Microsoft Store Won’t Launch on Xbox Series X 2026: How to Fix

Many Xbox Series X users have recently reported a frustrating problem — the Microsoft Store won’t launch or open at all. In some cases, the Store app got stuck during an update, disappeared from the queue, and now nothing happens when users try to open it.

If your Xbox Series X or Xbox One has the same issue, this guide explains the causes and step-by-step solutions that have worked for other players.

Microsoft Store Won’t Launch on Xbox Series X: Causes and Fixes 2026

Common Symptoms

Microsoft Store stuck while updating.
Store removed itself from the download or update queue.
Clicking on the Store icon does nothing — no error or loading screen.
Store not showing games, apps, or content after an update.

“It was stuck doing an update and then removed itself from the queue. Now every time I go to click on it, nothing happens.” – Xbox user

This issue has been reported across Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One consoles, often after a recent system update.

Basic Fix: Restart and Relaunch the Store

The most common fix shared by users is restarting the console and relaunching the Store so it can resume its update process.

Steps to Fix:

Hold down the Xbox button on your controller.
Select Restart Console.
When the console restarts, open the Microsoft Store. It should automatically start updating again.
While it’s updating, press the Xbox button → highlight the Store icon → press the Menu button (three lines) and select Quit.
Wait for the update to complete before launching it again.

If the issue repeats, you can skip restarting unless the Store has been completely removed. Restarting only helps when the Store disappears after a failed update.

Advanced Fix: Reset Console Without Losing Games or Apps

If restarting does not solve the issue, perform a soft reset. This will refresh system software while keeping your installed games and apps.

How to Reset:

Go to Settings → System → Console Info.
Select Reset Console.
Choose Reset and keep my games & apps.

“I followed Xbox Support’s advice to reset the console while keeping games and apps. The Store started working normally.”

This process resolves corrupted update files or cache issues that often block Store functionality.

Check Family and Account Settings

Sometimes, the Store won’t launch because of Family Safety restrictions or account sync errors.

“It was my family settings. My Xbox wasn’t connecting properly, so it restricted anything that could be blocked by parental controls. Once it synced, the Store opened normally.”

To check this:

Go to Settings → Account → Family Settings.
Ensure your account permissions allow Store access and downloads.
If you are part of a family group, temporarily disable content restrictions to test if that resolves the issue.

Additional Workarounds

If the main fixes don’t help, try these:

Manual Restart: Power off the console completely, unplug for 30 seconds, then restart.
Network Reset:
- Go to Settings → General → Network Settings → Advanced Settings → Alternate MAC Address → Clear and restart.
Switch Network Type: If you are using an Ethernet cable, try Wi-Fi instead, or vice versa. Some users found the issue occurred only when using wired connections.
Reinstall Microsoft Store (for advanced users): Uninstall the app, then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store or Xbox App Store.

Why the Microsoft Store Stops Working

Based on user reports, the problem usually occurs due to:

Interrupted or failed Store updates.
System cache corruption.
Network sync conflicts after firmware updates.
Outdated console OS or Store app version.

This is likely a software-side issue affecting how the Xbox system handles Store updates. Microsoft typically resolves such issues through system updates.

Final Thoughts

If the Microsoft Store won’t open on Xbox Series X, try these steps in order:

Restart your console and relaunch the Store.
Reset your console while keeping games and apps.
Check family and account permissions.
Perform a network reset if necessary.

Most users find that one of these steps restores Store functionality without needing a full factory reset. Microsoft is aware of similar Store stability problems, and future updates are expected to fix them permanently.

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