How to fix
Doom: Dark Ages error code 0x80073CF3
on Windows

So it was finally time to try out Doom: Dark Ages. I have GamePass so I thought it was perfect opportunity for me to get ino franchsie. However, the game fails to install with the error code 0x80073CF3. It says that it is updating at the end (with the bar showing 100%) but  then it just hangs and produces the error message. I'm using Windows 11.

Doom: Dark Ages, released on May 14, 2025, is the latest title in the iconic Doom franchise, a series renowned for its high-speed demon-slaying action since its release in 1993.

Set in a medieval-inspired universe, this prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal has players inhabit the role of the Doom Slayer, utilizing equipment like the throwaway Shield Saw and commanding giant Atlan mechs as part of an ongoing struggle against the army of Hell. The game marries fantasy with futuristic technology, as swords and dragons clash with high-tech weapons in a narrative-driven sandbox experience rich in detail.

Launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass (Cloud), Doom: Dark Ages has thrilled gamers with its gory battles and blockbuster graphics. But several users of Windows can experience problems installing or updating Doom: Dark Ages due to error code 0x80073CF3, particularly when they access it through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store. It can block access to the game such that gamers cannot play its medieval carnage, typically due to app incompatibilities or damaged data.

Several factors can cause the Doom: Dark Ages error code 0x80073CF3, including:

• Corrupted Microsoft Store cache: Cached data can interfere with updates, causing the error. Clearing the cache resolves this.
• App conflicts: Conflicts between the Xbox app and Microsoft Store can trigger the error 0x80073CF3. Launching the game from an alternative platform may help.
• Corrupted game files: Damaged game files can prevent installation or updates. Repairing or reinstalling the game can fix this.

The instructions below provide eight fixes to resolve the Doom: Dark Ages error code 0x80073CF3. For a faster solution, we recommend using [d1], a PC repair tool that can automatically address app conflicts, system file issues, and other problems that may be causing this error.

Fix 1. Clear Microsoft Store cache

Corrupted cache files can prevent Doom: Dark Ages from updating, causing error 0x80073CF3.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
• A blank Command Prompt window will open. Wait for it to close automatically.
• Once closed, the Microsoft Store will open automatically, indicating the cache has been reset.

Fix 2. Launch the game from its EXE file

Bypassing the Xbox app by launching directly from the game’s executable can avoid the error.

• Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
• Navigate to the game’s installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\WindowsApps).
• Locate the Doom: Dark Ages.exe file (you may need admin access).
• Double-click the .exe to launch the game.
• Check if the game runs without the error.

Fix 3. Launch via Microsoft Store instead of Xbox app

App conflicts can cause the error; launching from the Microsoft Store might work better.

• Open the Microsoft Store, go to your Library and find Doom: Dark Ages.
• Click Launch or Update if available.
• If successful, play the game from the Store.
• Try launching from the Xbox app again later.

Fix 4. Launch via Xbox app instead of Microsoft Store

If launching from the Microsoft Store fails, try the Xbox app to bypass the conflict.

• Open the Xbox app (or Microsoft Store) and locate Doom: Dark Ages in your library.
• Click Play or Update if prompted.
• If successful, play the game from the Xbox app.
• Avoid launching from the Microsoft Store until the issue resolves.

Fix 5. Repair the game installation

Corrupted game files can cause the Doom: Dark Ages install error 0x80073CF3; repairing them can help.

• Type Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter.
• Go to Programs > Uninstall a program.
• Right-click on the game and select Repair, then wait for the process to complete.
• Restart your computer and try launching the game.

Fix 6. Reinstall the game

If repairing doesn’t work, reinstalling Doom: Dark Ages can resolve deeper file corruption.

• Type Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter.
• Go to Programs > Uninstall a program.
• Scroll down to Doom: Dark Ages, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall.
• Open the Xbox app or Microsoft Store, reinstall the game, and launch it.
• Ensure a stable internet connection during the process.

Fix 7. Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software conflicts can cause the error; a Clean Boot isolates the issue.

• Type msconfig in Windows Search and press Enter.
• Click on the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft Services box.
• Click Disable all to disable non-Microsoft services, then click the Startup tab.
• Open the Task Manager, disable all startup items, and close the Task Manager.
• Go to the Boot tab and mark the Safe boot option.
• Click OK on the System Configuration window and restart your computer.
• If the game launches normally, it is likely that third-party software is causing problems. 
• To find out which app(s) is causing conflicts, enable each of the processes (or you can do it in groups), restart, and see if the problem persists. Repeat until you find the faulty app, then either update or uninstall it.