Fix: Windows 10 Store Error Code 0x803F8001

Error code 0x803F8001 when trying to update an app through the Windows Store is something that a lot of users get once they update to a new build. The reason is that Microsoft still hasn’t completely ironed out the process of Windows Update, and there are plenty of quirks and bugs that might occur, such as this one.

What happens in this situation is that you have a Windows Store app that you can’t update, and it gives you the 0x803F8001 error. The update will fail, and you will remain frustrated because this is something that should be done very easily, and you shouldn’t be having these issues. However, until Microsoft comes out with a fix for the upgrade process, you will have the issues.

Fortunately, quite a few users have come up with various solutions that combat this problem and solve it, or at least provide a workaround that allows you to install the app or apps you need. Take a look at the methods below, and if the first one doesn’t work for you, move on to the next one, etc. – one of them will definitely solve this issue for you.

Method 1: Retry the update or download

The issue might be nothing more than a temporary glitch with the Windows Store. You can try pressing the X on the rightmost end of the application you’re trying to download or update, and try updating it again. This has solved the issue for more than one user.

Method 2: Re-register the Store

The error might also be due to a miscommunication with the servers, and re-registering the Store may solve the issue if this is the case. Make sure that you don’t make a typo when you’re entering the command below, as you might make more problems than you’ll solve.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type in cmd
2. Right-click the Command Prompt result, and choose Run as administrator. OR
3. Press simultaneously the Windows and X keys on your keyboard.
4. From the menu that opens, choose Command Prompt (Admin).
5. Once the Command Prompt opens, type in the following command, and press Enter to execute it.
   PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”
6. Once the command is executed, close the Command Prompt and try updating/downloading your apps again.

Method 3: Allow the apps to use your location

Even though it might seem unrelated at first, this has solved the issue for quite a few users.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type in Location, then open the Location privacy settings
2. Make sure that Location Service is set to on.

Method 4: Disable proxy

If you’re using a proxy connection, this might be causing issues that don’t allow the store to download the apps you need. All you need to do is follow the steps below to disable the proxy.

1. Press simultaneously Windows and R on your keyboard. In the Run window that opens, type in inetcpl.cpl and press Enter or click OK.
2. Navigate to the Connections tab, and click on LAN settings near the bottom.
3. Find Proxy server, and make sure that Use a proxy server for your LAN is unchecked.
4. Press OK twice to close the windows and save the settings. This should solve your issue.

Method 5: Use the DISM tool

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool is a very powerful tool that comes built in with Windows, and it can solve your issue in this kind of situation.

1. Use steps 1 and 2 from the second method of this guide to open an Administrator Command Prompt.
2. Enter the following command, followed by an Enter on your keyboard in order to execute it:

dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentGroup

3. Once this is done, you shouldn’t be having the issues anymore.

Method 6: Check your language and region settings

Having incorrectly set up language and regional settings in your system can lead to quite a lot of issues. However, checking this is very easy.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type in Region, and open Region & language settings.
2. Within the Languages section, ensure that English (United States) is first on the list.
3. Close the settings window and try updating or downloading the apps again.

At the end of the day, this issue is Microsoft’s fault, but it is a matter of time when Microsoft will actually do something about it. Until then, above you have a fair share of options that you can try in order to solve this issue, or have a workaround that allows you to install any updates or applications you might need, but are unable to deal with.