Microsoft Store Not Working? Here’s How to Fix it

The Microsoft Store (Windows Store) isn’t the most popular store, riddled as it is with bugs, crashes, and a tendency to not work. It does have some good stuff in it, though, and the UI and overall experience has improved much since Windows 11 came out. Even so, if Microsoft Store is currently not working for you, here’s how to fix it.

Note: the process is sometimes different between Windows 10 and 11, and – where relevant – we include the instructions for both platforms.

Why Is Microsoft Store Not Working?

The following are the main reasons you would find it difficult to work with Microsoft Store.

• Network connection blocked by Error code 0x80131500
• Incorrect syncing of Microsoft Store time with system time
• Not “owning” WindowsApps folder as a user
• Full or damaged Windows Store cache
• A mismatch between proxy server/VPN IP address and system IP address
• Untraceable Store problems that won’t go away without reinstallation
• Pending Windows 11/10 updates
• Unreliable Internet access.

Getting a blue screen error can be a real drag. Learn how to fix the “Unexpected Store Exception” issue in Windows.

How to Fix Microsoft Store Not Working

Before getting to the proper fixes, there’s a small checklist of things you should confirm:

• Windows has no pending updates
• UAC (User Account Control) is enabled
• Your video card/GPU drivers are up to date

If these are all in place but Windows Store still isn’t working, proceed with the following fixes.

1. Change Your DNS Address

One of the more common error messages that may crop up when your Windows Store isn’t working is the “0x80131500” error. This can happen if your PC is connecting to the Internet through certain DNS servers, which are automatically assigned by your ISP and/or home networking setup.

Change DNS on Windows 11

1. Go to “Settings -> Network & Internet,” then click “Properties” at the top of the window.

2. Click “Edit” next to “DNS server assignment.”

3. Click the drop-down menu and select “Manual.” Simultaneously, switch the “IPv4” slider to the “On” position.

4. In the “Preferred DNS” box, enter the address “1.1.1.1” (which is Cloudflare’s universal DNS resolver. You can use NextDNS if you want too). Click “OK,” and hopefully, the Windows Store will be back up and running.

You can also try using Google’s public DNS server that has the following IP addresses:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

Change DNS on Windows 10

1. Go to “Settings (click Start then the cog icon) -> Network & Internet -> Change adapter options.”

2. Right-click the network connection that you’re using and select “Properties.”

3. In the new window, scroll down to “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4),” and either double-click there or right-click the menu item and click its properties to open a pop-up window.

The instructions are much the same for Windows 11, except enter the address 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 in the “Preferred DNS” box.

2. Change the Computer’s Time

One of the more effective yet somewhat strange methods of solving Windows Store crashes is making sure your computer’s clock is accurate. When Windows Store boots up, it tries to get a sync between the store’s time and your own. If the two times are different, the store will sometimes refuse to load. It’s very frustrating but also very easy to fix.

1. Right-click the displayed time near the taskbar and click “Adjust date/time.”

2. Go to “Set time automatically,” and turn it off by clicking the switch underneath it.
3. Once it has finished processing your request, switch it back on again. This will update the time most accurately. Make sure your time zone is set correctly, too!

4. Once done, try to open Microsoft Store again and see if the crashes persist.

3. Set Yourself as Owner of the WindowsApps Folder

Sometimes the problem lies in the fact that you don’t “own” the WindowsApps file on your computer. It may seem a little odd, but sometimes files are modified to not allow you access to them despite being on your machine and associated with your account. Telling the computer to give you total control over the WindowsApps folder will sometimes allow the store to do its job properly.

You will need to perform many security-based actions on the WindowsApps folder. Thankfully, we’ve already published a guide with step-by-step details on how to access your WindowsApps folder, so check it out.

4. Clear the Windows Store Cache

The simplest fix is to reset the Windows Store cache, which may have become cluttered and buggy over time. To do this, hit Win + R, then type wsreset in the Run box and hit Enter.

A Command Prompt window should show up, indicating that Windows is resetting the store cache. When the window closes, the job is done, so you can try opening the store again to see if it works properly.

5. Reinstall the Microsoft Store

It may seem radical, but sometimes the best way to fix the problems with Windows Store is to reinstall it. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as just going to your “Apps and Features” list.

You’ll need to uninstall the Windows Store through Powershell.

1. Press the Win key and type powershell.
2. Right-click it in the search results, then “Run as administrator.”
3. In Powershell, type get-appxpackage -allusers.

