Fix Windows Store Pending Downloads: Step-by-Step Guide

If your Windows Store apps are stuck on “Pending” and never download, the fix usually involves resetting the Store cache, checking your date/time settings, or re-registering the Store app. This guide walks you through the most effective solutions, from quick resets to deeper system checks, so you can get your apps downloading again.

Why Windows Store Downloads Get Stuck on Pending

The Microsoft Store relies on several background services and system settings to start downloads. When any of these are misconfigured or temporarily glitched, downloads can hang in a “Pending” state indefinitely. Common culprits include:

• Corrupted Store cache – Temporary files that help the Store load faster can become corrupted, blocking new downloads.
• Incorrect system date/time – The Store uses your system clock to validate certificates and licenses; if it’s off, downloads may not start.
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) issues – This Windows service handles file transfers; if it’s stopped or disabled, downloads stall.
• Network or proxy problems – A misconfigured proxy or VPN can prevent the Store from connecting to Microsoft’s servers.
• Store app itself is outdated or corrupted – The Store app can have bugs that a simple update or re-registration fixes.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Start with these simple steps—they resolve most pending download issues without needing advanced troubleshooting.

1. Restart your PC – This clears temporary glitches and restarts the Store services.
2. Check your internet connection – Ensure you’re online and can load other websites.
3. Pause and resume the download – In the Store, go to Library, find the stuck app, click the pause icon, then resume.
4. Sign out and back into the Store – Click your profile icon, choose Sign out, then sign in again.

If these don’t work, move on to the more targeted fixes below.

Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

The most common fix is clearing the Store’s cache. Microsoft provides a built-in tool for this:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
3. A blank Command Prompt window will open; wait for it to finish (it may take a minute).
4. The Store will open automatically once the reset is complete.

This clears the cache without deleting your apps or accounts. If the Store still shows pending downloads, try the next steps.

Check Your System Date, Time, and Region

An incorrect clock can silently break Store downloads. To verify:

1. Right-click the clock in the taskbar and select Adjust date/time.
2. Ensure Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are both toggled on.
3. If they’re already on, toggle them off, restart your PC, then toggle them back on.
4. Also check Region in Settings > Time & Language > Region – set it to your actual country.

After correcting the time, restart the Store and try the download again.

Restart the Windows Update and BITS Services

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) and Windows Update services are essential for Store downloads. Restarting them can clear stuck states:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
3. Right-click it and select Restart (if it’s not running, choose Start).
4. Do the same for Windows Update and Microsoft Store Install Service (if present).
5. Close the Services window and retry the download.

If the services fail to start, you may need to run the Windows Update troubleshooter (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update).

Re-register the Microsoft Store App

If the Store app itself is corrupted, re-registering it via PowerShell can fix it. This is a safe operation that doesn’t affect your installed apps.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Type or paste the following command and press Enter:
   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
3. Wait for the command to complete (it may take a minute).
4. Close PowerShell and restart your PC.

This command reinstalls the Store app’s registration without deleting your data.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Network and Proxy Settings

Sometimes the issue is network-related. Try these if nothing else works:

• Disable VPN or proxy – Temporarily turn off any VPN or proxy, then try the download.
• Flush DNS – Open Command Prompt as admin and run ipconfig /flushdns.
• Change DNS to a public DNS – In Network Settings, set DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
• Run the Network troubleshooter – Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter.

If you’re on a metered connection, ensure the Store is allowed to download over it: Settings > Update & Security > Delivery Optimization > Advanced options > tick “Download over metered connections”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Store downloads stay at “Pending” even after a restart?

A restart often clears temporary glitches, but if the issue persists, it’s likely a deeper problem like a corrupted cache or a service failure. Follow the steps above in order: reset cache, check time, restart BITS, and re-register the Store.

Will resetting the Store cache delete my installed apps?

No. The wsreset.exe command only clears temporary cache files. It does not remove apps, games, or your Microsoft account. You may need to sign in again, but your downloads remain intact.

Can I fix pending downloads by updating Windows?

Yes, sometimes. Microsoft regularly releases fixes for Store issues via Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. Installing the latest updates can resolve underlying bugs.

What if the Store still won’t download after all these steps?

If you’ve tried everything and the issue remains, you can use the Windows Update Troubleshooter (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters). If that fails, consider creating a new local user account and testing the Store there. If it works, the issue is tied to your original user profile.

Is it safe to re-register the Store app via PowerShell?

Yes, the command provided is a standard Microsoft-supported method. It only re-registers the Store app with the system; it doesn’t alter your personal files or other apps. Just ensure you run PowerShell as administrator.

Related

• How to Get Data Back from a Broken Android Phone
• Reinstall Windows 10 Store: Full Fix
• Android Backup Restore: Recover Settings & More