Question:

How can I enable background apps permissions for Xbox on Windows 11 (2024 version) to fix the chat issue?

I am having trouble with the Xbox chat feature. Whenever I launch the Xbox game bar using the shortcut win+g, I get a message saying that “Background apps permissions for Xbox are turned off. Others may not be able to hear you”. I have searched online and found that previous versions of Windows 11 had a permissions settings option where I could allow Xbox to run in the background, but I cannot find it on my current version (2024). How can I access this option or enable the background apps permissions for Xbox in another way?

Answer:

How to enable background apps permissions for Xbox on Windows 11 (2024 version) to fix the chat issue

If you are a gamer who likes to chat with your friends while playing Xbox games on your Windows 11 PC, you may have encountered a problem with the Xbox game bar. When you launch the game bar using the shortcut win+g, you may see a message saying that “Background apps permissions for Xbox are turned off. Others may not be able to hear you”. This means that your Xbox app is not allowed to run in the background and use your microphone or speakers when you switch to another app or window. This can affect your chat experience and make you miss out on the fun and communication with your gaming buddies.

You may wonder why this is happening and how you can fix it. The reason is that Windows 11 has changed the way it handles background apps permissions. In previous versions of Windows 11, you could go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and toggle on the permission for Xbox to run in the background. However, in the 2024 version of Windows 11, this option is no longer available. Instead, you have to use a different method to enable background apps permissions for Xbox.

Here are the steps you need to follow to enable background apps permissions for Xbox on Windows 11 (2024 version) and fix the chat issue:

1. Open the Start menu and type Xbox. Click on the Xbox app icon to launch it.

2. In the Xbox app, click on the Settings icon on the bottom left corner of the screen.

3. In the Settings menu, click on the General tab on the left side of the screen.

4. Under the General tab, scroll down to the Permissions section. You will see a list of permissions that the Xbox app needs to function properly, such as microphone, camera, notifications, etc.

5. Find the permission that says Let Xbox run in the background. It should have a toggle switch next to it. If the toggle switch is grayed out, it means that the permission is turned off. To turn it on, click on the toggle switch and make it blue.

6. You may see a pop-up window asking you to confirm your choice. Click on Yes to allow Xbox to run in the background.

7. Close the Settings menu and the Xbox app. You have successfully enabled background apps permissions for Xbox on Windows 11 (2024 version).

8. To test if the chat issue is fixed, launch the Xbox game bar using the shortcut win+g. You should no longer see the message saying that “Background apps permissions for Xbox are turned off. Others may not be able to hear you”. Instead, you should be able to chat with your friends without any interruption or problem.

Congratulations! You have learned how to enable background apps permissions for Xbox on Windows 11 (2024 version) and fix the chat issue. Enjoy your gaming and chatting experience with Xbox on Windows 11. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading this article.