Microsoft Store apps not working on Windows 11? 7 fixes to try

howtosimply.com/guides/microsoft-store-apps-not-working-on-windows-11-7-fixes-to-try/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

8 of 8 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Settings

Real screenshots

8 of 8 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, 1 other, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Close and reopen the app

   Click the X at the top right and start the app again.

   If it hangs, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the app under Processes and click End task.

   On our Cloud PC, typing store in the search box narrowed the list to Microsoft Store (3).

   Done

2. 

   Update Windows

   Open Start, Settings, Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install what is offered and restart.

   On our Cloud PC, Get the latest updates as soon as they're available is greyed out by our organisation's policy.

   The steps are in how to check for updates on Windows 11.

   Done

3. 

   Update the Store and your apps

   Open the Microsoft Store and click Downloads at the bottom left. The page is called Updates & downloads.

   Click Check for updates, then Update all.

   An app that is open cannot update: the Store then says App was in use, so close it and try again.

   Done

4. 

   Open the app's Advanced options

   Open Settings, Apps, Installed apps, and type the app's name in the search box if the list is long.

   Click the three dots next to the app and choose Advanced options.

   On our Cloud PC, searching xbox shows 2 apps found, and Advanced options is the top row of the menu, above Move and Uninstall.

   Done

5. 

   Repair, then Reset

   Scroll to Reset and click Repair first: the app's data won't be affected.

   If that does not help, click Reset. Windows says the app's data will be deleted.

   Done

6. 

   Games: repair the Xbox app and Gaming Services

   If games from the Store will not install or start, click Repair, then Reset, for the Xbox app. On our Cloud PC it is listed as XBOX.

   Microsoft's Q&A advice is to do the same for Gaming Services and, if that does not help, uninstall both and install them again from the Microsoft Store.

   Done

7. 

   Uninstall the app

   In Installed apps, click the three dots next to the app and choose Uninstall.

   Done

8. 

   Install it again from the Store

   Open the Microsoft Store, find the app and click Install.

   For an app you have never owned, the button reads Get instead.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• The app is hard to find in Installed apps Type its name in the search box at the top of the list. On our Cloud PC, searching xbox shows 2 apps found: XBOX and Xbox Live.
• Move is greyed out in the menu That is how it appears on our Cloud PC. You only need Advanced options and Uninstall.
• The Store shows Get, not Install Get appears for apps you have never owned; Install only shows for apps already owned.
• Get the latest updates as soon as they're available is greyed out On our Cloud PC the page says This setting isn't available due to your organization's policy. Check for updates still works.

If this does not work

• The Store says App was in use Close the app, then click Update again on the Updates & downloads page.
• The app hangs and will not close Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the app under Processes and click End task.
• Repair did not help Click Reset in the same section. Windows warns that the app's data will be deleted.
• Games still will not install Microsoft's Q&A advice is to uninstall the Xbox app and Gaming Services and install them again from the Microsoft Store. Source: Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store · Source: Gaming services will not install/run

About this guide

Apps from the Microsoft Store that will not open, close at once or refuse to install usually need an update of the app, of the Store or of Windows itself. If that is not it, Windows can repair a single app without touching the rest.

Good to know

If the Store itself will not open, repair or reset it in the same way: it is listed as Microsoft Store under Installed apps.

A wrong date or time stops the Store from connecting. Check Settings, Time & language, Date & time, Set time automatically.

Programs that did not come from the Store are removed differently: how to uninstall programs on Windows 11.

In short: Reopen, update Windows, Store Downloads and Check for updates, Repair, Reset, uninstall and install again.