Emily Bennett
How to Fix Minecraft Bedrock Edition Authentication Issues on PC
If you’re encountering the “You need to authenticate to Microsoft services” error while trying to play Minecraft Bedrock Edition on your PC, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps designed to resolve this issue effectively. By following these steps, you’ll regain access to your game and enjoy seamless gameplay. The process includes verifying settings, repairing application files, and ensuring essential services are running correctly. Let’s dive into the solutions!
Before starting, ensure you have administrative privileges on your PC, as many of the steps require changes that necessitate this access. Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date. Familiarize yourself with the locations of the following files and applications, as you will need to navigate to them during the process:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\for Microsoft Store local cache files- Access to the Xbox app for repairs
- PowerShell for executing specific commands
Step 1: Restart Your PC
Start by simply restarting your computer. This can resolve many temporary issues, including authentication errors.
Step 2: Run the Gaming Services Repair Tool
If you have the Xbox app installed, open it. Click on your profile icon in the top left corner, navigate to Settings, then go to Support. Here, select the Gaming Services Repair Tool option and follow the prompts to complete the repair.
If you don’t have the Xbox app, you can download the repair tool from the following link: Gaming Services Repair Tool.
Step 3: Verify and Repair the Minecraft Launcher
Open the Xbox app, find Minecraft Launcher, click on the three dots next to it, go to Manage, then select Files. Here, choose the option to Verify and Repair and follow the prompts.
Step 4: Create a Desktop Shortcut for the Minecraft Launcher
Right-click on the Minecraft Launcher, select Manage, and then choose Create Desktop Shortcut. Once created, right-click the new shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
Step 5: Delete Microsoft Store Local Cache Files
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\. Find the folder named Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe and delete its contents to clear local cache files.
Step 6: Run PowerShell Commands
Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command to register the app packages:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Step 7: Flush DNS and Renew IP Configuration
Open the command prompt as an administrator and run these commands:
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
Step 8: Delete Xbox Identity Provider Token Broker Folder
Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\TokenBroker and delete all contents within this folder.
Step 9: Repair/Reset Minecraft Launcher, Xbox App, and Microsoft Store
Search for “Minecraft Launcher” in Windows, right-click it, and select App settings. Scroll down to find Reset and click it. Do the same for the Xbox App and Microsoft Store.
Step 10: Run WSRESET Command
Open the command prompt and type WSRESET. This will reset the Microsoft Store cache.
Step 11: Ensure Date, Time, Time Zone, and Region are Correct
Check the date and time settings by right-clicking the clock on your taskbar and selecting Adjust date/time. Ensure that both Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are turned on.
Step 12: Check for Gaming Services and Xbox Identity Provider Installation
Ensure that the Xbox Identity Provider is installed. You can find it at this link: Xbox Identity Provider.
Step 13: Uninstall and Reinstall Gaming Services
Open PowerShell and run the command:
get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
Then reinstall it via the Microsoft Store using this link: Install Gaming Service.
Step 14: Delete Xbl Login Credentials
Open Credential Manager in Windows and remove any entries related to xbl|DeviceKey and xbl|GrtsDeviceKey.
Step 15: Restart Relevant Services
Open the services app and ensure the following services are running and set to automatic:
- IP Helper
- Xbox Live Auth Manager
- Xbox Live Game Save
- Xbox Live Networking Service
- Gaming Services
- Windows Update
- Microsoft Install Service
Step 16: Uninstall and Reinstall Minecraft Launcher
Search for Minecraft Launcher in Windows, right-click it, and select Uninstall. After uninstalling, restart your PC and download the latest version from the official Minecraft website: Download Minecraft Launcher.
Step 17: Update Windows
If you are still facing issues, consider updating Windows using the Media Creation Tool. You can download it from here: Windows 10 Media Creation Tool or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Ensure your internet connection is stable during this process. If any command gives an error, retry it, as temporary issues may occur. Regularly check for updates for all applications involved.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the authentication error in Minecraft Bedrock Edition. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance. Happy gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the “You need to authenticate to Microsoft services” error?
This error often occurs due to issues with your Microsoft account, cached credentials, or problems with required services on your PC.
Can I play Minecraft without a Microsoft account?
No, a Microsoft account is required to play Minecraft Bedrock Edition on PC.
I’ve tried everything, and it’s still not working. What should I do?
If all steps fail, consider creating a new local account on your PC and reinstalling Minecraft.