Solved: Microsoft Store Error 0x80131500 on Windows 11 (Try This First)

You launch the Microsoft Store to download a new app, a game like Minecraft, or just to update your calculator. But instead of the store homepage, you are greeted with a sad face and a confusing message:

“Try that again. Something happened on our end. Waiting a bit might help. Code: 0x80131500”

You wait a bit, you try again, but the error remains. Even restarting your computer doesn’t fix it.

This is one of the most mysterious errors on Windows 10 and 11. Unlike other errors that mean “File Corrupt,” Error 0x80131500 is usually a Network or Region conflict. It basically means the Store Client on your PC cannot “shake hands” with the Microsoft Servers.

In this guide, we will show you 4 tested methods to restore the connection and get the Store working again.

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Why Is This Happening?

Before we fix it, let’s understand why your Store is broken.

1. Region Mismatch: This is the #1 cause. If your PC says you are in the “US” but your IP address is in “India” (or vice versa), the Store gets confused and blocks access.

2. Cache Corruption: The temporary files that the Store uses to load images might be broken.

3. DNS Issues: Your ISP might be struggling to connect to Microsoft’s specific content servers.

4. TLS Settings: Older internet protocols might be disabled in your Control Panel.

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Method 1: Check Your Region Settings (The Most Common Fix)

Believe it or not, 50% of users fix this error just by changing their region.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Time & language > Language & region.

3. Look for the Region section.

4. Under Country or region, verify it is set to your actual current location.

   • Trick: If it is already correct, change it to “United States,” restart the Store, and then change it back to your real country. This forces a server refresh.

5. Restart the Microsoft Store app.

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Method 2: Run the WSReset Tool

Windows has a built-in tool designed specifically to clean the Store’s dirty laundry (cache).

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.

2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.

3. Do not panic: A blank black Command Prompt window will appear. It will look like it’s stuck. Wait.

4. After about 10-20 seconds, the black window will close automatically, and the Microsoft Store will launch by itself.

If the error 0x80131500 is gone, you had a simple cache issue. If it’s still there, try Method 3.

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Method 3: Re-Register the Store via PowerShell (The “Sniper” Fix)

If the Store app itself is corrupted, we need to “re-install” it using code. You cannot simply uninstall the Store like a normal app, so we use PowerShell.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

2. Copy the following command exactly (it is one long line):

   PowerShell

   Get-AppXPackage *WindowsStore* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
   

3. Paste it into the blue window (Right-click to paste) and press Enter.

4. You might see some red text or a progress bar. Ignore the red text.

5. Once the blinking cursor returns, Restart your PC.

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Method 4: Enable TLS 1.2 and 1.3

The Microsoft Store requires secure protocols to connect. If these are disabled, you get the 0x80131500 error.

1. Press Win + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and hit Enter.

2. Go to the Advanced tab.

3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list until you see the Security section.

4. Ensure the following boxes are CHECKED:

   • Use TLS 1.2

   • Use TLS 1.3

5. Ensure Use SSL 3.0 is UNCHECKED.

6. Click Apply > OK and reboot.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Microsoft Store server down? A: It is possible. Before trying complex fixes, check the official Xbox Status Page to see if “Store and Subscriptions” are green.

Q: Will resetting the Store delete my installed games? A: No. Resetting the Store cache or re-registering the app (Method 3) only affects the Store app itself. Your installed games (like Forza or Minecraft) will remain safe on your drive.

Q: I have a VPN on. Should I turn it off? A: Yes! VPNs are a major cause of Error 0x80131500. Turn off your VPN and Proxy, then try Method 1 again.

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Conclusion

Error 0x80131500 is almost always a network or region glitch. Method 1 (Region Settings) and Method 4 (TLS Settings) are the most overlooked solutions that usually solve the problem instantly.

💡 Read Also on The Geek Solutions:

• Update Issues? Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070005 “Access Denied”

• Internet Broken? Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN in Chrome

Did changing the region fix it for you? Let us know in the comments below!