How to Fix Store Error Code 0xC002001B on Windows 10 / 11

Some Windows 10 and Windows 11 users are reporting that they always get the 0xC002001B error code when attempting to install a pending update for the Microsoft Store component. The vast majority of users are reporting that the issue persists even after restarting their PC. 

After investigating this issue thoroughly, we realized that there are actually several different scenarios that might be responsible for this particular error code. Here’s a shortlist of culprits that you should look out for when troubleshooting the 0xC002001B Microsoft Store Error Code:

1. Run the Store App troubleshooter

If an automated repair approach already covers the cause of the Microsoft Store Error code 0xC002001B, running the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter should allow you to quickly resolve the problem.

Keep in mind that all native programs running on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) share a set of requirements with the primary store component (Microsoft Store).

You can expect these shared dependencies to become corrupted and affect the app retrieval process in certain situations (after a bad update, after some type of file corruption) – in situations like this, the best course of action is to run the Windows Apps Troubleshooter and let the automated repair component take care of the issue.

Note: The Windows Apps Troubleshooter is a repair component with a ton of automated repair strategies that can be used if a recognizable scenario is found.

If you haven’t already done so, run the Windows App Troubleshooter and apply the recommended remedy to correct any shared dependencies using the procedures below:

1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog box.
2. Then, in the text box, type ‘ms-settings:troubleshoot’ and click Enter to bring up the Troubleshooting tab of the Settings menu.

   

3. Navigate to the right-hand pane of the Troubleshoot window, then select Other troubleshooters at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen in the dedicated Other Troubleshooters menu and click the Run button linked with Windows Store Apps.
   

   

5. After you’ve opened the Windows Store App troubleshooter, wait until the initial scan is finished to see if a viable fix has been found.
6. If a repair method is provided to you, select it and click Apply this Fix.
   

   

   Note: Depending on the type of repair indicated, you may be required to follow a series of manual instructions in order to complete the task.

7. Reboot your Windows machine after the fix has been successfully applied to determine if the problem has been resolved.

If you’re still unable to bypass the Windows Store 0xC002001B error, move down to the next method below. 

2. Install the pending Windows Update hotfix

Keep in mind that the most likely cause of this issue is a faulty Windows update, which Microsoft began distributing on May 10th.

Note: This update resulted in this issue because it stopped some services from authenticating machine accounts on clients in an indirect manner (required when performing certain tasks in Store).

Since then, Microsoft has developed a solution for the problem, which you may apply by simply installing all pending updates from Windows Update.

So, before you do anything else, go to the Windows Update window and make sure that all pending updates (particularly cumulative and feature updates) have been installed. If Microsoft has recently released a remedy for this issue, applying all pending updates should immediately resolve the problem.

If you find yourself in this situation, take these steps to install all of the pending Windows Updates on your Windows installation:

1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog box.
2. To launch a Run dialog box, type ‘ms-settings:windowsupdate’ and hit Enter once inside the Run box.

   

3. When the User Account Control prompts you, select Yes to grant admin access.
4. Scroll down to the right-hand pane on the Windows Update screen and click Check for Updates.
   

   

5. Once the first scan is complete, go ahead and install all pending updates (as directed) and reboot your computer when prompted.
6. After your PC boots back up, repeat the action that was causing the 0xC002001B error code and see if the problem is now fixed. 

If the problem is still not fixed, move down to the next method below. 

3. Install the KB5015020 MSU hotfix manually (Windows 10 only)

If you’re having trouble with this on Windows 10, the first thing you should try is installing the KB5015020 MSU hotfix. A large number of people have confirmed that manually applying this update fixed the problem.

In case this scenario looks like it could be applicable, start by accessing this official download MSU link to begin the download of the KB5015020 update for Windows 11. 

After the download is complete, navigate to the location where you previously downloaded the MSU hotfix, right-click on it and choose Run as administrator. 

Next, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the hotfix, then restart your PC at the end of this operation. 

Note: After installing this hotfix, you should have effectively dealt with the 0xC002001B error.

If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

4. Update the Store Apps (Windows 11)

If you get this problem when trying to open specific Store apps (UWP apps), it’s most likely because a UWP app update is missing. If this scenario applies to you, you can solve the problem by updating all Store apps.

You can do this manually, but our recommendation is to do it in bulk by reinstalling the entire Windows Store app package. 

