> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/unigetui/help/troubleshooting/winget-missing-or-broken.md).

# WinGet is missing or broken

Repair WinGet when its apps aren't listed in UniGetUI or when UniGetUI shows "WinGet malfunction detected".

On Windows, WinGet apps are missing from ***Installed Packages*** or ***Software Updates***, WinGet shows as not found in ***Package Managers***, or UniGetUI displays the ***WinGet malfunction detected*** banner.

## Why it happens

WinGet (part of Windows' App Installer) can be missing, outdated or damaged, and its sources or temporary files can get corrupted.

UniGetUI already works around most problems on its own: it first uses WinGet's COM API, falls back to the `winget.exe` command line, and, if WinGet can't run at all, uses Pinget, a WinGet implementation included with UniGetUI. You only see the banner when all of that still returns no WinGet apps.

## Fix it

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Repair WinGet from UniGetUI

1. In the ***WinGet malfunction detected*** banner, click ***Repair WinGet***.
2. Approve the administrator prompt. UniGetUI clears WinGet's temporary files, resets its sources, and repairs WinGet and App Installer.
3. Wait for ***WinGet was repaired successfully***, then restart UniGetUI.

No banner? Start the same repair from ***Package Managers*** – ***WinGet*** – ***Advanced options***: click ***Reset*** next to ***Reset WinGet (This may help if no packages are listed)***.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If ***WinGet command-line tool*** was set to ***Pinget***, the repair sets it back to ***Default***.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Change how UniGetUI talks to WinGet

If the repair doesn't help, go to ***Package Managers*** – ***WinGet*** – ***Advanced options***. The manager reloads automatically after a change.

* Apps listed incorrectly or COM errors in the logs: set ***WinGet COM API*** to ***Disabled***.
* WinGet itself can't be repaired: set ***WinGet command-line tool*** to ***Pinget***.

To see which method is in use, open ***Package Managers*** – ***WinGet*** and look at the version information.

{% hint style="info" %}
Administrators can force these choices with the `UNIGETUI_WINGET_CLI` (`default`, `winget`, `pinget`) and `UNIGETUI_WINGET_COM` (`default`, `enabled`, `disabled`) environment variables. They take precedence over the settings. See [Command-line interface](/unigetui/reference/cli.md).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check WinGet outside UniGetUI

Open PowerShell and run:

```powershell
winget --version
winget list
```

* If `winget` isn't recognized, install or update ***App Installer*** from the Microsoft Store.
* If WinGet itself fails with a specific package, the problem isn't UniGetUI. Report it to the [WinGet project](https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli).
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

## Still broken?

Open ***More*** – ***Package Manager logs***, select ***WinGet (Verbose)***, and [send the logs to support](/unigetui/help/troubleshooting/send-logs-to-support.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.devolutions.net/unigetui/help/troubleshooting/winget-missing-or-broken.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.