To ensure your top apps are able to run smoothly without any glitches, you head into the Microsoft Store and attempt to update apps. However, much to your surprise, apps fail to get through the updates, throwing an error – “The app can’t update when it’s open”. Fret not, you are not alone in having faced this vexing Microsoft Store issue on your Windows 11 device. In this in-depth guide, I’m going to discuss the 7 most reliable ways to fix the problem and restore the app update functionality.
How to Resolve “The App Can’t Update When It’s Open” Error in Microsoft Store
The “The app can’t update when it’s open” error on Microsoft Store usually occurs when Windows detects that the app is still running in the background, even if you’ve already closed its window. This can happen due to stuck processes, delayed system responses, or apps minimizing instead of fully exiting. In Windows 11, stricter background activity management and syncing mechanisms can also contribute to the issue, especially if there are cache glitches, pending updates, or temporary conflicts between the system and the Store.
1. Close the App Completely from the Background
Note that sometimes, the app isn’t fully closed and continues running in the background, which blocks the app update issue.
- On your PC, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Look for the app under the “Processes” tab.
- Select the app and hit the End Task tab at the top.
- Now, close Task Manager and try updating the apps via Store again.
2. Restart Your PC
If the problem continues, go for a simple restart since it clears temporary glitches and ensures no hidden processes are interfering.
- On your device, go to the Start menu > Power icon > Restart.
- After reboot, open Microsoft Store and retry the update.
3. Reset Microsoft Store Cache
Check out the corrupted cache files as they can also cause update errors and prevent apps from installing properly.
- On your computer, press Windows + R to open Run.
- Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
- Next, make sure to wait for the Store to reset automatically and try updating your app again.
4. Sign Out and Back Into Microsoft Store
Keep in mind that account sync issues can disrupt app updates and cause errors like this.
- Launch the Microsoft Store and click your profile icon.
- Hit Sign out and confirm.
- After that, you need to restart the Store and sign back in.
5. Repair or Reset the App
If the app (you are trying to update itself) is corrupted, Windows may not be able t o update it properly.
- Navigate to the Settings app > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Find the problematic app > click on the three dots menu right next to the app in question.
- In the pop-up menu, select Advanced options.
- Click Repair. If needed, Reset the app to wipe out the clutter.
6. Update Windows to the Latest Version
Outdated system files can cause compatibility issues with app updates.
- Open Settings > head over to Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Next, install any available updates and reboot your PC after installation.
7. Reinstall the App
If nothing works, go for the nuclear solution, “Fresh installation,” since it ensures a fresh and error-free version of the app.
- Dive into the Settings app > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Select the app and click Uninstall.
- Next up, go to the Microsoft Store and reinstall the app.
Wrapping up…
There you go! Dealing with update errors on Microsoft Store can be annoying, but in most cases, the problem is caused by simple background conflicts or temporary glitches in Windows 11. By carefully following the methods above, you can quickly resolve the issue and keep your apps running smoothly.
