Fix Microsoft Store Not Opening on Windows 10

If the Microsoft Store won’t open on Windows 10 — it either flashes and closes, shows a blank window, or gives an error — the fix usually starts with clearing the store cache and running the built-in troubleshooter. Below are the exact steps to try, in order from simplest to most thorough, along with why each one works.

Why the Microsoft Store Fails to Open

The Store is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app, meaning it runs in a sandboxed environment separate from traditional desktop programs. When it fails, the cause is almost always one of three things:

• Corrupted cache files — the Store’s temporary data can become stale or damaged, preventing the app from launching.
• Windows Update or system file corruption — a broken system component that the Store depends on.
• Misconfigured account or proxy settings — especially common after a recent Windows feature update or if you use a VPN.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

Spend 30 seconds on these basics before diving into commands:

• Restart your PC — a full shutdown and boot clears temporary glitches.
• Check that your date, time, and time zone are correct — the Store uses encrypted connections that fail if the clock is off.
• Make sure you’re connected to the internet. The Store needs a working connection to load its catalog.
• Sign out of the Store and back in, if you can get that far. Click your profile icon in the top-right, then choose your account and sign out.

Fix 1: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that automatically detects and fixes common Store issues.

1. Open Settings (Win + I) → Update & Security → Troubleshoot.
2. Click Additional troubleshooters (on older builds, it’s just “Troubleshoot”).
3. Select Windows Store Apps → Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. It may ask you to sign in or restart.

This tool checks for corrupted permissions, broken registry keys, and disabled services. It won’t fix everything, but it’s the least invasive option and often resolves the problem.

Fix 2: Clear the Microsoft Store Cache

The Store keeps a local cache of thumbnails, page data, and login tokens. When that cache is corrupted, the app can hang or refuse to start. The official way to reset it is via the wsreset.exe command.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
3. A blank Command Prompt window will appear. Wait — it may take a minute or two. When it finishes, the Store should open automatically.

If the Store still doesn’t open, try the same command from an elevated Command Prompt (right-click Start → Windows PowerShell (Admin) → type wsreset.exe). This clears the cache without uninstalling the app, so you won’t lose your downloads or sign-in.

Fix 3: Re-register the Microsoft Store App

If the cache reset doesn’t work, the Store’s app registration may be broken. You can re-register it using PowerShell — this does not delete your apps or data.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

3. Wait for the command to complete. You’ll see no output if it succeeds.
4. Restart your PC and try opening the Store.

This command re-registers the Store with Windows, repairing its file associations and permissions. It’s the same fix used when the Store disappears entirely from the Start menu.

Fix 4: Repair Windows System Files

If the Store still won’t open, the underlying Windows system files may be damaged. Two built-in tools check and repair them:

• System File Checker (SFC) — scans protected system files and replaces corrupted ones.
• Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) — repairs the Windows image that SFC relies on.

Run them in this order:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start → Command Prompt (Admin)).
2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This can take 10–20 minutes.
3. Once DISM finishes, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
4. Restart your PC after the scan completes.

This is the most thorough software-level fix. If these commands find and repair errors, the Store usually starts working again.

Fix 5: Check Proxy and Network Settings

Sometimes the Store fails because it can’t reach Microsoft’s servers. A misconfigured proxy is a common culprit, especially if you’ve used a VPN or a network optimizer in the past.

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
2. Under “Manual proxy setup,” make sure “Use a proxy server” is Off (unless you know you need it).
3. Under “Automatic proxy setup,” turn Off “Automatically detect settings” if it’s on — or turn it On if it’s off, depending on your network. Try both.
4. Flush the DNS cache: open Command Prompt (Admin) and type ipconfig /flushdns.

If you’re on a corporate or school network, the proxy may be required — in that case, check with your IT admin before changing anything.

Fix 6: Reinstall the Microsoft Store

If nothing above works, you can remove and reinstall the Store app itself. This is safe — it doesn’t touch your installed apps or Microsoft account.

1. Open Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter.
3. Then reinstall it by typing Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore_*\AppXManifest.xml" — but note that the exact path varies by system. A simpler way is to download the Store from the Microsoft website, or run the wsreset.exe command again, which will reinstall it if it’s missing.

If you’re uncomfortable with PowerShell, you can also reset the Store via Settings → Apps → Apps & features → find “Microsoft Store” → Advanced options → Reset. This clears the app’s data and reinstalls the default version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft Store open then close immediately?

This usually points to a corrupted cache or a broken app registration. Run wsreset.exe first — it’s the fastest fix. If that doesn’t help, re-register the app with the PowerShell command in Fix 3.

Will resetting the Store delete my installed apps or games?

No. Resetting or reinstalling the Store app only affects the Store itself — your downloaded apps, games, and their data remain untouched. You may have to sign in again to the Store, but your library is tied to your Microsoft account.

Can I use the Microsoft Store website instead?

Yes, you can browse and install many Store apps from the Microsoft Store website in a browser. However, some apps (especially those that integrate deeply with Windows) still require the Store app to install. The website is a good temporary workaround, but it won’t fix the underlying issue.

Why does the Store work on another user account but not mine?

This suggests a problem with your user profile, not the system. Try creating a new local administrator account and see if the Store opens there. If it does, you may need to migrate your files to the new account or repair your existing profile.

Is there a way to fix the Store without using Command Prompt?

Yes. The built-in troubleshooter (Fix 1) and the Settings app’s “Reset” option (under Apps & features) are both GUI-based. You can also try running wsreset.exe from the Run dialog — that doesn’t require admin rights. Only the more advanced fixes (re-register, DISM, SFC) need an elevated command line.

What if none of these fixes work?

If you’ve tried every step and the Store still won’t open, the issue may be tied to a pending Windows Update or a third-party security program blocking it. Check for pending updates in Settings → Update & Security, and temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or firewall to test. As a last resort, a Windows 10 “in-place upgrade” (running the installation media while keeping your files) can repair the OS without losing data.

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