If Black Ops 6 won’t launch via PC Game Pass, update GPU drivers, repair files in the Xbox app, and refresh Gaming Services; then reboot and relaunch.
Stuck on the splash screen, Play does nothing, or the Xbox app flips back to the library? This guide gets you back in the match. You’ll run through quick checks, follow step-by-step fixes, and confirm your PC meets the requirements.
Fast Checks Before Deep Fixes
Start with the basics. These take a minute and solve launch snags on Windows.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Action |
|---|---|---|
| Clicking Play does nothing | Xbox app or Gaming Services glitch | Close the app, relaunch, then repair Gaming Services |
| “Included with Game Pass” but asks to buy | License not syncing | Sign out/in of Xbox app and Microsoft Store, then retry |
| Black screen then exit | Driver crash or overlay conflict | Update GPU driver; turn off overlays (Discord, GeForce) |
| Launches once, then fails | Corrupted files | Verify and repair game files in the Xbox app |
| Anti-cheat error | Secure Boot/TPM off | Enable Secure Boot and TPM in BIOS/UEFI |
Black Ops 6 Won’t Launch On PC Game Pass: Proven Fixes
Work through these in order. Test the game after each step.
1) Update Windows, Xbox App, And GPU Driver
Open Settings > Windows Update and install pending updates. In the Xbox app, click your profile > Settings > General and check for updates from the Store. For graphics, install the driver versions linked by Activision’s spec page to reduce crashes.
2) Repair Gaming Services
Gaming Services powers installs and launches for Game Pass on PC. If it breaks, games stall. Use the official Gaming Services Repair Tool to reset and re-register the components, then restart your PC and try again.
3) Verify And Repair Game Files In The Xbox App
Open the Xbox app > My Library > Black Ops 6 > “…” > Manage > Files > Verify and repair. This scan replaces missing or damaged files and fixes many instant-quit issues.
4) Reset The Xbox App And Microsoft Store Cache
Press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and hit Enter to refresh the Store cache. Then in Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Xbox, choose Advanced options, click Repair. If the issue stays, click Reset, then sign in again.
5) Turn Off Overlays And Conflicting Tools
Quit Discord, GeForce Experience in-game overlay, Radeon overlay, RivaTuner, screen recorders, or FPS limiters. These can hook the game at launch and cause a silent exit.
6) Reinstall The Multiplayer Content Packs
If the game opens to menus then fails at map load, content packs may be out of sync. In the Xbox app, open Manage > Files > Optional installs and reinstall all installed packs.
7) Check Anti-Cheat Requirements
Recent Call of Duty seasons strengthened kernel-level checks. If your system fails the pre-launch scan, the game may close. Enable Secure Boot and TPM in your BIOS/UEFI, then power cycle the PC.
8) Sign Out And Back In Everywhere
Sign out of the Xbox app and the Microsoft Store. Close both, reboot, open the Store first, sign in, then open the Xbox app and sign in again. This refreshes the Game Pass license link.
9) Move The Game To Another Drive
An SSD with ample free space helps. In the Xbox app > Manage > General, change install drive, move the game, and try again.
10) Reinstall Gaming Services And The Xbox App
If all else fails, uninstall Gaming Services and the Xbox app, restart, then reinstall both from the Microsoft Store. Launch the game once more before adding overlays or tweaks.
Why Game Pass PC Launches Fail
Knowing the root causes helps you pick the right fix fast.
Licensing Hiccups
Game Pass entitlement syncs through both the Store and Xbox app. A stale token can make the app think you need to buy the game. The sign out/in loop and Store cache reset clear that state.
File Corruption Or Partial Updates
Interrupted updates, power cuts, or antivirus locks can leave files in a half-installed state. The Xbox app’s repair feature compares hashes and pulls fresh copies as needed.
Driver Crashes And Overlays
Old or buggy drivers, plus overlays that inject at launch, can dump you to desktop. Updating the driver and trimming background apps removes that friction.
System Integrity Checks
Anti-cheat tech can require firmware settings like Secure Boot and TPM. If those are off, launch may fail without a friendly message. Toggling them on aligns your PC with the pre-launch checks.
