How to Fix the Unexpected Store Exception Error in Windows 10 and Windows 11: Encountering the “Unexpected Store Exception” error on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device can be frustrating, especially when you’re unsure about the cause. If you’re experiencing this issue, don’t worry – we’ll guide you through the process of diagnosing and fixing the problem.
The Unexpected Store Exception error, often referred to as a blue screen of death or stop code error, is not related to the Microsoft Store as you might think. Instead, we’ll explore different troubleshooting methods to identify the underlying cause of this error in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Checking the Health of Your Hard Drive
One possible cause of the error is a failing hard drive. You can easily check its health using a free program called CrystalDiskInfo. Here’s what you need to do:
- Download the standard edition of CrystalDiskInfo and run the installer.
- Launch the program and navigate to the tabs at the top to select the relevant hard drive.
- Look at the Health Status, which is determined based on the values listed in the table beneath.
- “Good” means your drive is in good health.
- “Bad” or “Caution” indicate potential issues.
If you see “Bad” or “Caution” status, it’s crucial to replace the drive as soon as possible to prevent imminent failure. Even if you see “Good,” consider swapping the drive with a spare one if available, as a faulty hard drive is a common cause of the Unexpected Store Exception error. If the error stops occurring with a different drive, you’ve likely identified the problem.
Checking the Rest of Your Hardware
If your hard drive is in good health, it’s worth examining the other hardware components for potential faults. Faulty hardware, such as the CPU, GPU, or RAM, can often trigger the Unexpected Store Exception error. Windows provides two built-in tools to help with this: Performance Monitor and Windows Memory Diagnostic.
To utilize these tools effectively, refer to the documentation or seek assistance from third-party hardware diagnostic applications.
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Updating Your Display Driver
Incompatibility issues with display drivers can also be a culprit behind the Unexpected Store Exception error. To address this, ensure that your display drivers are up to date. Here’s how:
- Boot your system into safe mode. If you need guidance, refer to our guide on booting Windows 10 or Windows 11 in safe mode.
- Follow these instructions to reinstall your display driver:
- Press Windows Key + X and click on “Device Manager.”
- Double-click on “Display adapters” to display your graphics card.
- Right-click on the result and select “Uninstall device.” Confirm the action and restart your PC.
- Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, then click on “Update & Security” (Windows 10) or “Windows Update” (Windows 11).
- Click on “Check for updates,” and Windows will automatically find and install the latest driver for your system.
If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the drivers from there. Refer to our comprehensive guide on replacing outdated Windows drivers for more detailed information on downloading and updating drivers.
Running System File Checker
Faulty system files can also trigger the Unexpected Store Exception error. Fortunately, Windows provides an easy way to scan and automatically repair problematic files. Follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key + X.
- Click on “Command Prompt (Admin).”
- In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
This command will initiate the scan, and a message will be displayed once the process is complete. If the scan reports no integrity violations, it means everything is fine. However, if it finds corrupt files and successfully repairs them or is unable to fix some of them, you can view the log containing details of the problematic files. Use the following command in Command Prompt to access the log:
findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log > "%userprofile%\Desktop\sfclogs.txt"
The log will be saved to your desktop, allowing you to review the problematic files. If the errors persist and cannot be fixed, as indicated in the log, you may want to consider performing a factory reset of Windows to obtain fresh copies of the system files.
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Disabling Your Antivirus
In some cases, antivirus software can interfere with your system and cause the Unexpected Store Exception error. Temporarily disabling your antivirus can help identify if it’s the cause. The steps to disable antivirus may vary depending on the software you’re using, but generally, you can find the option within the program’s settings.
If you’re using Windows Defender, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to “Update & Security” (Windows 10) or “Privacy & Security” (Windows 11).
- Select “Windows Security” > “Virus & threat protection.”
- Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on “Manage settings.”
- Slide the “Real-time protection” toggle to the Off position.
Alternatively, if you have third-party antivirus software installed, you can try uninstalling it completely. Open Settings by pressing the Windows Key + I, go to “Apps” > “Apps & features,” locate your antivirus software in the list, click on it, and then click Uninstall.
However, keep in mind that leaving your system unprotected is not recommended. If disabling your antivirus doesn’t resolve the Unexpected Store Exception error, it’s important to re-enable it to maintain the security of your computer.
Turning Off Fast Startup
Fast startup is a feature enabled by default on up-to-date Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. It utilizes a type of hibernation to provide faster boot speeds, especially on hard disk drives.
However, this feature can sometimes prevent certain drivers from loading correctly, leading to the Unexpected Store Exception error. Disabling fast startup can help determine if it’s the cause. Follow these steps:
- Search for “Control Panel” in the system search and open it.
- Go to “Hardware and Sound” > “Power Options” > “Choose what the power buttons do.”
- You may need to click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
- Uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” option.
- Click “Save changes.”
The Common Culprit: Faulty Hardware
We hope the troubleshooting steps above have helped you identify and resolve the Unexpected Store Exception error. In most cases, faulty hardware is the primary cause of this blue screen error in Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, if the error persists, it’s worth exploring the other methods mentioned.
Keep in mind that encountering a blue screen of death can be triggered by various factors, particularly if you’ve recently made changes to your system. It’s essential to follow the recommended steps and seek further assistance if needed to ensure the stability and performance of your Windows device.