How to get rid of Windows Store error 0x80072f05?

When using the Windows Store (also known as the Microsoft Store), do you get the “0x80072F05 – The server stumbled” error message? This error can be rather unnerving as it prevents you from installing or updating Store apps.

The Error 0x80072f05 can also pop up in other Windows apps, such as Mail or Outlook. Users who encountered the error reported that they could not receive new emails. Fortunately, in such cases, the issue can be easily resolved by changing the date and time settings on the device.

If you cannot get rid of the ‘The server stumbled’ error in the Windows Store, keep reading this guide as it will show you how to go about it.

What Does It Mean If the Server Is Stumbled?

This problem usually occurs when the Microsoft Store cannot connect to the server. It could also be due to issues with the Store’s cache, invalid registry entries, outdated/corrupt drivers, or corrupt or missing system files.

Whatever the reason may be, you can easily fix the ‘Error 0x80072f05 – The server stumbled’ issue by trying the fixes listed below.

How to Fix Microsoft Store Error 0x80072f05

The first thing you have to do when you encounter the ‘The server stumbled’ error message is to make sure that your internet connection is strong enough. Then close the Store and give it some time. You might be experiencing the issue because the Microsoft Store’s servers are overloaded.

If the issue continues after you re-launch the Store, then try restarting your system. To do this, go to the Start menu, click the Power icon, and then select Restart. Afterward, see if the error has been resolved.

Next, go to the Settings app and install the latest Windows updates. Here’s how to do that:

1. Hold the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press I.
2. Click on Update & Security from the menu.
3. Now, click on Windows Update. It is displayed in the left pane of the page.
4. On the right-hand side of the page, click the ‘Check for updates’ button. Windows will automatically download and install updates if any are found.
5. After your PC restarts, try accessing the Store and see if the update has fixed the error.

If none of the above solutions work, then it’s time to nip the issue in the bud by attempting the various fixes presented below.

How to Remove ‘The Server Stumbled’ Error Message:

1. Set the correct date and time on your computer
2. Run the Microsoft Store Apps troubleshooter
3. Clear the Microsoft Store cache
4. Reset the Microsoft Store
5. Turn off proxy settings
6. Re-register your Store apps
7. Update your network adapter drivers
8. Check your antivirus
9. Check if the necessary services are running

• Change your DNS
• Change your internet options
• Manually delete the Microsoft Store cache
• Reinstall the Store app
• Create a new user account

Without further ado, let’s get to it. You will be able to use the Store and its associated apps again in no time.

Fix 1: Set the Correct Date and Time on Your Computer

If your date and time settings are not accurate, you will run into issues while trying to use the Windows Store. This is so because the Store and other applications need to check your system’s certificates. So if your system date and time are incorrect, the certificates are considered to be invalid. Therefore, you have to check and make sure your settings are correct. This is a simple fix that can save you lots of time and effort.

Here’s what to do:

1. Click on the date and time displayed in the left corner of your taskbar. Then click on the ‘Change date and time settings’ link.

Alternatively, you can type ‘Date and time’ in the Start menu search bar and click on ‘Date and Time Settings’ from the search results.

2. Check your time zone and make sure it is right. Then click the ‘Sync now’ button. Your system clock will be synchronized with the exact time on the Windows server. Make sure that your internet connection is on.

After you’ve set your date and time, try using the Microsoft Store again and see if the error has been removed.

Fix 2: Run the Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter

The Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that finds and fixes problems that prevent the Store and apps installed from the Store from functioning properly. Running it will help resolve the error you are currently dealing with. Follow the steps below:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (displayed as the cogwheel). Or you can use the keyboard combination as follows to open the Settings app: hold the Windows logo key and then press I.
2. Locate Update & Security and click on it.
3. Click on Troubleshoot in the left pane of the new page.
4. Now, on the right-hand side of the window, locate ‘Windows Store apps’ and run the troubleshooter.
5. Restart your computer once the process is complete.

After you have finished running the troubleshooter, open the Store app again and see if the error has been resolved. If it persists, don’t worry, there are still other fixes left to try.

