If the Play Store is stuck on downloading, you need to find the right cause.
The Microsoft Store cache could be a problem, the time & date & region settings could be wrong due to a battery problem, and Windows Update may not be working correctly.
Sometimes app downloads are in a pending state forever. One of the reasons could be acquiring a license error in the Windows Store.
This is a big headache for Microsoft game lovers, even in the 1909 version. You can have hanging or crashing apps.
Microsoft Store Download Stuck
You cannot install any of the Windows Store apps. When you click “Downloads and Updates,” you see dots revolving as if they are working, but nothing happens. The situation is very frustrating.
I had this issue when I tried to download the Mail & Calendar app and install updates for Skype and App Installer.
One may think it is a problem with any of the apps or programs that are installed in Windows 10.
You try to uninstall and reinstall them, but the app updates will still not happen.
How to Fix Microsoft Store Stuck on Downloading
The following 5 methods will show fixes for the Windows 10 Store not downloading apps.
Method #1: Reinstall all apps via PowerShell
You may think that reinstalling just the Store app will fix the problem. Yes, it can, and sometimes it cannot.
So the best bet would be to reinstall all the inbuilt apps. In this way, if there is any internal problem in any app, that would go away.
1: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys. Otherwise, right-click the Start button and open PowerShell (Admin).
2: Close all the running apps using Task Manager.
3: Copy the following command from here and paste it into PowerShell by right-clicking. You can also press Ctrl + V.
This may take some time to complete, and you may see some red warning messages. Just ignore them and wait until they are finished.
4: Once the process is complete, restart your computer. You can then install or update any of your Store apps. The issue will be resolved.
The below user testimonials on an authority site regarding Windows Store apps stuck on downloading and updating are proof of the above method.
If you still face any problems, you can find additional solutions below.
Method #2: Troubleshoot Windows Store Apps
Another cause for Windows Store apps being paused or not updating could be due to the Windows Update service getting corrupted. If you can troubleshoot and fix this app, you may have your Store apps updating normally.
This is because Windows Update and Store are internally linked because of app updates.
2: Click on Update & Security > Troubleshoot
3: On the right-hand side, click on “Windows Store Apps“.
4: Click on “Run the troubleshooter“.
This procedure should fix any problems with existing Windows Store apps.
Method #3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Just as mentioned above, if the Windows Update is causing the Store apps to pause, suspend, or hang, then you can run its troubleshooter.
On the same page, as above, you can click on “Windows Update” on the right-hand side. Then click “Run the troubleshooter.”
Otherwise, you can use the Control Panel.
2: Click on it in the search results.
3: Once it opens, click on “View by Small icons” at the top.
4: Then click on “Troubleshooting“.
5: Under “System and Security“, click on “Fix problems with Windows Update“.
The process will run till it fixes all the update-related issues. You can download and update your Store apps as usual.
Method #4: Reset Windows Store app
This operation can be done in the same way as resetting all apps.
2: Click on “Apps” > Apps & features
3: On the right-hand side, scroll through untill you see “Microsoft Store“.
4: Click on it and then click on “Advanced options“.
5: On the next page, there is an option called “Reset“. Click it.
The same things can be done in a different fashion, such as by using the command prompt or PowerShell to reset the Windows Store app.
Press Start > type wsreset > select wsreset.
When Microsoft Store opens, all app downloads and updates should work properly.
This will set it to the default settings of Microsoft Store, which was previously called Windows Store.
Method #5: Reset Windows Update service.
#1: Open the services app by typing “services.msc” in the Run box.
#2: Go to the Windows Update service > right-click on it > click on Stop.
#3: In the File Explorer, go to the “Windows” directory in the OS drive.
#4: Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to something like SoftwareDistribution.bkup.
#5: Restart the Windows Update service again.
Now check if your Microsoft Store is working properly or not.
Final Resort: Create a New User Account
This can be done only if you have administrator privileges. Otherwise, you need to ask your system administrator.
Before that, you can log out of your current account and log in again to see if this fixes the Windows Store app problem.
In some cases all the above methods to reinstall or reset all preinstalled apps may fail. But if you want your Microsoft Store app to keep working as usual, then it’s best to create a new Windows user account.
To create a new account, follow these steps.
#1: Open Accounts in Windows Settings.
#2: Click on “Family & other users.”
#3: Click on “Add someone else to this PC.”
You can follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account with the required privileges.
