Fix Store Error 0x80072ee7

Method 1: Reset Microsoft Store Cache (Primary Fix)

Corrupted Store cache causes most 0x80072ee7 errors. WSReset clears cache, restores connectivity. First step fix.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
2. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter
3. What Happens:
   • Command Prompt window opens (black screen)
   • No text appears—this is normal
   • Window stays open for 10-30 seconds
   • Automatically closes when complete
4. After Command Prompt Closes:
   • Microsoft Store opens automatically
   • Shows fresh, clean Store interface
   • All cached data cleared
5. What WSReset Does:
   • Clears Store cache folder completely
   • Removes corrupted connection data
   • Resets Store settings to defaults
   • Does NOT delete your installed apps
   • Does NOT remove your Microsoft account
   • Only clears temporary cache files
6. Wait 2-3 minutes for Store to fully initialize
7. Try downloading an app or browsing Store
8. Success Indicators:
   • Store shows featured apps normally
   • Can browse categories
   • Download buttons work
   • No "Can't connect" error

Method 2: Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Built-in troubleshooter detects and fixes Store issues automatically. Finds configuration problems.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Click Troubleshoot in left sidebar
4. Click Additional troubleshooters
5. Scroll to find Windows Store Apps
6. Click on it → Click Run the troubleshooter
7. Troubleshooter Runs Checks:
   • "Detecting problems" phase (1-2 minutes)
   • Checks Store app registration
   • Verifies Store services running
   • Tests network connectivity to Microsoft servers
   • Validates Store cache integrity
8. If Problems Found:
   • Troubleshooter shows list of detected issues
   • Offers "Apply this fix" options
   • Click Apply this fix for each issue
   • Wait for automatic repairs
9. Common Fixes Applied:
   • Re-registers Microsoft Store app
   • Restarts Windows Store service (wsappx)
   • Clears Store license cache
   • Repairs Store app package
10. After completion: Click Close
11. Restart computer
12. Test Microsoft Store

Method 3: Flush DNS Cache and Renew IP Configuration

DNS resolution failures prevent Store from finding Microsoft servers. Flushing DNS restores connectivity.

1. Right-click Start menu → Command Prompt (Admin)
2. Or search "cmd" → Right-click → Run as administrator
3. Run These Commands in Order:
4. 1. Flush DNS Cache:
   ipconfig /flushdns
5. Success message: "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache"
6. 2. Release Current IP Address:
   ipconfig /release
7. Network disconnects temporarily (normal)
8. 3. Renew IP Address:
   ipconfig /renew
9. Gets fresh IP from router
10. 4. Reset Winsock Catalog:
    netsh winsock reset
11. Resets network stack to defaults
12. 5. Reset TCP/IP Stack:
    netsh int ip reset
13. Restores Internet Protocol configuration
14. 6. Change DNS to Google DNS (Optional but Recommended):
    netsh interface ipv4 set dns "Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8
netsh interface ipv4 add dns "Wi-Fi" 8.8.4.4 index=2
15. (Replace "Wi-Fi" with "Ethernet" if using wired connection)
16. Close Command Prompt
17. Restart Computer (Required for all changes to take effect)
18. After restart: Test Microsoft Store

Method 4: Check and Correct Date/Time Settings

Incorrect date/time breaks SSL certificates. Microsoft servers reject connections. Simple but critical fix.

1. Click clock in system tray (bottom-right corner)
2. Click Date and time settings
3. Check Current Date and Time:
   • Verify date is correct (not weeks/months off)
   • Verify time is accurate (within 5 minutes)
   • Check time zone matches your location
4. Enable Automatic Time:
   • Toggle ON: Set time automatically
   • Toggle ON: Set time zone automatically
5. If Automatic Setting Fails:
   • Turn OFF automatic settings
   • Click Change under "Set the date and time manually"
   • Set correct date and time
   • Click Change to save
6. Sync Time with Internet Time Server:
   • Click Additional date, time & regional settings
   • Click Date and Time
   • Go to Internet Time tab
   • Click Change settings
   • Server: Select "time.windows.com"
   • Click Update now
   • Wait for "The time has been successfully synchronized"
7. Close all windows
8. Test Microsoft Store immediately

Method 5: Disable Proxy and VPN Temporarily

Proxy servers and VPNs block Microsoft Store traffic. Disabling allows direct connection.

