Microsoft Store stuck on Pending or Starting Download

The Microsoft Store is one place to get all your important UWP apps and programs. You can download most free apps without signing in, but you’ll need to log in with a Microsoft account to buy paid apps. Having said that the Store sometimes takes an unusually long time to download apps or gets stuck while updating. See what you should do when you see that Microsoft Store is stuck on Pending or Starting Download.

Microsoft Store stuck on Pending or Starting Download

If your Microsoft Store downloads or updates are stuck on Pending or Starting Download status, then one of these fixes should work for you:

1. Use another internet connection.
2. Sign out and sign back into your Microsoft Store
3. Reset Microsoft Store Cache.
4. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter.
5. Clear the Software Distribution folder.
6. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter.
7. Reset the Microsoft Store app.

Let us cover the above methods in a bit of detail to fix the Microsoft Store issue.

Microsoft Store app download stuck

1] Use another internet connection

There may be an issue with your Internet connection. Try switching to a different connection. If this fixes your problem, contact your Internet Service Provider or upgrade to a better speed plan. Alternatively, you can sign out and sign back into the Microsoft Store to resolve downloading issues.

2] Sign out and sign back into your Microsoft Store

Sign out of your Microsoft Store and then sign back into the Store with your Microsoft Account and see if that works.

3]  Reset Microsoft Store Cache

This issue can occur if the Store cache files have become corrupted. You need to reset the Microsoft Store cache. To reset the cache you can use Windows Settings or use the built-in command-line tool – WSReset.exe.

4] Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Most of the time when you are having trouble with an app, Microsoft Store will notify you and fix the problem for you, automatically but on few occasions, you might be required to run Apps Troubleshooter. The tool will scan your computer, identify the problems and attempt to fix the issues automatically.

5] Clear the Software Distribution folder

The Software Distribution folder in Windows 11/10 stores files temporarily and may be required to install Windows Update on your computer. This folder located in the Windows directory. You can check if clearing the software distribution folder in Windows fixes your problem. Refer to our post – Rename or delete the Software Distribution folder.

6] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is an automated fix-it solution that can help you fix issues in running Windows Updates.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft and see if this fixes your problem.

7] Reset the Microsoft Store app

If nothing helps and if the Microsoft Store is not letting you download apps and games, open Windows Settings and Reset the Microsoft Store app. This is sure to help you resolve the issue.

All the best.

Read: Microsoft Store stuck on Updating Microsoft Store … Working.