Windows App Store Won’t Open | Quick Fix Guide

When Microsoft Store refuses to launch, it usually points to a stuck cache, a broken app install, a sign-in glitch, a date or region mismatch, or a blocked connection. The steps below move from fast checks to deeper fixes, so you can get the Store and its apps running again.

Fast Checks When The Microsoft Store Won’t Launch

These quick actions solve many cases in minutes. Work top to bottom.

1. Restart the PC. A fresh session clears stale processes.
2. Verify internet access. Open a web page to confirm.
3. Check time and time zone in Settings > Time & language > Date & time. Enable automatic time and time zone. Toggle Off and On once.
4. Open Settings > Windows Update and install pending updates. Reboot if asked.
5. Sign out of the Microsoft Store app, then sign back in with the same account used for app purchases.

Symptoms And Likely Causes

Match what you see with a probable cause and where to fix it.

Symptom	Likely cause	Where to fix
Store window flashes and closes	Corrupt cache	Reset cache with WSReset or in app settings
Nothing happens when clicking Store	Broken app install	Repair or Reset in Settings
Error 0x80073D0A or network errors	Firewall or DNS issue	Network settings and security tools
Payment or region warnings	Region mismatch	Time & language > Region
Install stuck at Pending	Cache or update backlog	WSReset, then Windows Update
Sign-in loop	Account token glitch	Sign out/in, then reset Store

Reset The Microsoft Store Cache (WSReset)

WSReset clears the hidden cache that feeds Store pages and downloads. Press Win+R, run wsreset.exe, wait for the blank window to close, then test the Store.

1. If nothing changes, open an elevated Command Prompt and run wsreset.exe -i to also re-register the Store package.
2. You can also clear the cache by going to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options > Reset.

For a walk-through from Microsoft, see Microsoft Store doesn’t open.

Repair Or Reset The Microsoft Store App

If the cache wipe does not help, repair the app install. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options, then select Repair. If it still fails, select Reset to rebuild the package data.

Repair keeps data where possible. Reset is stronger and suits cases where the app will not launch at all.

Microsoft Store Not Opening On Windows 11: Fast Checks

This section gathers the Windows 11 paths and wording you will see on screen. The same ideas apply on Windows 10 with small label changes.

• Windows Update: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install quality and Store framework updates, then restart.
• Time and Region: Settings > Time & language > Date & time and Region. Use automatic time. Pick the right country under Region.
• Sign-in: Open Microsoft Store > profile picture > sign out, then sign in.

Run The Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows bundles a troubleshooter that scans for common Store issues and applies fixes for cache, permissions, and service states. Run it from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10).

1. Open Settings. Search for “Troubleshoot.”
2. Launch Windows Store Apps. Apply the fixes it suggests.
3. Test the Store again.

Check Network, Proxy, And DNS

The Store needs a clean TLS path. A strict proxy, VPN, or DNS filter can block it. First, test without a VPN or web shield. Then check Proxy under Settings > Network & internet and turn off manual proxy for a quick test.

• Switch DNS to a public resolver and test again. You can revert later.
• If a firewall prompts for Store traffic, allow it for the test.
• If Wi-Fi looks unstable, run a Network reset from Advanced network settings. Note: this removes adapters and resets options, so you will need to reconnect after the reboot.

Update Windows And Store Frameworks

Quality updates refresh core files that the Store uses. Install all pending updates, reboot, then open Microsoft Store and check Library > Get updates to refresh App Installer and Store components.

Windows uses Delivery Optimization for Store downloads. It is a cloud-managed downloader that balances speed and bandwidth while keeping files authenticated.

Re-register The Store With PowerShell

This step rebuilds the Store package when the app is missing or the tile is dead. Open Windows PowerShell (Admin) and run:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsStore ^| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppxManifest.xml"}

Wait for the command to finish, then launch the Store.

Fix File Corruption With DISM And SFC

If system files are damaged, the Store may fail at launch. Run these tools from an elevated Command Prompt, in this order: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth then sfc /scannow.

DISM pulls clean files for the servicing stack. SFC verifies and repairs local copies. Reboot, then try the Store again.

For step-by-step guidance from Microsoft, see the System File Checker tool.

Region, Account, And License Checks

Some Store content depends on region and account state. Switch Region to the country where you normally use the Store under Settings > Time & language > Region. Then confirm you are signed in with the account used to acquire your apps.

If you changed countries, payment methods and availability may differ. In that case, set the right country, restart, and try again.

Settings Path Cheat Sheet

Use this table to jump straight to the page that holds each fix.

Task	Path	Notes
Windows Update	Settings > Windows Update	Install all updates, then restart
Repair or Reset Store	Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options	Repair first; Reset if needed
Run WSReset	Win+R > wsreset.exe	Reopens Store after clearing cache
Run Troubleshooter	Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters	Run Windows Store Apps
Time and Region	Settings > Time & language > Date & time; Region	Use automatic time, pick the right country
Proxy and DNS	Settings > Network & internet > Proxy	Disable proxy, test DNS
Re-register Store	PowerShell (Admin)	Run Add-AppxPackage command
DISM and SFC	Command Prompt (Admin)	Run DISM, then SFC

Clean Startup And New Profile Tests

A background service can block Store sign-in or downloads. Start with a clean boot, which loads only core services, then try the Store.

1. Press Win+R, run msconfig. Hide all Microsoft services, then disable the rest. Reboot and test the Store.
2. Create a new local user in Settings > Accounts > Other users. Sign in and test the Store there. If it works, migrate data to the new profile.

Why The Microsoft Store Fails To Launch

The Store is a UWP app that relies on web endpoints, identity tokens, and the appx servicing stack. Breaks in any of those links can stop the window from opening. Common roots include expired tokens after password or device changes, out-of-date system files, wrong time or time zone that blocks TLS, proxy rules or DNS filters that drop Store calls, and damaged package registration after a failed update.

Practical Order Of Operations

Use this sequence on any PC where the Windows App Store will not open. It saves time and reduces repeat work.

1. Check internet, time, region.
2. Windows Update. Reboot.
3. WSReset.
4. Repair Store. Then Reset if needed.
5. Troubleshooter for Windows Store Apps.
6. PowerShell re-register.
7. DISM, then SFC.
8. New user profile test. Clean startup test.
9. In-place repair install.

Tips To Prevent Store Launch Problems

• Keep Windows up to date. Set active hours so reboots land at good times.
• Limit third-party cleaners that scrub app caches.
• Use a stable DNS provider.
• Let the Store update its own components on the Library page.
• Leave time and time zone on automatic.

Windows 10 End-Of-Updates Note

Windows 10 reaches the end of free updates on October 14, 2025. A PC can still run, but it stops receiving new fixes through the usual channels. If the Store acts up on an older build near this date, move to Windows 11 or apply the newest Windows 10 updates first, then retry the Store. This avoids chasing errors that an update already solves.

BITS And Delivery Optimization

The Store uses Windows download services behind the scenes. Background Intelligent Transfer Service moves files, and Delivery Optimization selects sources and manages bandwidth. If these services are disabled, app pages can hang or installs never start. Keep both on default settings unless your admin set a policy.

Using A Work Or School PC

On organization-managed devices, policies may block the Store or specific content. If you see messages about an administrator, the Store may be limited by design. Test on a home network with a personal account. If the Store opens only outside the domain, talk to your IT admin about access rules and proxy exceptions. Some firms pause Store access during audits.