Windows 11 Store Apps Open Then Close Immediately: Fix

You click a Store app icon in Windows 11. The splash screen appears for a second. Then the app vanishes without any error message. This problem affects Mail, Calendar, Calculator, Photos, and many other built-in apps.

The root cause is almost always a corrupted app package, a damaged Windows Store cache, or a misconfigured system file. Background processes like antivirus tools or outdated graphics drivers can also force an app to close immediately after opening.

This article explains why Store apps crash on launch and provides five proven fixes. Each method targets a different cause so you can restore normal app behavior without reinstalling Windows.

Why Windows 11 Store Apps Crash Immediately After Opening

Store apps in Windows 11 run inside a sandboxed container called the App Container. This container isolates the app from the rest of the system for security and stability. When the app package metadata or the container configuration becomes corrupted, the operating system terminates the app process immediately to prevent instability.

Three specific components commonly fail:

Corrupted App Package Installation

Each Store app is installed as an AppX or MSIX package. These packages contain the app executable, resources, and a manifest file. If the manifest is missing a required dependency or the package files are damaged, the app cannot initialize. Windows detects this failure during launch and closes the app.

Damaged Microsoft Store Cache

The Microsoft Store maintains a local cache of license information, app metadata, and temporary files. If this cache is corrupted, the Store cannot verify the app license or fetch necessary resources. The app then fails to load and closes immediately.

Interference from Third-Party Security Software

Some antivirus programs and firewall rules block Store app processes from accessing the network or writing to storage. When the app cannot complete its startup sequence, Windows terminates it. Disabling the security software temporarily can confirm if it is the cause.

Steps to Fix Store Apps That Close Immediately on Windows 11

Try these fixes in the order shown. Test the problem app after each step before moving to the next one.

Fix 1: Reset the Microsoft Store Cache

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
   Type wsreset.exe and press Enter. A blank Command Prompt window will appear. Wait for it to close automatically. This process clears the Store cache without uninstalling any apps.
2. Open the problem app again
   If the app opens and stays open, the cache was the cause. If it still closes immediately, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 2: Repair or Reset the Individual App

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
   Scroll to the app that closes immediately. Click the three-dot menu next to the app name, then select Advanced options.
2. Click the Repair button
   Windows will attempt to repair the app package without deleting your app data. Wait for the repair to complete. Open the app to test it.
3. If the app still fails, click Reset
   This removes the app data and resets the app to its default state. Your app settings and local data will be deleted. After the reset, open the app and sign in again if required.

Fix 3: Re-register All Store Apps via PowerShell

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)
   Confirm the User Account Control prompt.
2. Run the re-registration command
   Type the following command and press Enter:
   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
   This command re-registers every built-in Store app. It may take several minutes. Do not close the terminal window until the command finishes.
3. Restart your computer
   After the restart, open the problem app to see if it works.

Fix 4: Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
   Scroll down to Windows Store Apps and click Run. The troubleshooter will scan for common issues like missing dependencies or corrupted permissions.
2. Apply any fixes the troubleshooter suggests
   The troubleshooter may offer to repair the app or reset the Store. Follow the on-screen instructions. Restart your computer after the fix is applied.

Fix 5: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus and Firewall

1. Open your third-party antivirus program
   Locate the option to disable real-time protection or the firewall. The exact location varies by product. Choose Disable temporarily for 15 minutes.
2. Open the problem app
   If the app opens and stays open, your antivirus or firewall is blocking it. Add an exception for the app in your security software. The exception must allow the app to access the network and write to its data folder.
3. Re-enable your antivirus and firewall
   Do not leave protection disabled permanently.

If Store Apps Still Close Immediately After Applying Fixes

All Store apps close immediately after a Windows update

A recent Windows 11 update may have corrupted the AppX deployment pipeline. Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Remove the most recent update by clicking Uninstall next to it. Restart your computer and check if the apps open.

One specific app closes immediately but others work fine

The app package is likely corrupted. Uninstall the app from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Restart your computer. Then reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store. This gives you a fresh package.

Store apps close immediately after a graphics driver update

Some Store apps use hardware acceleration. An incompatible or buggy graphics driver can cause the app to crash on launch. Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and select Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver. If the rollback option is grayed out, download the previous driver from the GPU manufacturer website and install it.

App Repair Method Comparison

Item	wsreset.exe (Store Cache Reset)	Settings > Apps > Advanced options > Reset
Scope	Clears the entire Microsoft Store cache	Resets only the selected app
App data affected	None	Deletes local app data and settings
Time to complete	Under 30 seconds	Under 2 minutes
Requires admin rights	No	No
Best for	Multiple apps failing at once	One specific app failing

You now have five methods to fix Store apps that open and close immediately on Windows 11. Start with the simplest fix: running wsreset.exe. If that does not work, repair or reset the individual app through Settings. For widespread failures, re-register all Store apps using PowerShell. As an advanced step, create a system restore point before making changes to the AppX package system. This lets you roll back if a fix causes new problems.