How to fix Microsoft Store pending

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 reseting account of Microsoft Store
  • How to fix issues downloading apps reseting cache of Microsoft Store
  • How to fix issues downloading apps with troubleshooter of Microsoft Store
  • How to fix issues downloading apps reseting Microsoft Store
  • How to fix issues downloading apps reinstalling Microsoft Store

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 menu

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

Sign out Microsoft Store account

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

Sign in Microsoft Store option

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

Select account account sign in Store

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

Microsoft Store clear cache command

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.

Troubleshoot settings Windows Store Apps option

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.

Microsoft Store app Advanced Options Link

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

Microsoft Store app reset option

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

Microsoft Store uninstall PowerShell command

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

Microsoft Store reinstall PowerShell command

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.

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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.

Why is my Microsoft store showing pending?

Microsoft Store can get stuck on pending when trying to update itself or download an app. One of the effective ways to fix this problem is to reset the Microsoft Store app. Another good option is to check if you have installed the latest update for Windows 11.

Why is Minecraft stuck on pending in Microsoft store?

Go to windows settings > apps > search for gaming services app > click on it and select advanced options. After that, click repair and then restore, open the app and try again.

Why is my update stuck on pending?

More often than not, the Play Store download pending error culprits are apps updating simultaneously. You will also encounter the problem if you download multiple apps simultaneously or a couple of huge ones.

Why are my downloads pending Windows 10?

If you seem to run into the “Windows 10 update stuck on pending” error, it means that the update agent is failing to download or validate the update.