Yeah, this one is annoying
You click buy on a track, and Windows Store throws up NS_S_TRACK_BUY_REQUIRES_ALBUM_PURCHASE (0X000D1359). It's a real head-scratcher the first time, but the fix is dead simple.
The Direct Fix
You can't buy that track on its own. Period. The store listing says album only. So the fix is to buy the album.
- Open the Microsoft Store and go to the album page for that track. You'll see a notice saying "This track is only available as part of the album." or similar.
- Click Buy on the album. Yes, you'll pay for the whole album, even if you only wanted the one song.
- Once the album is in your library, the track will be playable.
That's it. No workaround, no bypass. The error is telling you exactly what's wrong.
Why It Happened
The music licensing on Microsoft Store is set by the content provider. Some distributors mark certain tracks as album-only. This can happen with older albums, special editions, or when the label wants to push album sales.
The error code itself just means the store's purchase flow refuses the single-track purchase because the product's metadata says album_only = true. You're not doing anything wrong; the store won't let you.
Less Common Variations
Occasionally you'll see this error in other situations. Here's what I've run into over the years.
1. You're trying to buy a deluxe edition track
Deluxe editions often have bonus tracks that are exclusive to the album. If you try to buy those separately, you'll hit the same error. Same fix: buy the deluxe album.
2. The track is a pre-order bonus
Some albums have tracks that are only available when you pre-order. If you missed the pre-order window, those tracks may never become available for individual purchase. You're out of luck unless the album is still on sale.
3. Regional restrictions
Rare, but I've seen it. A track might be album-only in your region but available individually in another. You can't change your region easily without messing up your billing, so don't bother. Just buy the album or skip the track.
4. You're trying to gift a track
If you're trying to gift a track, the same album-only restriction applies. You can gift the album, but not the single. Annoying, but it is what it is.
What About the "Buy Album" Option Not Showing?
If you don't see a buy button for the album, check if it's on a different page. Sometimes the album is listed under a different artist or there's a deluxe version. Use the search bar and look for the full album.
Also, make sure you're signed in with the Microsoft account that has the Store enabled. That sounds basic, but I've seen people trying to buy while signed out.
Prevention for Next Time
To avoid this error, check the album page before you try to buy a track. Look for the "Available for purchase as part of the album" label. If you see it, decide then whether you want the whole album.
If you're a collector who wants specific tracks, check other services like Amazon MP3 or iTunes. They often split albums differently. But if you're locked into the Microsoft Store ecosystem, you just have to work with their rules.
One more thing: if you already bought the album and still get this error, that's a different problem. That's usually a licensing sync issue. Sign out of the Store, restart the app, and sign back in. If that doesn't fix it, contact Microsoft support with your purchase receipt.
Bottom line: this error is a dead end for single-track buyers. Buy the album or move on. It's that simple.