Microsoft store app problems

Microsoft Store app is the official marketplace to securely download and install apps, and your favorite games on Windows 10 device. The company regularly updates the experience with new features and addons, but still, you may come across problems, such as Microsoft Store won’t open, Microsoft Store closes immediately after opening, Store app crashes or updates and apps stuck downloading. Also, a few users report Microsoft Store not working after the windows update.

Well if you find Microsoft Store stops downloading apps or games, Windows 10 App Store is not opening, loading or working, or closes immediately after opening apply the solutions listed below to fix Microsoft store problems.

Microsoft store keeps closing Windows 10

If this is the very first time you have noticed the store app not opening or loading restart windows that clear any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

Install the latest Windows updates, to do this Press Windows key+I to open Settings and click on Updates & Security. Here you need to check for updates or click link download install now link under optional updates, it recommended for security reasons as well.

Disconnect from VPN (If configured), Also temporarily disable Antivirus firewall that may prevent Microsoft store download apps and games.

If your computer has an incorrect time and date then you can experience this problem.

  • Open the Settings app > go to Time & language
  • Select Date & time from the left pane > enable Set time automatically
  • Enable the ‘Select time zone automatically‘ feature.
  • choose Region & language from the same pane.
  • Change Country or region to your specific area and Close Settings.
  • Check if the Microsoft Store can’t open in Windows 10 issue still occurs.

Also, Make Sure UAC (User Account Control) is enabled. You can check This from Control panel ->  User Accounts -> Change User Account Control settings -> then slide the slider to the Recommended position -> Click OK.

Change User Account Control Settings

Reset or Clear Microsoft Store Cache

Sometimes the problem can be caused by corrupted local cached data. You should Reset or clear the store cache which may have become cluttered and buggy over time that fixes the problem.

  • Press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog.
  • Type WSReset.exe, and click/tap on OK. The WSReset tool resets the Microsoft Store without changing account settings or deleting installed apps.
  • A command prompt will now open without any message. After about 30 seconds, the command prompt will automatically close, and the Microsoft Store app will open
  • Check if the Microsoft Store opening issue still occurs.

Reset Microsoft cache

Sign out then sign in to Microsoft account

If you are unable to download or Install Apps From Microsoft Store, or updates and apps stuck downloading then this process will refresh your account connection which can usually fix this particular issue.

  • Open the Microsoft Store.
  • Click on your Profile icon in the upper right corner.
  • Click again on the active account and choose Sign Out.
  • Close the Microsoft Store and start it again.
  • Click on the blank icon and select Sign In
  • Enter your credentials
  • Check if the issue still occurs.

Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has built-in troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix certain problems that might prevent Microsoft Store apps from working correctly. Then, if possible, the troubleshooter automatically fixes these problems without you doing a thing. Try using this tool and see if it can fix the Store not opening issue.

  • Press Windows  key  + I to open Settings,
  • Click Update & security then select troubleshoot in the left hand panel,
  • In the new window, go to the section ‘Find and fix other problems’ > select the Microsoft Store troubleshooter > click Run the troubleshooter
  • A window will open which will begin detecting problems. It shouldn’t take any longer than a couple of minutes.
  • If problems are detected then the troubleshooter will try to resolve these. Alternatively, it might give you steps on how to do it yourself.
  • Once done restart your PC and check if the problem still occurs.

Windows store apps troubleshooter

Change the DNS address

Few windows 10 users reported switching to Google DNS help them fix the problem. In case the problem is caused by your computer having difficulty connecting to its set DNS server then you can try changing the DNS address that you are using.

  • Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and click ok
  • This will open the network connections window,
  • Right click the active network connection and select Properties.
  • Highlight the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click on the Properties button.
  • Click on use the following DNS server addresses
    Enter 8.8.8.8 as a preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as Alternate DNS Server
  • Press OK to save your changes.

Google DNS

Still need help, reset the Microsoft Store app, which clears their stored data and sets back to default like new fresh. Though this will clear your settings, you won’t lose any purchases or installed apps.

Well, WSReset Command Also clear and Reset the Store Cache but Reset is The Advanced options like this will clear all your preference, log in details, settings so on and Set Windows Store To its Default Setup.

  • Open Settings using Windows key + I,
  • Click Apps then Apps & feature,
  • Scroll down to “Microsoft Store’ in your list of Apps & features, Click it

Microsoft store advanced option link

  • In the new Window, you will Get the Reset Option click on it,
  • You’ll receive a warning that you’ll lose data on this app.
  • Click ‘Reset’ again, and you’re done, Restart your PC and Check Microsoft store working properly.

Reset Microsoft store

Check Proxy Settings

You should try connecting to the internet without using any proxy or VPN as these might be causing the issue.

  • Type internet options on the search bar then click the first option that appears.
  • Move to the Connections tab then Click on LAN settings.
  • Uncheck the box beside Use a proxy server for your LAN.
  • Confirm the changes.
  • Check if the problem still occurs.

Disable Proxy server

Tweak Registry for Connection Errors

If you’re getting a connection error when launching the store, downloading or update an app tweak registry following steps below that help to fix the problem.

  • Press Windows key + R, type regedit and click ok to open registry editor,
  • Navigate into the following folder path, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles
  • Now Right click on Profiles and select Permissions, then click on Advanced.
  • Tick on Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object and click OK.
  • Then Under permission for profiles click Apply then click OK.
  • Now restart your system to make the changes effective.
  • Then on the Next login Open Microsoft Store check there are no more problems

Tweak windows registry editor for Connection Errors

If the problem you’re experiencing is that the Microsoft Store won’t open at all, then re-register it on your system probably the best solution.

Open PowerShell as administrator,

Copy and paste the command below to PowerShell and press enter key,

“& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”

Re-register Microsoft store

Once done close Powershell window and Restart PC, Now open Microsoft store and check if this working as expected.

Again sometimes system file corruption also prevents apps from open, run build-in system file checker utility that automatically scans and restores missing system files with the correct one.

Did these solutions help fix Microsoft store problems on Windows 10? Let us know on the comments below.

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Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.