Fix Apps Stuck on Pending Update Forever in the Microsoft Store on Windows 11

When you open the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, apps sometimes show a status of “Pending” or “Pending update” and never actually download or install. This problem usually happens because the Store’s background download service is stuck, the app cache is corrupted, or a system process like the Windows Update service is misconfigured. In this article, you will learn why updates get stuck in a pending state and how to fix it using clear, step-by-step methods.

Why the Microsoft Store Gets Stuck on Pending Update in Windows 11

The Microsoft Store relies on several background services to download and install app updates. When one of these services stops responding or encounters a conflict, updates appear as “Pending” indefinitely. The most common root cause is a corrupted Store cache. The Store uses a local cache to speed up browsing and downloads, but if this cache becomes damaged, the Store cannot start new downloads or complete pending ones.

Another frequent cause is a misconfigured or stopped Windows Update service. The Store depends on the Windows Update service (wuauserv) to handle download jobs. If this service is disabled or stuck, the Store will show updates as pending but never progress. A third cause is a conflict with third-party security software or a network proxy that blocks Store connections.

In some cases, a corrupted app package itself can cause the Store to hang. When the Store tries to update an app that has a damaged installation manifest, the download process freezes. The methods below address each of these causes.

Steps to Fix Microsoft Store Updates Stuck on Pending in Windows 11

Use the following methods in order. Each method targets a specific cause. Test after each method by opening the Store and checking the download status of the stuck app.

Method 1: Reset the Microsoft Store Cache Using wsreset.exe

The fastest way to clear a corrupted Store cache is to run the built-in wsreset command. This does not remove your Microsoft account or installed apps.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
   Type wsreset.exe and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window will appear. Do not close it.
2. Wait for the command to finish.
   The window will close automatically after a few seconds, and the Microsoft Store will open. Check if the stuck update has started downloading.

Method 2: Reset the Microsoft Store App from Windows Settings

If wsreset does not work, reset the Store app through Settings. This clears the cache and resets all app data.

1. Open Settings.
   Press Win + I. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft Store.
   Scroll the list or use the search box. Click the three-dot menu next to Microsoft Store and select Advanced options.
3. Scroll down and click Reset.
   A confirmation dialog will appear. Click Reset again. Wait for the process to finish. A checkmark appears next to the Reset button when done.
4. Restart your PC.
   Open the Microsoft Store after the restart. The pending updates should now resume.

Method 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter can automatically fix problems with the Windows Update service that affect the Store.

1. Open Settings.
   Press Win + I. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Windows Update.
   Click the Run button next to Windows Update. The troubleshooter will scan for issues.
3. Apply any suggested fixes.
   If the troubleshooter finds a problem, click Apply this fix. It may restart the Windows Update service or clear a corrupted download cache.
4. Restart your PC.
   Open the Store and check if the pending update has started.

Method 4: Restart the Windows Update Service Manually

If the troubleshooter does not resolve the issue, manually restart the Windows Update service.

1. Open Services console.
   Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Update.
   Scroll down and locate Windows Update. Right-click it and select Restart. If the service is not running, select Start.
3. Set startup type to Automatic.
   Right-click Windows Update again and select Properties. In the Startup type dropdown, choose Automatic. Click Apply and OK.
4. Restart your PC.
   Open the Store and verify the update has resumed.

Method 5: Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder stores temporary update files. Corrupted files here can block Store downloads.

1. Stop the Windows Update service.
   Open Services console as described in Method 4. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop. Leave the Services window open.
2. Open File Explorer.
   Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Delete all files and folders inside this folder. You may need to confirm in a UAC prompt.
3. Restart the Windows Update service.
   Go back to the Services console, right-click Windows Update, and select Start.
4. Restart your PC.
   Open the Store. The pending update should now download.

If the Microsoft Store Still Shows Pending Updates After the Main Fix

Store Shows “Pending” After Clearing Cache and Resetting Service

If the update remains stuck after all the methods above, the issue may be with a specific app package. Try uninstalling the problematic app and reinstalling it from the Store. To uninstall, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the app, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall. Then open the Store, search for the app, and install it again.

Store Downloads Start but Then Get Stuck at a Certain Percentage

This is often caused by a slow or unstable internet connection. Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy software. If you are on a metered connection, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > [your network] > Properties and turn off Set as metered connection. Restart the download from the Store.

Store Shows “Pending” for All Updates After a Windows 11 Feature Update

After a major Windows 11 feature update, the Store may need to re-register its packages. Open PowerShell as Administrator by pressing Win + X and selecting Terminal (Admin). Run the command Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}. This re-registers all Store apps. Restart your PC after the command completes.

Microsoft Store Pending Update vs Manual Download: Which Works Faster?

Item	Store Automatic Update	Manual Download from Store Page
Trigger	Store checks for updates automatically in the background	User opens the app’s Store page and clicks Update
Speed when stuck	Will not resume until the cache or service is fixed	Often bypasses the stuck queue and starts immediately
Best use case	For users who keep the Store open and want hands-off updates	When automatic updates are stuck and you need the update now

You can now fix apps stuck on pending update in the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 using the wsreset command, the Store reset option in Settings, or by restarting the Windows Update service. If none of those work, clear the SoftwareDistribution folder or reinstall the problematic app. For ongoing issues, consider turning off metered connection settings or re-registering Store apps via PowerShell.