How to Fix Microsoft Store 'Try That Again' Error 0x80131500 Easily

The Microsoft Store has long been the bridge between everyday Windows users and the ever-evolving catalog of modern apps, digital games, and utilities. Yet for many, that experience has been dogged by an obscure but notorious bug: the “Try that again” message, carrying along the ominous 0x80131500 error code. For years, the solutions were speculative, scattered across community threads, and often left users frustrated or cut off from Store offerings. In a turning point that’s as much about righting a historical wrong as it is about everyday troubleshooting, Microsoft has finally issued four official ways to fix this persistent error—as reported by Digital Trends.

The Six-Year Wait and What’s Changed​

The resolve came after six years of haphazard workarounds and a shortage of formal guidance, which left a portion of Windows users in the dark if they depended on the Microsoft Store for software and content updates. The “Try that again” 0x80131500 issue created roadblocks that, for many, seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Its eventual solution by Microsoft is not just technical housekeeping, but a nod to the reality that Store connectivity—especially as Microsoft pushes for deeper cloud integration and service-driven experiences—must be as robust as the desktop itself.

Understanding the 0x80131500 Error​

This particular bug would surface unpredictably, regardless of system specs or user proficiency. The cryptic error message would block downloads, updates, and sometimes even the basic operation of Microsoft Store. For those affected, every failed attempt reinforced the impression of instability—both technically and in Microsoft’s attention to user pain points.
At its heart, 0x80131500 has ties to various system-level bottlenecks: Internet hiccups, security software conflicts, proxy settings out of alignment, or system components in need of a refresh. Yet despite these varied triggers, Microsoft’s prolonged silence on official solutions continued to puzzle power users and IT professionals alike.

The Official Four-Fix Solution​

With the public unveiling of the four official fixes, Microsoft has clarified not just how to resolve the bug but also what underpinned it. Here’s a breakdown of each step, including context and the hidden logic behind each move.

1. Resetting the Microsoft Store App​

The first official tip is to reset the Microsoft Store app. Over time, app caches can become corrupt or misaligned with backend services. By resetting the app, you essentially clear out these inconsistencies, giving the Store a fresh start. On Windows, this step can be as simple as navigating to the “Apps & features” panel, selecting Microsoft Store, and hitting the Reset button.
This approach is grounded in the standard practice of isolating corrupted local data—a simple, low-risk step that resolves numerous app-based headaches. It’s a relief to see Microsoft finally codify this as a go-to method rather than leaving users to hunt through forum posts and third-party guides.

2. Using the Microsoft Store Troubleshooter​

Available directly within Windows 10, the built-in Microsoft Store troubleshooter scans for underlying configuration problems, connectivity issues, and other barriers that might prevent the Store from working correctly. For everyday users, troubleshooters are a powerful but underutilized tool. By executing a series of pre-coded diagnostic tests, Windows tries to identify and remediate problems automatically.
While its absence in Windows 11 may seem like a limitation, the inclusion here underscores Microsoft’s commitment to simplifying repair, especially for those not versed in command-line wizardry or deep system tweaking.

3. Checking for Windows Updates​

A third step—sometimes overlooked—is simply ensuring Windows is up-to-date. Microsoft Store relies on system components tightly coupled with the broader operating system. Neglecting updates means running the risk of mismatched APIs or critical security protocols, which can cause legacy bugs like 0x80131500 to rear their head.
By rolling this into the core recommended steps, Microsoft is reminding users that Store troubles can be downstream consequences of system neglect. Regular updates help not just with new features, but with the stability and compatibility required for modern app distribution.

4. Updating TLS Settings: The Hidden Culprit​

Perhaps the most technical—and revealing—step is ensuring your internet’s Transport Layer Security (TLS) settings are current. In a phrase that might spook non-experts, Microsoft recommends that users specifically enable TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 for secure, future-proof Store connectivity.
TLS is the backbone for secure communications online. If a system is configured to use only older versions (or none at all), connections to Microsoft’s storefront can outright fail, triggering the dreaded error code. Here, the real innovation isn’t just telling users what box to check but making the connection between obscure security protocols and practical, visible outcomes.
Microsoft’s advice reads almost apologetically simple: launch the Run dialog (Windows + R), type inetcpl.cpl, hit Enter, and in the Advanced tab, make sure “Use TLS 1.2” and “Use TLS 1.3” are checked. Despite its technical trappings, this step is within reach for most users—and underscores that keeping up with evolving online standards is not just a developer’s game, but every user’s responsibility.

Before Official Fixes: The Age of Guesswork​

Prior to Microsoft’s intervention, users were left cobbling together makeshift remedies. This era was marked by conflicting advice: disable antivirus temporarily (not ideal from a security perspective), disconnect VPN services, create brand-new local Windows accounts, or even boot into Safe Mode. Some users fumbled through lengthy processes only to find none worked, fueling frustration and eroding trust.
These stopgaps reveal a deeper issue: the trade-off between security, convenience, and reliability. Antivirus programs or VPNs may interfere with Store access, but disabling them puts the system at risk. Switching user accounts or restarting in Safe Mode are far from user-friendly, especially for the non-technical majority.

Root Causes: Complexity Behind a Simple Error​

The 0x80131500 issue is a microcosm of modern computing headaches, where a tangled web of dependencies underpins what should be a “just works” scenario. Among the root causes are:

• Network Stability: Fluctuating or poor-quality connections can interrupt Store operations. This is especially true in regions with limited broadband, where a momentary drop suffices to disrupt the handshake with Microsoft’s servers.
• Firewall or Security Conflicts: Overactive firewall rules or aggressive antivirus scans might block or delay essential Store traffic.
• Outdated Proxy or Internet Settings: Some users—particularly those behind institutional gateways or using non-default network configurations—discover that Proxy, LAN, or TLS settings are stuck in a pre-cloud era.
• Missing Updates: Without the right system components, even basic Store functionality can falter.

By clarifying both the causes and the cures, Microsoft’s latest guidance does more than solve a single bug—it maps the interconnected territory users must increasingly navigate.

Why Did the Official Solution Take So Long?​

This is, perhaps, the biggest unspoken question. Microsoft hasn’t publicly explained the delay, which, for some, feels symptomatic of a broader issue: consumer-facing bugs that never quite rise to red-alert priority. The Store, after all, isn’t just an app; it’s a portal to Microsoft’s cloud ambitions and a lens through which users judge Windows as a service.
The silence could be chalked up to the slow churn of technical debt, where legacy code and evolving Internet standards (like TLS) are hard to line up retroactively. Or perhaps it reflects a resource triage, prioritizing newer features and high-impact vulnerabilities over persistent but lower-profile annoyances.
Regardless, the belated emergence of an official fix sends mixed messages. On one hand, it vindicates users who insisted, year after year, that the problem was real and fixable. On the other, it highlights the risk in moving so much essential functionality into cloud-dependent frameworks without robust, easily discoverable repair paths.

The Upside: Clarity, Confidence, and Community​

Despite the long journey, having a well-documented, systematically ordered set of solutions is a win for transparency and user empowerment. Even the requirement to tinker with TLS settings, for all its technicality, invites curious users to learn more about how secure browsing and modern app stores really work.
For administrators and support professionals, the clarity means less time guessing and more time solving, which is good news for organizations depending on predictable Store access for updates or installations. For ordinary users, the fix brings relief and a nudge toward adopting best network and security practices.

SEO-Friendly Insight: Fixing the Microsoft Store “Try that Again” Error​

Searching for “how to fix Microsoft Store Try that again 0x80131500 error” is one of the most common troubleshooting queries in Windows forums. With Microsoft’s official announcement, the resolution steps are now easier to find—and crucially, more reliable.
Key elements for searchers include:

• Enabling TLS 1.2 and 1.3: Vital for Store connectivity and a future-proof move for general browsing security.
• Using the built-in troubleshooter: Often an overlooked tool, but a valuable diagnostic safety net for everyday users.
• Resetting Microsoft Store: A logical first step that can clear years of digital dust from the system.
• Updating Windows regularly: Reminding users that their security and app access rely on a healthy, well-maintained core OS.

By using these keywords alongside clear, user-friendly explanations, guides and help forums can dramatically increase their relevance, recalling that the majority of people searching these terms are looking for reassurance as much as for a cure.

Under the Hood: TLS, Windows, and the Modern App Ecosystem​

One side effect of the 0x80131500 saga is the attention it draws to Transport Layer Security. For much of the Internet’s history, tweaks to protocols like TLS were left to system administrators or developers. But as threats evolve and more applications depend on modern security, even casual users must play a modest role.
Enabling TLS 1.2 and 1.3 doesn’t just unlock the Microsoft Store; it helps ensure compatibility with a rapidly changing Internet. Websites that require secure connections, e-commerce platforms, banking portals, and social media are all standardizing around these protocols. Older systems—left unpatched or configured for legacy standards—risk not only error codes but security vulnerabilities.
By shifting the solution out of the shadows and into official documentation, Microsoft signals a new chapter: security isn’t just a checkbox, but a foundational expectation for all Windows users.

Critique and Commentary: Strengths, Risks, and What’s Next​

Strengths​

• Clarity and Simplicity: The four-step plan is accessible to most users, with a clear escalation from low-risk resets to the more technical network protocol checks.
• Alignment with Best Practices: Encouraging both system updates and modern TLS protocols is vital not just for Store access but for broader Windows ecosystem health.
• Validation for Community: Years of unofficial fixes are finally brought under an official umbrella, lending weight to grassroots problem-solving efforts.

Hidden Risks and Lingering Concerns​

• Technical Intimidation: Some users may balk at the mention of “TLS 1.2/1.3” or navigating the Internet Properties dialog. For them, the process may still feel daunting.
• Dependency on Modern Standards: Devices running older versions of Windows or constrained by institutional policies may find TLS changes outside their control, leaving a fraction of users behind.
• Prolonged Delay as Precedent: The six-year timeline raises questions about how quickly Microsoft will address persistent bugs in connected, service-driven Windows futures.

What Microsoft and the Community Should Watch Next​

• Improved In-OS Guidance: Building a direct link from the Microsoft Store error prompt to step-by-step repair recommendations (perhaps via a “Learn More” button) would close the last gap between problem and solution.
• Broader Education: As more users must grapple with concepts like TLS, proactive education—videos, interactive guides, or simplified prompts—could help demystify these security must-haves.
• Streamlined Support: For the small segment who still can’t resolve the error, making Microsoft Support visible and accessible (with a reference to this specific code) is essential for trust.

The Broader Message: Bugs, Transparency, and the Future of Microsoft Store​

The “Try that again” 0x80131500 error has, for six years, been more than just a technical quirk. It’s been a litmus test for Microsoft’s willingness to meet users where they are: either leaving them to hunt for answers in forums, or officially stepping in to conclude the saga.
The four recommended fixes now shine a light not just on this bug but the broader issue of end-user agency in a platform increasingly delivered, updated, and managed through cloud services. As the Store’s importance grows—with app subscriptions, digital licenses, and integrated experiences foregrounded in both Windows 10 and 11—ensuring every user can connect cleanly and securely will continue to be a top priority.
Closing the gap between obscure system settings and front-line usability is part of that journey. The hope is that, in the years ahead, persistent bugs won’t hide in plain sight as long—and that official answers arrive not as apologies, but as routine, reliable enhancements.

Conclusion: Relief and a Path Forward​

With the release of these four official fixes, Microsoft brings welcome closure to a frustrating chapter. The process is emblematic of a new, more transparent approach—one that treats root causes with rigor and ordinary users with respect. The steps themselves can be generalized as modern digital literacy lessons: periodically refresh your system, trust in diagnostic tools, follow security best practices, and don’t fear the settings menu.
Should similar bugs arise in the future, the Store’s 0x80131500 experience—now thoroughly documented—can serve as both cautionary tale and recovery template. It’s not just about patching a storefront; it’s about ensuring every Windows user can access the evolving universe of digital content, confident they have the tools—and the official backing—to clear the path ahead.

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Source: www.digitaltrends.com Microsoft suggests four fixes for ancient Microsoft Store bug