5 Ways to Fix Microsoft Store Apps Not Updating Automatically

Quick Tips

• Ensure the Microsoft Store is configured to update automatically and that your network is not set as a metered connection on Windows.
• Allow the Microsoft Store to run in the background so that it can update apps automatically.
• If the problem persists,  try repairing or resetting the Microsoft Store on your PC.

Fix 1: Verify Auto Update Settings in the Microsoft Store

The first thing you should do is verify the auto-update settings in the Microsoft Store app. Here’s how to check.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store, click the profile icon in the top right corner, and select App settings.

Step 2: Enable the App updates option if it isn’t already.

Step 3: Click the Library tab in the bottom-left corner to see if the automatic updates have started.

Fix 2: Disable Metered Connection

Setting your network as a metered connection can prevent Windows from downloading the system and app updates in the background. To avoid this, you must disable the metered connection option for your Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app and navigate to Network & internet > Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Click on your Wi-Fi network to open its properties.

Step 3: Turn off the toggle for Metered connection option.

Fix 3: Allow Microsoft Store to Run in the Background

Another reason why the Microsoft Store may fail to update apps automatically is if the app doesn’t have the required permission to run in the background. Here’s how you can change that.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the menu that pops open.

Step 2: Locate Microsoft Store on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Advanced options.

Step 3: Use the drop-down menu under Background app permissions to select Always.

Fix 4: Configure Windows Update and Microsoft Store Install Service to Start Automatically

Microsoft Store won’t update apps if certain system services, such as Windows Update and Microsoft Store Install Service, aren’t configured to start automatically on boot. Here’s how to fix that.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run command, type in services.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: In the Services window, locate and double-click on the Windows Update service to open its properties.

Step 3: Change its startup type to Automatic and click Apply.

Step 4: Similarly, configure the Microsoft Store Install Service to start automatically.

Reboot your PC after this and see if the Microsoft Store updates apps automatically.

Fix 5: Repair or Reset the Microsoft Store

If the fixes listed so far do not work, your last option is to repair the Microsoft Store on your PC. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the search menu, type in microsoft store, and select App settings.

Step 2: Scroll down to the Reset section and click Repair.

Windows should start repairing the app. Once repaired, check to see if it updates apps automatically. You can try resetting the app from the same menu if the problem persists. Doing so will remove all the existing app data and restore app settings to their default values.