Microsoft Store on Windows 11 works like a charm, however, it may at times trigger some error codes out of nowhere. There is one such download error code 0xc03f40c8 that primarily occurs when you are downloading or updating apps from it. If you are encountering this problem and are looking for ways to fix it, go through the suggestions provided in this post and apply them.
By default, this error prevents users from downloading any new apps or updating the existing ones on the Store app. When this problem occurs, you may receive an error message as well that reads the following –
Something went wrong, your Purchase couldn’t be completed. Error code: 0xc03f40c8
What causes Error 0xc03f40c8 on Microsoft Store?
By default, this error could be a result of one or a combination of the following issues –
- Network Issue: Make sure to check if you are connected to a stable network. As otherwise, you won’t be able to download or update applications on it.
- Installed a buggy app: If you have installed an application from some third-party sites and are now trying to update that, you better uninstall that app and reinstall it from Microsoft Store.
- Third-party Apps interactions: If you do run some third-party apps, including antivirus, make that stop for once. There is a possibility that the system files or folders have been corrupted due to their constant interactions. Perform SFC/DIMS scans and check if the problem resolves this way.
Microsoft Store Error 0xc03f40c8 Solutions
Now that you know what could have caused this error on your PC, go ahead and follow these solutions. Just make sure to apply these fixes in the same order as they were put in –
1] Use Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
In-built troubleshooters are there on Windows OS since the beginning, but they really start resolving internal issues starting with Windows 10. So, if you are on Windows 10 and higher version and are getting this error 0xc03f40c8, do troubleshoot Windows Store Apps by following these easy steps –
Windows 11:
- Press Win + I and select System.
- Click Troubleshoot on the right pane and when it expands, hit Other troubleshooters.
- Scroll down to the bottom and hit Run available beside Windows Store Apps.
- Wait for the troubleshooting window to launch and when it does, hit Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows 10:
- Click on the Start menu and select the gear icon (Settings).
- In the Settings app, select the Update & Security category.
- Click the Troubleshoot tab and then select the Additional troubleshooters.
- Now scroll down to the bottom and select Windows Store Apps.
- Click on Run the troubleshooter and then wait for a while.
- Select the Apply this fix option.
Do restart your PC after troubleshooting Windows Store Apps. I hope the error 0xc03f40c8 resolves following this fix only. If not, follow the next set of solutions outlined below –
2] Run System File Checker and DISM scans
The presence of corrupt system files or folders may also trigger an error 0xc03f40c8 on Windows 11/10. The question arises, what possibly could have caused the corruption inside system files or folders? Well, this must be due to some third-party apps like antivirus running on your PC.
Disable any third-party app including external antivirus and repair corrupt files using SFC. Here’s how to proceed with this tool –
Windows 11:
- Press Win + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
- By default, this will load into Windows PowerShell.
- Press “Ctrl + Shift + 2” together to enter the CMD screen.
- Type the following and press Enter to initiate checking system files and folders –
sfc /scannow
- After it runs successfully, run this code on the same console –
Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- Both SFC and DISM will take 10-15 minutes to find and repair corruptions within core files or the System Image.
- Once it is over, reboot your PC and check if the problem 0xc03f40c8 resolves this way.
Windows 10:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- On the elevated console, type the following, and press Enter –
sfc /scannow
- Wait for this command to run successfully. Once this is over ( in about 10-15 minutes), check for any corruption inside the System Image and repair that using DISM.
For this, you need to copy/paste the below command and press Enter again.
Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- The first command will scan for your device’s health while the latter one will repair it (in case some files are found corrupt or outdated).
-
The scanning/repairing process will start automatically, wait until it finishes up.
Restart your system and check if you’re now able to open the Store app and download/upgrade different applications on it.
3] Check for Date & Time Settings
Some applications like Windows Store regularly check the system for certificates. During the checking procedure, if it finds the system Date & Time Settings incorrect, it counts the certificates as outdated and displays this error code. Therefore, we suggest you check for Date & Time settings, and if you find it wrong, correct it using the following instructions –
- Open the Settings app using the Windows+I keys.
- Go to Time & Language > Date & time.
- Turn off Set time automatically, click on the Change button, and set the accurate date and time zone.
- Click the Change button to save it.
After changing the date and time, check if it solves the error code.
4] Delete the stored cache on Microsoft Store
If you haven’t purged the stored cache on Microsoft Store for a long time, this may result in an error code 0xc03f40c8 and prevent you from installing new apps. So, clear the temporary as well as non-essential files that lie dormant inside your Store folder. To do so, follow these easy steps –
- Launch File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
- When it does open, navigate to the below path –
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
- The Username will vary on your computer, so do take care of that.
- Once you reach the LocalCache folder, press Ctrl + A to select all files and hit Shift + Delete to permanently delete the selected files.
- That’s it, restart your PC next and check if the error 0xc03f40c8 resolves on your Windows PC.
5] Reset Microsoft Store using WSReset
WSReset is an excellent tool on Windows that you may run to reset Microsoft Store by bringing it back to its default settings. Do note that when you run this code, all your saved data will be lost forever. So, if you are concerned about your data, try the below method first. Else, do the following –
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the below command in the elevated command prompt and press Enter –
wsreset.exe
- After running the above command, restart your Windows and see if it fixed the problem.
6] Reset the Store app
Another workaround you can use to solve this error 0xc03f40c8 is by resetting the Microsoft Store app itself. To do so, follow the below guideline –
Windows 11:
- Press Win + X, and choose the option – Apps and Features.
- On the next screen, scroll down to Microsoft Store.
- Click the three dots available next to it and choose Advanced options.
- Scroll down to the Reset section and hit Repair first. Selecting this option will keep your data intact. Only when this fails to solve error 0xc03f40c8, go for the Reset button.
Windows 10:
- Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
- Select Apps > Apps & features.
- Scroll down and select the Microsoft Store app.
- Then click on the Advanced options link.
- Go to the Reset section and click on the Reset button.
7] Re-Register Windows Store Apps
If none of the above workarounds help to resolve this error code, the problem must lie within the Store app itself. The only remedy to this is by uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Store. However, as there is no direct way to perform this task, you should open PowerShell as administrator and execute the below command –
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Again, if you are getting an error 0xc03f40c8 on Windows 11, press Win + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin). When this terminal launches, run the above command on it.
As soon as it completes running the provided code, your Store app will launch next. Attempt installing the apps that were failing on some error code and see if this error 0xc03f40c8 resolves on your Windows PC.
