Although Xbox Game Pass provides access to a vast library of games and free perks, redeeming these perks can sometimes pose challenges. When this happens, it can prevent perks from showing up, make error messages appear, or simply stop perks from functioning as expected.

So, discover the different issues that could contribute to the problem and the many ways you can fix it.

Potential Issues Preventing You From Redeeming Xbox Game Pass Perks

If you're having trouble redeeming Game Pass perks on your Windows PC, you might be experiencing some of the issues below:

  • Network connectivity issues: You must have a strong and stable internet connection to claim or redeem Xbox Game Pass perks. If you have an unstable connection, you will likely run into the problem.
  • Account or subscription issues: Some perks are only available with certain Xbox Game Pass subscription levels. You must ensure that your Game Pass subscription is active and you meet the requirements for the targeted perks.
  • Region restrictions: Some perks have regional limitations. You might encounter the problem if you are located in a region where a specific perk is unavailable, causing the accessibility issue.
  • Outdated Xbox App: If your Xbox app is outdated, it will face compatibility issues with the Xbox servers. This will prevent the app from accessing the latest features and modules, leading to the problem at hand.

So, to help you claim your Xbox perks, check out the solutions we've compiled. But before we proceed, we recommend you switch to an administrator account if you are currently using a standard account (what's the difference—administrator vs. standard Windows account?).

Frustrated Xbox Gamer

1. Update Your Account Information

Get started by double-checking your account information in the account settings or profile management section on the Xbox app and the Microsoft website.

Here is everything you should check:

  • Age verification: Xbox Game Pass requires users to be at least 18 years old. This age is set to comply with legal and other content-related guidelines. If your age is currently set as less than 18 in your Microsoft account, you will likely encounter restrictions when accessing Game Pass perks. So, ensure that your account information accurately reflects your age.
  • Regional availability: There are times when certain Game Pass perks are limited to regions or countries. We recommend ensuring that the perks you are trying to claim are available in your region using the official Xbox sources.

Once you have made these changes, we also recommend ensuring that your system's date, time, and region settings are correct too. A mismatched region setting can cause issues with your Xbox account, too. You can change the Windows Clock settings to fix this.

2. Check Your Xbox Game Pass Subscription

A screenshot of the available Xbox Game Pass subscription options on Xbox Series X with Change Plan highlighted

You should ensure that your Game Pass subscription is active and up-to-date. If your subscription has expired or there are any payment issues, you may encounter problems like the one at hand.

It is also important to note that Xbox Game Pass offers different subscription tiers, and perks are only available to Game Pass Ultimate members. Checking your subscription details will help you identify if the perks you are trying to claim are offered with the tier you are subscribed to.

Sometimes, you may also find specific instructions to redeem or activate the perks in the subscription section. Go through the steps carefully to ensure you aren't missing anything.

3. Switch Devices

Several users managed to fix the issue by switching devices, so we suggest you also give it a shot.

This can typically help if you encounter the problem due to software or hardware-related compatibility issues. For instance, if a perk requires specific hardware specifications and your device lacks or falls short of it, switching to a more capable computer can help you access it.

Moreover, your current device might also encounter some unique issues affecting Game Pass perks. Switching to a different gaming PC or Xbox console can help you determine if the problem is device-related or consistent on all platforms.

4. Update the Xbox App

There can be issues with the Xbox app itself, preventing you from accessing and redeeming Game Pass perks. Typically, problems like these can be resolved by updating the Xbox app.

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Press the Win + S keys together to open the Search utility.
  2. Search for the "Microsoft Store" app and click Open.
  3. Click on the Library icon, then click on the Get updates button on the right side.
    The Get updates button in MS Store
  4. Wait for the pending updates to appear, and take your time to install them.
  5. After updating the app, head over to the Settings app to update your Windows operating system manually. This process may take a while, so hang in there.
  6. Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved upon reboot.

5. Repair or Reset the App

If updating the app did not fix your problem, you can also repair and reset it to resolve the issue.

To proceed with this method, we recommend signing out of your Xbox account and resetting your Microsoft Store account. Once that is done, proceed with these steps:

  1. Press the Win + I keys together to open the Settings app.
  2. Choose Apps from the left pane and click on Apps & features.
    Choose the Apps and features option
  3. Scroll down to the App list section and locate Xbox.
  4. Click on the three dots associated with it and choose Advanced options.
  5. Here, click on the Terminate button, then the Repair button.
  6. Wait for the process to complete and click on the Reset button.
    Reset the Xbox app
  7. Finally, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Note that this step is considered the nuclear option, as it will remove all your installed apps and games from your Xbox app. So, before doing this, ensure that you've backed up your game saves to avoid the frustration of losing your progress.

Enjoy Game Pass Perks on Xbox

We hope the fixes above will help you access and redeem the perks without problems. If the problem persists, you should report the issue to the Xbox support team. They can diagnose the problem for you and suggest a relevant fix.