3 Ways to Fix the “Microsoft Store Is Blocked” Error on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooter > go to Windows Store Apps > Run. Fix the issue accordingly.
• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > three-dot icon in front of Microsoft Store > Advanced options. Use the Repair or Reset option.
• Open the Local Group Policy Editor and ensure Microsoft Store is not disabled on Windows 11.

Basic Fixes:

• Use Run to reset the Microsoft Store app: The wsreset.exe Run command will help you clear the Microsoft Store’s cache and reset other data that interfere with regular app functions.
• Briefly turn off Windows Defender: There have been instances where non-malicious files have been accidentally flagged and blocked. To fix this, you can turn off or disable Windows Defender. Then, check again.
• Check for Windows updates: Updating your Windows device to the latest version can help fix incompatibility issues or software bugs that might block the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 device.

Fix 1: Using Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

If any Windows app encounters a problem, you can use the Windows troubleshooter to help identify and fix it. This should also work if any internal app issue prevents the Microsoft Store from opening on Windows. Here’s how.

Step 1: Use the Windows + I key to open Settings and go to System.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on Troubleshoot.

Step 3: Then, click on Other troubleshooters.

Step 4: Go to Windows Store Apps and click on Run. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the issue.

Fix 2: Using the Repair Option

If you still get the error code 0x800704EC for the Microsoft Store, try running a Windows repair. This can help repair app issues, like the Microsoft Store app not opening. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings using the Windows + I key. Go to Apps and click on Installed apps.

Step 2: Scroll down to Microsoft Store and click on the three-dot icon. Click on Advanced options.

Step 3: Go to Reset and click on Repair. Once the repair is finished, try opening the app again.

Step 4: If it still doesn’t work, click on Reset and confirm your choice. Then, check again.

Note: If available, you can also open Registry Editor and navigate to the following page: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore. Here, delete the RemoveWindowsStore value and check again.

Fix 3: Using the Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor helps you change certain important Windows policies. So, if the Microsoft Store has been disabled through the Group Policy Editor, you might get the Microsoft Store is blocked error. To fix this, open Group Policy Editor and enable the Microsoft Store app. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Local Group Policy Editor and click on Computer Configuration.

Step 2: Once the menu options expand, click on Administrative Templates. Then, click on Windows Components.

Step 3: Here, click on Store. From the Setting options, click on Turn off the Store application.

Step 4: Select Not Configured and click on OK.

Once done, restart your Windows device. Then, see if the Microsoft Store blocked error message has been fixed.