How to Fix “DCOM Got Error 87 Attempting to Start the Service GamingServices” on Windows 11

If you’re seeing the error “DCOM got error 87 attempting to start the service GamingServices” in Event Viewer on Windows 11, it usually means Windows failed to start the Gaming Services component required by Xbox apps and Microsoft Store games. This error often shows up after Windows updates, failed Microsoft Store installs, or corrupted Gaming Services packages.

While the message looks serious, it’s almost always a software issue—and it can be fixed without resetting Windows.

Fix “DCOM Got Error 87 Attempting to Start the Service GamingServices” on Windows 11

The fixes below focus on repairing or reinstalling Gaming Services and correcting permission or service startup problems. We recommend following them in order and checking whether the error stops appearing after each fix.

1. Restart Gaming Services from Services

Sometimes Gaming Services fails to initialize correctly after a system update or reboot. Restarting it can clear temporary startup issues.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Gaming Services in the list.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.
4. If the service is not running, click Start instead.
5. Close the Services window and restart your PC.

If the service starts normally, the DCOM error may stop appearing immediately.

2. Reset and Repair Gaming Services from Windows Settings

Corrupted app data is one of the most common causes of Error 87 with Gaming Services.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Locate Gaming Services.
4. Click the three-dot menu and select Advanced options.
5. Click Repair first.
6. If the error persists, click Reset.
7. Restart your PC.

Resetting does not remove installed games but refreshes Gaming Services components.

3. Reinstall Gaming Services Using PowerShell

If repairing doesn’t work, reinstalling Gaming Services completely is often the most effective fix.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Run the following command to remove Gaming Services: get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
3. Restart your PC.
4. Open the Microsoft Store and search for Gaming Services.
5. Install it again and restart your PC once more.

This clears corrupted registrations that commonly trigger DCOM Error 87.

4. Check the Gaming Services Registry Entries

Incorrect or missing registry entries can prevent the service from starting correctly.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServices
3. Confirm that the key exists and isn’t empty.
4. Repeat the check for: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GamingServicesNet
5. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

If these keys are missing, reinstalling Gaming Services usually restores them automatically.

5. Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files can interfere with service startup and trigger DCOM errors.

1. Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Run the following command: sfc /scannow
3. After it completes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Restart your PC once both scans finish.

These tools repair Windows components that Gaming Services depends on.

6. Check Windows Update and Microsoft Store Updates

Outdated system files or Store components can cause Gaming Services to fail at startup.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Install all available updates.
3. Open the Microsoft Store and update all apps.
4. Restart your PC.

Updates from Microsoft frequently fix Gaming Services and DCOM-related issues.

7. Verify the Error in Event Viewer (Optional)

If you want to confirm the fix, you can check whether the error still appears.

1. Right-click Start and open Event Viewer.
2. Go to Windows Logs > System.
3. Look for recent DCOM Error 87 entries related to GamingServices.
4. If no new errors appear after reboot, the issue is resolved.

This step helps verify that the problem is fully fixed, not just hidden.

Wrapping Up

The “DCOM got error 87 attempting to start the service GamingServices” error on Windows 11 is almost always caused by corrupted Gaming Services components, broken registrations, or incomplete updates—not hardware failure. Reinstalling Gaming Services and repairing system files resolves the issue for most users.

Once Gaming Services starts correctly, Xbox apps and Microsoft Store games should work normally again—and the DCOM error should stop appearing in Event Viewer altogether.