How to fix stuck downloads/updates in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10
The Microsoft Store isn’t as popular as Microsoft would like for it to be but there are some apps that you can only get there. The app itself isn’t bad, especially considering you can remotely install apps from it. It’s more the UWP apps that are limited that force users to stick with desktop apps. That said, if you have a bunch of apps that you downloaded from the Microsoft Store, that’s the only way you can update them. Unfortunately, sometimes you’re left with stuck downloads/updates in the Microsoft Store. Restarting the app or the download doesn’t do much to fix the problem but here are a few other solutions you can try.
Internet connection
First and foremost, make sure your internet is working and that your ISP isn’t blocking access to Microsoft’s servers. If everything is working, try using a different internet connection to see if it will force the download to start or complete.
Hosts file
If you’ve recently edited the Hosts file to block certain Windows 10 services, or you use apps to keep Windows 10 from downloading updates, you should check to see if they’re causing the problem. Although the Microsoft Store isn’t tied to Windows updates, and its related services, blocking it may have a residual effect on the app.
Uninstall/Reinstall
If you’re dealing with a stuck app update, you can uninstall and reinstall it. When you do that, it will install the latest version. If you’ve already got a stuck app update though, you might want to resolve that first however, if your problem is just a stuck update, this should work.
If you have just one app stuck on a certain version, and it refuses to update, there’s a different fix for that.
Remote install
We mentioned earlier that you can remotely install apps on your system. If a download appears in the queue but it won’t start or finish, and is just stuck, cancel it and restart the Microsoft Store i.e., close and open it. Visit the app’s page in your browser and sign in with your Microsoft account and send the app to your system.
Sign out/Sign in
Try signing out and back in to the Microsoft Store app. To sign out of the app, click your app profile and select your account from the menu. In the pop up that opens, click the Sign Out option.
Reset the Microsoft Store
This applies to both stuck downloads and updates. Open the run box with the Win+R keyboard shortcut, and enter the following;
wsreset.exe
Tap Enter and wait for the store app to open on its own. When it does, attempt the download/update again.