You should expect this issue to arise in some cases as a result of an App package issue that impacts the entire fleet of UWP applications. In most cases, situations like these cannot be remedied by simply resetting the main Store component from the Windows UI menu.

If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is run a command (with admin rights) that will remove the Microsoft Store app package from all accounts and require a clean re-installation.

In an elevated Powershell window, use a special Get-AppxPackage command to do this. Other users who had the same problem said that reinstalling the Windows Store software bundle via the Windows Terminal program fixed the problem completely.

Important: This method is only confirmed to be effective on Windows 11. 

Here’s what you need to do:

1. To access the taskbar interface’s context menu, press Windows key + X.
2. From the taskbar’s context menu, select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the available selections.

   

3. When the User Account Control (UAC) panel prompts you, select Yes to grant admin access.
4. Type or paste the following command into the elevated Windows Terminal interface and press Enter to run it:

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

5. Restart your PC after the command has been successfully processed, and wait for the next startup to finish before attempting the identical action that caused the Microsoft Store listings to crash.

If the problem persists, move on to the next possible solution.

5. Re-Register the Store app

This issue can also occur if the Windows Store software has been de-registered, according to several impacted customers. If this is the case, the problem can be resolved by re-registering the Windows Store app for all accounts.

In this situation, you should be able to resolve the issue by re-registering the Store app using Powershell. Several Windows 11 and Windows 10 users who were suffering from the 0xC002001B problem have confirmed that this solution works.

Here’s how to re-register the Store app using an elevated Powershell window:

1. To launch the Run dialog box, press Windows key + R.
2. Type ‘powershell’ into the newly opened window and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch an elevated Powershell window.

   

3. At the UAC (User Account Control) window, click Yes to allow it to open with admin access.
4. Inside the elevated Powershell window, type the following command and press Enter to re-register the Windows Store component:

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

5. Restart your computer after entering the command and see if the problem is addressed on the next system startup.

If the 0xC002001B error reappears, proceed to the next possible solution below.

6. Reset the Windows Store Component

Badly cached data is probably the most typical cause of this type of behavior with the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Even though cached files are essential for your Microsoft Store installation (they improve reaction times and overall speed), removing them will not cause any underlying issues with the store component – after all, you can’t use Windows Store effectively if you’re having this problem.

Fortunately, you won’t have to do it manually; instead, you can use WSReset.exe, a troubleshooting application, to reset and clear the Windows Store without affecting your account settings or removing your installed apps.

All you have to do is execute this utility in an environment with administrative capabilities, and all damaged cached data that may be influencing Windows Store behavior should be removed.

To use the WSreset.exe application to clear the Windows Store cache and refresh the Store component, follow the steps below:

1. To launch the Run dialog box, press Windows key + R.
2. Type ‘wsreset.exe’ into the text prompt in the Run box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run the tool with admin capabilities.

   

3. When you’re prompted by the User Account Control prompt, click Yes to grant admin access.
4. Inside the elevated command prompt, the utility will automatically run and clear the cached data of your Windows Store installation.
5. After 10 seconds or so (depending on your storage capabilities) the window will automatically close and Microsoft Store will open automatically.
6. Reopen the Microsoft Store and repeat the action that caused the utility to display the error to verify if the problem has been resolved.

If the same 0xC002001B error is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

7. Clear the LocalCache folder manually

According to many afflicted customers, you may anticipate running into this problem if the Microsoft Store’s LocalCache folder includes damaged data that interferes with the installation of pending updates. In this scenario, manually clearing the LocalCache folder should resolve the problem.

In case you’re still unable to make the error go away (even aver performing the wsreset procedure), follow the instructions below to manually clear the cache folder of the Windows Store:

1. Make sure the Windows Store component is turned off fully.
2. To launch a Run dialog box, hit Windows key + R.
3. Type ‘%APPDATA%’ into the text field in the Run box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to reveal the secret AppData folder.

   

4. Navigate to the following place under the AppData folder:

   C:\Users\User_name\AppData\Local\Packages \Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\

5. Next, right-click on LocalCache and select Delete from the pop-up menu.

   

   Note: The Store component will automatically rebuild this folder the next time you run the program, thus removing it will have no underlying repercussions.

