Fix Windows Store Error Code 0x80073CF3
When you try to install any apps or programs from the Microsoft Store, you may encounter many errors such as 0X80073CF3. Many reasons contribute to this problem, but most often this error occurs when installing certain games such as Dishonored, Forza, Gears of War, Minecraft, Phantasy Star Online 2, Outer Worlds and many more. On the other hand, you will face the same issue while installing the latest Windows updates. If you are also facing the same problem, we are here to help you fix Windows 10 error 0X80073CF3 that occurs in the Microsoft Store.
How to Fix Windows Store Error Code 0x80073CF3 on Windows 10
There is no single significant reason causing the Microsoft Store error 0x80073CF3. The full error message looks like this:
Wait a few minutes and try again.
Update failed
Code: 0x80073CF3
There are several scenarios that cause this error code, but you need to analyze the most likely cause that contributes to this error on your Windows 10 PC.
- The network connection is unstable.
- Corrupted Microsoft Store cache.
- Outdated Windows operating system.
- Temporary files are corrupted.
- Wrong date and time settings.
- There is not enough disk space to install new applications and programs.
- Corrupted application/program.
- The antivirus/firewall is blocking the installation of the application.
- Temporary glitches related to the user profile.
- Corrupted registry keys.
Now move on to the next section to resolve the error in question. Once you have identified the exact cause that is causing the Microsoft error 0x80073CF3 on your device, you can easily find a troubleshooting method to fix the same. Otherwise, try all of the methods below to resolve the error code.
Method 1: Make sure your network connection is correct
You cannot install or download any application or program on your device if you do not have a sufficient internet connection. Read our guide to troubleshoot network connection issues in Windows 10 to fix network issues. This includes restarting the router/modem, resetting TCP/IP, and changing network adapter settings.
After fixing network issues, check if you are facing the same error again.
Method 2: Restart your computer and router
If your PC experiences any temporary glitches, you will encounter Microsoft Store error 0X80073CF3. A common trick to fix all temporary glitches is to restart your computer. You can restart your computer by doing the following.
1. Press and hold the Windows + D keys to go to the desktop.
2. Now press the Alt + F4 keys at the same time.
3. Then select the Restart option from the drop-down menu and press Enter.
If restarting your Windows 10 PC doesn't help, there is another simple workaround that can help fix error 0x80073CF3 in a few easy steps. You can establish a new connection by restarting your internet router or modem. You can restart your router by following our guide to restarting your router or modem. After restarting your router, check if you can connect to the Microsoft Store without any errors.
Method 3: Sign in again
Errors in the Microsoft account sign-in process can contribute to Microsoft error 0x80073CF3 Windows 10. Therefore, if you encounter an error and do not know the reasons, you need to sign out of your account and sign in again. Here are some instructions on how to do this.
1. Press the Windows key and type Microsoft Store, then click Open.
2. Now click Open. Then click on your profile icon and then on the "Log out" option.
3. Now click "Login" as shown in the picture.
4. Now select your Microsoft account and click the Continue button.
5. Enter your login credentials and sign in to your Microsoft account again.
Method 4: Restart Microsoft Store processes
If there are no signs of errors, it is possible that some corrupted Microsoft processes are causing error 0X80073CF3 Microsoft Store. Sign out of all Microsoft Store processes as indicated below.
1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys at the same time to open the Task Manager.
2. Now on the Processes tab, click Microsoft Store and then the End Task button as shown in the picture.
3. Restart the Microsoft Store and check if Microsoft Store error code 0x80073CF3 is resolved.
Method 5: Exit incompatible background processes
Some incompatible programs and applications running in the background can interfere with the download process from the Microsoft Store, resulting in error code 0x80073CF3. You are advised to close all background processes as outlined in our How to end a task in Windows 10 guide.
In addition to closing all background processes, try disabling all startup processes on your Windows 10 PC by following our guide 4 Ways to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10.
Method 6: Synchronize date and time settings
To install any game or app from the Microsoft Store, your computer must sync the date and time with the global settings. Here are some instructions to sync date, region and time data on your PC to fix 0X80073CF3 Windows 10.
