User reports indicate problems at Google Play
Google Play is a digital store for apps and content on the Android mobile operating system. Within Android, the store is referred to as Play Store. Until March 2012 the store was called Android Marketplace. Google Play offers mobile apps and in select geographies also sells digital music (Google Play Music or Google Music), e-books and movies for download.
Check downdetector for outage status click here
Check if the problem is more widespread
Check internet connectivity
Check date and time settings
Check Google Apps
Install the latest version of Google Play Store
Clear cache, storage/data on Google Play Store
Clear cache on Google Play Services
Install the latest version of Google Play Services
Reset Google account(s)
Check interference due to disabled apps
Disable VPN/ VPN apps
Enable download manager/downloads (Android 9 and below)
Drastic solutions
Solution for rooted devices
Uninstall updates on Google Play Store
Perform factory reset
1. How to pinpoint the problem
First of all, you'll want to make sure the problem is on your end and not a wider problem with Google. Check the Play Store status on a service like Downdetector, for example. If a lot of users are reporting problems with the app, then chances are Google's servers are having stability issues, and you will need to wait for them to fix it.
If you suspect the problem is on the user end (i.e. your phone), you'll first want to restart your device. It seems obvious, but this can be a quick solution to many issues. If your problem repeats, then it's time to get to work.
To start off, we want to check a couple of simple things outside of Google Play that might be affecting its performance.
Check your Internet connection
It may seem too simple or easy, but checking your Internet connection could solve the problems you're having. Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or vice versa, and see if the problem persists. You should also try switching your phone to "Airplane mode" and back again. Finally, you can restart your router to make absolutely sure you have a good connection.
Check your date and time settings
Google periodically checks your smartphone's date and time for the Play Store. In case there is a difference between the actual time and what is displayed on your phone, Google's servers could have a tough time syncing with your device and cause Google Play Store to act up. That can also happen if you travel to another time zone, and forget to adjust the device time settings.
To fix this issue, you need to go into the Settings on your Android device and follow the steps below:
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Go to System.
Select Date & Time.
Then, make sure to activate the options Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
Google Play Issues Date Time
Updating the date & time settings can potentially solve Google Play Store issues.
If your device is on automatic and your Google Play Store is still not working, then you should manually set the date and time. You first need to turn Set time automatically off. Then start by entering the date and time with as much accuracy as possible. If this doesn't work, don't worry, there are still many more solutions for getting your Google Play Store up and running again.
2. Check your Google apps
If the Play Store is frozen or glitching, force close it by swiping it away or going to Settings > Apps > See all apps select the Google Play Store, and hit Force stop.
Google Play Issues Force Stop
Stopping the Play Store app will force it to restart / © NextPit
Then, you'll want to make sure that Google Play itself is up to date and clean. This involves making sure you have the latest version of Google Play installed, especially when the Google Play Store keeps stopping. If you still have problems, you'll want to do some housekeeping. This means clearing the Google Play Store cache and, if this doesn't solve things, going further and clearing out your Play Store data.
If there's still an issue after the Play Store has been cleaned up, we'll have to go a little deeper and clear data and cache on Google Play Services, as well as make sure to install the latest version of Google Play Services. If the issue persists, the next step (make sure to record your passwords, etc.) is to reset your Google account on your device.
Install the latest version of Google Play Store
It's silly, but sometimes a Google Play Store update is available but won't automatically download until days after being released. To manually check for an update, Google added a new option in 2021 in the app, just follow these steps:
Go into the Google Play Store app and tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Tap on Settings.
Expand the About by tapping on it.
Finally, tap in the Update Play Store option, and confirm the update if available.
Google Play Issues Update
Alternatively, if you get the APK file for the Play Store, you can have the newest version immediately, though. Read this article to find out how.
Clear the Google Play Store cache
In some cases, you can get the Play Store going again by just clearing the cache. The cache is a storage area that temporarily holds data so it can be quickly retrieved without needing to be reloaded. This could solve your problem, and emptying it is easy.
First, go in the Settings from your smartphone’s home screen.
Select the Apps option, (or Apps & notifications, depending on your device).
