What to do if the Windows Store won’t load (Updated for 2019)

Here are the solutions listed in this guide:

1. Create a new user account
2. Switch to a local account
3. Delete the LocalCache directory
4. Remove your antivirus software
5. Use PowerShell
6. Enable UAC
7. Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
8. Reset Windows Store

With the release of its latest operating system, Microsoft also released an app store, in order to better compete with companies that already put out well established online establishments of the sorts. Many users have been eagerly awaiting the Windows 8, Windows 10 app store, but the result is far from what we are accustomed with the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Microsoft’s baby turns out to be sloppy and not carefully crafted and comes packing a whole bunch of unwelcome issues. One issue that some have been talking about recently is that the Windows Store can’t even open.

• READ ALSO: Here’s How the New Windows Store Looks Like

How can I fix Windows Store if it’s not loading?

There are many problems that can occur with Windows Store on your PC, and in this article we’re going to cover the following topics:

• Windows 10 apps won’t launch – Many users reported that Windows 10 apps won’t launch at all. We already wrote a guide on what to do if Windows 10 apps won’t open, so be sure to check it for detailed solution.
• How to reinstall Windows 10 Store – If you have issues with Windows Store, you might be able to fix them simply by reinstalling it. To reinstall Windows Store, you just have to run a single PowerShell command.
• Windows Store open and closes – Many users reported that they can’t launch Windows Store at all. We covered the similar issue in our Windows Store closes immediately after opening article, so be sure to check it out.
• Windows 10 Store won’t stay open – This is a relatively common problem with Windows Store, but you should be able to fix it using one of our solutions.
• Windows Store The server stumbled – Sometimes you might get The server stumbled message while using Windows Store. We wrote a guide on how to fix The server stumbled error in Windows Store, so be sure to check it out.
• Windows Store won’t update, download, connect, work, run, start, install apps – Various issues with Windows Store can occur, and many users reported that Windows Store won’t download or update apps. In some cases, the Windows Store might not work at all.
• Windows Store keeps crashing, loading – According to users, issues with Windows Store such as crashing can occur. In fact, several users reported that Windows Store is stuck while loading.

This problem has been reported on countless of support forums by annoyed users asking for help. Basically there are two versions of the problem – the Windows 8, Windows 10 logo won’t load at all and clicking on it will result in it just loading in vain. The other variation of the problem refers to users clicking on any store app and seeing the logo shifting to the top left corner, but subsequently nothing happens.

One user on the Lenovo support forums sums up the problem:

I am not able to open the Win 8 store. it just sits there with the loading sign spinning and spinning. is there any known fix?

On another forum, another user explains he has tried to employ the help of the Microsoft support team. Even if they were apparently slow to give him feedback, he eventually was instructed to try a few fixes. One involved running “wsreset.exe” in order to clear the store cache, but the user found that it resulted in giving an error “ms-windows-store: PurgeCaches/ This app failed to launch because of an issue with its license. Please try again in a moment.”

The other fixes provided by the tech team aren’t particularly helpful either, or so some users conclude:

So, that’s basically everything I have tried so far to fix this issue to no avail.

So what is there to do in order to fix the problem where the Windows Store won’t open?  Here are some suggested some fixes you should try in order to resolve the issue.

Solutions to fix Microsoft Store loading problems

Solution 1 – Create a new user account

According to users, you can fix the problems with Windows Store simply by creating a new user account. To do that, you just need to follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Accounts section.
   
3. Select Family & other people from the menu on the left. In the right pane click on Add someone else to this PC.
   
4. Click on I don’t have this person’s sign in information.
   
5. Choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
   
6. Enter the desired user name and click on Next.
   

After creating a new user account check if the issue appears on the new account. If not, you might have to move your personal files to the new account and use it as your default account.

Quick solution to fix various PC errors

• Step 1: Download this PC Scan & Repair tool
• Step 2: Click “Start Scan” to find Windows issues that could be causing errors with Windows Store not opening
  
• Step 3: Click “Start Repair” to fix all issues.

