Home Windows 11 Fix Microsoft Store Games Not Downloading on Windows 11 (2026)

Windows 11

Fix Microsoft Store Games Not Downloading on Windows 11 (2026)

Slow or intermittent internet connectivity can hinder the download process. Check and Ensure the internet connection working before downloading.

Steve Ballmer

January 22, 2026

image source : https://unsplash.com/photos/6UBGkIbcfQI

Contents

1 Key Takeaways
2 Microsoft Store not Downloading Games
- 2.1 Check your internet connection
- 2.2 Verify date, time, and region settings
3 Sign out and sign back into the Microsoft Store

Key Takeaways

Microsoft Store games not downloading on Windows 11 often occur due to an unstable internet connection, incorrect date/time settings, or a corrupted cache.
Try basic fixes like checking your internet connection, signing out and back in, clearing the Store cache with wsreset.exe, and running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
If problems persist, consider repairing or resetting the Microsoft Store app, or switching to a reliable DNS service such as Google or Cloudflare.
As a last resort, create a new user account to test if the issue is profile-related, or consider a repair install of Windows 11 for deeper issues.

Are Microsoft Store games stuck on Pending, not downloading at all, or failing to install on your Windows 11 PC? This is a common issue and usually occurs due to a slow or unstable internet connection, corrupted Microsoft Store cache, incorrect system settings, or problems with the Store app itself. This article explores 11 proven solutions, from basic checks to advanced repairs, to help fix Microsoft Store Not Downloading or Installing Games on Windows 11.

Microsoft Store not Downloading Games

You can fix this by performing basic troubleshooting steps, such as checking storage, restarting the app/PC, updating Windows/Store, or fixing corrupted files. If this fails, resetting/reinstalling the Store or checking essential services helps.

However, if you are in hurry, here is a summary of quick fixes:

Check and fix your internet connection.
Make sure Date & Time and region settings are correct.
Sign out and sign back into the Microsoft Store.
Clear the Microsoft Store cache with wsreset.exe.
Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
Switch to a reliable DNS (Google, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS).
Temporarily disable VPN, antivirus, or firewall.
Repair or reset the Microsoft Store app.
Re‑register Microsoft Store with PowerShell.
Install the latest Windows 11 updates.

Check your internet connection

A slow or unstable internet connection is one of the most common reasons why Microsoft Store games are not downloading or installing on Windows 11.

Test basic connectivity

Open a web browser and try loading a few websites.
If pages are loading slowly or not at all, fix your connection first.

Run a speed test

Visit fast.com or speedtest.net and check your download speed.
For large games, ideally you want at least 10–20 Mbps or higher.

Ping test for stability

Right‑click Start and choose Windows Terminal (or Command Prompt).
Run: ping google.com -t
Let it run for 20–30 seconds. If you see timeouts or very high latency spikes, your connection is unstable.

Restart your router and PC

Turn off your modem/router, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on.
Restart your PC and try the download again.

Disable VPN and security software temporarily

Disconnect from any VPN.
Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus or firewall software (keep Windows Security on) and see if downloads work.
If it works after disabling, add Microsoft Store and Gaming Services to the AV/firewall exclusion list.

If your internet connection is now stable and reasonably fast, try downloading the game again from the Microsoft Store.

Verify date, time, and region settings

An incorrect date, time, or region can prevent the Microsoft Store from validating licenses and connecting properly, which may result in downloads failing or staying stuck on “Pending”.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Time & language > Date & time.
Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
Click Sync now if the option is available.
Go back and open Language & region.
Make sure your Country or region is correct.

Close Settings and try downloading the game again from the Microsoft Store.

Sign out and sign back into the Microsoft Store

Sometimes a temporary account or authentication glitch causes downloads to fail.

Open Microsoft Store.
Click your profile icon in the top‑right corner.
Click on your account and choose Sign out.

Close the Microsoft Store app.
Reopen Microsoft Store.
Click the profile icon and sign in again with the same Microsoft account you use to purchase/download games.

After signing back in, try downloading or updating your game again.

If you use Xbox / Game Pass for PC, also open the Xbox app, sign out and sign back in there as well, then retry the download.

Clear the Microsoft Store cache (wsreset)

Corrupted or outdated cache files often cause games to get stuck on Pending or fail to download. Clearing the cache essentially refreshes the app and removes any problematic files that may be causing issues.
To reset the Store cache:

Close the Microsoft Store app completely.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Type wsreset.exe pressEnter or click OK.
A blank Command Prompt window will appear for a few seconds while the cache is cleared.
When it closes, Microsoft Store will open automatically.

Now try downloading or updating your game again.

Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built‑in troubleshooter that can detect and fix many common Microsoft Store problems, including download errors.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Scroll down and find Windows Store Apps.
Click Run and follow the on‑screen instructions and apply any fixes it suggests.

When it finishes, reopen the Microsoft Store and try to download your games again.

Tip: If you’re still having trouble, also run Windows Update, Internet Connections, and Network Adapter troubleshooters from the same page.

