Do the Microsoft Store apps appear to be completely greyed out in the Start Menu on your Windows 11 device? Well, this issue can be rather frustrating, especially when you rely on this handy menu to quickly access apps like Word, Photos, Excel, etc. However irritating it may seem, you can get rid of it with some tried and tested solutions. Keep reading to…
How to Fix Microsoft Store Apps Greyed Out in Start Menu on Windows PC
Well, this issue typically occurs due to several factors, such as –
- When an app update is incomplete
- The Microsoft Store cache is corrupted
- System files are damaged
- Windows services are malfunctioning
On top of all, the app may still be installed but becomes temporarily inaccessible from the Start Menu. Having gone into the root cause of the problem, I’ve shared the tips that work in eliminating it.
1. Restart Your Windows 11 PC
First and foremost, go for a simple restart as it can often fix temporary glitches affecting Start Menu icons and app loading behavior. Keep in mind that if a background process gets stuck, apps may appear greyed out until the system refreshes itself.
- On your PC, hit the Start menu > Power icon > Restart.
- Now, do not fail to let Windows reboot completely.
- After that, make sure to check if the greyed-out apps are working again.
2. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that detects and fixes common Microsoft Store app problems automatically. It can repair app permissions, cache issues, and broken settings.
- On your computer, head over to the Settings app > System from the left panel > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Next up, locate the Windows Store Apps and hit the Run button beside it.
- Then, follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Reset Microsoft Store Cache
The Microsoft Store uses cached files to speed up downloads and updates. If these files become corrupted, installed apps may stop responding or appear greyed out.
- To get going, press Windows + R to open Run.
- Type wsreset.exe and press Enter.
- A blank Command Prompt window will open briefly.
- Up next, you need to wait for the Microsoft Store to launch automatically.
- In the end, be sure to restart your PC after the process completes.
4. Repair or Reset the Affected App
Sometimes, only one specific app is causing the issue. Repairing or resetting the app can restore damaged files and settings without affecting the rest of the system.
- On your PC, navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the greyed-out Microsoft Store app.
- Then, you have to click the three-dot menu next to it.
- In the menu, choose the Advanced options.
- Hit the Repair option first.
- If the issue remains, click Reset to wipe out the entire clutter.
5. Re-register Microsoft Store Apps Using PowerShell
If app registrations are broken, Windows may fail to launch Store apps correctly. Re-registering apps reconnects them with Windows and restores Start Menu functionality.
- To get started, right-click the Start button > Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Copy and paste the command below:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
- Press Enter > let this command complete without any obstruction > and restart the computer afterward.
6. Run SFC and DISM Scans
Corrupted system files can interfere with built-in apps and Start Menu behavior. Running SFC and DISM scans repairs damaged Windows files automatically.
- To begin, right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Type the command below and press Enter.
sfc /scannow
- After it finishes, run this command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Allow both scans to finish and restart your Windows device.
7. Install Pending Windows Updates
Microsoft frequently releases updates that fix Start Menu bugs, app issues, and Store-related glitches. If your PC is outdated, installing updates may solve the problem instantly.
- On your device, go to the Settings app > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Once your PC shows an update, install it and then restart your PC.
Wrapping up…
And that’s about it. Greyed-out Microsoft Store apps in the Windows 11 Start Menu usually happen because of cache corruption, incomplete updates, broken app registrations, or damaged system files. Thankfully, you do not need advanced technical skills to fix it. In most cases, restarting your PC, resetting the Store cache, or repairing the affected app solves the issue quickly. If the problem continues, using PowerShell commands, system file scans, and Windows updates can fully restore normal app behavior.