4. Find the entry for “Microsoft.WindowsStore,” and copy the information in the “PackageFullName” line to the clipboard.

5. On a new line in the Powershell, type remove-appxpackage followed by a space, then paste over the PackageName you copied over to the clipboard. For us, it looked like this, but for you, it may vary slightly depending on your Windows Store version number.

remove-appxpackage Microsoft.WindowsStore_22210.1401.6.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

6. Hit Enter and Windows Store will be gone. Reboot your PC.

7. To reinstall Windows Store, you’ll need to go back to PowerShell as an admin and type the following:

Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Did you know that there’s such a thing as decentralized VPNs? Learn what they can offer compared to normal VPNs.

6. Disable Proxy Servers/VPNs

If you have a proxy server (or VPN for that matter) enabled, then it could be sending your Microsoft Store out of whack, as your PC’s IP address doesn’t correspond with the details on your Windows account. So first, if you have a VPN enabled, switch it off. VPNs usually come with client applications that have a simple on/off switch.

Proxy connections, on the other hand, are a bit more sneaky, and you may not even know if you have one switched on.

1. To check this and switch off your proxy connection, open “Settings -> Network & Internet -> Proxy” in the pane on the left.

2. Once you’re in the Proxy server menu, scroll below to “Manual proxy setup.” In Windows 11, you can directly switch off the option for “Use a proxy server.” In Windows 10, there is a slider for that purpose.

7. Reset Microsoft Store

As of the Windows 11 22H2 version update, you have the option to reset Windows apps, which will clear their cache and data, essentially making them like new. It’s a little more drastic than the “WS Reset” option, as this will clear all your preferences, login details, settings, and so on. (Don’t worry, you’ll still keep the apps you installed from the Microsoft Store.)

1. To do this, right-click the “Start button -> Apps and Features,” then scroll down to Microsoft Store in your list of “Apps & Features.”

2. Click it, then select “Advanced options,” and in the new window, click “Reset.” You’ll receive a warning that you’ll lose data on this app. Click “Reset” again, and you’re done.

8. Reregister the Windows Store App

Another form of resetting the Windows Store app is to get it to reregister on your PC.

1. Click Start, type “PowerShell” and click “Run as administrator.”
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command to reregister the Windows Store on your PC:

Get-AppXPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

3. The Windows Store should reregister and hopefully be back in good working order.

9. Use Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Microsoft recommends using troubleshooters for all untraceable problems in the operating system. You can use a specific troubleshooter in Windows 11 called “Windows Store Apps.”

1. Click “Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot.”

2. Select a menu item for “Other troubleshooters” and scroll below for a troubleshooter called “Windows Store Apps.”
3. Click the “Run” option for Windows Store Apps.

4. Windows Store Apps will take a few seconds to detect the problems related to Store. If it finds any trouble spots, they will be fixed automatically.

5. If Microsoft is unable to resolve the issue, it will suggest further actions that could help.

10. Troubleshoot Your Internet Access

Is your Wi-Fi connection down? Sometimes when we are facing network downtime or slower speeds, it can affect our experience with Microsoft Store (though you can still access its apps on a browser). Resolving Internet problems will put you back on track with the apps inside the Store.

1. Go to “Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters.”
2. Select the “Run” option for the “Internet Connection” menu.

3. Test a sample website with the troubleshooter. If there are no issues, your Internet access is working fine.
4. Restart your device and check whether the store is operating properly.

11. Update Windows 11/10 to Its Latest Version

If you haven’t updated your Windows 11/10 operating system in a long time, there might be a few Microsoft Store updates that are pending action from you. Finish them to enjoy a smooth run with installed apps.

1. Search “Windows Update” from the Search menu or go to “Settings -> Windows Update.”
2. Click “Check for Updates.”
3. Finish downloading and installing the required updates.

Bonus Tip: For Games, Use the Xbox App Instead

Microsoft made a welcome move in the gaming scene by introducing a new game-oriented store and subscription service to PC. The new Xbox app lets you buy and run the same games you’d previously run through the Windows store but with the added perks of friend lists and other gamer-focused features. You can start the Xbox app with a simple Windows search.

The Xbox app feels much better to use for gaming, and the optional Xbox Game Pass is easily one of the best value deals in PC gaming, giving you access to a huge rotating library of PC games for a low monthly price.

We get the feeling that Microsoft is hoping to move gamers who buy games from their store over to Xbox, so if you’re having problems with Microsoft Store and mainly play games through it, you may as well make the jump rather than stay on what increasingly looks like a sinking ship.

Have an Xbox at home? Check out the best accessories that will take your gaming experience to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

Sayak Boral - Staff Writer

Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.