Halo 2 error: ‘Live Gaming On Windows Failed To Initialize’ on Windows 10

I really loved Halo 2 so i decided to purchase it from a retailer and after installing it when i start the Game i get the infamous error : ‘Live Gaming On Windows Failed To Initialize’. Please help iam unable to play halo 2 on windows 10.

Original title: Halo 2

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Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand your concern that you are unable to play the game Halo 2. This issue might be due to compatibility issues on Windows 10.

I suggest you to install the game in compatibility mode and check if it helps.

Follow the steps to install in Compatibility mode:

1. Download the game from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Right click the game installation file and select Properties then tap or click the Compatibility tab.
3. Place a check in the Run this program in compatibility mode for: box.
4. Tap the drop down box and select a previous operating system, then tap or click OK .
5. Try installing the game and check.

Hope it helps. Feel free to contact us for any further assistance on Windows Operating System. We are happy to help you.

LIVE Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize? Try these fixes

The ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error appears immediately after Windows users attempt to launch Halo 2 or a different executable belonging to a game developed by a Microsoft game studio. This is a game-breaking issue that prevents affected users from playing the game (single-player or multi-player).

‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ Error

What’s causing ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ Error?

• Games for Windows app is missing – In most cases, this particular issue will appear if the GFW (Games for Windows) app is not installed. This app is required by older games developed by Microsoft studios in order to allow the game to access online features and connect to dedicated serves. In this case, you can resolve the issue by installing the GFW app manually.
• Secondary Logon service is disabled – The Secondary Logon service is absolutely essential for applications that use the Live Windows Gaming integration. This particular error will sometime get triggered if the service is forcefully disabled. If this scenario is applicable, you can fix the issue by setting the service to Manual from the Services screen.
• Game is incompatible with OS version – As it turns out, there are certain Windows versions that will trigger this error even if the GDW app is properly installed and the Secondary Logon service is enabled. In this case, you can resolve the issue by forcing the game executable to run in compatibility mode with Windows 7.
• Xbox Live service are down – According to affected users, it’s also possible that the problem occurs due to the fact that one or more critical Live services used by the game in question are down or undergoing maintenance. In this case, there is no other repair strategy other than to wait for the issue to be resolved by Microsoft’s engineers.

Method 1: Installing the Games for Windows app

As it turns out, in most cases, the issue occurs due to the fact that the GFW (Games for Windows) application is missing from the computer. Keep in mind that this application is required so the game can access online features and connect to dedicated servers.

On Windows 10, this functionality is installed by default, but if you’re on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, you will need to install the latest Games for Windows client on your computer – but it will only work as long as you use an offline profile.

Here’s a quick guide on installing and using the Game for Windows application with an offline profile to avoid the ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1:

1. Visit this link (here) and wait for the executable to be fully downloaded.
2. Once the download is complete, double-click on the executable to open it. If you’re prompted by the UAC (User Account Control) window, click Yes to grant admin access.
3. Wait patiently until the necessary prerequisites are downloaded. Installing Games for Windows application
4. After the installation is complete, click on Launch to open up the Microsoft Games for Windows app. Launching the Games for Windows app
5. Now that the Games for Windows app is open, leave it running in the background (No sign-in is needed).
6. Launch Halo 2 or the game that was previously triggering the error code and see if the issue is now resolved.

If the same ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Enabling Secondary Logon

As it turns out, another potential issue with the potential of triggering the ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error is an instance in which a service (Secondary Logon) critical to this operation is forcefully disabled.

Several affected users that found themselves in a similar situation have managed to resolve the issue and launch the game without the same error message after accessing the Services screen and modifying the status of the Secondary Logon service to Manual.

Here’s a quick guide on how to ensure that the Secondary Logon service is enabled:

Note: This method should be applicable regardless of the culprit that’s causing the problem.

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialogue box. Next, type ‘services.cpl’ and press Enter to open up the Services window. In case you’re prompted by the User Account Control prompt, consent to the admin access by clicking Yes.
2. Once you’re inside the Services window, move over to the right-hand side and scroll down through the list of services until you locate the Secondary Logon service. When you see it, right-click on it and choose Properties from the newly appeared context menu.
3. Inside the Secondary Logon Properties screen, select the General tab from the horizontal menu at the top. Then, scroll down below and change the Startup type to Manual.
4. Click Apply to save the changes, then restart your computer.
5. Repeat the action that was previously causing the error message and see if the issue is now resolved.

Changing the Secondary Logon service to Manual

If the same ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error is still appearing, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Running game in compatibility mode

As it turns out, Windows 8.1 has an incompatibility issue that might contribute to the apparition of the ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error. Several affected users have managed to get the issue resolved by forcing the game executable to run in compatibility mode with Windows 7.

