How To Fix Unexpected Store Exception Error On Windows

Is the dreaded Unexpected Store Exception Error in Windows 10 bothering you?  Worry not. Apply the fixes below to fix the error.

Windows is considered one of the most reliable and stable operating systems. Yet, users commonly encounter Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors. In this regard, we will explain how to fix the Unexpected Store Exception Error in Windows 10.

What Does The “Unexpected Store Exception” On Windows Mean?

This is a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) error on Windows systems that indicates a critical problem with system files or drivers. Also, it often suggests corruption in the Windows Store cache or issues with applications installed from the Store. To troubleshoot this error, run system file checks, update drivers, scan for malware, check hardware components, and address disk issues. Let’s begin.

What Causes An “Unexpected Store Exception BSoD” Error On Windows?

One may face the error for several reasons. We have listed the most common ones here:

Faulty Hardware: Problems with your RAM (memory) or storage device can cause this error.

Outdated Drivers: Incompatible or outdated drivers, especially for storage devices, can lead to instability.

Corrupted System Files: Corrupt system files caused by malware or other issues.

Windows Updates: Corrupt Windows updates can introduce compatibility issues, resulting in errors.

How To Debug The “Unexpected Store Exception” Error

Method 1: Reboot PC

One of the simplest solutions to resolve any PC issues is to restart your PC and check if the problem reoccurs or was a temporary glitch due to an unexpected conflict. This action will clear the cache, release memory, and restart all essential system services. After reboot, continue doing the same task to check if the error reoccurs.

Read Also: Fix – Computer Stuck on Restarting

Method 2: Turn Off Fast Startup

Fast Startup can potentially cause BSOD errors. To eliminate this possibility, it’s advisable to disable the feature. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “CMD” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt in Elevated mode.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following command:

powercfg /h off

Step 4: Exit the Command prompt and check if the “BSOD unexpected store exception” error persists.

Method 3: Turn Off the Sleep Mode

If disabling Fast Startup doesn’t resolve the issue, disable Sleep mode using the Command Prompt. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Press the Windows + S keys and type “Run.”
Step 2: Click on the relevant result under best match.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following command with the Enter key.

control /name Microsoft.PowerOptions /page pageGlobalSettings

Step 4: A new box will open where you must click on the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” link.

Step 5: Uncheck the box next to Sleep and click the Save Changes button in the bottom right corner.

Step 6: Reboot your PC and check if the “blue screen of Death on Windows 10 with unexpected store exception” error has been resolved.

Method 4: Uninstall Malfunctioning Device Using The Device Manager

Any device malfunctioning on your PC can cause the BSOD error. Hence, it is recommended that any such devices be uninstalled using the device manager. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Press Win + X to open the Power menu.
Step 2: Select Device Manager from the list.
Step 3: A list of devices will appear on your screen. Look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark.
Step 4: Right-click on all such devices and select Uninstall to remove them from your PC.
Step 5: Check if the “Blue Screen Error Unexpected Store Exception” error still occurs.

Method 5: Activate Startup Repair

Step 1: Press the Windows key and click the Power icon. While holding the Shift key, click the Restart option to access the Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 2: Once the PC loads in the WINRE, click on the Troubleshoot Option followed by Advanced Options.

Step 3: Now, click on Startup Repair and follow the onscreen instructions.

Method 6: Activate The Memory Diagnostic Tool

Windows includes a built-in utility for diagnosing RAM issues. This tool can detect any faults with your installed RAM sticks. Here’s how you can proceed:

Step 1: Press Windows + S to open the Search box and type Memory Diagnostic.

Step 2: Click on the relevant result, and a new box will appear on the screen.

Step 3: Click the “Restart now and check for problems” option.

After restarting, your PC will boot into the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool page. The tool will scan for memory faults and boot to the desktop automatically.

Method 7: Activate Check Disk Scan

Most users encountering this error code reported that it was caused by disk errors or a defective hard disk in their system. The most straightforward method to diagnose and resolve issues with hard disks is to utilize the Check Disk tool in Windows. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type CMD and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt in elevated mode.
Step 3: If you get the User Account Control Prompt box, click Yes.

Step 4: Copy and paste the following command.

chkdsk /f /r

Step 5: Reboot your PC.

Method 8: Turn Off Your Antivirus Temporarily

Temporarily disabling your antivirus can be necessary when troubleshooting software compatibility issues or performing installations that require system modifications. In this case, you can disable the antivirus software for a few minutes and check whether the issue is resolved. If you do not get the error after disabling the antivirus software, you need to contact the antivirus support team and ask them for a solution to this conflict or get a new antivirus app. 