Fix 3: Clear the Microsoft Store Cache

While the cache files are helpful, they can become cluttered or faulty over time and thus prevent the Microsoft Store from functioning properly. Therefore, clearing the cache is an effective solution to the Error 0x80072f05. Here’s how to get it done:

1. Go to the search bar in the Start menu and type ‘WSReset.’ Right-click on the option once it appears in the results and click on ‘Run as administrator.’
2. A command prompt window will come up briefly, indicating that the Store’s cache is being cleared. The Windows Store will then open, and you’ll get a message that says, ‘The cache for the Store was cleared.’

You can now navigate the Store and try installing or updating an app. See if the problem has been taken care of.

Fix 4: Reset the Microsoft Store

Resetting the Store app not only clears the cache. It is more far-reaching than the WS Reset option we used previously. It clears all your settings, preferences, login details, and other data. However, a reset will not remove the apps you installed from the Store.

Follow these steps to perform the reset:

1. Hold the Windows logo key and press I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Click on Apps & Features in the left pane.
4. Locate ‘Store’ in the list on the right-hand side of the page and click on it.
5. Click the Advanced options link and then click the Reset button.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset again when you receive a message that says you will lose data in this app.
7. Restart your computer and then try using the Microsoft Store. The error should be resolved.

Fix 5: Turn off Proxy Settings

Using a proxy server allows you to protect your online privacy. However, it may be interfering with your internet connection and causing the ‘Server stumbled’ error when you use the Windows Store. Therefore, try disabling the proxy on your device to get rid of the error message. Follow the easy steps below to get that done:

1. Go to the Settings app. You can open it from the Start menu or by pressing the Windows logo key + I keyboard combination.
2. Click on Network & Internet in the Settings window.
3. Click on ‘Proxy’ in the left pane of the new page.
4. On the right-hand side of the page, under ‘Manual proxy setup,’ click the toggle to turn off ‘Use a proxy server.’ You could also turn off ‘Use setup script’ and ‘Automatically detect settings.’
5. Restart your computer.

After you’ve disabled your proxy, check whether the Store error has been successfully resolved. If this solves your problem, try using a VPN instead of a proxy to protect your online privacy. It’s an alternative that might not interfere with your Microsoft Store apps or the Microsoft Store itself. But if it does interfere, then uninstall or disable your VPN program.

Fix 6: Re-Register Your Store Apps

You can fix various Microsoft Store issues by re-registering the app. This is one way of resetting it. Re-registering also fixes other apps that come pre-installed in Windows. You will have to open an elevated PowerShell window. Follow the steps below to get it done:

1. Click on the Windows button in the bottom-left corner of your screen or press the Windows logo key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
2. Type ‘PowerShell’ in the search bar. Right-click on it from the search results and select ‘Run as administrator.’

You can also open PowerShell (Admin) from the Power User menu (the WinX menu). To do so, right-click on the Windows button on your screen or press the Windows logo key + X combination on your keyboard. Then select PowerShell (Admin) from the menu.

3. Confirm the UAC (User Account Control) prompt by clicking the Yes button.
4. Now, type or copy and paste the following line into the window and press Enter to run it:

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

5. After your computer restarts, the Store will work fine again.

Fix 7: Update Your Network Adapter Drivers

Updating your device drivers is a good way to avoid or fix various issues you might encounter on your PC, including ‘Windows Store Error 0x80072f05 – The server stumbled.’

In this particular scenario, you have to update your network adapter drivers. You can do this via Device Manager or by visiting the website of your PC manufacturer, for example, HP.

To perform the update using Device Manager, here’s what you have to do:

1. Go to the Start menu and type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar. Then click on the option from the search results.

Alternatively, you can open Device Manager from the WinX menu. Right-click on the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen or press the Windows logo key + X combo on your keyboard. Select Device Manager from the menu.

2. Once the Device Manager window opens, locate ‘Network adapters’ and expand it by double-clicking on it or clicking the arrow on the left side.
3. Now, right-click on your network adapter (for example, Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (2) I219-V) and right-click on it. Then select ‘Update driver software’ from the context menu.
4. Turn on your internet connection and then click on the ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ option. The system will search the internet and your computer for the driver update and then installs it automatically.
5. Reboot your computer and then try using the Store again. See if the issue has been handled.

