Microsoft Store Not Working in Windows 11: Fix

If the Microsoft Store won’t open, keeps crashing, or fails to download apps in Windows 11, this guide walks you through the most reliable fixes. You’ll start with quick resets and end with deeper system repairs, so you can get back to installing apps without reinstalling Windows.

What You’ll Need

• An administrator account on the Windows 11 PC (most steps require it).
• A stable internet connection.
• About 15–20 minutes of time.

Step-by-Step

1. Check Windows and Store updates. Open Settings (Win + I) > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install any pending updates, then restart your PC. Also open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find “Microsoft Store,” click the three-dot menu, and choose “Advanced options.” Under “App updates,” click “Update” if available.
2. Run the built-in Store troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find “Windows Store Apps,” click “Run,” and follow the prompts. This automatically detects and fixes common issues like corrupted cache or misconfigured permissions.
3. Clear the Store cache. Press Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank command window will appear; wait for it to finish and the Store to open automatically. If the Store doesn’t open, restart your PC and try again.
4. Re-register the Store app via PowerShell. Right-click the Start button and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (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, then close and reopen the Store.
5. Check date, time, and region settings. Incorrect date/time or wrong region can break Store connectivity. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time and enable “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically.” Then go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region and confirm “Country or region” matches your actual location.
6. Reset or repair the Store app. In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find “Microsoft Store,” click the three-dot menu, and choose “Advanced options.” Click “Repair” first. If that doesn’t help, click “Reset” (this clears app data and sign-in info).
7. Check proxy and VPN settings. If you use a VPN or proxy, temporarily disable it. Also open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and ensure “Use a proxy server” is off unless you know you need it.
8. Run DISM and SFC scans. Open Terminal (Admin) and run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
   Restart your PC after both complete.
9. Create a new local user account. If the Store still fails, the issue may be tied to your user profile. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account, and create a new local user (choose “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” and then “Add a user without a Microsoft account”). Sign into that account and test the Store.
10. Perform a Windows in-place upgrade repair. As a last resort, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official website and run it. It reinstalls Windows while keeping your files and apps. This often fixes deep system corruption.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the restart after updates or resets. Many fixes only take effect after a reboot.
• Running PowerShell without admin rights. The re-register command fails with an error if the terminal isn’t elevated.
• Using a third-party “Store cleaner” tool. These can break app permissions and cause more problems.
• Ignoring the region setting. A mismatched region can make the Store think your account is in an unsupported area.
• Not checking for Windows updates first. A pending feature update can leave the Store in a broken state.

Tips

• After clearing the cache with wsreset.exe, sign into the Store again with your Microsoft account to restore your library.
• If you use a Microsoft account with two-factor authentication, have your phone handy – the Store may ask for verification after a reset.
• Keep your Store apps updated by enabling automatic updates: open the Store, click your profile picture, and select “Settings” > turn on “App updates.”
• If you have multiple user accounts, test the Store in another one early – it helps isolate whether the problem is system-wide or profile-specific.
• Write down any error codes you see (e.g., 0x80072EFD). They can be searched for specific fixes, but the steps above cover the majority of cases.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, work through these checks in order:

• Store opens but shows a blank page. This usually means the cache is corrupted. Run wsreset.exe again, then restart your PC. If it persists, check your network connection and disable any ad-blockers or privacy tools that might interfere.
• Downloads get stuck at 0% or pause immediately. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options > “Reset.” Then try downloading a small free app. Also check your firewall – Windows Defender Firewall should allow “Microsoft Store” – if you use a third-party firewall, temporarily disable it to test.
• You get an error code like 0x80072EFD or 0x80070422. These often indicate network or service issues. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter again, then check that the “Windows Update” and “Microsoft Store Install Service” services are running: press Win + R, type services.msc, find each service, and set “Startup type” to “Automatic” if they aren’t.
• Store opens but crashes when you sign in. Try signing out of the Store, then sign back in. Go to the Store, click your profile icon, select “Sign out,” then restart the Store and sign in again.
• After a reset, your installed apps disappear from the Store library. They aren’t uninstalled – they just need to be re-synced. Click your profile icon and select “My Library,” then reinstall any that appear missing (your data is preserved).
• If nothing works and you’re in a hurry. Use the web version of the Microsoft Store in a browser to download apps – it installs them to your PC directly. This is a temporary workaround, not a permanent fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting the Store delete my installed apps?

No. Resetting the Store clears its cache and settings, but it does not uninstall apps you’ve already installed. You may need to re-sign in, and some apps might appear as “not installed” in your library until you reinstall them, but their data remains.

Why does the Store keep asking me to sign in?

This usually happens after a cache reset or when your Microsoft account credentials are stale. Sign out completely, restart the Store, and sign back in. If it persists, check that your system date/time is correct and that you’re not using a VPN.

Can I reinstall the Microsoft Store if it’s completely broken?

Yes, but it’s not a simple uninstall/reinstall. Use the PowerShell re-register command in Step 4, or perform the in-place upgrade repair in Step 10. These are the supported methods to restore the Store.

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

That points to a corrupted user profile. You can try creating a new local admin account and migrating your files, or use the “Reset” option in Settings > Accounts > Your info (if available) to fix profile issues.

Do I need a Microsoft account to use the Store?

No. You can browse and install free apps with a local account, but you’ll need a Microsoft account to purchase paid apps or sync your library across devices. Signing in is optional for basic use.

Will these steps work if my Store is missing entirely?

Yes, the PowerShell re-register command (Step 4) can restore a missing Store app. If that fails, the in-place upgrade repair (Step 10) will reinstall all built-in Windows apps, including the Store.

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