Codex App not loading on Windows 10

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Codex (MS Store app) launches as background process only; no UI. Console shows disk cache Access is denied (0x5)

opened 02:00AM - 27 Feb 26 UTC

      garysassano
    

bug windows-os app

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)? 26….226.1021.0 ### What subscription do you have? Plus ### What platform is your computer? W11 ### What issue are you seeing? Launching the Codex Windows (Microsoft Store/MSIX) app results in no visible window/UI. - Clicking Codex in the Start Menu does nothing visually. - Task Manager shows Codex running as a Background process (CPU/RAM usage present), but no foreground window appears (not on the taskbar, not visible on the desktop). - Launching via AppsFolder shows the same behavior: powershell explorer.exe "shell:AppsFolder\OpenAI.Codex_2p2nqsd0c76g0!App" The app appears to start, but UI never renders. Running the packaged executable directly from PowerShell produces Electron/Chromium disk cache errors (likely preventing UI initialization): powershell $pkg = Get-AppxPackage OpenAI.Codex $exe = Join-Path $pkg.InstallLocation "app\Codex.exe" & $exe Console output excerpt: text [IpcRouterManager] Another router is active. ... ERROR:net\disk_cache\cache_util_win.cc:25 Unable to move the cache: Access is denied. (0x5) ERROR:net\disk_cache\disk_cache.cc:236 Unable to create cache ERROR:gpu\ipc\host\gpu_disk_cache.cc:724 Gpu Cache Creation failed: -2 Other messages observed (may be optional tooling / not fatal, but included for completeness): text [host-provider] ... errorCode=ENOENT ... "spawn applied ENOENT" [host-provider] ... errorCode=ENOENT ... "spawn brix ENOENT" Additional context: - The MSIX is installed and registered successfully (no install errors). - The manifest shows a valid app entry point: - Id: App - Executable: app\Codex.exe - EntryPoint: Windows.FullTrustApplication - Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime is installed: - Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime version 145.0.3800.70 ### What steps can reproduce the bug? 1. Install Codex Windows app from the Microsoft Store listing (ProductId 9PLM9XGG6VKS) — in my case installed via WinGet: powershell winget install --id 9PLM9XGG6VKS -s msstore 2. Launch Codex from the Start Menu. 3. Observe: - No UI/window appears. - Task Manager shows Codex running as a Background process. 4. (Optional diagnostic) Launch via AppsFolder: powershell explorer.exe "shell:AppsFolder\OpenAI.Codex_2p2nqsd0c76g0!App" Result is the same (background process only, no UI). 5. (Optional diagnostic) Run the packaged EXE directly to capture console logs: powershell $pkg = Get-AppxPackage OpenAI.Codex $exe = Join-Path $pkg.InstallLocation "app\Codex.exe" & $exe Observe repeated Chromium/Electron cache errors: - Unable to move the cache: Access is denied. (0x5) - Unable to create cache - Gpu Cache Creation failed ### What is the expected behavior? No response ### Additional information - Installed package identity: - Name: OpenAI.Codex - Version: 26.226.1021.0 - PFN: OpenAI.Codex_2p2nqsd0c76g0 - Store ProductId: 9PLM9XGG6VKS - Hypothesis: - Codex (Electron/Chromium) is failing early because it cannot create/move its disk/GPU cache due to Access denied (0x5). - This can also be exacerbated by multiple instances using the same cache/user-data directory; the log line [IpcRouterManager] Another router is active. suggests a prior/stuck instance or a single-instance lock. - Suggested direction for a fix: - Log the full cache path being used at startup (so users/admins can fix ACLs). - Add a fallback cache location if the default cache path is not writable. - Detect “another router is active” and either bring the existing window to the foreground or exit cleanly with a user-facing error instead of staying headless.

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