Google Play Store is the official app store for Android devices, where you can download and install millions of apps and games. However, sometimes Google Play Store may not work properly due to various reasons such as network issues, cache problems, corrupted data or outdated software. This can be very frustrating, especially when you need to update or download an app urgently.
Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to fix Google Play Store not working issues on your Android device.
Google Play Store Won’t Open or Load
If Google Play Store won’t open or load on your device, you may have a network issue or a cache problem. Here are some possible solutions:
1. Restart Your Device
Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix many issues on your device, including Google Play Store problems. To restart your device, press and hold the power button for a few seconds and then tap Restart. Wait for your device to boot up and then try to open Google Play Store again.
2. Check Your Network Connection
Google Play Store requires a reliable internet connection to work properly. If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure that you are connected to a strong and secure network. You can also try to switch to another Wi-Fi network or turn off Wi-Fi and use mobile data instead. If you are using mobile data, make sure that you have enough data balance and that you have enabled data usage for Google Play Store. You can also try to switch to another SIM card or turn on airplane mode and then turn it off again. To check your network settings, go to Settings > Network & internet or it will be Settings > mobile network.
3. Clear Google Play Store cache and data
Cache and data are temporary files that Google Play Store uses to store information and speed up the app. However, sometimes these files may get corrupted or outdated and cause Google Play Store to malfunction. To clear Google Play Store cache and data, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then, tap Clear storage and confirm. This will delete all the data and settings of Google Play Store and reset it to its default state. You may need to sign in to your Google account again and accept the terms and conditions. After clearing the cache and data, try to open Google Play Store again.
4, Update Google Play Store
Google Play Store updates itself automatically, but sometimes it may not do so due to various reasons. To check if you have the latest version of Google Play Store, open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the top left corner. Then, tap Settings > About > Play Store version. If you see a message saying “Google Play Store is up to date”, then you have the latest version. If you see a message saying “A new version of Google Play Store will be downloaded and installed”, then tap OK to update the app. Wait for the update to complete and then try to open Google Play Store again.
Google Play Store Keeps Crashing or Freezing
If Google Play Store keeps crashing or freezing on your device, you may have a corrupted data or a software issue. Here are some possible solutions:
1. Clear Google Play Services Cache and Data
Google Play Services is a system app that provides core functionality for Google Play Store and other Google apps. Sometimes, Google Play Services may have cache or data issues that affect Google Play Store performance. To clear Google Play Services cache and data, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Services > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then, tap Manage space > Clear all data and confirm. This will delete all the data and settings of Google Play Services and reset it to its default state. You may need to sign in to your Google account again and sync your data. After clearing the cache and data, try to open Google Play Store again.
2. Uninstall Google Play Store updates
Google Play Store updates itself automatically, but sometimes the updates may have bugs or compatibility issues that cause the app to crash or freeze. To uninstall Google Play Store updates, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Menu (three dots) > Uninstall updates and confirm. This will revert Google Play Store to its factory version. You may need to update the app again later, when a stable version is available. After uninstalling the updates, try to open Google Play Store again.
3. Check for System Updates
Sometimes, Google Play Store may crash or freeze due to outdated or incompatible system software. To check for system updates, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If you see a message saying “Your system is up to date”, then you have the latest version. If you see a message saying “Update available”, then tap Download and install to update your system software. Wait for the update to complete, and then try to open Google Play Store again.
Google Play Store Shows Error Messages or Codes
If Google Play Store shows error messages or codes on your device, you may have a network issue, a cache problem, or a server issue. Here are some possible solutions:
Check the Error Message or Code
Google Play Store may show different error messages or codes depending on the type and cause of the problem. Some of the common error messages or codes are:
- Error 403: This means that you are not authorized to download or update the app, because you have used multiple Google accounts on your device. To fix this, go to Settings > Accounts > Google and remove the Google account that you don’t use for Google Play Store. Then, go to Google Play Store and sign in with the Google account that you use for Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can clear Google Play Store cache and data and then sign in with the correct Google account.
- Error 495: This means that there is a problem with downloading or updating the app, due to a network issue. To fix this, go to Settings > Network & internet and check your network connection. You can also try to switch to another network or use a VPN app to bypass any network restrictions. Alternatively, you can clear Google Play Store cache and data and then try to download or update the app again.
- Error 504: This means that there is a problem with installing the app, due to a server issue. To fix this, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then, tap Clear storage and confirm. Alternatively, you can wait for some time and try to install the app again, when the server issue is resolved.
- Error 941: This means that there is a problem with updating the app, due to a cache issue. To fix this, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then, try to update the app again.
- Error 961: This means that there is a problem with purchasing the app, due to a data issue. To fix this, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then, tap Clear storage and confirm. Alternatively, you can contact Google support and request a refund for the app.
- Force stop Google Play Store: Sometimes, Google Play Store may show error messages or codes because the app is not responding or running in the background. To force stop Google Play Store, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Force stop and confirm. This will close the app and stop any processes related to it. Then, try to open Google Play Store again.
- Remove and re-add your Google account: Sometimes, Google Play Store may show error messages or codes because there is a problem with your Google account or its sync settings. To remove and re-add your Google account, go to Settings > Accounts > Google and tap the Google account that you use for Google Play Store. Then, tap Remove account and confirm. Then, go to Settings > Accounts > Add account > Google and sign in with your Google account again. This will refresh your Google account and sync your data. Then, try to open Google Play Store again.
Google Play Store Downloads are Slow or Stuck
If Google Play Store downloads are slow or stuck on your device, you may have a network issue, a storage issue, or a cache issue. Here are some possible solutions:
Check Your Network Connection
Google Play Store downloads require a stable and fast internet connection to work properly. If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure that you are connected to a strong and secure network. You can also try to switch to another Wi-Fi network, or turn off Wi-Fi and use mobile data instead. If you are using mobile data, make sure that you have enough data balance, and that you have enabled data usage for Google Play Store. You can also try to switch to another SIM card or turn on airplane mode and then turn it off again. To check your network settings, go to Settings > mobile networks. You can also use a speed test app to check your network speed and latency.
Google Play Store Can’t Install or Update Apps
If Google Play Store can’t install or update apps on your device, you may have a storage issue, a permission issue, or a security issue. Here are some possible solutions:
1. Check Your Storage Space
Google Play Store can’t install or update apps if you don’t have enough storage space on your device. To check your storage space, go to file manager. If you see a message saying “Storage space running out” or “Storage space critically low”, then you need to free up some space on your device. You can do this by deleting unwanted apps, files, photos, videos or cache. You can also use a storage manager app to clean up your device and optimize its performance. Alternatively, you can use an external SD card to expand your storage space, if your device supports it.
2. Check Your App Permissions
Google Play Store can’t install or update apps if you don’t grant the necessary permissions to the app. To check your app permissions, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Google Play Store > Permissions. Make sure that you have enabled all the permissions that Google Play Store needs, such as storage, location, contacts, etc. You can also check the permissions of the app that you want to install or update, and make sure that you have accepted the terms and conditions. To check the permissions of the app, go to Google Play Store, and tap the app that you want to install or update. Then, tap More (three dots) > View details > Permissions. You can also tap Install or Update and review the permissions before proceeding.
3. Check Your Security Settings
Google Play Store can’t install or update apps if you have enabled some security settings that prevent the installation or update of apps from unknown sources. To check your security settings, go to Settings > Security & privacy. Make sure that you have disabled the option “Install unknown apps” or “Allow app installs” for Google Play Store and enabled the option “Google Play Protect” or “Verify apps”. You can also scan your device for any harmful apps or malware and remove them if found.