How to Fix Microsoft Store Not Working on Windows 10/11

You may have received several error messages whenever you launch Microsoft Store App. When the errors appear, that means either your date is not set correctly, or you have some corrupted Microsoft store cache. There could be many more reasons behind the error message, the mentioned ones are turned into the main contributors to causing errors.

How to Fix Windows Store Not Working?
How to Fix Microsoft Store Not Working?

Several users have also reported that after trying everything, including resetting the computer, the error did not resolve. Therefore, keep that in mind; the issue might not specifically be from the user side, as Microsoft servers can experience issues.

A few days ago, I experienced an error from the Microsoft store while launching. I started with Windows Store Troubleshooter, located in Windows Settings. I was able to fix this error after running the troubleshooter utility, but after a couple of days, the same error appeared and was fixed automatically. So we can assume that it could be from the backend of the Microsoft store, which might fix soon.

Before jumping into the solutions, take a look at the leading causes, as one of them might be a culprit in your scenario.

  • Wrong Date and Time- The issue mostly seems to appear when the date and time are set incorrectly. As per the several affected users, the Microsoft errors can be fixed by setting the date and time correctly.
  • Corrupted Store Cache- Corrupted Microsoft store cache might be a reason as it has fixed several Microsoft errors. Hence, try clearing the Microsoft store cache to fix the error.
  • DNS Server Issue- If you use any third-party DNS server, such as Google or Cloudfare, then make sure the DNS is not experiencing issues, as it can trigger several errors.
  • Outdated Windows- In many cases, outdated Windows causes bugs and errors, and it is possible that the error is occurring due to the outdated Windows version. Hence, keep Windows updated to avoid many issues.
  • Enabled Proxy/VPN- If you use any third-party VPN or Proxy service, make sure it is disabled in the background as it can bring several connection errors while trying to access Microsoft Store.

Before making any major changes to the system, we recommend checking the internet connection first, as if it is not working properly, you will surely encounter connection errors.

1. Change Date and Time

If the date and time on Windows are set incorrectly, you will likely encounter error messages as the Microsoft store regularly checks the date and time, as other applications do. Therefore it is better to synchronize your clock, so Windows will regularly sync the time with its server. Despite this, changing the date and time has worked for most affected users. Hence, Follow the steps to change date and time settings:

  1. Right-click the Date and Time from the bottom right
  2. Click Adjust Date/Time

    Navigate Date and Time Settings
    Navigate Date and Time Settings
  3. Turn on Set Time Automatically and Set Time Zone Automatically

    Synchronizing Date and Time
    Synchronizing Date and Time
  4. Click Sync Now, then launch the Microsoft store to check if the error persists.

2. Clear Windows Store Cache

It is possible that your Microsoft store cache files are corrupted, and due to that reason, the error is being triggered. Microsoft errors can be caused by several reasons. However, resetting the Windows store often fixes many errors as it clears the cache files, which store cache temporarily and can get corrupted. Therefore, follow the steps to reset the Microsoft Windows store.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously
  2. A short Window will appear. Type wsreset.exe and click OK

    Clearing Microsoft Store Cache Data
    Clearing Microsoft Store Cache Data
  3. Once done, launch the Microsoft store to check if the error is resolved.

3. Run Windows Store App Troubleshooter

When we receive errors while launching Microsoft Store, the first solution you might need to apply is to run the Windows Store Troubleshooter. Running Windows store troubleshooter often detects problems and fixes the problems the Microsoft store errors as it replaces the corrupted files along with fixing various issues. Follow the steps to run the Windows Store Troubleshooter:

  1. Click Start Menu and type Troubleshoot Settings
    Navigating to Troubleshoot Settings
    Navigating to Troubleshoot Settings
  2. Open the troubleshooting settings, then click Additional Troubleshooter

    Click to View Additional Troubleshooters
    Click to View Additional Troubleshooters
  3. Scroll down to the bottom and select Windows Store Apps
  4. Click Run The Troubleshooter

    Running Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
    Running Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
  5. If it recommends some steps, quickly follow them and check if this method fixed Microsoft Store.

4. Update Windows

If you have not updated your Windows for the past few months, update it to the latest version as it fixes various issues, including errors that occur in its own application. The error can either be caused by outdated Windows. Hence, updating Windows might aid in fixing the error. Below are the steps.

