Xbox live error 0x8015DBFE when loading Ark through PC Xbox app

Question

I load up Ark Survival Evolved and when I press start, it pops up with an Xbox window saying that there is trouble with connecting me to Xbox Live. It gives me the error code 0x8015DBFE and to press it for more information, but when I click it there is no information on the website about it. It has a button saying switch account, and a button saying try again. I've clicked them both multiple times to try and fix it, but no luck. I have looked it up on youtube and google, but every method people have given to fix it won't work. I am at a complete loss. On the Xbox app I am signed into my Microsoft account and can see friends online and I can launch other games through it. I have reset my password and signed out and signed back in. I have restarted my PC. I have repaired and reset the microsoft app and xbox app through the settings, but nothing changes.

Answer 1

Hi @Logan Clarke,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.  

It sounds like you've already done the lifting with the standard resets and repairs. This particular error code usually points to a silent authentication block, a scenario where your account requires a manual interaction (like a Terms of Service update) that the Xbox app isn't displaying correctly. 

Please try these steps to clear the hurdle:

1/ Web-side account verification 

The Xbox app can hang if there is a pending notification on the web version of your account that needs to be cleared first. 

• Log in to your account at Xbox.com. 
• Check for prompts regarding updated Terms of Service, age verification, or security info updates. 
• Complete any requested actions, then sign out and back into the Xbox app on your PC. 

2/ Clear stale Xbox credentials 

If the local login token is "stale," it can prevent Ark from handshaking with the server even if the app appears to be signed in. 

• Search the Start menu for Credential Manager. 
• Select Windows Credentials. 
• Scroll to Generic Credentials and remove all entries starting with Xbl|DeviceKey or XblTickethandle. 
• Restart your PC and sign in to the Xbox app again. 

3/ Force refresh gaming services 

Since the standard repair didn't work, a clean reinstallation of the service layer via PowerShell is the next best step: 

1. Right-click Start and open PowerShell (Admin). 
2. Run the command:

      get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
   

3. In the same window, run:

      start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN
   

   1. When the Microsoft Store opens, click Install for Gaming Services and restart your computer 

4/ Sync system clock 

Xbox Live is highly sensitive to time drift. Even a small discrepancy can trigger connection errors. 

• Go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. 
• Confirm Set time automatically is toggled on and click the Sync now button. 

Hopefully, this clears the block so you can get back to the game.