Alex Ruben
How To Download and Install Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time on Xbox for Game Pass Subscribers
Getting Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time up and running on your Xbox Series S or X isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re new to Game Pass or just having issues finding or installing the game. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of making sure your subscription is active, or you’ve got the right store settings turned on. Other times, the download stalls or fails, and you’re left scratching your head. This guide is about walking through the initial setup, troubleshooting common hiccups, and making sure the game actually gets installed so you can jump into those N. Tropy moments.
How to Fix Common Installation and Download Issues on Xbox Game Pass
Make sure your subscription is active and the game is available
This one sounds obvious, but it’s sneaky. If your Game Pass just expired or you don’t have it active on the account you’re using, you won’t see the game or be able to install it. Double-check Settings > Accounts > Subscriptions and confirm your sub is still live. Sometimes, the game might also be region-restricted, so verify you’re logged into the right account and region in Settings > System > Language & Region. If the game doesn’t show up in the store or library, that’s your first clue — fix that before diving deeper.
Ensure your Xbox is connected to the internet and check system updates
This seems obvious, but network issues are often the villain. Head over to Settings > General > Network Settings and run a connection test. If your internet’s flaky or runs slow, the game might not download properly. Also, check for system updates: Settings > System > Updates > Keep my console up to date. Outdated firmware can cause weird download problems, so if there’s an update waiting, get it installed. Sometimes, a reboot after updates kicks things into gear.
Clear local cache or restart your console if downloads freeze
This fix is kinda weird, but works on many setups. Power down your Xbox fully — hold the power button for about 10 seconds — then unplug it from power for a minute. Plug it back in and turn it on. If the download stalls, go to My Games & Apps > Queue and see if the download is stuck. If it is, cancel the download, then restart the console. On some machines, the download or install window gets confused and a simple reboot clears the stuck cache.
Check your storage space and manage game options
Not enough space? Easy to overlook — go to Settings > General > Storage Devices and make sure there’s enough free space for the game. Crash Bandicoot 4 is surprisingly big, so you might need to delete some old games or apps. When you select the game in the library, hit Manage and confirm the installation options. Sometimes, selecting just the base game and skipping optional add-ons or updates temporarily can help get it installed faster, especially if your internet connection isn’t great.
Activate the game through the Xbox Store if it doesn’t appear in Game Library
If the game isn’t popping up in your library even though you’ve paid for it, try searching directly in the Microsoft Store. Go to My Games & Apps > Full Library > All Owned Games and look for Crash Bandicoot 4. If it’s not there, search in the store’s browse page (or via the search option). If it shows up, select it, then hit Install. Sometimes, a manual install via the store fixes visibility issues.
Final tip: Check for background downloads or other devices using your network
On some setups, multiple devices hogging bandwidth slow down or cancel downloads automatically. If you’re trying to download on a busy network, pause other large downloads or uploads. Also, if your Xbox is set to offline mode, it won’t be able to fetch updates or new games. Confirm online status in Settings > General > Network > Go Online.
Wrap-up
Getting Crash Bandicoot 4 onto your Xbox isn’t always smooth sailing, but doing a quick check on subscription status, network, storage, and installing via the store often clears up the common pitfalls. The whole process can vary a bit depending on setup and internet speed — sometimes it works first try, other times it needs a little nudge with a reboot or cache clear. Expect to spend a bit of time with patience and troubleshooting, but once it’s installed — it’s all about hopping into the crazy adventures.
Summary
- Verify your Game Pass subscription is active and region settings are correct
- Check network stability and update your Xbox system
- Clear cache or do a full power cycle if downloads stall
- Ensure you have enough storage space for the game
- Search manually in the Microsoft Store if it doesn’t show up
- Limit background bandwidth usage if downloads are slow or failing
Final thoughts
Hopefully, this clears up some of the common issues — getting your game installed shouldn’t be a chore, but of course, Xbox likes to make things a little tricky sometimes. If nothing else works, checking online forums or reaching out to Xbox support can be the last resort. Fingers crossed this helps — good luck crushing those N. Tropy timelines!