Confirm Your PC Meets The Specs
Match your rig against the developer’s baseline. If you fall short, the game may fail to boot or crash as assets load. Full specs live on Activision’s official page.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Ryzen 5 1400 / Core i5-6600 | Ryzen 5 1600X / Core i7-6700K |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| GPU | RX 470 / GTX 960 / Arc A580 | RX 6600XT / GTX 1080 Ti or RTX 3060 |
| VRAM | 2 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | SSD with ~102 GB free | SSD with ~102 GB free |
If you’re close to the minimums, lower your expectations and keep background apps closed. An SSD is non-negotiable for smooth asset streaming.
Step-By-Step: Clean Start That Solves Most Cases
This sequence resets the app stack and fixes many stubborn cases:
- Close the Xbox app, Microsoft Store, and Battle.net or Steam if open.
- Run
wsreset.exeto refresh the Store cache. - Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates and update Xbox, Gaming Services, and the Xbox Identity Provider.
- Open the Gaming Services Repair Tool and apply the repair.
- Reboot the PC.
- Open the Xbox app, sign in, then open Black Ops 6 and test.
Network Checks That Matter
Launch can fail if the anti-cheat handshake or license call times out.
- Use wired Ethernet where possible.
- Temporarily disable VPNs and custom DNS, then test.
- Open the Xbox app and run the network check under Settings > Network.
- Restart your router and your PC.
Storage, Permissions, And Install Drive
Windows storage rules can block writes to certain folders or file systems. Keep at least 15% free space on the install drive and install on NTFS, not exFAT. Avoid long paths with special characters in custom library locations.
Controller, Audio, And Peripheral Conflicts
Rare, but real. Unplug extra gamepads, wheels, and USB audio dongles. Re-try the game with only a keyboard, mouse, and one controller connected.
When To Reinstall
If repair passes but the game still drops to desktop, a fresh install can clear lingering data. Uninstall from the Xbox app, delete the game’s folder if left behind, restart, then install again to a different SSD.
Keep This Handy: Links And Notes
Check the official PC system requirements for driver versions and disk needs. Track current bugs on the Xbox Support page for known issues. If an outage is active, wait it out and test later.
Problem Paths: Quick Picks
If Play is grayed out, sign out and back in, then run the Repair Tool. If you drop to desktop after the splash, update your GPU driver and repair files. If an anti-cheat message appears, enable Secure Boot and TPM, reboot, and retest. For update errors, run wsreset, get Store updates, and try again. When it works once then fails, repair files and reset the Xbox app.
Still Stuck? Quick Checklist
- Windows up to date.
- Xbox app and Gaming Services updated or repaired.
- GPU driver current.
- Overlays off.
- Files verified.
- Secure Boot/TPM enabled if prompted by anti-cheat.
- Sufficient free SSD space.
Secure Boot And TPM: Quick Check And Toggle
Open Start and type “System Information.” In the summary pane, check Secure Boot State and TPM status. If Secure Boot shows Off, restart and enter BIOS/UEFI (Del, F2, or your board’s key). Switch firmware mode to UEFI, enable Secure Boot, save, and reboot. For TPM, enable firmware TPM (fTPM/PSP) on AMD boards or PTT on Intel boards.
Once both features read On in Windows, launch the game again. If an anti-cheat block remains, fully power down for ten seconds and boot once more so settings persist. Avoid unsigned drivers during testing.
Clean Drivers And Overlays: Fresh Start Steps
Grab the latest driver package from your GPU vendor and pick a clean install. Turn off In-Game Overlay and Instant Replay in GeForce or Radeon software. In Discord, disable Game Overlay in Settings > Game Overlay. Close MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, OBS, Xbox Game Bar capture widgets, and similar hook-in apps for the first test. If the game launches, add them back one by one.
Account And Region Edge Cases
License mismatches can stem from different accounts between the Microsoft Store and the Xbox app. Make sure both show the same email. If you recently changed your Game Pass tier, sign out of both apps, reboot, and sign in again. Set date, time, and region to match your location, then retry. Family settings can block online features; confirm your Xbox profile allows multiplayer.
Aftercare: Keep It Stable
Once the game runs, keep a few habits. Leave 20–30 GB free on the install SSD. Update GPU drivers after big seasonal patches. Repair game files after a crash loop. Toggle overlays only when needed. If you move the install to a new drive, run Verify and repair before your next session. Keep an eye on known issues posts and patch notes before reinstalling the whole game. That step often saves hours.