Windows Store Not Working on Windows 10? Try These Fixes

If the Microsoft Store (formerly called the Windows Store) will not open, download apps, or update on Windows 10, start by checking your internet connection, date and time, and Windows updates. Then try the Store cache reset and the built-in troubleshooter; more disruptive steps, such as repairing or resetting the app, should come later.

Identify the Store problem

Different symptoms point to different causes. A blank or instantly closing Store window can indicate a damaged app cache or app registration. A download stuck at “Starting” may involve a connection, a paused update, or a sign-in issue. If the Store opens but reports that a purchase or download cannot complete, check the Microsoft account and payment or device settings involved rather than repeatedly resetting Windows.

Before changing anything, note the exact message, the app affected, and whether the problem occurs on one network or several. If only one app fails, the problem may be with that app or its availability, not the Store itself.

Try basic checks first

Check connectivity. Open a familiar website in a browser. If it does not load, resolve the network issue first. If you use a VPN or proxy, temporarily disconnect it only if doing so is safe and permitted on your network, then test again.
Check date, time, and region. Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. Turn on automatic time and time-zone settings where available, and check that the region is appropriate under Region. Incorrect settings can interfere with secure connections and Store availability.
Restart the PC. A restart can clear a temporary background-process problem. Save your work first.
Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install available updates. Restart if prompted.
Check Microsoft account sign-in. In the Store, select the profile icon and confirm that the expected account is signed in. If asked, sign out and back in. Avoid sharing your password or verification codes with anyone offering to “fix” the Store.

Clear the Store cache and run its troubleshooter

A damaged temporary cache can stop the Store from loading or completing downloads. To clear it, press Windows key + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A blank command window may appear briefly; wait for it to close and for the Store to open. This clears Store cache data, not your installed apps or personal files.

If the issue continues, open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and look for Windows Store Apps. Select it and follow the prompts. The troubleshooter may not appear on every Windows 10 installation, and its suggested fixes may vary. If it is absent, continue with the Settings repair options below.

Repair or reset the Microsoft Store

Windows 10 provides app-specific options that are less drastic than reinstalling Windows. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft Store, select it, then choose Advanced options if shown. Select Repair first. This attempts to fix the app without clearing its data.

If repair does not help, return to the same page and select Reset. Resetting removes the app’s local data and may require you to sign in again, but it is not the same as resetting the whole PC. The exact buttons can vary by Windows 10 build. Reopen the Store afterward, sign in if needed, and test a small download.

Do not delete Store folders or run commands copied from unknown websites. Removing app files manually can cause additional problems and may not address the underlying cause.

Resolve downloads and updates that are stuck

Open the Store’s Downloads and updates area (the location or wording can differ slightly) and check whether another download or update is paused or waiting. Resume or cancel a stalled item if the interface allows it, then try the affected app again. Make sure the PC has enough free storage; large apps and updates need room both for downloading and installation.

Also check whether Windows Update is waiting for a restart. Store apps and Windows components can share system services, so completing pending updates and restarting may clear a queue. If a download fails only on a workplace or school network, network rules may restrict Store traffic; ask the network administrator rather than trying to bypass those controls.

For a single app, check its Store listing for availability and compatibility information. Uninstalling and reinstalling that app may help, but first consider whether its local data is backed up: removing an app can delete data stored only on the device.

When deeper troubleshooting is justified

If basic checks, wsreset.exe, troubleshooting, and app repair do not work, consider whether the problem affects other Windows apps or just the Store. Install available Windows updates and check the Store again after a restart. On a managed PC, contact the organization’s support team before changing app or account settings.

Some guides recommend re-registering built-in apps with PowerShell. Such commands can have broad effects and may fail or behave differently across Windows installations. Do not run a command unless you understand what it changes and have a reliable, current source for the exact steps. If the Store is missing, repeatedly crashes, or remains broken after ordinary fixes, use Microsoft’s current Windows support guidance or a qualified technician. Back up important files before considering any Windows reset or reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft Store open and then close?
A corrupted cache, pending Windows update, or app problem can cause this. Restart Windows, run wsreset.exe, install available updates, and then try the Store app’s Repair option.

Will wsreset.exe delete my apps?
No. It clears the Microsoft Store cache; it is not an uninstall command and does not remove your installed apps or personal files.

Will resetting Microsoft Store remove my installed apps?
Resetting the Store app clears its local app data and can sign you out. It is different from resetting Windows and normally does not uninstall other apps installed through the Store.

Why is a Microsoft Store download stuck at pending?
Check for paused downloads, pending Windows updates, a connection problem, and low storage. Restart the PC, then resume or retry the download.

Is the Windows Store the same as Microsoft Store?
Yes. Microsoft Store is the current name for the app previously called Windows Store; instructions may use either name depending on the Windows 10 version.

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →