Wondering how to fix Microsoft Store error 0x800704cf on your PC?
Microsoft Store is a great place to download your favorite apps, games, movies, and even TV shows. It does not just make downloading new apps easier, but safer as well. However, like every other app, the Microsoft Store app is prone to errors.
One such frustrating error is the Microsoft Store error 0x800704cf. This is a network issue as the error code states that ‘You’ll need the internet for this.’ The error 0x800704cf occurs when the Microsoft Store is unable to connect with the servers.
If you are facing this error on your PC, you’re in the right place.
This guide will walk you through the process of fixing the 0x800704cf error in detail.
Let’s get started.
- 1. Run Network Troubleshooter.
- 2. Scan Your Computer for Viruses.
- 3. Sign in with a Microsoft account.
- 4. Re-register Microsoft Store.
- 5. Reset Your Proxy Settings.
- 6. Change the Adapter Settings.
- 7. Reset TCP/IP stack.
- 8. Change DNS Settings.
- 9. Reset the Microsoft Store App.
1. Run Network Troubleshooter.
Every operating system is prone to errors, and Windows is no exception. It is common for Windows users to experience issues while using the installed programs on their devices.
Luckily, Windows comes with several handy tools that can help you control your system better. One such tool is the built-in troubleshooter that scans the faulty applications for errors, identifies the issues, and attempts to fix them.
If you have been facing the Microsoft Store error 0x800704cf on your PC, the first thing you should do is run the network troubleshooter. Since the error is caused when the Microsoft Store cannot establish a connection to the web, a network troubleshooter can identify the issue and fix the error.
Here is how you can run the network troubleshooter:
- Locate the Wi-Fi icon on the Taskbar and right-click on the icon.
- Select Troubleshoot problems and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the 0x800704cf error.
That’s it. If a network corruption error were causing the issue, the troubleshooter would fix it. You can also run the Microsoft Store Apps troubleshooter after the network troubleshooter to increase your chances of solving the error.
2. Scan Your Computer for Viruses.
Malware and viruses can wreak havoc on your PC and its network. They can affect your daily operations and cause several issues within the applications. If you have been facing the 0x800704cf error on your PC, the chances are that viruses and malicious programs are causing it. In this case, we encourage you to kill the viruses using antivirus software.
For this, you are required to enter the operating system in ‘Safe Mode with Networking.’
Here is how you can do it:
- Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard simultaneously to open a Run dialogue box.
- Type ‘msconfig’ in the text box and press Enter to launch the System Configuration window.
- In the System Configuration window, locate the Boot tab at the top of the window and click it.
- Now checkmark the Safe Boot checkbox.
- Locate Network from the list of options available under the Safe Boot option and checkmark Network.
- Click on OK.
- In the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to reboot your PC in Safe Mode.
Doing so will remove the error from your PC without damaging your system’s components. Once your PC enters the ‘Safe Mode,’ you can use any anti-virus software such as Malwarebytes to remove the virus.
3. Sign in with a Microsoft account.
If you are using your local account on your PC instead of a Microsoft account, your local account might be causing the issue.
A local account allows the users to use the operating in the old fashioned way. You can access the Windows Store, but a local account will not allow you to download apps on it if you use Windows 10 Home.
In this case, you need to sign in with your Microsoft account to use the Microsoft Store.
Here is how you can do it:
- Type Settings in the search bar and click on Open to launch the Settings window.
- Select Accounts and click Your Info on the left panel.
- Next, click the Login to your Microsoft account option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Once done, go back to Your Info window and choose the Verify option to verify your Microsoft account.
- Once you have signed in using your Microsoft account, open the Microsoft Store and check if doing so resolved the error.
Hopefully, signing in with your Microsoft account will allow you to use the Microsoft Store without any issues.
4. Re-register Microsoft Store.
Re-registering is another method of resetting the application. By doing so, the app will be reverted to its initial state, which resolves the application’s corruption errors. However, re-registering does not remove the app’s data from your device.
Here is how you can re-register the Microsoft Store on your PC:
- Press both the Windows + X keys simultaneously and click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). This will launch PowerShell with administrative privileges.
- Copy and paste the command mentioned below in the Powershell window. Press Enter to execute it.
Get-AppXPackage WindowsStore -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
- Once the process is complete, restart your PC and check if re-registering the Microsoft Store solved the 0x800704cf error.
You should now be able to use the Microsoft Store without any errors. However, if your screen still displays the 0x800704cf error, proceed to the next method below.
5. Reset Your Proxy Settings.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between end-users and the web pages. It adds an additional security layer between your server and outside traffic.
However, sometimes a malicious program can change the proxy settings in your PC. This change in settings will prevent you from using specific Windows applications. As a result, your screen will display the 0x800704cf error.
To work around this problem, try resetting your proxy settings. Doing so will reset the proxy settings to their initial state.
Follow the steps mentioned below to reset your proxy settings:
- First of all, type Command Prompt in the search bar and click on Run as administrator. Doing so will launch an elevated Command Prompt window.
- Copy the command mentioned below and paste it in the Command Prompt. Press Enter to execute it.
netsh winhttp reset proxy
- Once the system has reset the proxy settings, restart your PC and see if the error is resolved.
If your proxy server was causing the 0x800704cf error, resetting its settings will solve the error. If resetting the proxy settings did not solve your PC’s issues, you can also try disabling the proxy server.
6. Change the Adapter Settings.
A Network Adapter allows your PC to establish connections with servers and other computers. It enables your device to transmit and receive data on a local network. If your screen is displaying the 0x800704cf error stating ‘You’ll need the internet for this,’ you must change the adapter settings. There is a chance that the Network Adapter is causing connection problems.
Follow the steps mentioned below to change the adapter settings:
- Type Settings in the search bar and click on Open to launch the Settings window.
- Select the Network and Internet option and select Status from the left panel.
- Click on Change adapter options.
- Now right-click on either Ethernet or Wi-Fi in the Network Connections window.
- Select Properties and untick the checkbox against the Client for Microsoft Network.
- Click OK to confirm the changes.
- Once done, restart your PC and see if changing the adapter settings solved the error on your PC.
You should now be able to download and update apps on Microsoft Store without any issues.
7. Reset TCP/IP stack.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a reliable way of exchanging data without having to worry about data loss. It ensures secure data transmission between servers and end-users but can sometimes cause errors. This usually happens when a program on your PC changes the TCP settings.
Luckily, you can solve the errors by merely resetting the TCP/IP stack on your PC.
Here is how you can do it:
- Type cmd in the search bar click on Run as administrator to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
- Type the command mentioned below in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter to execute it. This will reset the Domain Name Service (DNS) cache.
ipconfig /flushdns
- Once done, type the command mentioned below and hit Enter to execute it.
nbtstat –RR
- Now, run the commands mentioned below to reset the Internet Protocol (IP) and Winsock Catalog.
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
- Once done, restart your PC and check if doing so resolved the error.
Clearing the DNS cache and resetting the TCP/IP stack will remove all the invalid entries and corruption errors in the registry from your PC.
8. Change DNS Settings.
If the Microsoft Store on your PC cannot connect to the internet, try changing the DNS settings. It is common for the users to run into the 0x800704cf error if there is a problem with the DNS server. A simple solution to this problem is switching from your current server to the 8.8.8.8 DNS server. The 8.8.8.8 DNS server is owned and run by Google, so it is reliable.
Here is how you can change the DNS settings on your PC.
- Type Control Panel in the search bar and click on Open to launch the Control Panel window.
- Select Network and Sharing Center and click Change adapter settings on the left panel.
- Now double-click on the network you are using on the device (e.g., Wi-Fi) and click on Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties again.
- In the Properties window, select Use the following DNS server addresses and type the addresses mentioned below.
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
- Finally, double-click on OK to close the Properties and restart your PC.
Hopefully, changing the DNS server will allow you to download and update apps via Microsoft Store without any issues.
9. Reset the Microsoft Store App.
If none of the methods mentioned above works for you, we suggest you go ahead and reset the Microsoft Store app. Resetting the app will place it back in its initial state, thus resolving the error in the process.
Since resetting the Microsoft Store will remove the app’s data from your PC, don’t forget to note your sign in details. It will help you sign back in without any issues.
Resetting the Microsoft Store app will solve the issue on your device once and for all.
This brings us to the end of our guide on fixing the Microsoft Store error 0x800704cf. We hope our troubleshooting steps helped you understand and fix the error. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below.
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