1. Press and hold Windows Key + I to open Windows Settings.
2. Now select the Time and Language option as shown in the picture.
3. Then, on the Date and Time tab, make sure that the two options "Set time automatically" and "Set time zone automatically" are enabled.
4. Then click "Sync now" as above.
Method 7: Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
Your Windows 10 PC has a built-in troubleshooter to fix any problems in the Microsoft Store. Follow the steps below to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
1. Press the Windows key, type "Troubleshooting Options" and click "Open".
2. Select "Windows Store Apps" and click "Run the troubleshooter".
3. If any problems are identified during the troubleshooting process, click Apply this fix.
4. Finally, follow the instructions listed in the following prompts and restart your computer.
Method 8: Delete the Windows Store Cache
A corrupted cache and corrupted data in the Microsoft Store will contribute to the 0X80073CF3 Microsoft Store error. Follow the instructions below to delete the Windows Store cache.
1. Launch the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R keys at the same time.
2. Now type wsreset.exe and press the Enter key to reset the Windows Store cache.
Make sure you fix Microsoft Store error code 0x80073CF3.
Method 9: Restart Essential Windows Services
Some important Windows services such as Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Services must be enabled on your computer to avoid Windows 10 update error 0x80073CF3. If these services are disabled on your system, you are most likely to encounter the error discussed. Hence, restart the core Windows services as mentioned below.
1. Press the Windows key, type "Services" and click "Run as administrator".
2. Now scroll down and double click Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
3. Now set Startup Type to Automatic as shown in the figure.
Note. If the status of the service is "Stopped", click the "Start" button. If the status of the service is "Running", click "Stop" and "Start" again.
4. Click "Apply" and "OK" to save the changes.
5. Repeat all these steps for other Windows Services such as Cryptographic, Network Location Awareness, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services.
Method 10: Delete temporary files
If you don't have enough space on your Windows 10 PC, you can't add or install new apps or programs. Firstly, check if there is enough space on your disk, and if there is not enough space, delete all temporary files as mentioned below.
Step I: Check Disk Space
To check the disk space on a Windows 10 PC, follow these steps.
1. Press the Windows + E keys at the same time to open File Explorer.
2. Now click "This PC" on the left screen.
3. Check the free disk space in the "Devices and Drivers" section, as shown in the figure. If they are red, consider clearing temporary files.
Step II: Clean up temporary files
To install any new apps from the Microsoft Store and avoid Microsoft Store error 0X80073CF3, you must free up space on your computer. Here is our 10 Ways to Free Up Hard Drive Space in Windows guide to help you clean up all the junk files on your computer. Do the same to fix Microsoft error code.
Method 11: Install app updates
To fix Microsoft error 0x80073CF3, make sure all apps in your Microsoft Store library are updated to the latest version. Follow the steps below to install Microsoft Store app updates.
1. Press the Windows key, type Microsoft Store and click Open.
2. Then click the Library option in the lower left corner of the Microsoft Store window.
3. Then click the "Get Updates" button as shown in the picture.
4. Now click the Update All button as highlighted.
5. Wait for the updates to download to your Windows 10 PC and make sure you get a notification to update your apps and games.
Check if you fixed Microsoft Store error 0X80073CF3.
Method 12: Update Windows
If your Windows 10 PC has any bugs, bugs, and patch issues, you won't be able to install new apps and games. This issue can be resolved by installing a Windows update. First, check if you are running an updated version of the OS or if there is an update pending, follow the instructions in our guide How to download and install the latest Windows 10 update.
After updating the version of the Windows operating system, check if you have fixed the Microsoft error 0x80073CF3.
Method 13Disable Proxy and VPN
Proxy servers and VPN services hide your identity on the Internet, but if the settings are not compatible with your computer, you will run into a few errors. One such issue is 0X80073CF3 Windows 10. To disable proxy and VPN services, follow our guide How to disable VPN and proxy on Windows 10 and follow the steps in the article.
After disabling the VPN client and proxy servers, check if you have a fixed error code. Again, if the error code annoys you, connect to a mobile hotspot and see if it repeats itself.
Method 14: Use Google's DNS Address
Many users have suggested that using Google's DNS addresses will eliminate any conflicts that occur when installing games and apps from the Microsoft Store. If you encounter Microsoft error code 0x80073CF3, follow our guide on how to change your DNS settings in Windows 10.