Here’s a quick guide on doing this:

1. Right-click on the game’s executable that’s causing the error and click on Properties from the context menu. Accessing the Properties screen of the game’s executable
2. Once you’re inside Properties screen, use the menu at the top to select Compatibility.
3. When you’re inside, go to the Compatibility mode section and check the box associated with Run this program compatibility mode for. After you do this, select Windows 7 from the list of available options and click on Apply to save the changes. Using Compatibility mode with Windows 7
4. Launch the game with this same executable and see if the issue is now resolved.

If you’re still encountering the same ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error immediately after you double-click the executable, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Verifying the status of Xbox Live services

As it’s been reported by several affected users, this issue can also occur due to the fact that one or more Live services that are being used by the game that’s triggering the ‘Live Gaming on Windows Failed to Initialize’ error are currently down or undergoing maintenance.

If this scenario is applicable, you have no repair strategies other than to wait for the affected services to come back online before trying to restart the game.

To check on the status of the Xbox Live service, visit this link (here) and look for any warning signs associated with status service.

Xbox Live Status

If you confirm that some Xbox services are currently experiencing problems, wait a few hours before trying to launch the game again.

Halo 2 on Windows 8 «LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialise»

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Thank you for posting your question in Microsoft Community.

The issue you posted is related to Games for Windows and it would be better suited in the Windows Gaming community. Please visit the link below to find a community that will offer the support you request for better assistance.

Support for PC games common problems:

I hope the above information helps you.

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I got this error to. Easy solution is to download the latest GFWL client version from here:

Once it’s installed it should work.

But, once that’s done, the only way you’ll be able to play it is via an offline profile. It isn’t the client that does it, it’s something on Microsoft’s side.

Anyway, just install the newer Games for Windows Client, and it’ll work (with an offline profile).

I’ve had this issue myself, and fixed it this way. (I’ve got the game and Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre x64 myself)

Oh, and if I find a fix for the invalid key problem, I’ll let you know. On the other hand, if you find a way, could you please let me know. Feeling very ripped off since I bought the game and it won’t work with a Live enabled profile.

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Much to my frustration, still not luck. Cleaned the registry after uninstall and everything. Surprised that Microsoft screwed it up so bad. After all, virtually every Microsoft product has get some form of activation.

Oh, and it only prompts you for the key once you try to sign in with your LIVE profile.

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invalid product id ? how to solve it? how to play this game?

how to play offline? its always asking to play online , but then it says invalid product.

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You can make an offline account and use that (its hidden in the create a new account section, as a hyperlink).

With this said, the games for windows live service has shut down. So unfortunately you’ll never be able to play the game as it’s meant to be.

But, it has been awhile since I’ve played around with it, so I’ll have a go and see if there is a way to get around it. If I find one, I’ll let you know and make a short guide.

Hopefully my poor instructions get you somewhere, should have some better ones soon.

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i had a problem with running halo 2 on windows 8

the problem was solved by installing GFWL.

but there is an invalid key problem .

the game starts downloading the profile but then says the product key entered is in valid .

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I upgraded to Windows 8 just after release and haven’t had too many issues regarding compatibility, but I just got myself a BD Writer for my 11 inch notebook (Doesn’t have a disc drive) and attempted to play Halo 2 on Windows 8.

its compatible but .. to start the game you need to follow this steps

Alter 1 Enable Secondary Logon:
For people having problems installing Halo 2 follow these steps

1. Start Button
2. Run or Windows Key + R
3. Type «services.msc»
4. Find Secondary Logon in the list and double click.
5. Make sure its set on Manual or leave it, as long as its not disabled.

Alter 2 Stop Secondary Logon

I just got a new ASUS gaming laptop with win 8.1 and having same issue getting halo 2 to install. I got halo combat evolved installed with no installation issues at all. it worked on single player just fine but had problems going online to play. after hours of research I found a post that said we needed to install ( http;//hosthpc.com/update ) and it works Now on multiplayer just fine. But still need to get Halo 2 installed and working. I will try your steps above and see if that gets the game to install and play. will repost later with the results.

OK you steps above worked and halo 2 installed and updated on win 8.1 just fine. BUT. Game play video is very glitch on both single player and on multiplayer not sure why. So halo 2 on win 8.1 will work but need to do more research on why the video is clutchy . resolution is set to 1920×1080 I think that’s right my graphics card is NVidia GeForce GTX 860M RAM is 8 gigs so there should not be any issues. If anyone finds a solution please respond and I will get back with what I find. So now halo 2 is not 100% playable on win 8.1 just yet.