6. After deleting the LocalCache folder, relaunch the Microsoft Store and see of the error is now fixed.

if you’re still struggling with the same 0xc002001b, move down to the next method below. 

8. Enable the Microsoft Store Install Service

Another possibility is that the main service responsible for deploying infrastructure updates (Microsoft Store Install Service) has been deactivated from the Services panel. If this situation applies to you, make sure the Microsoft Store Install Service is turned on.

Take a look at your Services page to confirm if this service is indeed deactivated before dismissing this possible culprit.

Note: A number of system optimization software packages may temporarily stop this service in order to save system resources.

To keep the Microsoft Store Install service enabled, follow these steps:

1. To launch the Run dialog box, press Windows key + R.
2. Next, type ‘services.msc’ into the text box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to enter the Services panel with Administrator access.

   

3. Start looking for the Microsoft Store Install Service service once you’re on the Services page.
4. Once you’ve located it, right-click it and select Start from the context menu that appears.

   

5. Once the service is enabled, repeat the action that was causing the 0xc002001b error and see if the problem is now fixed.

If the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below. 

9. Install the KB5011831 update manually

If you only get the KB5011831 issue when trying to install a pending update from the Microsoft Store, it’s likely that you’re dealing with corruption in the Windows Update component. In this instance, one approach to get around the problem is to manually install the pending update (via the Microsoft Update Catalog).

Note: This approach has been proven to work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

With this in mind, take the steps below to manually install all of the pending KB5011831 updates via the MUC infrastructure:

1. Open your favorite browser and go to the Microsoft Update Catalog (MUC) directory’s main page.
2. Use the search option in the MUC root directory to hunt for the update that is failing in your circumstance (for example KB5011831).
   

   

3. Review the findings and select the necessary update versions to apply, taking into consideration your current OS architecture and Windows versions.

   

4. When you’ve determined which update is compatible with your system, click the Download icon next to it.
5. Once the download is complete, open File Explorer and go to the location where the update was saved (most likely in the Download folder).
6. Once you’ve found the correct location, right-click the .ini file and select Install from the context menu.

   

7. Follow the remaining directions on the screen to finish installing the Windows Update that was failing to install previously.
8. Restart your PC one final time and see if the problem is now fixed.

If the method is still not fixed, move down to the next potential fix below. 

10. Create a new user account

As it turns out, some form of system file corruption that affects the presently signed-in account can also create this problem. To remedy this issue, establish a new user account and check to see whether the issue has been repaired.

Several customers who were having trouble opening games have reported that the problem was fixed after switching to a local Microsoft account.

Important: Note that this action will remove any damaged dependencies presently associated with your current user profile.

If you haven’t tried this already, follow the instructions below to create a new user account in an attempt to bypass the 0xc002001b error:

1. To launch a run dialog box, press the Windows key + R.
2. Then, in the text box, type ‘ms-settings:otherusers’ and click Enter to enter the Family & Other People tab of the Settings app.

   

3. Scroll down to the Other user’s tab under the Family & other users menu and select Add someone else to this PC.
   
4. Proceed with the remaining steps to create a new account, then restart your PC and sign in with the newly created Windows account and see if you manage to get past the 0xC002001B error.

If the problem is still occurring even after you migrated to a different account, move down to the next method below. 

11. Perform a repair install

If none of the approaches above have worked for you, the only option is to go nuclear and replace all of the affected system file dependencies with healthy alternatives.

If you’re dealing with system file corruption, your only alternatives are to perform a clean install or a repair install (in-place upgrade).

• Repair install (in-place upgrade) – If you have the option, this is our official advice if you’re stuck in this situation. Only the system files will be touched during a repair install (in-place upgrade) (while keeping your personal files, user preferences apps & games)
• Clean install – If particular kernel processes are impacted, a clean install may be the best alternative, but it has the disadvantage of wiping away any personal data saved on the OS disk. However, you should be aware that if you go this option, you will lose all of your personal information.

12. Upgrade to Windows 11 (if applicable) 

If you’ve come this far and you’re still unable to bypass the 0xc002001b error and you’re using Windows 10, one last thing you can do is to upgrade to Windows 11. 

There are a lot of users confirming that migrating to the latest Windows iteration meant that the 0xc002001b error related to the Windows Store component was finally resolved.

If you’re looking for specific instructions on upgrading to Windows 11, follow this article.