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  "path": "/t/codex-app-not-loading-on-windows-10/1379497#post_2",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-22T11:09:19.000Z",
  "site": "https://community.openai.com",
  "tags": [
    "OpenAI Codex GitHub Issues",
    "github.com/openai/codex",
    "Codex (MS Store app) launches as background process only; no UI. Console shows disk cache `Access is denied (0x5)`",
    "garysassano",
    "Codex features are prioritized by votes in GitHub issues tab"
  ],
  "textContent": "Welcome to the forum!\n\nYou can discuss Codex-related issues here, but the official place to report them is the OpenAI Codex GitHub Issues.\n\nI had ChatGPT do a quick search and while there was no direct match for your issue, there are many open issues that are similar or possibly the same, e.g.\n\ngithub.com/openai/codex\n\n####  Codex (MS Store app) launches as background process only; no UI. Console shows disk cache `Access is denied (0x5)`\n\nopened 02:00AM - 27 Feb 26 UTC\n\n\n\n          garysassano\n        \n\nbug  windows-os  app\n\n### 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.\n\nIt’s worth searching existing issues and if you find one that matches give it a thumbs up; if nothing aligns, open a new report with clear reproduction details.\n\n* * *\n\nAlso see:\n\nCodex features are prioritized by votes in GitHub issues tab",
  "title": "Codex App not loading on Windows 10"
}