Microsoft Store fix downloading appsSource: Windows Central

Although the Microsoft Store app is the experience that Microsoft envisioned for Windows 10 users to download apps, games, and entertainment, it's not a perfect experience and doesn't always work as expected.

Among other issues, perhaps one of the most popular complaints are apps queuing up waiting to update or stuck in a pending state. If you're experiencing these problems or any other issues (assuming you already restarted the device and you're on the latest release), there are several troubleshooting steps that you can follow to download and install apps on Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through five different methods to troubleshoot and fix apps pending or stuck downloading on your device.

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How to fix issues downloading apps resetting account of Microsoft Store

To sign out and sign back into the Microsoft Store to resolve downloading issues, use these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Store.

  2. Click the profile icon from the top-right and select your account.

    Microsoft Store profile menuSource: Windows Central

  3. Click the Sign out option.

    Sign out Microsoft Store accountSource: Windows Central

  4. Click the profile icon from the top-right and select the Sign in option.

    Sign in Microsoft Store optionSource: Windows Central

  5. Select your Microsoft account.

    Select account account sign in StoreSource: Windows Central

  6. Click the Continue button.

Once you complete the steps, try to download the app again, and now, it should start downloading again.

How to fix issues downloading apps resetting cache of Microsoft Store

Close the store and do this:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command and press Enter:

    wsreset

    Microsoft Store clear cache commandSource: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, you can check to see if the apps are downloading and no longer stuck.

How to fix issues downloading apps with troubleshooter of Microsoft Store

To fix apps stuck or pending using the troubleshooter, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Troubleshoot.

  4. Under the "Find and fix other problems" section, select the Windows Store Apps item.

    Quick tip: If you're running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, you'll need to click the "Additional troubleshooters" option to access the option.

  5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

    Troubleshoot settings Windows Store Apps option Source: Windows Central

  6. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the troubleshooter will scan, detect, and resolve any problems with the Microsoft Store app.

How to fix issues downloading apps resetting Microsoft Store

If the previous steps didn't fix the problem, and you're still seeing apps pending or stuck downloading, you can reset the Microsoft Store app using the Settings app.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Under the "Apps & features" section, select the Microsoft Store app.

  5. Click the Advanced options link.

    Microsoft Store app Advanced Options LinkSource: Windows Central

  6. Under the "Reset" section, click the Reset button.

    Microsoft Store app reset optionSource: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the app will reset and delete the app data to resolve common problems when it isn't working correctly.

How to fix issues downloading apps reinstalling Microsoft Store

As a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Store app using PowerShell.

To reinstall the Microsoft Store app, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  3. Type the following command to uninstall the Microsoft Store app and press Enter:

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore | Remove-AppxPackage

    Microsoft Store uninstall PowerShell commandSource: Windows Central

  4. Type the following command to install the Microsoft Store again and press Enter:

    Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsStore*\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

    Microsoft Store reinstall PowerShell commandSource: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, the app should be reinstated on your Windows 10 installation, and if everything is working correctly, apps should no longer get stuck downloading.

In the rare case that the same problem continues to happen, you can try switching to a new account of Windows 10. Alternatively, you can also reset your device to factory default settings to resolve the problem with Microsoft Store app.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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