How to Fix Google Play Store Not Working on Android

By . in Internet. Updated on .

If you’re attempting to download an app from the Google Play Store on your Android device but have been running into errors, then you don’t need to worry.

This issue is actually quite common, and it’s easy to fix. In this article, I will walk you through the steps necessary to get your Google Play Store up and running again.

What causes Google Play Store to stop working?

There are many possible reasons why Google Play Store might stop working. One common reason is that the app has become corrupted and needs to be reinstalled.

Another possibility is that there’s a problem with your device’s cache. Also, there might be a problem with your internet connection. Finally, there could be a problem with Google Play Store’s servers.

Quick fixes for faulty Google Play Store

First, try these quick fixes and see if the problem is resolved.

1. Check the Internet connectivity

It seems childish but first, check your Wi-Fi connection or mobile data. Are you connected to the internet? If the internet connection is slow or unstable, restart your modem (in case of WiFi) or disconnect and then reconnect (if you are using mobile data).

2. Check if it’s a problem at Google’s end

Check to see if the Google Play Store services are running. Seek help from sources like Downdetector, UptimeRobot, or other such sites. If you can see many people complaining about the same issue, the problem might be on Google’s end.

Alternatively, go to the official Google Play’s Twitter page. There you can find updates regarding the App’s service issue. If the issue is with the service, you should not worry anymore. This is a temporary service down and Google will fix it on its own.

3. Restart the device

Restart your device. This will terminate any background process that might be conflicting with the play store and will give a fresh start.

Simply press the power button, tap the Restart option, and your device will be restarted.

restart device
4. Close unnecessary apps

Close all the apps that you are not using as they are consuming the RAM. There might not be enough memory available for the Google play store to run properly. To check the RAM usage of apps, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Storage.
    2. setting storage
  2. In storage, tap on RAM and then go to Memory used by apps.
    3. memory used by apps
  3. Here you can see the memory usage of each app installed on your phone. You can close any unnecessary app or force stop it.
    4. close apps

Detailed solutions for Google Play Store

If none of the above quick fixes works, below are some more detailed solutions to fix this issue.

1. Clear junk files

If your Android device’s storage isn’t sufficient, your Google play store app may not work. All of the applications require space on your device to run efficiently. That is why it is critical to clear out any junk files that are clogging up your storage space.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap RAM and Storage space.

Now see if there is enough storage space available. If it’s still not enough, clear up some storage space from your device. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Tap Clear up storage space.
  2. Select the data you want to delete and tap Clean up all.
2. Check your date and time settings

Google usually checks the date and time on your Android device. If the date and time are not according to your time zone, Google may have difficulty synchronizing them. This may cause your Google Play Store to stop working.

To adjust the date and time, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > System management.
  2. Select Date and time.
  3. Turn off the Auto option. Set the date and time according to your time zone. After setting the date and time, don’t forget to enable the Auto option again.
3. Clear cache from Google Play Store

Sometimes, clearing the app store cache also fixes the problem.

To delete the cache from your Google play store:

  1. Open Settings > Application & Permissions > App Manager.
  2. Look for Google Play Store.
  3. Click on Internal Storage. Now, tap Clear Cache.

You may need to sign back into your account after doing this.

4. Disable VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is a great thing to have on your phone if you are fond of content that is restricted in your geographic location. But it can sometimes lead to the lagging of certain apps like the Google Play Store.

All countries have different Play stores. If you are trying to use the Play store from another country using a VPN, you might be unable to use it on your Android phone. To disable VPN on your device:

  1. Go to Settings > Other networks and connections > VPN.
  2. Now tap VPN. If the VPN is enabled, Disable it.

If you are using a third-party VPN on your Android, disable it as well.

5. Get the latest version of Google Play Store

Updating the apps on your android device is highly crucial for their efficient working, and this will not only maximize their full potential but will save them from such glitches. If you haven’t upgraded your play store to the most up-to-date version, update it immediately.

To update the Google play store:

  1. Open Google Play Store app and tap on your profile photo in the top right corner.
  2. Now open Settings > About
  3. Here, you’ll be able to see the Play Store version.
  4. If it’s updated, then you don’t need to do anything. However, if it’s not updated, you will see an "Update Play Store" message. Click it and wait for the update process to complete.
6. Check Android System Updates

Another thing you can do to fix this issue is to check the Android system updates. Android system updates are updates to the Android operating system. Android system updates are important because they can include security patches that fix vulnerabilities in the Android operating system.

These updates can also include new features and improvements to the operating system. It’s important to keep your Android device updated with the latest system updates to ensure that you have the best possible experience and that your device is as secure as possible.

Follow these steps to check if there are any Android system updates available:

  1. Go to Settings > System update.
  2. If any system update is available and is pending download, download and install it.
7. The last solution: Factory reset!

The last resort for resolving Google Play Store failure on Android is to factory reset the device. After performing a factory reset on an Android phone, the device will be restored to its default settings and all user data will be deleted.

Any applications that were installed on the phone will also be removed. Before factory reset, make sure to back up all of your data.

To do the factory reset of your device:

  1. Open Settings > System Management > Backup & Reset.
  2. Here, tap Erase all data.

Now, you have got your hands on an empty and new-like device. Your problem should be fixed by now.

Conclusion

If you are having issues with the Google Play Store, these are a few things that you can do to try and fix it. We’ve listed some of the most prevalent solutions for the Google Play Store failure on Android, so hopefully one of them will help you get connected to the Play Store and download the apps that you want.

If you’ve tried all these fixes and your Google Play Store is still not working, you should contact the customer service. Let them know what troubles you have been having and see if they can help you resolve the issue.

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestLinkedInGoogle+YoutubeRedditDribbbleBehanceGithubCodePenWhatsappEmail