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. Additionally, it services app updates and performs some other functions. It’s fairly noticeable when it ceases to work. Luckily, this is a pretty straightforward issue with some simple troubleshooting. Let’s find out why the App Store isn’t loading and how to fix it on Mac.

Why is the App Store not loading on a Mac?

There are a few different reasons why the App Store isn’t 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• Your Mac’s software is out of date.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 a little bit.

Any one of those things can keep you from getting into the Mac App Store. Luckily, the troubleshooting for all of these problems is fairly simple, and we’ll go down the list and show you each one. This should only take about five or so minutes.

How to check your internet connection

The most common cause of the App Store not loading is a missing internet connection. Your Mac may just not be connected to the internet. Below, we have some troubleshooting steps that may help fix the problem, but remember that troubleshooting network issues can be tedious and annoying.

Are you connected to your router?

The first problem to solve is to make sure you’re connected to the Internet. Check the top right corner of your screen and find the Wi-Fi icon. If it’s white, you are connected, and you can skip this section. However, we do recommend clicking on that white icon to make sure you’re connected to the correct network. Otherwise, proceed to the steps below.

• Click the grayed-out Wi-Fi icon and make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on. Those with Ethernet connections should unplug and plug in the cable to ensure the connection is stable.
• Those using Wi-Fi who have problems connecting can check out Apple’s tutorial on connecting to Wi-Fi.
• Those using Ethernet should make sure the cable isn’t damaged, is properly connected to the machine, and ensure their network settings are correct. Apple has some additional steps you can take here.
• You can also click on the Wi-Fi icon and then click Network Preferences to get a better look at your network configuration. It may help troubleshoot your issue.
• In any case, once you get your white Wi-Fi icon back, you’re connected once again. Try opening the App Store to see if this worked. If not, keep going.

Is your internet malfunctioning?

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

• First, make sure you’re connected to your router, as indicated by the white Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner.
• Next, try using a different app. For example, try going to a random website with Safari, sending an iMessage, or using the internet in some other way.
• If your Mac is struggling with or failing any of the above tasks, that means your internet connection is spotty or slow. This can cause the App Store to not load.
• Try rebooting your router and modem by disconnecting the power, counting to 30, and plugging them back in. After rebooting, retry the earlier tests.
• If your internet is still sluggish or not working, it’s time to call your ISP and find out if there is an outage in your area. If so, you won’t be able to do anything until the ISP fixes the problem. This may require a tech to visit your home in some cases.
• 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 set you on the right track.

How to check if the App Store is down

The App Store is a service and, as such, can go down like any other service on the internet. It’s not common, but it’s very easy to check for.

• Click this link to go to Apple’s System Status page.
• The very first entrant should be the App Store. If the circle next to it is anything other than green, then the App Store not loading is likely because of a partial or complete outage.
• Check back periodically 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.

How to check and see if you need a software update

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

• Click the Apple Logo in the top right corner. After that, click About This Mac.
• In the next window, click on Software Update.
• A box will pop up and check for an update. If you need one, the update will start downloading. Once done, follow the prompts to install the update. Your Mac will reboot, so make sure to save any work.
• Once done, repeat the process again to make sure you don’t need any additional updates.

Once done, try opening the App Store again. If it doesn’t work, we have a couple more things to try.

Other potential causes

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

• Set your date and time — Make sure your clock and date settings are right by clicking the Apple Logo, going to System Preferences, and Date & Time. If it’s not already, tick 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 being connected to a server that isn’t in your region can cause the App Store to cease loading. If that works, try using a server closer to home on your VPN to prevent it from happening again.
• Force quit the app and try again — Click Control+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit Applications box. Force close the App Store if it’s there and try opening it again.
• Reinstall macOS without wiping data — This can help get rid of a lot of backend problems that are otherwise difficult to fix. We have a tutorial on how to do this here. This is an extreme solution, though, so we recommend it only as a last resort.
• Restart your Mac — Sometimes, you just have to turn it off and back on again to fix issues.

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

Up next: Apple MacBook Pro buying guide: Which one should you get?

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