Why Store Sign-In Loops Between Account Switch and Loading on Windows 11

When you try to sign in to the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, you may see a loop: the sign-in window appears, you select an account or switch to another, and then the Store keeps loading without completing the sign-in. This problem stops you from downloading apps, updating Store apps, or using subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass. The root cause is usually a corrupted Store cache, a stuck Microsoft account token, or a conflict caused by multiple linked accounts. This article explains why the loop occurs and provides clear steps to break the cycle and sign in successfully.

Why the Microsoft Store Gets Stuck in a Sign-In Loop on Windows 11

The Microsoft Store relies on a local cache to store temporary sign-in data and app metadata. When this cache becomes corrupted, the Store cannot complete the authentication handshake with Microsoft servers. The sign-in window opens, you pick an account or switch accounts, but the Store fails to load your profile and keeps spinning.

Another cause is a stuck Windows token associated with a Microsoft account that was previously removed or has changed passwords. The operating system retains the old token, and the Store tries to use it, creating a conflict. When you switch accounts in the sign-in dialog, the new account request collides with the old token, and the Store cannot decide which identity to use. This results in an infinite loading screen.

A third cause is a corrupt Windows Store app package itself. If the core Store app files are damaged or have an incorrect registration state, the app cannot process sign-in requests. This often happens after a Windows update or a failed Store app update.

Steps to Fix the Microsoft Store Sign-In Loop on Windows 11

The following steps are ordered from the simplest fix to the most thorough. Try each step and test the Store sign-in before moving to the next.

Step 1: Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

1. Close the Microsoft Store
   Make sure the Store is not running. Check the system tray and close any Store windows.
2. Open the Run dialog
   Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
3. Run the cache reset command
   Type wsreset.exe into the Run box and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window appears briefly and then closes. The Store opens automatically after the reset.
4. Test sign-in
   Click your profile icon in the Store and try to sign in. If the loop is gone, you are done. If the loop continues, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Remove and Re-add Your Microsoft Account

1. Open Settings
   Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Accounts
   Go to Accounts > Email & accounts.
3. Remove the stuck account
   Under the Accounts used by other apps section, find the Microsoft account you use for the Store. Click it, then click Remove. Confirm the removal.
4. Restart Windows 11
   Restart your computer to clear all cached tokens.
5. Open the Store and sign in fresh
   Open the Microsoft Store. Click the profile icon and select Sign in. Enter your Microsoft account credentials. The Store should complete sign-in without looping.

Step 3: Re-register the Microsoft Store App

1. Open Windows PowerShell as administrator
   Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal Admin or PowerShell Admin. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
2. Run the re-registration command
   Copy and paste the following command into PowerShell and press Enter:
   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
3. Wait for the command to finish
   This command may take several minutes. Do not close PowerShell during execution. When it finishes, you see no error messages.
4. Restart Windows 11
   Restart your computer.
5. Test sign-in
   Open the Store and sign in with your Microsoft account. The loop should be resolved.

If the Store Sign-In Loop Still Happens on Windows 11

“Store sign-in loops after changing Microsoft account password”

If you recently changed your Microsoft account password, the cached credentials in Windows Credential Manager can conflict. Open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials. Look for any entries containing “MicrosoftAccount” or “Windows Live ID” and remove them. Restart and sign in again in the Store.

“Store sign-in loops when using a work or school account”

If you are trying to sign in with an Azure AD or work account, the Store may require a different authentication flow. Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. Disconnect the work account, restart, then reconnect it. Then open the Store and sign in with that same work account.

“Store sign-in loops after a Windows update”

A recent Windows update may have damaged the Store app package. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run. After the troubleshooter finishes, restart and re-run the re-registration command from Step 3.

Microsoft Store Cache Reset vs Account Removal vs App Re-registration

Item	Cache Reset (wsreset.exe)	Account Removal	App Re-registration
What it does	Deletes temporary Store cache files	Removes the Microsoft account from the system	Re-registers all Windows app packages
When to use	First attempt for any Store sign-in loop	When cache reset fails and you suspect a stuck token	When account removal fails or Store is broken after an update
Time required	Under 1 minute	2-3 minutes including restart	5-10 minutes
Data loss risk	No data lost	Removes account from other apps that use it	No data lost

If the sign-in loop persists after all three steps, consider creating a new local administrator account and testing the Store from that account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account > I don’t have this person’s sign-in information > Add a user without a Microsoft account. Sign in to the new account, open the Store, and sign in with your Microsoft account. If that works, the original user profile is corrupted and may need a full reset via Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.