Disable Windows Proxy:

1. Press Windows + I → Network & Internet
2. Click Proxy in left sidebar
3. Under Automatic proxy setup:
   • Turn OFF: Automatically detect settings
   • Turn OFF: Use setup script
4. Under Manual proxy setup:
   • Turn OFF: Use a proxy server
5. Close Settings

Disable VPN:

1. Locate VPN application in system tray
2. Right-click → Disconnect
3. Or open VPN app → Click Disconnect
4. Common VPNs:
   • NordVPN: Click "Disconnect" button
   • ExpressVPN: Click power button to disconnect
   • Private Internet Access: Right-click → Disconnect
5. Test Microsoft Store without VPN
6. If Store Works: VPN was blocking Store
   • Configure VPN to exclude Microsoft Store traffic
   • Or use VPN's "split tunneling" feature

Method 6: Reset Windows Update Components

Windows Update and Store share services. Corrupted Update components break Store. Reset restores both.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Stop Windows Update Services:
   net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
3. Each shows "The service was stopped successfully"
4. Rename Software Distribution Folders:
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
5. Restart Windows Update Services:
   net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
6. Each shows "The service was started successfully"
7. Also Reset Microsoft Store Service:
   net stop wsappx
net start wsappx
8. Close Command Prompt
9. Restart computer
10. After restart: Test both Windows Update and Microsoft Store

Method 7: Disable Windows Firewall and Antivirus (Temporary Test)

Firewall or antivirus blocking Microsoft Store connections. Temporary disable identifies if security software is culprit.

Disable Windows Firewall:

1. Press Windows + R, type firewall.cpl, press Enter
2. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off (left sidebar)
3. For both Private and Public networks:
   • Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall
4. Click OK
5. ⚠️ Firewall now disabled (temporary testing only)

Disable Antivirus:

1. Locate antivirus icon in system tray
2. Right-click → Disable protection
3. Select duration: Until restart

Test and Re-enable:

1. With both disabled: Open Microsoft Store
2. Try downloading a free app
3. If Store Works Now:
   • Security software was blocking Store
   • Re-enable firewall and antivirus
   • Add exceptions for Microsoft Store:
     • In Firewall: Allow "Microsoft Store" app
     • In Antivirus: Whitelist "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps"
4. If Store Still Fails:
   • Not security software issue
   • Re-enable protection immediately
   • Try other methods

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Error 0x80072ee7 says "Can't connect" but my internet works fine in browsers. Why?

A: Microsoft Store and Windows Update use different network protocols and ports than web browsers: (1) Store uses HTTPS with strict SSL validation—if system date/time wrong, SSL certificates fail validation, Store can't connect but browsers may ignore certificate errors, (2) Store connects to specific Microsoft domains—if DNS server can't resolve "windowsupdate.microsoft.com" but can resolve "google.com", browsers work but Store fails, (3) Firewalls/proxies block Store traffic selectively—many corporate firewalls allow HTTP/HTTPS web browsing (ports 80/443) but block Windows Store's specific connection patterns or User-Agent strings, (4) Store requires direct connection—doesn't respect system proxy settings like browsers do, so if you're behind proxy, browsers configured for proxy work fine but Store trying direct connection fails. Also (5) VPN split tunneling—VPN may route browser traffic but block Microsoft Store traffic intentionally. This is why browser test doesn't indicate Store will work—they use fundamentally different network paths.

Q: WSReset command opens black window but nothing happens for 5+ minutes. Is it stuck?

