Error Code 0x80073cf9 Only On Specific Games (SOLVED)

Anonymous
2022-01-17T04:59:53+00:00

Good evening,

I have been having an issue for a couple months, but little has seemed to solve it. When downloading or updating some games (ARK Survival Evolved and Stellaris specifically,) the game downloads for but a fraction of a second before failing and showing error 0x80073cf9. Meanwhile, other games like Minecraft and Cities Skylines do not have this issue. I have had little luck in finding any information on this specific error code, so I don't necessarily know what causes it. I've looked online at what has worked for others and thought of some of my own solutions altogether.

I have so far tried the following:

  • Retrying the install multiple times across two to three months
  • Both hard and soft restarting the PC
  • Logging out and back in again
  • Uninstalling and reinstalling the Store app through Admin Powershell
  • Uninstalling and reinstalling the Xbox app through app settings
  • Deleting the OLE folder in the Registry Editor (Was not there)
  • Adding/Replacing the auinstallagent and appreadiness folders in System32
  • Repairing and resetting the Microsoft Store through System Settings
  • Repairing and resetting the Xbox app through System Settings
  • Updated Windows 10 to version 21H2
  • Running the Windows Apps Troubleshooter (No issues detected)
  • Running a license service script for the Xbox App
  • Resetting the Xbox App Package
  • Clearing the Microsoft Store cache

This is a brand new problem that seemed to have materialized out of nowhere. For years, I have been able to play the Windows 10 version of ARK on my PC through the Microsoft Store. However, suddenly the software no longer is willing to install. The last time I remember this working was around Spring or Summer of 2021. I own a legitimate copy that I bought for the Xbox One in 2016, for which I began using on PC starting around 2018. I first elected to reinstall the game around early to mid November 2021, but to only be faced with 0x80073cf9. I decided to wait a month and see if it would fix itself to no avail. I have now tried everything I could think of or find online, but no dice.

I'm at wits end here, and looking online hasn't yielded any new solutions. What would you recommend that I do to fix this? The only option I have considered and have yet to do is a fresh reinstall of Windows 10, but I want to exhaust all other options before I put the time in to back up all of my files.

Thank you so much for your time and attention, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Microsoft Store

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-18T13:58:07+00:00

    I unfortunately have not had much luck with the provided solutions. I have however fixed the issue by following the following steps:

    1) Type Win+R and type in "regedit"

    2) Expand to the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

    3) Set "NtfsDisableEncryption" to 0

    4) Restart your PC

    What is curious is that this is a solution to the 0x8007177e error code as opposed to 0x80073cf9. I am regardless happy to see the software successfully downloading, and I will add an edit to the bottom of this reply to confirm whether the download is successfully completed.

    EDIT: It successfully downloaded!

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-01-18T18:33:16+00:00

    Braden -

    Where did you find this solution? It's strange that a fix for when encryption is greyed out would work to resolve game download problems.

    Please let us know how this works.

    If not then have you tried every single step in all of the links I provided for actual fixes for the problem? Please do not skip any steps. We often find out later that the fix was the skipped step. If you need help performing any step I will help.

    If you'll also report back the results as you go this will often give me clues for what else to suggest.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-01-17T06:15:30+00:00

    Hi Braden. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

    Does the Store work to download any other games?

    Try these fixes for the error to see if they work:

    https://windowsreport.com/fix-windows-10-error-...

    (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

    https://windows101tricks.com/fix-store-app-inst...

    https://appuals.com/error-0x80073cf9-in-windows... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

    https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/o...

    https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/o...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UNwG2kO16k

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CPI2JBO_Y8

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions 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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