There is a user-friendly tool that can help you to automatically update your driver software. This is especially useful in preventing certain issues, such as the Windows Store Error 0x80072f05, from cropping up unexpectedly on your PC. Auslogics Driver Updater has been tried and tested by industry experts and is trusted by millions of users. The tool scans for missing, corrupt, outdated, and incorrect driver software on your PC. It then automatically downloads and installs the latest versions that meet the specifications of your device and are recommended by the manufacturer of your computer. Driver Updater also creates backups of your current driver software before performing an update. This is so that you can roll back to them whenever needed. The tool allows you to kick back and relax as it handles driver issues on your PC.

Fix 8: Check Your Antivirus

If you are using a third-party antivirus program, it could be interfering with your network connection, leading to the ‘Server stumbled’ error.

Since having a reliable security program is recommended to keep your PC safe from various threats, you wouldn’t want to disable your third-party antivirus program. Therefore, what you have to do is check its settings and modify any option that may be interfering with your connection. For instance, if you are using Avast, go to the firewall settings and enable Internet Sharing Mode. Users reported that this was how they resolved the Microsoft Store error.

If you are unable to modify the relevant settings in your antivirus program, we suggest you uninstall the program and use Windows Defender instead. It is the security tool that comes with your Windows OS and provides basic protection.

However, if you need greater protection, you can switch to Auslogics Anti-Malware. Auslogics is a certified Microsoft Silver Application Developer. This means that its products have been approved by security experts. You can run Anti-Malware on your PC regardless of whether you already have another antivirus program. The tool is designed not to conflict with your existing antivirus, and it does not interfere with the proper functioning of apps on your PC. It can also find and remove hidden threats that your main antivirus program may fail to detect.

Fix 9: Check If the Necessary Services Are Running

Certain services are needed for the Microsoft Store and related apps to function properly. If one or more services are not running, then the Store will display the Error 0x80072105.

Therefore, here’s what you have to do to get the Windows Store working again:

1. Open the Run dialog. To do this, go to the Start Menu and type ‘Run’ in the search box and then click on the name in the search results. You could also use the right keyboard combination, which is the Windows logo key + R key.
2. Type ‘msc’ in the Run box and click the OK button or press Enter.
3. You will be presented with a list of services in the window that opens. Scroll to Windows Update and double-click on it to access its properties.
4. Under the ‘General’ tab, go to ‘Startup type’ and expand the drop-down menu. Select ‘Automatic’ or ‘Automatic (Delayed Start)’.
5. Click the ‘Start’ button under ‘Service status.’
6. Click the Apply button > OK to save the changes.
7. Once the ‘Windows Update Properties’ box closes, locate the ‘Security Center’ service and repeat the above steps to activate it (i.e. select ‘Automatic’ for its Startup type and then start the service by clicking the Start button. Once done, click the Apply button and then click OK).
8. Now, locate the ‘Network Location Awareness’ service. Choose ‘Automatic’ in the Startup type drop-down and then click the ‘Start’ button. Save your changes.
9. Restart the system.

After you’ve turned on the above two services, try using the Windows Store again and see if the ‘stumbled server’ error message will still appear. This solution did the trick for several users.

Fix 10: Change Your DNS

Your DNS could be the reason why you are dealing with the Store error. Try switching to Google DNS and see if that helps. Follow the steps below to get it done:

1. Right-click on the Network icon in the right corner of your taskbar. Select your network from the list.
2. Click the ‘Change adapter options’ link under ‘Related Settings.’
3. Your available networks will be displayed on the page that opens. Right-click on the current network you are using and select Properties.
4. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)in the ‘This connection uses the following items’ list.
5. Click the Properties button.
6. Select the option that says ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’and type ‘8.8.8’ in the ‘Preferred DNS server’ box. Type ‘8.8.4.4’ as the Alternate DNS server.
7. Click the OK button for the changes to take effect.

You might notice that your internet connection is slower when you switch to Google DNS. But this solution will help get rid of the ‘The server stumbled’ error message.