On stock Android, you will need to tap on See all apps.
You will now see a list of apps installed on the phone. Scroll down until you see Google Play Store and tap on it.
You will now see a screen that says App Info. Here, tap on the option that says Storage & cache.
Tap on the option that says Clear cache.
Google Play Issues Clear cache
Clear the Google Play Store cache and check if that fixes the issue.
Go back and check if this resolves the issue. If it doesn't, repeat the same procedure as indicated in the next step:
Clear Storage on the Google Play Store
As mentioned earlier, if the issue isn't fixed by simply clearing the cache, you can try the other option called Clear storage (or Clear data). The steps are identical as given above, but this step erases quite a bit more. It sets the app back to square one and gets rid of your saved information, hopefully including whatever glitchy data was causing the problem.
Remember, when you do this, your files, settings, accounts, databases, and other information will be erased. You should make sure you have the log-in information for the account as it will be taken off the Google Play Store application.
Clear data and cache on Google Play Services
If Google Play Store is the heart of your Android device, then Google Play Services is its soul. Play Services is the mysterious background process that allows apps to communicate with different parts of your device, enabling them to sync, send push notifications, and so on. If clearing the cache and data in your Google Play Store didn’t work, then you may need to go into your Google Play Services and clear the data and cache there. Doing this is easy.
Open the Settings app.
Go to Apps (or Apps & notifications).
Tap on See all apps.
You will now see a list of apps installed on the phone. Scroll down until you see Google Play Services and tap on it.
Tap on the Storage & cache option.
Tap on the Clear cache button.
Go back and check if this resolves the issue.
Google Play Issues Services
This is how you can clear the cache for Google Play Services / © NextPit
Install the latest version of Google Play Services
Another thing that may help is to download and install the latest version of Google Play Services and the Google Play Store. The most current version of the software is likely to be the most stable, so it's useful to keep it updated. Remember first to check the Play Store for updates.
Depending on your phone's model, the Google Play Services is updated automatically, to manually check for a new version, just click on the link below:
Reset your Google account on your device
We're now coming to slightly more drastic solutions. If your Play Store app still isn't working, then you may need to refresh your Google account on your Android device. This will mean your Google account on your entire phone will be reset and not just in the Google Play Store. Make sure you know the account(s) and passwords before you start this. You could lose the entire account if you’re not careful.
To do this, remove your account, then add it again. It’s pretty simple to do.
Open the Settings app.
Tap Password & accounts.
Select the Google account you want to remove.
Tap on the Remove account button.
Repeat these steps for every Google account on your device.
Now you need to re-enter your Google account. Go back into your Settings and tap on Password & account again. The only thing you should see is Add Account. If you see an account, then you forgot to remove one. Tap Add Account and follow the on-screen steps to re-add your account.
Google Play Issues remove account
Removing your Google account then re-adding it could help /
Check third party apps
The steps above should confirm whether the issue lies with the Google Play system itself, but sometimes the problem can originate from a different, related app that can be interfering with the Play Store. First, check your disabled apps, and make sure that you enable Download Manager. You should also disable your VPN if you have one.
Check your disabled apps
Many apps need other services or applications in order to function properly. This is especially true when you're dealing with system apps such as the Google Play Store. If you recently disabled an app, that could be your problem. Luckily, this is easy to fix.
Open the Settings app.
Then tap Apps (or Apps & notifications).
Expand the list by tapping the See all apps option.
Expand the All apps option
The dropdown list will not be available if there are no apps disabled on the phone.
Select the Disabled apps option.
If you see any disabled services, just go into these and hit Enable, and see if that helps.
Google Play Issues disabled apps
Enable your disabled apps
Disable your VPN
Having a VPN is a great way to get all your favorite media outside your geographic location. You can even use a VPN to install an app in the Play Store of another country. But your VPN could be causing you problems with your Google Play Store in the region you're currently in.
If you have a VPN enabled on your Android device, you should disable it. Go into your Settings and tap Network and internet. Check if you have enabled a VPN.
In case you have installed a third-party app for VPN. You will need to disable that separately.
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