How to Fix Apps Can’t or Won’t Open in Windows 11

Microsoft Store is infamous for having bugs. So, you should not be surprised that your apps are facing problems. This app can’t open issue can be caused by several reasons, such as:

How to Fix Apps Can’t or Won’t Open in Windows 11Method 1: Run Windows Store Apps TroubleshooterMethod 2: Repair or Reset Troubling AppMethod 3: Reinstall Malfunctioning AppMethod 4: Clear Microsoft Store CacheMethod 5: Re-register Microsoft StoreMethod 6: Enable Windows Update ServiceMethod 7: Update WindowsMethod 8: Change User Account Control SettingsMethod 9: Create Local AccountMethod 10: Fix License ServiceMethod 11: Perform Clean BootMethod 12: Use Local Security Policy Services Method 13: Disable Windows Defender Firewall (Not Recommended)

Buggy apps or Microsoft store application User Account Control setting conflicts Corrupt Store cache Conflicts caused due to Antivirus or Firewall Outdated Windows OS Disabled Windows Update service

Method 1: Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Microsoft is aware that the Store application is malfunctioning often. As a result, Windows 11 comes with a built-in troubleshooter for Microsoft Store. Here’s how to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 using Windows Store Apps troubleshooter:

  1. Press Windows + I keys together to open Settings app.

  2. In the System tab, scroll down and click on Troubleshoot, as shown.

  3. Click on Other troubleshooters under Options.

  4. Click on Run for Windows Store apps.

  5. Allow the troubleshooter to identify and fix issues.

Method 2: Repair or Reset Troubling App

Here are the steps to fix apps can’t open on Windows 11 by repairing or resetting the trouble-causing app:

  1. Click on the Search icon and type the Name of the app you are facing trouble with.

  2. Then, click on App settings, as shown.

  3. Scroll down to the Reset section.

4A. Click on Repair to repair the app.

4B. If repairing the app does not fix the issue, then click on Reset button.

Also Read: How to Update Microsoft PowerToys App on Windows 11

Method 3: Reinstall Malfunctioning App

If the above method is unable to fix apps won’t open issue on Windows 11 PC, then reinstalling the malfunctioning app should certainly help.

  1. Press Windows + X keys simultaneously to open the Quick Link menu.

  2. Click Apps and features from the given list.

  3. Scroll through the list of installed apps and click on the three-dotted icon for the trouble-causing app.

  4. Then, click on Uninstall, as shown.

Note: We have shown TranslucentTB as an example here.

  1. Click on Uninstall again in the confirmation dialog box, as depicted below.

  2. Now, click on the Search icon and type Microsoft Store. Then, click on Open, as shown.

  3. Search for the app that you uninstalled. Select the App and click on the Install button.

Method 4: Clear Microsoft Store Cache

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache can help you fix apps can’t open on Windows 11 issue, as follows:

  1. Click on the Search icon and type wsreset. Then, click on Open, as shown.

Let the cache be cleared.

  1. Microsoft Store will open automatically after the process is completed. Now, you should be able to open the desired apps.

Method 5: Re-register Microsoft Store

Because Microsoft Store is a system application, it cannot be removed and reinstalled normally. Doing so is also not advisable. However, you can re-register the application to your system using Windows PowerShell console. This may remove bugs or glitches in the application and possibly, fix apps can’t or won’t open issue in Windows 11 computers.

  1. Click on the Search icon and type Windows PowerShell.

  2. Click on Run as administrator, shown highlighted.

  3. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

  4. Type the given command and press the Enter key.

  5. Finally, try opening Microsoft Store once again and use apps as needed.

Also Read: How to Pin Apps to Taskbar on Windows 11

Method 6: Enable Windows Update Service

The Microsoft Store is dependent on several services and components, one of which is the Windows Update service. If this service is disabled, it causes a slew of problems with the functioning of the app, including apps won’t open issue on Windows 11.

