Home › Knowledgebase › KB-433

How to fix Windows 11 Store and Microsoft Store apps crashing or not opening

Performance & Troubleshooting KB-433

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Windows 11 Store and Microsoft Store apps crashing or not opening. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket

Common Causes

The Microsoft Store and its apps can occasionally crash, freeze, or refuse to open on Windows 11. This is usually caused by corrupted cache files, outdated Windows updates, or misconfigured app settings. The good news is Windows 11 includes several built-in repair tools that can resolve most of these issues without requiring a full reinstall. Work through the steps below in order, testing the Store after each one.

Quick Fix Steps

If you're short on time, try these steps first:

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. Open Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
  3. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
  4. Reset the Microsoft Store cache.
  5. Repair or reset the affected app from Settings.

Detailed Instructions

Restart Your Computer

A simple restart clears temporary memory and resolves many transient issues. Save your work, then choose Start > Power > Restart.

Install Pending Windows Updates

Outdated system files are a common cause of Store instability.

  1. Open Settings (press Win + I).
  2. Select Windows Update from the left pane.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Install any available updates and restart when prompted.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows includes a dedicated troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix Store-related problems.

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Locate Windows Store Apps and click Run.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts and apply any recommended fixes.
  5. Restart your computer when finished.

Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

Corrupted cache files are one of the most common causes of Store issues. Resetting the cache forces the Store to rebuild its temporary files.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
  3. A blank Command Prompt window will appear briefly while the cache is cleared.
  4. The Microsoft Store will open automatically once the process completes.
Resetting the cache does not delete your installed apps or account details. It only clears temporary files used by the Store.

Repair or Reset the Affected App

If a specific app is crashing rather than the Store itself, you can repair it from Settings. Repairing fixes the app's files without removing data, while resetting restores the app to its default state.

  1. Open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Find the app that's having problems (for example, the Microsoft Store).
  3. Click the three dots next to the app and select Advanced options.
  4. Scroll down to the Reset section.
  5. Click Repair first and test the app. If issues persist, click Reset.
Resetting an app will clear its sign-in details, preferences, and stored data. Sign in again afterwards and reconfigure any custom settings.

Re-register the Microsoft Store

If the Store still won't open, re-registering it can resolve deeper corruption issues.

  1. Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  1. Wait for the command to complete, then restart your computer.

Troubleshooting

Check Your Date, Time, and Region Settings

Incorrect date or time settings can prevent the Store from connecting to Microsoft servers.

  1. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
  2. Enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
  3. Under Language & region, confirm your region is set to your correct location.

Check Your Network Connection

The Store requires a working internet connection. If other apps are also having trouble, see our guide on Browser not loading pages for further diagnosis.

Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus

Some third-party security products can block Store connections. If you're using antivirus software other than Microsoft Defender, temporarily disable it and test the Store. Re-enable it once you've finished testing.

Run an SFC and DISM Scan

If the Store still won't open, your system files may be corrupted.

  1. Open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
  3. Next, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
  4. Restart your computer once both scans finish.

Check for Conflicting Software

VPN clients, proxy tools, and some firewall applications can interfere with Store connections. If you use a VPN, disconnect it and try opening the Store again.

Related Articles

If you've worked through all the steps above and the Microsoft Store or its apps still aren't working, our support team can help. Please open a ticket through our support portal and include a description of the issue plus any error messages you've seen.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket

Related Articles