After switching to the Google DNS address, check if you can install new apps from the Microsoft Store.
Method 15: Temporarily disable your antivirus (if applicable)
Sometimes, if you try to install any unusual apps or games from the Microsoft Store, the antivirus package on your computer identifies them as a threat and prevents the app from installing. So, wisely disable any third-party antivirus program or built-in security suite on your PC by following the steps in our How To Temporarily Disable Antivirus in Windows 10 guide.
Once you have installed the required app on your device, make sure you enable the security package again to prevent any malicious attacks.
Method 16: Disable Windows Firewall (Not Recommended)
Similar to an antivirus program, the Windows Defender Firewall on your computer can prevent any app from downloading through the Microsoft Store. So, in this case, you need to reduce the severity of the security suite by whitelisting a few features or by completely disabling the Windows Defender Firewall, as outlined in our How To Disable the Windows 10 Firewall guide.
After installing the application, make sure you enable the firewall package again and continue using your computer.
Method 17: Use the Windows Registry Editor
Although working with registry keys is not safe, deleting some corrupted registry keys can help you fix error code 0X80073CF3. Here are some instructions on setting up the Windows Registry Editor to fix the error in question.
1. Press the Windows key and type "Registry Editor", then click "Run as administrator".
2. Now copy and paste the following paths into the navigation path of the registry editor.
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesGamingServicesComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesGamingServicesNet
3. In the right pane, right-click each folder and select Delete.
4. Finally, restart your computer and check if you have fixed the problem in question.
Method 18: Re-register the Microsoft Store
If resetting the Microsoft Store doesn't resolve Microsoft Store error 0X80073CF3, re-registering the Windows Store may help. Follow the instructions below.
1. Press the Windows key, type Windows PowerShell and click Run as administrator.
3. Now type the following command in Windows PowerShell and press the Enter key.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + 'AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}
4. Wait for the commands to complete and now you will no longer encounter the error in question.
Method 19: Reinstall the Microsoft Store
If none of the above methods helped you fix code 0x80073CF3, the last option to fix the problem is to reinstall the Microsoft Store. This removal process cannot be implemented using the control panel or the setup procedure. The PowerShell commands will help you reinstall the Microsoft Store as described below.
1. Run Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Now type get-appxpackage –allusers command and press the Enter key.
3. Now find Microsoft.WindowsStore Name and copy the PackageFullName entry.
4. Now go to a new line in the PowerShell window and type remove-appxpackage followed by a space followed by the line you copied in the previous step. It looks like,
remove-appxpackage Microsoft.WindowsStore_22202.1402.2.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
Note. The command may differ slightly depending on the version of Windows you are using.
5. The Microsoft Store will now be removed from your PC. Restart your Windows 10 PC.
6. Then, to reinstall it, open Windows PowerShell as an administrator again and type the following command.
Add-AppxPackage -register "C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.WindowsStore_11804.1001.8.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbweAppxManifest.xml" –DisableDevelopmentMode
7. Finally, the Microsoft Store will be reinstalled on your PC and you will not see the Microsoft Store code 0x80073CF3.
Method 20: Create a new user profile
Some users have reported creating a new user profile with Windows 10 error 0X80073CF3 fixed. You can create a new user profile by following the steps in our How to Create a Local User Account in Windows 10 guide.
After creating a new user profile, check if you have fixed the error in question.
Method 21: Perform a System Restore
However, if you are struggling with Microsoft error 0x80073CF3, try restoring your computer to a previous version that worked well. You can easily implement the same by following our How to Use System Restore in Windows 10 guide. So, in this case, the system restore point you have already created will be very helpful in fixing the error in question.
Method 22: Restart your computer
If you find no issues with the Microsoft Store but are still facing the Microsoft Store error Microsoft Error 0x80073CF3, we recommend that you restart your computer. To solve the problem in question, follow the instructions in our guide How to reset Windows 10 without losing data.
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We hope the guide was helpful and that you were able to fix Microsoft error 0x80073CF3. Keep visiting our page for more helpful tips and tricks and leave your comments below. Let us know what you want to know next.