  1. Go to Settings by hitting Win + I on the keyboard
  2. Navigate to Update & Security

    Navigating to Windows Update Security
    Navigating to Windows Update Security
  3. Click on Check For Updates

    Downloading And Installing Windows updates
    Downloading And Installing Windows updates
  4. Once the updates are found, download and install them
  5. After that, restart your computer, then launch Microsoft Store to see if it fixes the error

5. Change Your DNS Settings

Usually, Microsoft errors indicate a bad network connection. In some scenarios, when the internet works fine, some errors can occur due to the DNS server, which you might be using on your computer to increase the response time of the network connection.

However, using a DNS is not a bad idea as far as it’s helpful, but if the DNS server you are using is not compatible with the Microsoft store or the DNS is experiencing server issues, you will likely encounter errors. Therefore, switch your DNS to automatic to get a compatible DNS server for your computer. Below are the steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel by typing it from Start Menu

    Opening Control Panel
    Opening Control Panel
  2. Now navigate to the following path
    Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center
  3. Click Change Adapter Settings from the left side
  4. Right-click the current adapter and click Properties

    Opening Network Adapter Properties
    Opening Network Adapter Properties
  5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties

    Opening Internet Protocol Version Properties
    Opening Internet Protocol Version Properties
  6. Select Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically and click OK

    Switching to Automatic DNS
    Switching to Automatic DNS
  7. Then, launch the Microsoft Store and check if the error is fixed.

6. Reinstall the Windows Store

If the error is not fixed yet, the error is probably due to the corrupted Microsoft store files, which can be fixed by reinstalling the Microsoft store. Remember, you cannot uninstall Windows apps like other applications. Hence, you will need to use Windows Powershell to reinstall Microsoft Store. Following are the steps to reinstall the Windows store:

  1. Click Start Menu and type Windows PowerShell
  2. Right-click on it to run as an administrator
    Running Windows PowerShell With Administrator Mode
    Running Windows PowerShell With Administrator Mode
  3. Now copy the following command and paste it into the terminal then hit enter to reinstall
    Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
    Reinstalling Microsoft Store
    Reinstalling Microsoft Store
  4. Once done, launch Microsoft Store to check if the error persists.

7. Disable Proxy or VPN

If your Windows has Proxy settings enabled or you are using a VPN, you may encounter connection errors as a proxy or VPN slows down the internet speed and route your connection to another server according to the selected country, which can cause connection errors while using applications.

  1. To check the Proxy settings, open the Run Program by hitting Win + R on the keyboard
  2. Type inetcpl.cpl and click OK
    Opening Internet Properties
    Opening Internet Properties
  3. Go to Connections from the top
  4. Click LAN Settings

    Opening LAN Settings
    Opening LAN Settings
  5. Uncheck Use A Proxy Server For Your LAN
  6. Then, click OK
    Disabling Proxy Settings
    Disabling Proxy Settings
  7. If you are a Third-Party VPN user, uninstall or disable it temporarily to check if the error is fixed.

8. Create a new user account

You can also create a new user account to fix this error. However, this is not a solution, an alternative way to access the Microsoft store. If this method works, transfer all your data to a new user account. Follow the steps to create a new user account:

  1. Launch Windows Settings by right-clicking the Start Menu and selecting Settings
  2. Navigate to Accounts and select Family and Others

    Proceeding to create a Local Account
    Proceeding to create a Local Account
  3. Click on Add Someone Else To This PC
  4. Click I Don’t Have This Person’s Sign-In Information

    Click I dont Have This Persons Sign In Information
    Click I don’t Have This Person’s Sign In Information
  5. Click Add A User Without a Microsoft Account

    Navigate to the Accounts
    Navigate to the Accounts
  6. Type computer name and account password.
    Note: Account password is recommended, not required.

    Typing Username and Password
    Typing Username and Password
  7. After that, click Next to finish the process
  8. Then, sign out to the current account and sign in with the newly created account
  9. Once done, launch the Microsoft store and check if the error persists.

9. Report a Problem

If none of the methods worked, try submitting your feedback to Microsoft Support or report a problem to the Microsoft forums. One moderator of their support team may contact you to get out of this error message. Below are the steps to give feedback to the Microsoft community:

  1. Click Start Menu and type Feedback Hub

    Opening Feedback Hub
    Opening Feedback Hub
  2. Open the Feedback and click Report A Problem

    Reporting a Problem
    Reporting a Problem
  3. Now describe your situation and click Next
  4. Then, in the category, select a Problem
  5. Now from the dropdown, select Microsoft Store and Other Issues or Suggestions

    Describing Issue
    Describing Issue
  6. Again, click Next, then select Prioritize This As Severity
  7. Select the problem which describes the issue best
  8. Once done, click Submit and wait for the response
    Submiting Feedback
    Submiting Feedback
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.