The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered Crashing Issue (Error Code 0x80000004): How to Fix

The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered has finally arrived, bringing the beloved classic to modern systems with enhanced visuals and features. Unfortunately, not everyone is experiencing the nostalgic journey through Cyrodiil as intended. Many players are encountering a frustrating error code 0x80000004 that prevents the game from even launching. This crashing issue has become one of the most reported problems with the remaster, leaving fans desperate for solutions.

If you’re one of the unfortunate adventurers staring at an error message instead of exploring the Imperial Province, you’re not alone. The good news? This error isn’t new to the gaming world, and several effective fixes exist. Let’s dive into why this frustrating issue occurs and how you can solve it for good.

Why Is Oblivion Remastered Crashing With Error Code 0x80000004?

The error code 0x80000004 typically appears when attempting to launch the game through the Xbox app on PC. This isn’t actually a problem exclusive to Oblivion Remastered – it’s a recurring issue that affects many games launched through Microsoft’s ecosystem. The error generally indicates a problem with the Xbox app’s connection to gaming services or issues with cached data.

While the recent remaster has been largely successful, optimization problems plague the experience for many players. Beyond the launch crashes, others report save progress not being recorded correctly or graphical glitches that hamper gameplay. The massive 120GB installation size only compounds the frustration when these technical hiccups occur.

Proven Fixes for Oblivion Remastered’s Error Code 0x80000004

Let’s cut to the chase—here are the most effective solutions to get you back into the world of Oblivion:

1. Remove Microsoft.GamingServices Package

While there’s no definitive proof this service causes the issue, many players report success after removing it:

1. Open Windows Start menu and search for “Windows PowerShell”
2. Right-click the result and select “Run as Administrator”
3. In PowerShell, enter this command: get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
4. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete
5. Restart your computer
6. After restarting, open PowerShell as administrator again
7. Enter this command: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
8. Restart your PC again
9. Log into Microsoft Store and the Xbox app
10. Try launching Oblivion Remastered

This solution essentially refreshes the gaming services components that handle authentication and game launching processes, which often resolves the 0x80000004 error.

2. Delete GamingServices Folders via Registry Editor

Sometimes, corrupted registry entries can cause launch issues. Here’s how to address them:

1. Press Windows key + R and type “regedit” then press Enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Locate the GamingServices or GamingServices.net folders
4. Right-click each and select Delete
5. Restart your computer
6. Try launching the game again

Be extremely careful when modifying the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability. Consider creating a backup before proceeding.

3. Reset Microsoft Store and Xbox App

App configuration issues often trigger this error. Resetting both apps can help:

1. Go to Windows Start menu and search for “installed apps”
2. Find the Xbox application in the list
3. Click the three dots next to it and select “Advanced options”
4. Scroll down and click “Reset”
5. Return to the app list
6. Navigate to “System Components”
7. Find Microsoft Store and reset it as well
8. Launch both applications
9. Try launching Oblivion Remastered

This process essentially gives both apps a fresh start, clearing potential configuration issues that might be preventing proper game launching.

4. Delete Temporary Files

Accumulated temporary files can interfere with game launches:

1. Press Windows key + R
2. Type “%temp%” and press Enter
3. Select all files and folders in the opened directory
4. Delete everything (some files may be in use and can’t be deleted—that’s okay)
5. Try launching the game

Temporary files can sometimes contain corrupted data that interferes with the game’s launch process. Clearing them gives the system a clean slate when trying to launch the game.

5. Run the WSRESET Command

This quick fix resets the Windows Store cache:

1. Press Windows key + R
2. Type “wsreset” and press Enter
3. Wait for the process to complete
4. Try launching Oblivion Remastered

The wsreset command clears the Windows Store cache, which can help resolve various issues with app and game launches.

6. Remove Credentials

Authentication issues often cause this error. Try cleaning up your credentials:

1. Open Windows Start menu and search for “credential manager”
2. Select “Windows Credentials”
3. Look for entries starting with “Xbl|DeviceKey” and remove them
4. Also remove any XblGrts and XboxLive credentials
5. Restart the Xbox app
6. Try launching the game

This solution is particularly effective if the issue is related to authentication problems between your account and Microsoft’s gaming services.