Method 9: Turn Off File History

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following command and press OK.

control /name Microsoft.FileHistory

Step 3: A new window will open where you must click the Turn Off button.

Method 10: Turn Off OverClocking

Overclocking can enhance performance but also increases the risk of overheating and potentially damaging your components. If you’ve overclocked your GPU (such as with MSI Afterburner) or adjusted CPU or RAM settings in the BIOS, returning these settings to their default configurations is essential.

Method 11: Activate The System File Checker Tool

The System File Checker (SFC) is an inbuilt tool Microsoft provides. The tool helps scan, identify, and fix all corrupt system files, thus helping fix several PC issues. Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “CMD” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool in admin mode.
Step 3: The User Account Control prompt box will appear on your screen, and you must click the Yes button.
Step 4: Type the following command followed by the Enter key:

sfc /scannow

Step 5: Wait for the SFC scan to complete scanning your computer and repairing corrupt files. This process may take a while, so do not close the Command Prompt or turn off your computer.
Step 6: Reboot your PC after completing the SFC process and check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 12: Use The Deployment Image Servicing And Management Tool

Like the System File Checker, DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a command that repairs a Windows OS image. 

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the RUN box.
Step 2: Type “CMD” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt tool in admin mode.
Step 3: The User Account Control prompt box will appear on your screen. Click on the Yes button to proceed.
Step 4: Type the following command followed by the Enter key:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 5: Wait for the process to complete and reboot your PC.

Method 13: Update Graphic Driver

Drivers play an important role in your PC’s flawless functioning. Many experts have claimed that outdated, missing, or corrupt graphic card drivers are the reason for the “blue screen error”. We recommend updating the driver of your graphics card to fix this issue. There are three methods to update the graphic card drivers.

1. Update Via OEM Website

Users can identify the graphic card make and model number of the graphic card driver installed on their system and download the latest version from the OEM website.

2. Update Via Device Manager

The Device Manager is an inbuilt driver utility that can help you update drivers for the hardware installed on your PC by Microsoft servers. It can only update drivers to the version available on the Server. Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Press Win + X and choose Device Manager.
Step 2: Locate Display Drivers and click on it to reveal your graphics card.
Step 3: Right-click on the graphic card and select Update Drivers.

Step 4: Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the latest drivers.
Step 5: Restart your PC.

3. Update Via Advanced Driver Updater

Advanced Driver Updater is an amazing tool that can scan your PC, identify driver errors, and fix them simply and swiftly. Here are the steps to use this app:

Step 1: Download and Install Advanced Driver Updater.

Step 2: Launch the app and click on Start Scan Now button.

Step 3: After completing the scan, look for your graphic driver listed and click on the Update link beside it.
Step 4: Let the process complete and reboot your PC.

Method 14: Reset Windows

If none of the previously suggested solutions have proven effective, resetting Windows can serve as a final measure to resolve windows store errors. Here’s how you can reset Windows 10 and 11:

Step 1. Open the Start menu and search for ‘Reset this PC.’ Then, open the corresponding option.

Step 2. Click on “Reset PC.”

Step 3. Select “Keep my files.”

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the reset process for your Windows computer.

How To Fix The “Unexpected Store Exception” While Gaming?

Follow these essential steps to resolve the error.

• First, ensure your graphics drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and downloading the latest version. 
• Monitoring hardware temperatures using tools like HWMonitor helps identify overheating issues that might trigger the error. 
• Verifying the integrity of game files through the game launcher (e.g., Steam, Origin) can eliminate corrupted files as a potential cause. 
• Disabling overclocking on your CPU, GPU or RAM can also stabilize your system during gaming sessions. 
• Lastly, running a thorough scan for malware using reliable antivirus software ensures your system remains free of malicious programs that could interfere with game performance. 

These steps collectively help mitigate the error and enhance the stability of your gaming experience on Windows.

Have You Fixed The Error?

Successfully resolving the “Unexpected Store Exception” error on Windows typically involves a systematic approach to troubleshooting. By updating drivers, adjusting settings, monitoring hardware temperatures, verifying game files, disabling overclocking, scanning for malware, and checking hardware health, users can often identify and address the underlying issues causing the error. If these steps do not resolve the problem, seeking professional assistance or contacting Microsoft Support may be necessary for further diagnosis and resolution.