  1. Press Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box.

  2. Type services.msc and click on OK to launch Services window.

  3. Find Windows Update service and right-click on it.

  4. Click on Properties in the context menu, as illustrated below.

  5. Set the Startup type is set to Automatic and Service status to Running by clicking on the Start button, as shown highlighted.

  6. Click on Apply > OK to save these changes.

Method 7: Update Windows

Another method to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 is to update Windows OS, as follows:

  1. Launch Settings as earlier.

  2. Select Windows Update in the left pane.

  3. Click on Check for updates button in the right pane.

  4. If there is any update available, click on Download & install.

  5. Wait for the updates to be installed. Finally, restart your computer.

Also Read: How to Download and Install Optional Updates in Windows 11

Method 8: Change User Account Control Settings

Here’s how to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 by changing user account control settings:

  1. Click on the Search icon and type Control Panel. Then, click on Open, as shown.

  2. Click on User Accounts.

Note: Make sure you set View by: > Category in the top right-hand corner of the window.

  1. Now, click on User Accounts once again.

  2. Click on Change User Account Control settings.

  3. Drag the slider to the topmost level marked Always notify me when:

Apps try to install software or make changes to my computer. I make changes to Windows settings.

  1. Click on OK.

  2. Lastly, click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

Method 9: Create Local Account

It is possible that your user account has bugs or is corrupt. In this case, creating a new local account and using it to access apps & Microsoft Store will help fix apps won’t open on Windows 11 issue. Read our guide on How to Create a Local Account in Windows 11 here to create one and then, grant it required privileges.

Method 10: Fix License Service

Issues with Windows license service might also create problems. Thus, fix it as follows:

  1. Right-click any empty space on the Desktop.

  2. Select New >Text Document in the right-click context menu.

  3. Double-click on the New Text Doc to open it.

  4. In the Notepad window, type the following as shown.

  5. Click on File > Save As… shown highlighted.

  6. In the File name: text field, type License Fix.bat and click on Save.

  7. Close the notepad.

  8. Right-click on the .bat file you created and click on Run as administrator from the context menu.

Also Read: How to Set Up Windows Hello on Windows 11

Method 11: Perform Clean Boot

Windows Clean Boot feature starts your computer without any third-party service or application to interfere with system files so that you can detect the cause and fix it. Follow these steps to perform clean boot to fix apps not opening issue in Windows 11:

  1. Press Windows + R keys together to open Run dialog box.

  2. Type msconfig and click on OK to launch System Configuration window.

  3. Under General tab, select Diagnostic startup.

  4. Click on Apply > OK as shown.

  5. Click on Restart in the pop-up prompt that appears to clean boot your PC.

Method 12: Use Local Security Policy Services

You can use group policy editor to fix apps won’t open in Windows 11 problem. Follow these steps to do so.

  1. Launch Run dialog box, type secpol.msc and click on OK.

  2. In the Local Security Policy window, expand Local Policies node and click on.Security options.

  3. Then scroll down the right pane and enable the following policies.

User account control: Detect application installation and prompt for elevation User account control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode

  1. Click on the Search icon and type Command Prompt. Then, click on Run as administrator.

  2. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

  3. Here, type gpupdate /force and press the Enter key to execute.

  4. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Also Read: How to Enable Group Policy Editor in Windows 11 Home Edition

Turning off Windows Firewall can be dangerous. This procedure should only be used if all other options have failed. Remember to turn the Firewall back on once you have closed the app or before you access the internet. Follow these steps to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11 by disabling Windows Defender Firewall:

  1. Click on the Search icon and type Windows Defender Firewall, then click on Open.

  2. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the left pane.

  3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for both Private network settings and Public network settings.

  4. Click on OK and resume working on the desired apps.

Recommended:

How to Change Screen Brightness on Windows 11 Fix Critical Process Died Error in Windows 11 Fix Error Code 0x8007007f in Windows 11 How to Use PowerToys on Windows 11

We hope you found this article interesting and helpful about how to fix apps can’t open in Windows 11. Drop your suggestions and queries in the comment section below. We would love to know which topic you want us to write on next.