Why is the App Store not loading and how to fix it on Mac

The App Store is an important place. You can find all kinds of apps there. In addition, it services app updates and performs some other functions. It’s pretty noticeable when it stops working. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple problem with an easy fix. Let’s find out why the App Store won’t load and how to fix the problem on Mac.

Continue reading: The best MacBooks you can buy right now

There are various reasons why the App Store is not loading. They include:

• Your internet connection is down or your Mac isn’t connected to the internet.
• The App Store service is down.
• The App Store started incorrectly and needs to be restarted.
• Your Mac’s software is out of date.
• A software update messed things up.

Any of these things can keep you from getting into the Mac App Store. Luckily, troubleshooting all of these issues is pretty easy, and we’re going to go through the list and show you each one. This should only take about five minutes.

How to check your internet connection

The most common cause of the App Store not loading is a lack of internet connection. Your Mac might just not be connected to the internet. Below are some troubleshooting steps that may help resolve the issue. However, remember that troubleshooting network issues can be tedious and annoying.

The first problem to solve is to make sure you are connected to the internet. Check the top right corner of your screen and look for the Wi-Fi icon. If it’s white, you’re connected and you can skip this section. However, we recommend clicking on this white icon to ensure you are connected to the correct network. Otherwise, continue with the following steps.

• Click on the grayed out WiFi icon and make sure your WiFi is on. Those with Ethernet connections should unplug and plug the cable back in to ensure the connection is stable.
• Those who are using Wi-Fi and are having trouble connecting can read Apple’s tutorial on how to connect to Wi-Fi.
• Those using Ethernet should make sure the cable is not damaged, is properly connected to the device, and make sure their network settings are correct. Apple has some additional steps you can take here.
• You can also click the Wi-Fi icon and then click network settings to get a better overview of your network configuration. It can help fix your problem.
• Either way, once you get your white Wi-Fi icon back, you’ll be reconnected. Try opening the App Store to see if this worked. If not, go ahead.

Sometimes your internet might just be down. We show you how to test this quickly and what you can do about it.

• First, make sure you’re connected to your router, indicated by the white Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner.
• Next, try using a different app. For example, try using Safari to browse any website, send an iMessage, or otherwise browse the Internet.
• If your Mac is struggling or failing with any of the above tasks, it means your internet connection is patchy or slow. This can result in the App Store not loading.
• Try restarting your router and modem by unplugging the power, counting to 30, and plugging them back in. After the reboot, repeat the earlier tests.
• If your internet is still sluggish or not working, it’s time to call your ISP and find out if there’s an outage in your area. In this case, there is nothing you can do until the ISP fixes the problem. In some cases it may be necessary for a technician to come to your home.
• Once your internet is working properly again, try opening the App Store.

If connections are the problem, the two tutorials above should either fix it, or at least get you on the right track.

The App Store is a service, and as such, like any other service on the Internet, may fail. It’s not common, but it’s very easy to check.

• Click this link to go to Apple’s system status page.
• The very first participant should be the App Store. If the circle next to it is anything other than green, the App Store is probably not loading due to a partial or complete outage.
• Check back regularly until the green circle reappears, then try using the App Store again.

That’s it. It’s a pretty simple problem to figure out and solve.

Another common problem is that your software is out of date. When macOS updates, it includes updates for the App Store. Therefore, you may be locked out from the App Store until you download the latest version via the software update. This is also easy to check.

• Click the Apple logo in the top right corner. After that, click About this Mac.
• In the next window, click software update.
• A box will appear, checking for an update. If you need one, the update will be downloaded. When finished, follow the prompts to install the update. Your Mac will restart, so make sure you save your work.
• When you’re done, repeat the process again to make sure you don’t need any more updates.

When you’re done, try opening the App Store again. If it doesn’t work, we have a few more things to try.

Sometimes the Mac App Store is just having a bad day. You can try restarting the app and see if that works.

• Set the date and time — Make sure your clock and date settings are correct by clicking the Apple logo and Go system settingsand appointment time. If you haven’t already, check the box that says Set date and time automatically. Reboot and try the App Store again.
• Check your VPN — Try turning off your VPN if you use one. Sometimes connecting to a server that is not in your region can cause the App Store to stop loading. If that works, try using a server closer to your VPN to prevent it from happening again.
• Force quit the app and try again – Click Ctrl+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit Applications box. Force close the App Store if it exists and try opening it again.
• Reinstall macOS without erasing data — This can help eliminate many backend issues that are otherwise difficult to troubleshoot. We have a tutorial on how to do that here. However, this is an extreme solution, so we only recommend it as a last resort.
• Reboot your Mac — Sometimes you just have to turn it off and on again to fix problems.

If for any reason any of the above tutorials or suggestions don’t work, your last resort is to contact Apple Support and ask them directly.

Next: Apple MacBook Pro buying guide: which one should you get?