Can I download apps while an App Store payment is pending?

That restriction can apply to free downloads too when there’s an unpaid balance on the account. The direct fix is to settle the balance or update the payment method so the charge can go through. There may not be a legitimate workaround that keeps using the same account while the balance is unpaid.

Check the account’s purchase or billing settings and confirm which charge failed. If the payment method is still valid, updating its details may let the store retry the charge. If you can’t pay until later, you’ll likely need to wait until then to download apps through that account.