How to Fix Game Install Issues on an Xbox 360

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Xbox 360 allows you to install both applications and games from the store or a disc. Sometimes the install doesn't go as planned, so we’re going to show you how to fix that.

What you need before you start:

  • Make sure that there's no physical damage to the Xbox 360 or the game installation disc.
  • You have a good internet connection.
  • Microsoft account.

2. Check Game Disc

Checking the Game Disc

  1. Eject the disc and make sure it is not dirty, scratched or damaged.
  2. Ensure you are using the correct disc for this console.
  3. Insert another disc to see if it works.
  4. If another disc can be read, the disc you are trying to use may be dirty or faulty.
  5. If no other disc can be read, there may be a hardware issue with the console.

3. Install game from disc

Games that are installed to storage will still require the CD in order to play. This will lower the usage on your optical drive and wear of your game disc.

  1. Insert the disc into the tray.
  2. Highlight the game you inserted and press the "X" button on the controller.
Xbox home screen with game highligted. Screenshot.


  1. Select Install.
Install button. Screenshot.


  1. You may have multiple storage options. Select the drive you wish to install your game to.
Example hard drive selected. Screenshot.

4. Check Free Space

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu highlighting the System icon.
  1. Select Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings menu highlighting the Storage option.
  1. This will show you what storage is currently available.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices menu displaying all attached storage mediums your Xbox has available.

5. Manage Local Saved Games

This will delete all data related to the game(s) you remove from local storage. This action can not be undone.

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Storage.
System settings with Storage selected. Screenshot.


  1. Choose a storage device.
Storage devices list with drive selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Games and Apps.
Hard drive with Games and Apps selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select a game.
Games and apps with example game selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Delete.
Example game with Delete button selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Yes to confirm Delete.
Delete confirmation box. Screenshot.

6. Install game from disc

Games that are installed to storage will still require the CD in order to play. This will lower the usage on your optical drive and wear of your game disc.

  1. Insert the disc into the tray.
  2. Highlight the game you inserted and press the "X" button on the controller.
Xbox home screen with game highligted. Screenshot.


  1. Select Install.
Install button. Screenshot.


  1. You may have multiple storage options. Select the drive you wish to install your game to.
Example hard drive selected. Screenshot.

7. What's next?

8. Network / Service Check

Let's attempt to sign into your Xbox LIVE profile.

  1. Go to Social and select Sign In or Out.
Social menu with Sign In or Out option selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select the profile you wish to sign in to.
  2. Select Continue and then sign into your Microsoft account.

If you already purchased the game you're attempting to install, you will want to make sure you're signed into the same profile that you used to purchase the game.

9. Verify Server Status

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status.
Xbox Live Status web page.
  1. Under Services, make sure Xbox Live Core Services and Purchase and Content Usage show as Normal.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the current Service status.
  1. If you are having problem with a particular game or app, look under the Games and Apps section of the page, to be sure those parts of Xbox Live are not having problems.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the Games and Apps service statuses.

10. Try Again Later When Xbox Services Are Online

Try again later when the services are back up.

11. Check Free Space

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu highlighting the System icon.
  1. Select Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings menu highlighting the Storage option.
  1. This will show you what storage is currently available.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices menu displaying all attached storage mediums your Xbox has available.

12. Manage Local Saved Games

This will delete all data related to the game(s) you remove from local storage. This action can not be undone.

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Storage.
System settings with Storage selected. Screenshot.


  1. Choose a storage device.
Storage devices list with drive selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Games and Apps.
Hard drive with Games and Apps selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select a game.
Games and apps with example game selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Delete.
Example game with Delete button selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Yes to confirm Delete.
Delete confirmation box. Screenshot.

13. Install Game from Xbox Live

  1. Go to Games and select Browse Games or Search Games.
Games menu with Browse Games and Search Games highlighted. Screenshot.


  1. Find the game that you wish to install and select it.
  2. Choose the Install option to download the game.
Install button. Screenshot.

14. What's next?

15. Test internet connection

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select your network from the list, it has a check mark in the corner.
Network Settings with example network selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
Network Settings with Test Xbox LIVE Connection selected. Screenshot.

By testing your Xbox Live connection, your Xbox will automatically check for any system updates. If prompted, choose Yes to perform the update.

16. Connect Internet

To set up a wireless connection, follow these steps.

Wired connections will be faster and more reliable than wireless connections. If possible, a wired connection is preferred.

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select your WiFi Network from the list.
Network Settings with example Wi-Fi network selected. Screenshot.
  1. Enter your Security Key and select Done.
Wi-Fi sign in screen. Screenshot.

  1. Your wireless security key is case sensitive and should be entered as such. If you do not know your wireless password you may find it on your gateway / router.

To connect with an Ethernet cable follow these steps.

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Wired Network.
Available networks list with Wired Network selected. Screenshot.


17. Test internet connection

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select your network from the list, it has a check mark in the corner.
Network Settings with example network selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
Network Settings with Test Xbox LIVE Connection selected. Screenshot.

By testing your Xbox Live connection, your Xbox will automatically check for any system updates. If prompted, choose Yes to perform the update.

18. Install Game from Xbox Live

  1. Go to Games and select Browse Games or Search Games.
Games menu with Browse Games and Search Games highlighted. Screenshot.


  1. Find the game that you wish to install and select it.
  2. Choose the Install option to download the game.
Install button. Screenshot.

19. Verify Server Status

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status.
Xbox Live Status web page.
  1. Under Services, make sure Xbox Live Core Services and Purchase and Content Usage show as Normal.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the current Service status.
  1. If you are having problem with a particular game or app, look under the Games and Apps section of the page, to be sure those parts of Xbox Live are not having problems.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the Games and Apps service statuses.

20. Try Again Later When Xbox Services Are Online

Try again later when the services are back up.

21. Check Free Space

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu highlighting the System icon.
  1. Select Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings menu highlighting the Storage option.
  1. This will show you what storage is currently available.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices menu displaying all attached storage mediums your Xbox has available.

22. Manage Local Saved Games

This will delete all data related to the game(s) you remove from local storage. This action can not be undone.

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Storage.
System settings with Storage selected. Screenshot.


  1. Choose a storage device.
Storage devices list with drive selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Games and Apps.
Hard drive with Games and Apps selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select a game.
Games and apps with example game selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Delete.
Example game with Delete button selected. Screenshot.


  1. Select Yes to confirm Delete.
Delete confirmation box. Screenshot.

23. Install Game from Xbox Live

  1. Go to Games and select Browse Games or Search Games.
Games menu with Browse Games and Search Games highlighted. Screenshot.


  1. Find the game that you wish to install and select it.
  2. Choose the Install option to download the game.
Install button. Screenshot.

24. What's next?

25. What's next?