Aoe2 Validating Subscriptions

So no, it’s not just a “did you pay” check. It’s a handshake between the game, your local files, and Microsoft’s servers.

Your PC stores an encrypted "token" that proves you logged into Xbox Live. These tokens expire. When they do, AoE2 gets confused. It thinks you are logged in, but the server disagrees. The game enters a limbo state— validating —while it desperately tries to fetch a new token. aoe2 validating subscriptions

If you want, I can:

The "Validating Subscriptions" screen freeze is a common issue in Age of Empires II (specifically the 2013 HD Edition on Steam) So no, it’s not just a “did you pay” check