A: Not stuck—this is normal wsreset behavior. Common misconceptions: (1) No progress indicator shown—wsreset.exe runs silently with blank Command Prompt window, no text output, no progress bar—appears frozen but actively working, (2) Duration varies: Fast computers: 10-30 seconds, slower computers or heavily corrupted cache: 3-5 minutes, systems with many Store apps installed: up to 10 minutes. (3) What's happening internally: Deleting thousands of cache files, clearing Store database, resetting app registration, removing temporary download files—large data operation takes time. How to tell if actually stuck: Check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → if "WSReset.exe" showing CPU usage (even 1-5%), it's working—wait patiently. If CPU usage 0% for 10+ minutes AND disk activity 0%, then truly stuck—reboot and try again. Do NOT close window manually—interrupting wsreset corrupts Store worse, causing more problems.

Q: Fixed 0x80072ee7 but now Windows Update also failing with same error. Are they related?

A: Yes, directly related. Windows Store and Windows Update are integrated services sharing infrastructure: (1) Same backend services: Both use Windows Update service (wuauserv), BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service), and Cryptographic Services—corruption in these affects both simultaneously, (2) Shared network stack: Both download from Microsoft CDN servers—DNS issues, proxy problems, or firewall blocking affecting Store also affect Windows Update, (3) Same cache corruption: SoftwareDistribution folder (Windows Update cache) corruption causes 0x80072ee7 in both Store and Windows Update. Fix both together: Methods 3, 5, 6 in this guide fix both Store and Update—DNS flush (Method 3) restores connectivity for both, disabling proxy (Method 5) unblocks both services, resetting Windows Update components (Method 6) repairs shared services used by both. If one works but other doesn't: indicates service-specific corruption not network issue—run Windows Update Troubleshooter (Settings → Troubleshoot → Windows Update) alongside Store troubleshooter.

Q: Error persists after all methods. Could router or ISP be blocking Microsoft Store?

A: Yes, possible—test to confirm: (1) Mobile hotspot test: Connect computer to phone's mobile hotspot (bypass home router/ISP), try Microsoft Store—if works on mobile data but fails on home network, router/ISP definitely blocking, (2) Different network test: Take laptop to friend's house or coffee shop WiFi—if Store works there, your network is problem. Router blocking causes: (a) Parental controls: Some routers block "software downloads" category including Microsoft Store—check router admin panel (192.168.1.1), disable parental controls or add exception, (b) Firewall rules: Router firewall may block Microsoft domains—whitelist *.microsoft.com, *.windowsupdate.com in router settings, (c) Port blocking: Some routers block non-standard ports—ensure port 443 (HTTPS) fully open bidirectionally. ISP blocking: Rare but some ISPs in restrictive countries block Microsoft Store—use VPN to bypass (ironic since usually VPN causes 0x80072ee7, but if ISP blocking, VPN fixes it). Contact ISP support, ask if "Microsoft Store traffic is filtered or throttled" on your plan.

Q: Can I use Microsoft Store without fixing 0x80072ee7 by downloading apps elsewhere?

A: Limited workaround, not full solution: (1) Microsoft Store is ONLY source for UWP apps (Universal Windows Platform)—apps like Netflix, Xbox Game Pass, Spotify Store versions, Disney+, etc. have no alternative download sources—must fix error to get these apps, (2) Many apps have web alternatives: Netflix, Spotify, Office—can download desktop .exe installers from official websites bypassing Store, but lose Windows integration features (Live Tiles, background sync, seamless updates), (3) Windows Updates still broken: If 0x80072ee7 also affecting Windows Update (common), you're not getting security patches—dangerous to leave unfixed, not just inconvenience. Workaround for urgent app need: If you desperately need specific app, check developer's official website for non-Store version—most major apps offer both Store and classic desktop installers. But don't leave 0x80072ee7 unfixed long-term—indicates underlying system corruption (cache, network services, DNS) that will cause problems beyond just Store—eventually breaks Windows Update, OneDrive sync, or other cloud services.