Popular Games Starfield Error Code 0x80073D26: How to Fix It

Easy 10–30 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
0x80073D26
Brand
Popular Games
Product Type
game
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Fix Time
10–30 minutes
Error code 0x80073D26 appears in Starfield when the Xbox Game Pass license check fails, meaning your system cannot verify that your subscription entitles you to play the game. This can happen due to a lapsed subscription, a corrupted license cache, account sync issues, or a problem with the Microsoft Store on Windows. The good news is that this is almost always a software-level fix you can handle yourself without any special tools.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code 0x80073D26

  1. Verify Your Game Pass Subscription is Active

  2. Sign Out and Sign Back Into the Xbox App or Microsoft Store

  3. Sync Licenses on Xbox Console

    Choosing 'Reset and remove everything' will delete all installed games and apps. Always choose the 'keep my games & apps' option unless performing a full reset as a last resort.

  4. Clear the Microsoft Store Cache on Windows PC

  5. Repair or Reset the Xbox App on Windows

    Resetting the Xbox app will clear locally cached data but will not affect your game saves, which are stored in the cloud.

  6. Re-register the Microsoft Store via PowerShell

    Only run PowerShell commands from trusted sources. This command is an official Microsoft troubleshooting step and is safe to use.

  7. Check That Starfield is Installed on the Correct Drive for Your Account

  8. Set Your Device as the Home Xbox or Designated PC

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When to Call a Professional

If you have completed all steps above and the error persists, the issue likely lies with your Microsoft account or a backend licensing server problem. Contact Xbox Support directly at support.xbox.com and open a ticket or start a live chat. Provide them with your Microsoft account email, the error code 0x80073D26, and the steps you have already tried. Xbox Support agents have access to account-level tools that can force a license refresh or investigate subscription billing errors that you cannot resolve yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does error code 0x80073D26 mean in Starfield?
Error code 0x80073D26 means Starfield could not verify your Xbox Game Pass license. This happens when your system fails to confirm that your active subscription grants you access to the game. It is usually caused by a subscription lapse, a corrupted license cache, or a sign-in sync issue — not a problem with the game itself.
Does error 0x80073D26 mean my Game Pass subscription expired?
Not necessarily, but it is the first thing to check. Log in at account.microsoft.com and confirm your Game Pass subscription shows as Active. If it has expired or failed to renew due to a payment issue, renewing it should resolve the error immediately.
Why does Starfield show a license error even though I have Game Pass?
Even with an active subscription, your device or app may be holding a corrupted or outdated license token. Signing out and back in, clearing the Microsoft Store cache with wsreset.exe, or repairing the Xbox app forces your device to fetch a fresh license from Microsoft's servers.
Can I fix error 0x80073D26 on Xbox console without a PC?
Yes. On Xbox console, go to Settings > Account > Subscriptions to sync your licenses, or perform a soft reset using 'Reset and keep my games & apps' under Settings > System > Console info. You can also make the console your Home Xbox to stabilize license verification going forward.
Will I lose my Starfield save data if I reset the Xbox app or console?
No. Starfield save data is stored in the cloud linked to your Microsoft account. Resetting the Xbox app on PC or performing a 'keep my games & apps' console reset will not delete your progress. Your saves will sync back down once you sign in again.

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