Windows 11 has been around for quite a while now and a lot of people seem to be enjoying it. Of course, things have gotten better with the OS and especially the ability to install Android apps as well. While all of this is good, the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 can sometimes be a pain. At times it refuses to load or even open and even worse not download the apps that you want from the store. This can be a bit annoying and at times may cause inconveniences to the user. Here is a guide on how to fix the Microsoft Store not downloading apps on Windows 11.
Sure, the Microsoft Store has been revamped and performs better than its previous versions. Especially the one time when it first was out with Windows 8. The store indeed has a good collection of free and paid games and apps. However, for some reason, the Windows Store is not being regulated. There will always be someone or the other taking existing open-source projects and selling them as their projects for a price. While that is a job to be taken care of by Microsoft, let’s take a look at how to fix Windows Apps not downloading from Microsoft Store on Windows 11.
Fix Microsoft Store Not Downloading Apps
There are several ways that you can follow to fix the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 when it refuses to download apps. These methods are simple and easy to use. Read the following methods that you can try.
Restart Your PC
Yes, the first step is to follow the restart and see if it works. This is true for a lot of things especially electronics. Simply shut down and power up your PC or simply choose restart. This should usually help fix some issues that might be causing the Microsoft Store to glitch around. If this still didn’t fix it, follow the other steps mentioned below.
Sign Out and Sign In to the Microsoft Store
Sure, this might sound a bit weird but hey if it works, it works. Why would signing out help fix the Store? Well, when you sign out, the Store refreshes itself to show you suggested apps based on what is popular on the Store and not suggested or recommended for you based on the apps installed on your Windows 11 PC.
- Open the Microsoft Store. Make sure your system is connected to a wifi network.
- Go to where your Profile Picture is. It will be at the right corner.
- Click on it. You will see the Sign out option right there.
- Close the Microsoft Store and reopen it.
- Select the profile picture icon and select sign-in.
- It will ask you to choose your Microsoft Account or sign in with a new one.
- Simply enter the password and you should be signed in.
- Now, try to download an app and see if it begins to download. If it does, the issue has been fixed. If not, follow through with the next steps.
Ensure your WiFi Network is not set as a Metered Connection
Setting a WiFi network as a metered connection is a great way to reduce extra data usage on your Windows 11 PC. This option prevents your system from downloading Windows updates and for that matter even pauses or stops your apps from automatically updating themselves. At times, this can also stop apps from being downloaded as well.
- Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
- Select Network and Internet. Now, click on the Properties option (i icon) at the top of the screen.
- Scroll a bit down. You will see the option for Metered Internet.
- If the toggle has been switched on, click on it to turn the toggle off.
- Head back to the Windows Store and try to download an app.
- You should be able to easily download the app right away on your Windows 11 PC.
Clear the Microsoft Store Cache
Cache clearing helps to fix up a lot of issues that might have been creating problems in its regular functioning. There is a simple and easy way to be able to clear the cache of the Windows Store on a Windows 11 PC. Here is how it goes.
- Press the Windows and X on the desktop.
- This will bring up the context menu next to your Start button.
- Select the Windows Terminal (Admin) option.
- This will open up the Windows Terminal
- Now, type in wsreset and hit the enter button.
- This command clears your Microsoft Windows Store cache. Open the Store now and try downloading an app. If it does work, that means the issue has been fixed.
Reset Windows Store
Apart from clearing the cache, you can also perform a reset of the Windows Store. It is a simple and easy process.
- Open the Settings app on your PC.
- Select the Apps option followed by Apps and Features from the right panel.
- You will now see a whole list of apps and programs that are currently installed on your Windows 11 PC.
- Scroll through the list till your find the Microsoft Store.
- Click on the three dots next to it and select Advanced Options.
- When you scroll through the Advanced Options screen, you will find a few options.
- If you click on the Terminate button, it will shut down all Microsoft Store processes right away.
- Below that you will see the Repair button. It is used to fix any issues that the Microsoft Store might be facing currently.
- And finally, you will see the Reset button. As it is with the word itself, this option will reset the store and clear any data that is associated with the Store.
- This also means that you will have to sign in with your Microsoft Account again.
Check your System Storage Space
Just like how the App Stores on your iOS or Android devices will refuse to download or update apps if the storage seems to be full. Windows do the same thing. If it seems that there is not much space available, the Store will refuse to download or update apps at all. So yes, go out there and clear up storage space. Probably clear out the Recycle Bin and delete files and programs that have no use for you anymore. Once you have the storage space is available, you can go ahead downloading and updating your Windows Store apps.
Stay on the latest Windows Updates
This is also important. You need to be running the latest versions of Windows 11. If you seem to be running a version that has become obsolete for quite a long time, chances are that the Store will not be supporting that particular installed version. So, in this case, run the Windows Updater and download the latest updates for your Windows 11 PC. with all the latest updates installed, your Store will also update itself and hence let you install and update Windows Store apps.
And these are some ways you can follow to fix the Windows Store not downloading apps on your Windows 11 PC. If for some reason none of these steps work out for you, I have bad news. You might have to reset your Windows 11 PC. The good news is we have a detailed guide on how you can perform a reset on your Windows 11 PC.
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