Clean Windows install - now For Horizon 5 won't run

I did a clean install of Windows 11 yesterday after replacing the SSD. Now Forza Horizon 5 won't run. It will install, all files will verify without error but it'll just go to the desktop after about a minute on the splash screen. All GPU drivers are up to date.

I've tried the Repair options in the Xbox app, and in Windows. Also installed it for a second time (at over 130GB each time), no luck

dxdiag might shade some light.

1. Press: Windows key + R
2. Type into run box: dxdiag
3. Click OK
4. If asked to check for driver signatures click "YES"
5. Wait until progress bar is complete
6. Click on "Save All Information..." button
7. Save the file to your desktop
8. Zip up the file and attach to your reply

btw, is this desktop game or xbox game? why did you mention xbox?

zebal said:

dxdiag might shade some light.

1. Press: Windows key + R
2. Type into run box: dxdiag
3. Click OK
4. If asked to check for driver signatures click "YES"
5. Wait until progress bar is complete
6. Click on "Save All Information..." button
7. Save the file to your desktop
8. Zip up the file and attach to your reply

btw, is this desktop game or xbox game? why did you mention xbox?

Click to expand...

Xbox PC app. I think I've solved it. During the clean install MS installed the Nvidia driver 545.29, which I believe is a Beta (latest official Nvidia is 536.23). I disconnected the internet, clean installed the 536.23 driver and now the game will load

ok glad to hear it's solved.

zebal said:

ok glad to hear it's solved.

Click to expand...

It's not, this time it didn't load even with official Nvidia driver 536.23

share dxdiag because it might contain error codes.

Will do

OK I wasn't getting on with my clean Windows install, and it was taking a lot of time. I made an image backup before installing so restored that. Re-installed FH5 but it still won't run - it was working on the same Windows install. The new updated version of FH5 got installed, before cleaning and re-imaging the previous version of FH5 was installed.

Dxdiag attached, according to this the unreleased MS Nvidia driver is WHQL signed

Your Windows Build 22621.1926 RP is later than the latest stable build of 1848. Could it be something to do with that? A bug?
What is Build 22621.1926 RP? Is it an insider or developer build or something?

wiganken said:

Your Windows Build 22621.1926 RP is later than the latest stable build of 1848. Could it be something to do with that? A bug?
What is Build 22621.1926 RP? Is it an insider or developer build or something?

Click to expand...

Insider release preview. The game just launched, once. Tried it again and it failed again.

Does the game work on the stable build 1848? If it does then sounds like an incompatibility or bug in 1926?

wiganken said:

Does the game work on the stable build 1848? If it does then sounds like an incompatibility or bug in 1926?

Click to expand...

I have no way to test that now, I will have to wait until the next stable build.

Unfortunately there are no error codes but here is what you can try since the issues appears to be with gaming services:

1. Select the Search icon on the taskbar, type powershell, right-click on Windows PowerShell, and then select Run as administrator.
2. In Windows PowerShell, type the following command and press Enter:
   get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
3. In the same window, type the following command and press Enter:
   start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN
4. Install the app on that page and select Yes when you receive the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.
5. Restart your device and try to install run the game again.

Click to expand...

zebal said:

Unfortunately there are no error codes but here is what you can try since the issues appears to be with gaming services:

Xbox Support

support.xbox.com

Click to expand...

I've installed about 10-15 other games and they all work, will give this a try

In case if this doesn't work take a look into:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\dumps
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\logs

Click to expand...

Zip up any logs and dump files you find and share them.

I suppose game_release.exe is steam related.

zebal said:

In case if this doesn't work take a look into:



Zip up any logs and dump files you find and share them.

I suppose game_release.exe is steam related.

Click to expand...

It's not from Steam it's from MS Store. Your suggestion did work the first time but the game failed to load after that

After all the suggestions on forums, someone has suggested this and it's now worked twice. Game loaded properly after I tried this. Hopefully it'll carry on now.
Definitely a game problem

Interesting, thank you for sharing solution.
It help to know that "Diagnostics" in dxdiag must not always be interpreted chronologically.