Lorene Melone
How To Download and Install Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time on PC for Game Pass Users
If you’re like many gamers, you probably want to try Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time without messing around with complicated setups. Maybe you already have a Game Pass subscription but get stuck somewhere along the way, or the game just refuses to install properly. Honestly, it’s kind of a hassle sometimes—Microsoft’s ecosystem isn’t always seamless, especially if you’ve got conflicting programs or outdated drivers. But once everything lines up, installing Crash through the Xbox app can actually be straightforward. This guide digs into the usual snags and how to fix them, so you can finally get to smashing crates instead of troubleshooting tech.
How to Fix Common Issues When Installing Crash Bandicoot 4 on PC
Verify Your Game Pass Subscription and Xbox App Login
This is step one because, if your subscription’s lapsed or you’re not signed into the Xbox app properly, everything else just won’t work. Double-check that your Game Pass is active under Settings > Accounts > Subscriptions. Also, make sure you’re signed into the Xbox app with the same account associated with your subscription. Sometimes, if you’re logged into a different Microsoft account, it won’t see your premium access, which means no game download—super frustrating when it shows up in search but won’t install. On some machines, signing out and back in can fix weird access issues that cropped up after updates.
Ensure the Xbox App is Up to Date and Installed Correctly
Occasionally, the Xbox app might be outdated or corrupted, causing the download to hang or crash. Head to Microsoft Store and check for updates. If the app refuses to update or behaves weirdly, uninstall and reinstall it. Sometimes, just restarting the Microsoft Store app can clear up stale caches that block new updates. Also, for some users, uninstalling and reinstalling the Xbox app from Microsoft Store helps fix hidden bugs.
Clear Cache and Reset the Xbox App (when things get stuck)
Ever had the app freeze at 99%? Yeah, that’s a common symptom of cache buildup. To fix it, close the Xbox app, then open PowerShell as administrator and run: Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.XboxApp* | Remove-AppxPackage. Then, reinstall the app from the Store. After reinstalling, it’s a good idea to restart your PC. Git rid of the temporary files that might be blocking the download.
Check for and Enable Necessary Windows Features and Permissions
The download and installation might stumble if certain Windows features are disabled or permissions are missing. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App permissions and make sure Background Apps is enabled for the Xbox app. Also, verify that your antivirus or firewall isn’t blocking the app or Battle.net. On some builds, you might need to explicitly allow the app through Windows Defender Firewall: go to Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection > Allow an app through firewall and check that the Xbox app and Battle.net are ticked.
Make Sure Battle.net is Installed Properly and Updated
If the Xbox app prompts to install Battle.net, don’t just click OK without confirming it’s working. Sometimes, the installer fails quietly, and Battle.net never launches. To troubleshoot, go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net (or wherever you’ve installed it) and see if it’s there. Launch it manually. If not, download the latest from Battle.net download page. On some setups, disabling any conflicting overlays (like Discord, GeForce Experience, or competing screen recorders) helps the launcher work smoothly.
Update GPU and System Drivers
This may sound odd, but outdated video or chipset drivers can cause crashes during download or installation. Head to your GPU manufacturer’s site—either NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel—and grab the latest drivers. Restart after installing, then try the download again.
Check Disk Space and Permissions
It’s kind of obvious but often overlooked—if your disk is nearly full or Windows isn’t granting proper permissions to your drive, install errors pop up. Right-click your drive in This PC, select Properties, and check available space. Also, make sure your user account has full control over the drive folders, especially if you’re on a shared machine or corporate network.
Run the Xbox App and Battle.net as Admin
Sometimes, permission issues interfere with download and install. Try launching both apps with administrator rights: right-click their icons and select Run as administrator. This can help bypass certain Windows restrictions and allow the install process to complete. Note: it’s kind of a hassle, but worth a shot if nothing else worked so far.
Wrap-up
Honestly, getting Crash Bandicoot 4 up and running isn’t always smooth sailing. Most problems boil down to subscription states, outdated apps, or permission snags. If all else fails, try a clean install of both the Xbox app and Battle.net, clear cache, and double-check your system updates. Sometimes, restarting your PC a few times helps to clear ghost bugs that linger in the background. Just keep in mind that some setups are finicky — what works on one machine might need a tweak on another.
Summary
- Verify subscription and login
- Update or reinstall Xbox and Battle.net apps
- Clear app cache and run as admin
- Check Windows updates and driver versions
- Ensure sufficient disk space and permissions
Final Words
Getting Crash Bandicoot 4 via Xbox Game Pass on PC can be a bit of a patchwork puzzle, but these fixes cover most common pitfalls. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of head-scratching and lets you focus on smashing crates instead of fixing bugs. Fingers crossed this helps!