Question:

How can I resolve the problem of Microsoft store apps not opening or installing? I have already attempted various troubleshooting methods, but none of them worked.

Answer:

How to Fix Microsoft Store Apps Not Opening or Installing

Microsoft Store is a convenient way to download and install apps, games, and entertainment on your Windows device. However, sometimes you may encounter problems with the Microsoft Store app or the apps you downloaded from it. For example, you may see an error message saying “this app can’t open” or “try that again” when you try to launch or update an app. Or you may find that the install button does nothing when you click it. Or you may notice that some apps are stuck in a pending state or show a download error.

If you are facing any of these issues, don’t worry. There are some possible solutions that you can try to fix them. In this article, we will show you how to resolve the problem of Microsoft Store apps not opening or installing on Windows 10 or Windows 11. We will also explain why these problems occur and how to prevent them in the future.

There are various reasons why Microsoft Store apps may not open or install properly. Some of the common causes are:

• Your Windows system is not up to date. Some apps may require the latest version of Windows to run smoothly. If your Windows system is outdated, it may cause compatibility issues or bugs with the apps.
• Your Microsoft Store app is not up to date. The Microsoft Store app itself may have some glitches or errors that prevent it from working correctly. Updating the Microsoft Store app can help fix these problems and improve its performance.
• Your Microsoft Store cache is corrupted. The Microsoft Store app stores some temporary files and data in a cache folder. This cache helps the app load faster and remember your preferences. However, sometimes the cache may get corrupted or outdated, which can cause the app to malfunction or crash.
• Your Microsoft Store install service is disabled. The Microsoft Store install service is a background process that handles the installation and update of apps from the Microsoft Store. If this service is disabled or not running, you won’t be able to install or update any apps from the Microsoft Store.
• Your hard drive is full or low on space. Some apps may require a large amount of disk space to install or update. If your hard drive is full or low on space, you may not be able to download or install the apps you want. You may also experience slow performance or errors with the apps you already have.
• Your internet connection is unstable or slow. The Microsoft Store app and the apps you download from it rely on a stable and fast internet connection to work properly. If your internet connection is unstable or slow, you may encounter problems with downloading, installing, or updating the apps. You may also see error codes or messages related to network issues.
• Your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it. Some firewall or antivirus software may mistakenly identify the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it as threats or malware. This can prevent the app from opening or installing, or cause it to crash or freeze.

How to Fix Microsoft Store Apps Not Opening or Installing

Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different solutions that you can try to fix Microsoft Store apps not opening or installing. Here are some of the most effective methods that you can follow:

Method 1: Update Windows

The first thing you should do is to check if your Windows system is up to date. Updating Windows can help fix any compatibility issues or bugs that may affect the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it. To update Windows, follow these steps:

• Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Update.
• Click on Check for updates. If there is an available update, click on Install now.
• Restart your device after the update is complete.

Method 2: Update Microsoft Store

The next thing you should do is to update the Microsoft Store app itself. Updating the Microsoft Store app can help fix any glitches or errors that may prevent it from working correctly. To update the Microsoft Store app, follow these steps:

• Open the Microsoft Store app by clicking on its icon on the taskbar or the Start menu.
• Click on the three-dot menu icon on the top-right corner of the app window.
• Click on Library.
• Click on Get updates. If there is an update for the Microsoft Store app, it will start installing automatically.
• Restart the Microsoft Store app after the update is complete.

Method 3: Clear Microsoft Store Cache

Another thing you should do is to clear the Microsoft Store cache. Clearing the cache can help remove any corrupted or outdated files and data that may cause the app to malfunction or crash. To clear the Microsoft Store cache, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type WSReset.exe and click on OK. This will launch a command prompt window that will clear the Microsoft Store cache.
• Wait for the process to finish. The Microsoft Store app will open automatically after the cache is cleared.

Method 4: Restart Microsoft Store Install Service

You should also check if the Microsoft Store install service is enabled and running. The Microsoft Store install service is a background process that handles the installation and update of apps from the Microsoft Store. If this service is disabled or not running, you won’t be able to install or update any apps from the Microsoft Store. To restart the Microsoft Store install service, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type services.msc and click on OK. This will open the Services window that lists all the services on your device.
• Find the Microsoft Store Install Service and double-click on it. This will open the service properties window.
• If the service status is Running, click on the Stop button and then click on the Start button to restart the service. If the service status is Stopped, click on the Start button to start the service.
• Make sure that the startup type is set to Automatic. If not, click on the drop-down menu and select Automatic.
• Click on OK to save the changes and close the window.

Method 5: Check Disk Space

You should also check if you have enough disk space on your hard drive to install or update the apps you want. Some apps may require a large amount of disk space to install or update. If your hard drive is full or low on space, you may not be able to download or install the apps you want. You may also experience slow performance or errors with the apps you already have. To check disk space, follow these steps:

• Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
• Click on System.
• Click on Storage.
• Under the Local storage section, you will see how much space is available on your hard drive. If the space is low, you should try to free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to another drive or cloud storage.
• You can also click on the Temporary files option to see how much space is taken up by temporary files and data. You can select the items you want to delete and click on Remove files to clear them.

Method 6: Check Internet Connection

You should also check if your internet connection is stable and fast. The Microsoft Store app and the apps you download from it rely on a stable and fast internet connection to work properly. If your internet connection is unstable or slow, you may encounter problems with downloading, installing, or updating the apps. You may also see error codes or messages related to network issues. To check internet connection, follow these steps:

• Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
• Click on Network & internet.
• Click on Status.
• Under the Network status section, you will see if you are connected to the internet and the quality of your connection. If the connection is poor or not available, you should try to troubleshoot the problem by clicking on the Troubleshoot button.
• You can also click on the Properties option to see more details about your connection and change some settings if needed.

Method 7: Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

You should also check if your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it. Some firewall or antivirus software may mistakenly identify the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it as threats or malware. This can prevent the app from opening or installing, or cause it to crash or freeze. To check firewall and antivirus settings, follow these steps:

• Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on Windows Security.
• Click on Firewall & network protection.
• Click on Allow an app through firewall. This will open a window that lists all the apps that are allowed or blocked by the firewall.
• Find the Microsoft Store app and the apps you download from it and make sure that they are checked and allowed. If not, click on the Change settings button and check the boxes next to the apps you want to allow.
• Click on OK to save the changes and close the window.
• You should also check the settings of your antivirus software and make sure that it is not blocking or interfering with the Microsoft Store app or the apps you download from it. You may need to add the apps to the whitelist or exclude them from the scan. For more details, refer to the documentation or support of your antivirus software.

How to Prevent Microsoft Store Apps Not Opening or Installing

To

prevent Microsoft Store apps not opening or installing in the future, you should follow some best practices and tips, such as: