Microsoft Store or app installs fail

Question

The Microsoft Store won’t open, stays blank, or installs fail including Xbox app and PC Game Pass titles. What should I try, in order?

Answer

1. Date, time, and Windows Update

Settings → Time & language → Date & time → turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. Wrong time breaks Store and license checks.

Settings → Windows Update → install pending updates and reboot.

2. Reset the Store cache

Win+R → type wsreset.exe → Enter. Wait until the Store opens (or a minute), then try again.

3. Repair or reset the Store app

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Microsoft Store → Advanced options.

Use Repair first. If that doesn’t help, use Reset (you may need to sign in to the Store again).

4. Reinstall the Store (Windows 11 advanced)

If the above fails, open Terminal or PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsreset.exe -i

Leave it running; Microsoft notes this can take around 20 minutes or more while the Store is reinstalled.

5. Xbox app issues

Reinstall the Xbox app

1. Open Xbox app installer (download should start).
2. Run the installer → Install.
3. Open Xbox → Settings (gear icon) → check General or App for Install missing dependencies (exact placement varies by app version).

Official repair tool

Download and run Microsoft’s Gaming Services Repair Tool, then follow the prompts. It covers many Xbox app and Store-related gaming install issues.

Force Store update check (optional)

In PowerShell or Terminal as Administrator:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace 'Root\cimv2\mdm\dmmap' -ClassName 'MDM_EnterpriseModernAppManagement_AppManagement01' | Invoke-CimMethod -MethodName UpdateScanMethod

Then open the Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates (or ⋯ → Downloads and updates on older Store layouts).

---

If problems started after debloating, Store-related services may have been disabled restore from a backup or compare services with a normal Windows install before chasing app-only fixes.