buttons to register again EXCEPT the Xbox Button and Capture button -DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

I can access the game bar with the Windows + G command on keyboard and the shortcuts are ticked to enable the controller to open it but it does not work. It is also on in Settings -> Gaming -> Xbox Game Bar -> Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on controller (ON) - -DONE DID NOT SOLVE ISSUE

Windows Spec:

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎08/‎10/‎2022

OS build 22621.1265

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22638.1000.0

The Xbox Button on the controller is functioning as it allows me to turn on and off the controller so its not a hardware issue

What is stopping my PC from registering the Xbox button and Share button please help as I have tried everything I can think of?

Many Thanks,

Josh

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Gaming

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-02-23T18:43:09+00:00

    Good Afternoon,

    I have bolded each step as I followed it

    You can open the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10 using a controller by following these steps:

    Connect your controller to your PC via USB cable or Bluetooth connection. DONE
    Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Xbox app. It doesnt open the xbox app, but I can click and open the xbox app
    Once the Xbox app is open, press the Xbox button again to open the Guide. It does not open the "Guide" at any point, I have tried to see if there is any settings on the xbox app though
    Scroll down to the "Capture & share" option, which should be located near the bottom of the Guide. I cannot see this anywhere on the app or on the guide bar itself (opened via keyboard shortcut not controller) so unable to continue from here

    See below screenshots of all the settings I have activated to say yes to opening the guide bar yet refuses to work is this all correct below? if so I still do not understand why it doesnt open

    WINDOWS SETTINGS:

    Gamebar settings:

    Xbox App Home screen

    Xbox App settings page

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-24T02:48:15+00:00

    Hello Josh. I'm Greg, here to help you with this.

    Have you tried resetting the Xbox Controller or reprogramming the key? This is specific to your exact model controller which I don't see mentioned so you can search for it to try that next.

    Then once the controller is reset and key confirmed, Try these fixes for Game Bar in Windows 11:

    https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-xbox-... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

    https://xbox-forums.com/threads/no-things-worki...

    https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/...

    https://appuals.com/xbox-gamebar-not-starting/ (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh7tepR8Lb0

    Try reinstalling Game bar as shown here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooy_v5qaq3s

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-02-23T18:36:57+00:00

    i'll release this question so another expert can try to help you

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-21T22:32:39+00:00

    You can open the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10 using a controller by following these steps:

    Connect your controller to your PC via USB cable or Bluetooth connection.

    Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Xbox app.

    Once the Xbox app is open, press the Xbox button again to open the Guide.

    Scroll down to the "Capture & share" option, which should be located near the bottom of the Guide.

    Press the A button on your controller to select "Capture & share".

    In the "Capture & share" menu, you should see an option for "Xbox Game Bar". Use the D-pad on your controller to highlight "Xbox Game Bar" and then press the A button to select it.

    The Xbox Game Bar should now open on your screen.

    Note that some controllers may have slightly different button mappings or may require different steps to open the Xbox Game Bar. Additionally, the Xbox Game Bar may not be available on all versions of Windows 10 or on all PCs, depending on hardware limitations.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-02-21T21:34:59+00:00

    Good Afternoon,

    I have bolded my response for ease of reading:

    1 ) Check if the Xbox Game Bar is updated to the latest version. To do this, open the Microsoft Store, click on the three dots in the top-right corner, and select Downloads and updates. Check if there are any updates available for the Xbox Game Bar app and install them. - I have no updates for the game bar unfortunately even after uninstalling via powershell command "Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage" and then reinstalling via the store and then checking updates

    1. Disable any third-party software that might be conflicting with the Xbox controller. This includes software that is used to remap controller buttons or modify the controller's settings. - the only thing I can think of which could interfere is Steam (gaming store/client) however closing this program does nothing to the situation. I have no other programs that remap or change the layout of the controller (other than the ones installed in the initial post to test button inputs and updated the controller etc). I have checked Radeon Adrenaline Software to see if this has anything regarding the controller button but to no avail.
    2. Run the System File Checker tool. This tool scans for corrupt system files and repairs them. To run the System File Checker, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: sfc /scannow. Wait for the scan to complete and see if it finds and fixes any issues. - I have already done this under the "Repair the ieframe.dll file" step in my initial post and no issues were found
    3. Try creating a new user account on your PC and see if the issue persists. If it doesn't, then the problem might be with your current user account. You could try resetting your current user account to its default settings. - I was excited to try this idea so created a local account under the name TEST1 and this didn't have any changes, I could open it via the keyboard shortcut but not with the controller as per my main account aka same issue on both sides
    4. If you have any antivirus or security software installed, temporarily disable it and see if the Xbox button works. If it does, then you might need to add an exception for the Xbox Game Bar in your antivirus software. - I currently use Windows Defender and Malwarebytes. I temporarily closed Malwarebytes but this still does nothing at all to help the problem. I am reluctant to disable Defender too as I doubt windows own antivirus would interfere?

    I appreciate the prompt response but if there are other ideas or if I have misunderstood instructions I can retry. Luckily I can still play games it is just frustrating having to get up and use the keyboard every time I wish to open the game bar :( I am at a loss as to what is interfering and why none of the tests show the PC seeing that I am pushing both the xbox button and share button.

    Are there any Microsoft services which may have been disabled by accident relating to the buttons/controller/gamebar?

    Thanks,

    Josh

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