How to fix Windows 10 apps pending or stuck downloading on Microsoft Store

By Mauro Huculak
last updated

Are Microsoft Store apps not downloading on Windows 10? In this guide, we'll show you five ways to troubleshoot and fix this problem.

Microsoft Store fix downloading apps
Microsoft Store fix downloading apps (Image credit: 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.

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.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Sign out option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the profile icon from the top-right and select the Sign in option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Select your Microsoft account.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. 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

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: 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.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. 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.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "Reset" section, click the Reset button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: 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

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. 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

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: 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.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.