Check disk space and change the install location

If the drive where your apps are saving (usually C:) is low on free space, Microsoft Store game downloads can fail or get stuck. Change the Microsoft Store download location to a different drive or folder on your computer, then try downloading games again.
Check available storage:

Press Windows + I and go to System > Storage.
Check how much free space is available on your system drive (typically Local Disk (C:)).
- For modern games, you’ll often need 20 GB or more, sometimes much more.

If space is low, either free up space or change where new apps are saved.

Change where new apps are saved:

In Settings, go to System > Storage.
Click Advanced storage settings (if shown), then Where new content is saved.

Under New apps will save to, open the drop‑down, and select another drive with plenty of free space.

Try downloading the game again. New Store apps and games should now install to the selected drive.

Switch to a reliable DNS (Google / Cloudflare / OpenDNS)

Sometimes, Microsoft Store download servers don’t play nicely with your ISP’s DNS servers. Switching to a public DNS can help resolve download errors.

Change DNS for your active network adapter:

Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
In the Network Connections window, right‑click your active connection (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter one of these popular public DNS options:
- Google DNS
  
  Preferred: 8.8.8.8
  
  Alternate: 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS
  
  Preferred: 1.1.1.1
  
  Alternate: 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS
  
  Preferred: 208.67.222.222
  
  Alternate: 208.67.220.220
Click OK, then Close.

Restart your PC (recommended), then try downloading from the Microsoft Store again.

Temporarily disable VPN / antivirus/firewall

Over‑aggressive VPNs, security suites, or third‑party firewalls can interfere with the Microsoft Store and Gaming Services.
To test if they’re the cause:

Disconnect your VPN completely.
If you use third‑party antivirus or a third‑party firewall:
- Temporarily disable real‑time protection.
- Or put it in Game Mode / Silent Mode if available.
Keep Windows Security (built‑in Defender) turned on for safety.
Open Microsoft Store and try downloading your game again.

If downloads work only when AV or VPN is disabled, add these to your security software’s allowlist/exclusions:

Microsoft Store (WinStore.App.exe)
Gaming Services
Xbox app (if used)

Then re‑enable your security software.

Repair or reset the Microsoft Store app

If the Store app itself is corrupted, you may need to repair or reset it. It clears its cache and other app data, which is probably the solution for you.

Repair Microsoft Store first:

Right‑click the Start button and choose Installed apps
Scroll down and find the Microsoft Store.
Click the three‑dot menu (…) next to it and choose Advanced options.

Scroll down and click Repair.
Wait for the process to complete, then launch Microsoft Store and try your download again.

If Repair doesn’t help, try Reset.

Reset Microsoft Store:

In the same Advanced options page for Microsoft Store, click Reset.
Confirm when prompted. This will delete app data, including preferences and sign‑in details.
Restart your PC.
Open Microsoft Store and sign back in with your Microsoft account.
Try downloading or updating your games again.

Re‑register Microsoft Store with PowerShell

If the Store’s registration is damaged, re‑registering it can fix stubborn download or install problems.

>Note: You need an account with administrator rights for this step.

Re‑register the Microsoft Store:

Right‑click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
In the PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command:

& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}
Press Enter and wait for the command to finish.
Restart your PC.
Open Microsoft Store, sign in if needed, and try to download or update your games.

Install the latest Windows 11 updates

Bugs in older Windows builds or components like Gaming Services and the Store framework can cause download issues. Keeping Windows fully updated often resolves these.
Check for and install updates:

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Download and install all available updates (including optional Store / .NET / driver updates that are relevant).
Restart your PC if prompted.

After updating, open the Microsoft Store and test game downloads again.

When to consider a full reset or reinstall of Windows

If none of the above steps work and only Microsoft Store / Xbox downloads are failing while everything else is fine, you may be dealing with deeper Windows corruption or a badly broken profile.

Before you go that far:

Create a new local user account, sign in, and test Microsoft Store there.
If it works on a new account, your original profile is likely corrupted.
If it still fails on a new account, consider the Reset this pc option.

In most cases, Microsoft Store games not downloading on Windows 11 come down to one of these:

Unstable or slow internet
Wrong date/time or region
Corrupted Store cache or app files
DNS / network configuration issues
Security software or VPN interference
Low disk space or problematic install location

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Microsoft Store games not downloading on Windows 11?

Most of the time it’s due to a slow or unstable internet connection, corrupted Microsoft Store cache, wrong date/time settings, or problems with the Store app itself.

How do I fix a Microsoft Store download stuck on “Pending”?

First check your internet, then sign out and back into the Store, run wsreset.exe to clear the cache, and use the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

Will resetting Microsoft Store delete my installed games?

Resetting the Microsoft Store only clears app data and sign‑in info for the Store app. It does not uninstall already installed games, but you may need to sign in again.

Can DNS settings affect Microsoft Store game downloads?

Yes. Faulty or slow DNS can cause Store servers to fail to resolve properly. Switching to Google, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS often fixes download errors.

What if none of the fixes work for Microsoft Store downloads?

Try creating a new Windows user account and test there. If the issue persists, consider an in‑place repair install of Windows 11 and check for the latest updates and error‑code specific fixes.