Xbox Game Bar Not Working? 2024 Solutions Are Here

Larissa updated on Jan 05, 2024 to EaseUS RecExperts

Xbox game bar is a great tool for users, especially gamers, to record their gameplay and connect with friends online. Since the feature is a little buggy, users experience Xbox game bar not recording issues. The article discusses potential reasons and solutions to fix the issues. Also, EaseUS RecExperts, a professional screen recording tool, is the best alternative for the Xbox Game bar if the issues still persist.

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Game Bar in Windows has been an excellent inclusion for gamers since they can quickly monitor and control the game settings by simply pressing Windows and G keys. Some users are experiencing an issue with the game bar feature, as it is not opening even after pressing the shortcut keys. If the Xbox game bar can't record, you won't be able to record your gameplay. In this article, we will try to address the reasons and fixes to solve the Xbox game bar not recording issue.

Xbox Game Bar is exclusively made for gamers to record their gameplay, connect with fellow gamers and stream them online without having to depend on external applications. Unfortunately, the Game Bar is a little buggy and can act up sometimes, causing some errors and issues. The subsequent sections will discuss the reasons and fixes to resolve the screen recording not working issue.

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Possible Reasons Why Xbox Game Bar Not Recording

The Game Bar is a relatively new addition to Windows OS 10/11. We cannot exactly point out the reasons, but it can depend on Game Bar settings, full-screen recording mode, and registry settings.

The possible reasons can be:

  • If the Game Bar's shortcut key (Windows + G) is altered or not working. You are unable to run it.
  • The Game Bar does not support recording for games in full screens.
  • A windows update or background software may have disabled the game bar.
  • Some games restrict the desktop from recording. In such cases, you cannot record.
  • If the Xbox Game Bar keeps turning off, it could be due to registry settings.
  • The Game Bar application settings may also cause a lot of issues.

SOLVED: Fix Xbox Game Bar Not Working

Now we know the potential reasons why the Xbox Game bar not recording, all we need to do is modify the settings to get back to recording using the Game Bar.

To help you fix the Xbox Game Bar issue, we have curated a list of 4 solutions, including the best alternative of Game Bar to screen record your gameplay, tutorials, etc.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Solution 1: Check if the Game Bar is Enabled or Not

Press the Windows + I at a time or use the Search box...Full steps

Solution 2: Check the Registry Editor Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to summon the...Full steps
Solution 3: Repair or Reset the Xbox Game Bar App Settings Press the Windows + I or manually search for settings to open the...Full steps
Solution 4: Try Xbox Game Bar Alternative - EaseUS RecExperts[Hot] Launch EaseUS RecExperts on your computer. Before recording....Full steps

Solution 1: Check if the Game Bar is Enabled or Not

The Xbox Game Bar is enabled by default as it is an inbuilt tool, and the shortcut key Windows + G is set to access it. But sometimes, you need to check the feature settings due to windows updates and background settings. And you can also enable the settings to Launch the Xbox Game Bar using the illuminated button on your Xbox controller.

Steps to enable the Xbox Game Bar:

Step 1: Press the Windows + I at a time or use the Search box to open the Settings manually.

Step 2: Click on Gaming options on the left pane of the screen and Navigate to Xbox Game Bar settings.

Step 3:  For Windows 11 users, You can see the "Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller" option. Just turn on the toggle to use this feature.

You can use the Windows + G shortcut key or the illuminated button on the Xbox controller to invoke the Game Bar to record your screen.

Solution 2: Check the Registry Editor

Another reason the Xbox game bar is getting disabled is tinkering around with the registry editor. Since the Windows registry is responsible for administrative and advanced settings, a messed up setting may restrict your Game Bar from appearing on your OS. So, you need to check and edit the registry controls to enable the Game Bar.

Steps to access and check if the Game Bar is disabled due to Registry Editor:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to summon the Run app. Type regedit in the dialog box and press OK.

Step 2: Copy and paste the below location into the Navigation bar.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR

Step 3: Right-click on the right-ane and select the DWORD (32-bit) option from the displayed options.

Step 4: To Create the DWORD (32-bit) value, type "AppCaptureEnabled," and press Enter.

Step 5: To edit the DWORD (32-bit) value, double-click on the AppcaptureEnabled and change the Value data to 1. After that, click OK to save the changes.

Solution 3: Repair or Reset the Xbox Game Bar App Settings

There can be instances where the Xbox Game Bar is outdated, and you may have made some changes to settings internally, resulting in this issue. Fortunately, we can repair or reset the application to the default configuration.

Steps to Repair or Reset the Xbox Game Bar application: 

Step 1: Press the Windows + I or manually search for settings to open the Settings on your computer.

Step 2: On the right pane, Navigate to the Apps section and click on Installed Applications.

Step 3: Search for Xbox Game Bar or manually find the application.

Step 4: After finding the application, Click on the three horizontal dots next to the Xbox Game bar name. Select the Advanced options from the menu.

Step 5: In the Advanced options, you can see both the repair and reset options. Click on the repair button. If it does not solve your issues, click on the reset button.

The Windows OS will try to troubleshoot the app, attempt to repair or reset it, and shows a checkmark to indicate that process is done.

To tackle the Game Bar issues for full-screen mode, you can try using Windows + Alt + R to start and stop the game recording. You can see a flash on your screen indicating the start and stop of your recordings.

Solution 4: Try Xbox Game Bar Alternative - EaseUS RecExperts

If the issue still persists and you want to record gameplay on PC or something important, you can for the best Xbox Game Bar alternative EaseUS RecExperts. EaseUS RecExperts is an excellent Mac and Windows screen recording tool to record your screen and audio with seamless resolution and outstanding audio quality on Windows and Mac. You can record your screen and webcam at the same for gameplay commentary and demonstration, youtube sessions, and it even allows you to record encrypted videos on streaming platforms.

The whole process can be done in a few simple steps with the help of a user-friendly UI and supported by multiple input and output file formats. It offers an inbuilt video editor and screenshots to trim and edit the videos without any watermarks, according to your convenience. 

Key Features on EaseUS RecExperts:

  • Record your screen and microphone audio along with the webcam.
  • It offers a built-in free screenshot tool to capture any part of your screen.
  • Records video in 4K UHD with 144fps and supports 10+ formats.
  • Access to a value-added video editor and video cutter.
  • Allows scheduling recordings of desired durations. 

Steps to Record Screen with EaseUS RecExperts:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts on your computer. Before recording, you can choose from two recording modes. To record the whole screen, choose the "Full Screen" mode; to record a part of the screen, select "Region".

Step 2. You can also choose to record the screen with your webcam, system sound, microphone. Just click to select them. You can also set auto split, auto recording with various functions on the interface.

Step 3. Then, click on the red "REC" button to start recording. To pause the recording, click on the white double vertical bar; to end the recording, click on the red square sign. They are located on the menu bar appearing on your screen.

Step 4. After recording, you will be led to the recording list. Here you can view, split, extract audio, take screenshots, delete, and manage your recordings, etc. To start a new recording with previous settings, click on the "REC" button on the top of the window.

The Final Verdict

Xbox Game Bar is a very handy tool on Windows OS for people who want to record their gameplay, connect with friends and stream without any external tools. All you have to do is press Windows + G to summon it. But the tool is relatively new and is buggy sometimes if the Xbox game bar not recording, there can be several reasons, and you need to tweak some settings to get back to recording. But, if the issue persists, you need to download and use EaseUS RecExperts, an excellent screen recording tool with multiple features included in it, making it the best alternative for Xbox Game Bar.

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Xbox Game Bar Not Working FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent FAQs asked on the topic. If you have similar queries hope this will help you.

1. Why does my Xbox game bar not working?

There are several reasons why the Xbox game bar not working. First, check whether the app settings or registry editor enables the Xbox game bar. You need to repair or reset the application if enabled and still not working, as the feature is enabled by default.

2. Is the Xbox game bar available on my Windows 7 computer?

No, the Xbox game bar is not available on Windows 7. Microsoft introduced the Xbox Game Bar into the Windows ecosystem from Windows 10 to make it easy for users, especially games, to record gameplay, connect with friends online and capture screenshots.

3. What is the best software to record a screen without the Xbox game bar?

Many software tools are available online to record your screen without a game bar. The best tool you use is EaseUS RecExperts. EaseUS RecExperts is one of the most popular screen recording tools with simple UI and robust features to cater to the audio and video recording needs of everyone.