Windows 11 Cannot Open Microsoft Store App After License Change: Fix

After changing your Microsoft account license or signing in with a new account, the Microsoft Store app on Windows 11 may fail to launch. You click the Store icon and nothing happens, or the app flashes and closes immediately. This happens because the Store caches old authentication tokens and license data that no longer match the new account. This article explains why the license change breaks the Store and provides four reliable fixes to restore full Store functionality.

Why the Microsoft Store Stops Opening After a License Change

When you change the Microsoft account associated with your Windows 11 license, the Store app still holds cached tokens from the previous account. The Store checks these tokens at launch to verify your license. If the cached token does not match the currently signed-in account, the authentication handshake fails. The Store then closes immediately to prevent running with an invalid license.

This problem is common after you:

• Sign in with a new Microsoft account that has a different subscription or license.
• Switch from a personal Microsoft account to a work or school account.
• Purchase a new Windows 11 license and redeem it under a different account.
• Remove and re-add the same account after changing your account permissions.

The Store app itself is not corrupted. The issue is entirely in the cached authentication state. Clearing the cache forces the Store to fetch fresh tokens from the new account, which resolves the problem in most cases.

Methods to Fix the Microsoft Store App Not Opening

Method 1: Reset the Microsoft Store App Through Windows Settings

This is the safest and most recommended method. It clears all cached data without uninstalling the app.

1. Open Windows Settings
   Press Win + I to open Settings. If the Settings app does not open, click the Start button and type Settings, then press Enter.
2. Navigate to Installed apps
   Go to Apps > Installed apps. Wait for the list of installed applications to load.
3. Find Microsoft Store
   Scroll down or use the search box at the top of the list. Type Microsoft Store and click the three-dot menu next to the app entry.
4. Open Advanced options
   Select Advanced options from the menu.
5. Reset the app
   Scroll down to the Reset section. Click the Reset button. A confirmation dialog appears. Click Reset again. A checkmark appears next to the button when the process finishes.
6. Launch Microsoft Store
   Close Settings and open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu or taskbar. The Store should now open normally.

Method 2: Run the wsreset.exe Command

The wsreset.exe tool is a built-in utility that clears the Store cache without resetting the entire app. It works even if the Store is completely broken.

1. Open the Run dialog
   Press Win + R on your keyboard.
2. Type the command
   In the Open field, type wsreset.exe exactly. Do not add any spaces or extra characters.
3. Press Enter
   Press Enter or click OK. A blank Command Prompt window appears briefly. The window closes automatically when the cache is cleared.
4. Wait for the Store to open
   After the window closes, the Microsoft Store launches automatically. If it does not, open it manually from the Start menu.

The wsreset command does not require administrator privileges. It only clears the local cache, not your account data or installed apps.

Method 3: Sign Out and Sign Back Into the Microsoft Store

If the cache reset did not work, the Store might still be using the old account. Signing out forces the app to refresh the account link.

1. Open Microsoft Store
   If the Store opens but shows errors, proceed. If it does not open at all, use Method 1 or 2 first, then return here.
2. Click the profile icon
   In the top-right corner of the Store window, click your profile picture or the account icon.
3. Select Sign out
   From the dropdown menu, click Sign out. The Store window refreshes.
4. Sign in with the correct account
   Click the profile icon again and select Sign in. Enter the email address and password for the account that holds the current Windows 11 license.
5. Verify the license
   After signing in, the Store should display your library and allow downloads. If the Store still does not open, reboot your PC and try again.

Method 4: Remove and Re-add Work or School Accounts

If you use a work or school account, the old account link can block the Store. Removing it forces Windows to use only the new account.

1. Open Settings
   Press Win + I and go to Accounts > Access work or school.
2. Select the old account
   Under Work or school account, click the account that is no longer valid or that you no longer use.
3. Click Disconnect
   Click the Disconnect button. Confirm the action in the dialog that appears.
4. Restart Windows 11
   Restart your PC to clear all cached account tokens.
5. Open Microsoft Store
   After the restart, open the Store. Sign in with the correct account if prompted.

If the Microsoft Store Still Has Issues After the Main Fix

Store App Shows Error Code 0x800704CF

Error code 0x800704CF indicates a network connectivity issue that prevents the Store from reaching Microsoft servers. This can happen after a license change if the new account requires a different network proxy or VPN configuration. To fix this, go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and ensure no proxy server is configured unless your organization requires one. If you are on a corporate network, contact your IT department for the correct proxy settings.

Store App Shows Error Code 0x80131500

Error code 0x80131500 means the Store cannot connect to the internet due to a corrupted cache or a misconfigured date and time. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time and toggle Set time automatically on. Then run the wsreset.exe command as described in Method 2. If the error persists, reset the Microsoft Store app using Method 1.

Store App Opens but Shows Blank White Screen

A blank white screen usually indicates that the Store is trying to load content but the cached web view is corrupted. This is common after an account change because the Store tries to render the new user’s dashboard using old rendering data. To fix this, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options > Terminate to force close the app. Then reset the app using Method 1. If the white screen persists, restart your PC and open the Store again.

Microsoft Store Reset vs wsreset.exe: Which Tool to Use

Item	Reset via Settings	wsreset.exe
What it clears	App data, cache, and settings	Store cache only
Effect on account	Signs you out of the Store	Does not sign you out
Effect on installed apps	None	None
Requires admin rights	No	No
Best for	Complete reset after license change	Quick cache clear when Store won’t open

The Settings reset is more thorough because it removes all app data including cached tokens and preferences. Use wsreset.exe when you need a fast fix and do not want to sign in again. For license change issues, start with the Settings reset.

After applying one of the methods above, you can now open the Microsoft Store and download apps with the new license. If the Store still does not open, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run. For persistent issues, use the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files that may be blocking the Store.