7. Delete Account and Cache Files

Specific cache files can sometimes become corrupted:

1. Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.XboxIdentityProvider_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\TokenBroker
2. Delete all files and folders there
3. Also delete contents of: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe
4. Restart your computer
5. Try launching the game

Note: If you can’t find the AppData folder, it’s likely hidden. Go to View > Show > Hidden items in File Explorer to reveal it.

8. Disable Proxy Settings

Sometimes network configurations interfere with game launches:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type “inetcpl.cpl” and press Enter
3. Go to the Connections tab
4. Click “LAN settings”
5. Uncheck “Use a proxy server for your LAN”
6. Click OK
7. Try launching the game

Proxy settings can sometimes interfere with the authentication process required for game launches, especially for games using the Xbox ecosystem.

9. Switch to Steam (Last Resort)

If all else fails, consider a platform switch:

1. Purchase and download Oblivion Remastered through Steam instead
2. This completely bypasses the Xbox app issues

While this solution works reliably (since the error is specific to the Xbox app), the game’s enormous 120GB download size makes this a time-consuming last resort.

Why These Fixes Work for Oblivion Remastered’s Crashing Issue

To understand why these solutions are effective, it helps to know what’s happening behind the scenes. The error code 0x80000004 typically indicates a failure in communication between the game launcher and Microsoft’s gaming services. This can happen due to:

1. Corrupted cache files: The Xbox app and Microsoft Store maintain cache files that can become corrupted over time
2. Authentication issues: Problems with stored credentials can prevent proper verification
3. Registry problems: Certain registry entries related to gaming services may become damaged
4. Network configuration conflicts: Proxy settings or firewall rules may block necessary connections

The solutions provided target these specific areas, systematically addressing each potential point of failure. Many users report the first method—removing and reinstalling the Microsoft.GamingServices package—is particularly effective, as it essentially gives the system a fresh start with the components needed to launch Xbox app games.

Beyond the Launch Issues: Other Common Oblivion Remastered Problems

While getting the game to launch is the first hurdle, players should be aware of other issues affecting Oblivion Remastered:

Save Progress Not Being Recorded

Some players report that their save progress disappears between sessions. To mitigate this:

1. Ensure you’re running the game with administrator privileges
2. Check that antivirus software isn’t blocking save file creation
3. Verify your user account has proper write permissions to the game’s save directory

Performance Optimization Issues

Despite the remaster, performance problems persist for many users:

1. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version
2. Try running the game in windowed mode if fullscreen causes issues
3. Adjust in-game shadow and water reflection settings, which tend to be particularly demanding

Resolution and Display Problems

Some players struggle with resolution settings that won’t stick:

1. Exit the game completely
2. Navigate to the game’s configuration files in Documents
3. Manually adjust the resolution settings in the relevant .ini file
4. Set the file to read-only after making changes

The Future of Fixes: What’s Being Done About Oblivion Remastered Crashes?

The development team is aware of these issues, particularly the error code 0x80000004 problem affecting Xbox app users. While official patches are likely in development, the fixes provided above represent the best current solutions based on community discoveries and official recommendations.

It’s worth noting that many players switching from the Xbox app version to the Steam version report significantly fewer issues, suggesting some of these problems may be platform-specific rather than inherent to the game itself.

Preventative Measures for Future Gaming Issues

To avoid similar problems with future game installations:

1. Keep Windows fully updated with the latest feature and security updates
2. Regularly clear temporary files and cache data
3. Maintain updated graphics drivers
4. Consider a periodic clean installation of gaming platforms like the Xbox app and Microsoft Store

Conclusion: April 25, 2025

The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered crashing with error code 0x80000004 is undoubtedly frustrating, but it’s a solvable problem. By methodically working through the solutions provided, most players will be able to resolve the issue and finally experience the remastered version of this beloved RPG classic.

Remember to try the solutions in order, starting with the removal of the Microsoft.GamingServices package, which has proven most effective for many players. If all else fails, switching to the Steam version might be worth the additional download time, especially for dedicated fans eager to revisit Cyrodiil in enhanced glory.

With these fixes, you’ll soon be able to answer the call of the Emperor, close those Oblivion gates, and explore the vibrant world of Tamriel’s central province once again—this time with enhanced graphics and features that breathe new life into this classic adventure.