Fix Microsoft Store Error 0x80070520: Step-by-Step

This guide walks you through fixing Microsoft Store error 0x80070520, which typically appears when you try to download or update an app. The error usually points to a problem with your Windows user account’s permissions or a corrupted Store cache. You’ll need to be signed in to Windows with an administrator account to complete most of these steps.

What You’ll Need

An administrator account on your Windows PC
Internet connection
About 15â€“20 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter. Go to Settings (Windows key + I) â†’ System â†’ Troubleshoot â†’ Other troubleshooters (or Additional troubleshooters on older versions). Find Windows Store Apps and click Run. Follow the prompts; it will scan and attempt to fix common issues automatically.
Clear the Microsoft Store cache. Press Windows key + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window will open; wait for it to finish (it may take a minute) and then the Store will open automatically. This clears corrupted cache files without affecting your installed apps or account.
Check your date, time, and region. Right-click the clock in the taskbar â†’ Adjust date/time. Ensure Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are on. Then go to Region (in the same settings page) and confirm the correct country/region. Incorrect settings can cause certificate validation errors like 0x80070520.
Re-register the Microsoft Store app via PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin). Run this command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Wait for it to complete (it may appear to do nothing for a while). Then restart your PC.
Check your user account permissions. The error often means the Store can’t write to your profile folder. Open File Explorer, go to C:\Users\[YourUsername], right-click the AppData folder â†’ Properties â†’ Security tab. Click Advanced. Ensure the owner is SYSTEM, Administrators, and your username. If not, click Change next to Owner, type your username, and click Check Names â†’ OK. Then check the box Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and click OK. Also, in the same Advanced Security Settings window, make sure your user account has Full control; if not, click Add â†’ Select a principal, enter your username, check Full control, and apply.
Reset the Store app. Go to Settings â†’ Apps â†’ Installed apps (or Apps & features). Find Microsoft Store, click the three-dot menu, choose Advanced options, then click Reset. Confirm and wait. This is more thorough than wsreset and clears all app data.
Create a new Windows user account (if all else fails). Go to Settings â†’ Accounts â†’ Family & other users â†’ Add account â†’ I don’t have this person’s sign-in information â†’ Add a user without a Microsoft account. Create a local account, sign into it, and try the Store. If it works, the issue is with your original profile.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the troubleshooter. It can fix registry or service issues that manual steps miss.
Running PowerShell without admin rights. The command will fail with an error. Always right-click and choose Run as administrator.
Not restarting after changes. Some fixes only take effect after a reboot.
Changing file permissions incorrectly. Be careful not to remove SYSTEM or Administrators from the owner listâ€”that can break more things.
Using the wrong username path. If your username has spaces, enclose the path in quotes in File Explorer.

Tips

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter as wellâ€”it can fix underlying system issues that affect the Store.
Keep Windows fully updated before retrying the Store.
If you use a VPN or proxy, temporarily disable itâ€”it can interfere with Store connections.
After fixing the error, restart your PC and test the Store again to confirm the fix is permanent.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after trying all steps:

Check for third-party antivirus interference. Temporarily disable your antivirus (not Windows Defender) and try the Store again. If it works, add an exception for the Store or contact the antivirus vendor.
Run the System File Checker. Open Command Prompt as admin and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files. After it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and restart.
Check if the error only occurs for a specific app. If so, uninstall that app completely (including from the hidden WindowsApps folder if it’s stuck) and reinstall from the Store.
Look at the Windows Event Viewer. Open Event Viewer â†’ Windows Logs â†’ Application. Look for errors from Microsoft-Windows-Store around the time of the failure. The details may give a more specific cause.
If the error occurs after a recent Windows update, roll back the update. Go to Settings â†’ Windows Update â†’ Update history â†’ Uninstall updates. Remove the most recent one and restart.
As a last resort, perform a Windows repair install. Download the Windows 11/10 ISO from Microsoft’s official site, mount it, and run setup.exe from inside. Choose Keep personal files and apps. This reinstalls Windows without losing your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does error 0x80070520 mean?

It’s a Windows error code that usually indicates a problem with file or registry permissions, specifically related to the Microsoft Store’s ability to access your user profile or system files.

Will I lose my installed apps if I clear the Store cache?

No. wsreset.exe only removes temporary cache files. Your apps and their data remain untouched.

Why does this error happen after a Windows update?

Updates can change permission settings or corrupt the Store’s cache. The steps above re-register the app and restore proper permissions.

Can I fix this without an administrator account?

Most steps require admin rights. If you don’t have them, contact the account administrator or use a standard account to try the wsreset command, which sometimes works without admin.

Is it safe to reset the Microsoft Store app?

Yes. Resetting the Store clears its data and settings, but it doesn’t affect your other apps or Microsoft account. You’ll just need to sign in again.

What if the error still appears after creating a new user account?

If the new account also fails, the issue is likely system-wide, not profile-specific. Try the System File Checker or a repair install.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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