Fix 11: Change Your Internet Options

The reason you are having issues with the Windows Store and related apps could be that your computer’s internet options are interfering with your network connection. Modifying the settings will help resolve the issue. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Go to the search bar in the Start menu and type ‘Internet options.’ Click on it when it appears in the search results.
2. In the Internet Properties box that opens, switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
3. Scroll down to the following options: ‘Use TLS 1.0’, ‘Use TLS 1.1’, and ‘Use TLS 1.2’. They are supposed to be enabled by default. If they are not, tick their related checkboxes and then click Apply and OK to save your modifications.
4. Restart your computer.

After you’ve done the above procedure, try using the Microsoft Store again. The error will have been resolved.

Fix 12: Manually Delete the Microsoft Store Cache

The Local cache in your Windows Store directory could be faulty, and that may be the reason why the Store is misbehaving. You can fix it by manually deleting the cache. Here’s how:

1. Open the Run dialog using the following keyboard combination: Windows logo + R.
2. Type ‘%localappdata%’ (don’t type the inverted commas) and click OK or press Enter.
3. Double-click on the Packages folder and open Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
4. Open the LocalCache folder and delete all the files contained in it. Just click in the window and press Ctrl + A to highlight the contents, then press Delete. Confirm the action when prompted.
5. Restart your computer.

Afterward, try opening the Microsoft Store again and see if the error message will still show up when you try to install an app.

Fix 13: Reinstall the Store App

Another way of dealing with Microsoft Store issues is to reinstall the app. However, this cannot be done using the usual methods of uninstalling third-party apps on your computer, such as going through the Control Panel or the Apps and Features section of your Windows Settings app. You will have to run a command in PowerShell (Admin).

Follow the easy steps below to reinstall the Microsoft Store app:

1. Open the Start menu and type ‘PowerShell’ in the search box.
2. Right-click on PowerShell when it appears in the search results and then click on ‘Run as administrator.’
3. Proceed by clicking the ‘Yes’ button on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
4. Once the PowerShell (Admin) window opens, type the following and then press Enter:

get-appxpackage -allusers

5. You will be presented with quite a long list. In it, locate ‘Microsoft.WindowsStore.’ Go to its ‘PackageFullName’ line and copy the information (for example, Microsoft.WindowsStore_11712.1001.16.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe).
6. Now, scroll down to the bottom of the window where the blinking cursor is and type the following (don’t press Enter just yet):

remove-appxpackage

7. Hit your spacebar and then paste the ‘PackageFullName’ line you copied in Step 5. Then press Enter. The command will remove the Windows Store app from your computer.
8. Close the PowerShell window and restart your computer.
9. Open PowerShell (Admin) again.

• Copy and paste the following line into the window and press Enter to get the Windows Store reinstalled:

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

• Close the window and open the Store app. See if you can now use it without the error message appearing again.

Fix 14: Create a New User Account

Maybe the fault lies with your Windows OS user account. Try logging in with another account and see if that works.

Keep in mind that you need a Microsoft account to use the Windows Store. You cannot install apps if you log into Windows with a local user account. Therefore, if you only have one Microsoft account, visit Microsoft’s website and create another account. Then follow the steps below to use it to sign in to Windows.

1. Open the Settings app from the Start menu or use the corresponding keyboard combination, which is holding the Windows logo key and pressing I.
2. Click on Accounts in the menu and select ‘Family & Other Users’ in the left pane.
3. Click the ‘Add someone else to this PC’ option on the right-hand side of the page.
4. Enter the details of your second Microsoft account and then follow the instructions to create a new Windows user account.

Afterward, you’ll have to use the new account you created to log in to Windows:

1. Go to the Start menu (click the Windows logo at the bottom of your screen or press it on your keyboard).
2. Click the User icon and select the new account.
3. Type in the password and press Enter to log in.

You can now open the Store and see if the ‘Error 0x80072f05 – the server is stumbled’ message will no longer appear.

The fixes presented above are guaranteed to help you get past this Windows Store error. By the time you’ve tried a few of them, you can go back to using the Store and its apps without further trouble.

Reach out to us in the comments section below and let us know the solutions that worked for you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to share them. We will be glad to hear from you. You can also check out other articles on our page to learn more about Windows Store errors.

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