Solution 2 – Switch to a local account

According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by switching to a local account. This is rather simple and you can do it by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Accounts section.
2. Click on Sign in with a local account instead.
   
3. Enter your account password and click on Next.
   
4. Enter the desired username and click on Next.
   

After switching to the local account, simply sign back in to your user account and check if the problem with Windows Store is resolved.

• READ ALSO: Screenshots of Windows Store Apps can Now be Viewed in Full-Screen

Solution 3 – Delete the LocalCache directory

If Windows 10 Store won’t open, you might be able to fix the problem by deleting the LocalCache directory. To do that, follow these simple steps:

1. Navigate to C:Usersuser_nameAppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalCache directory. You can access this directory simply by pressing Windows Key + R and entering %appdata%. Now locate LocalCache directory.
   
2. Once you open LocalCache directory, select all files and delete them.
   

After deleting the files, the problem with Windows Store should be completely resolved.

Solution 4 – Remove your antivirus software

If you’re having issues with Windows 10 Store, the problem might be your antivirus software. According to users, antivirus applications such as McAfee and Avast can often cause this problem to appear. To fix the issue, you can try disabling these tools. If that doesn’t work, you might want to remove these applications from your PC. The best way to do that is to use a dedicated removal tool.

Once you uninstall your antivirus, check if the issue still appears. If not, you might want to reinstall your antivirus or switch to a different antivirus solution. Currently the best antivirus tools on the market are Bitdefender and Bullguard, so if you’re looking for a new antivirus be sure to try these applications.

• Get now Bitdefender 2018 at 50% off
• Download now Bullguard (free version)

Solution 5 – Use PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful command line tool, so keep in mind that using this solution can cause certain problems with your Windows installation if you’re not careful. To fix the problem, you need to do the following:

1. Press Windows Key + S and enter powershell. Locate PowerShell, right click it and choose Run as administrator.
   
2. When PowerShell starts, enter the following command: PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”

If the previous command doesn’t work, you can try this command instead: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}

If you’re still using Windows 8, you might want to try running the following command: powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRootWinStoreAppxManifest.xml

• READ ALSO: Here’s a complete guide to fixing Windows Store error codes

Solution 6 – Enable UAC

According to users, problems with Windows Store might be related to UAC. UAC, or User Account Control, is a security feature that prevents certain actions that require administrative privileges. This feature generates many security notifications, and this is the main reason why users tend to disable it.

However, disabling this feature can lead to various problems, including the inability to open Windows 10 Store. If Windows 10 Store won’t open on your PC, you just have to enable UAC by doing the following:

1. Press Windows Key + S and enter user. Select Change User Account Control settings from the menu.
   
2. Now move the slider to the default position and click on OK to save changes.
   

After enabling User Account Control, the problems with Windows Store should be completely resolved.

Solution 7 – Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter

Several users reported that running Windows Store Apps troubleshooter fixed the problem for them. To do that, you just need to follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Navigate to Update & security section.
   
3. In the left pane, select Troubleshoot. From the right pane select Windows Store Apps and click on Run the troubleshooter button.
   
4. Wait for the troubleshooter to finish.

After the troubleshooter is finished the problem should be resolved and Windows Store should start working again.

Solution 8 – Reset Windows Store

If nothing works, we suggest you reset the Windows Store App. You can quickly do that by following these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. Locate the Microsoft Store app in the list and select it.
2. Click on ‘Advanced options’ as shown in the screenshot below.
3. Then click on the Reset option and restart your computer.

For some users, these simple fixes will be enough and they will no longer have problems with the Windows Store. However, some might still experience issues, and if nothing works, then you might want to consider re-installing Windows 8, Windows 10 or upgrading to Windows 8.1, Windows 10.

We will continue to dig out possible solutions to this annoying problem that segregates users from the app world.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2013 and has been since completely revamped and updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

READ ALSO:

• How to fix Windows Store ‘Error, see details’ alert
• How to reinstall Windows Store apps in Windows 10
• Windows Store needs to be online: 5 ways to fix this error
• How to fix Windows Store error 0x87AF0813 on Windows 10
• “Windows Store configuration may be damaged” error [Fix]