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 theSettingson your Android device and follow the steps below:
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 turnSet 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 toSettings >Apps >See all apps select theGoogle Play Store, and hitForce stop.
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:
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.
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 calledClear storage (orClear 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.
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.
Now you need to re-enter your Google account. Go back into yourSettingsand tap on Password & account again. The only thing you should see isAdd Account. If you see an account, then you forgot to remove one. TapAdd Accountand follow the on-screen steps to re-add your account.
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.
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 yourSettingsand tapNetwork 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.
Enable Download Manager (applicable only for older Android phones)
There is a chance that the Play Store will stop working if your download manager is disabled. If this is the case, the solution is simple. Note that this is no longer an option on devices running Android 10 and above.
Go into yourSettingsand tap eitherApps/Application manager (depending on your device). You should either see all of your apps, or you might have to chooseAll. From there, findDownloads orDownload managerand hit this.
You should be able to see ifDownload manager is disabled. If it is, then you'll see a button marked Enable. Simply tap this button to switchDownload managerback on. If all you see are buttons forForce StopandDisable(possibly grayed-out, as seen below), thenDownload manager is not disabled, and you can rule this possibility out.
3. Go for the drastic solution
Now, we're getting to some more technical solutions that need to be done with care, so make sure you've tried the above methods first. Now, if you've rooted your device, then we recommend deleting the file "hosts.txt" in your system directory. If this doesn't work or if you don't want to root your phone, then return to the Play Store and uninstall previous updates.
Finally, as a last resort, you can always perform a factory data reset on your smartphone. This will erase all your data, so make sure to back them up first.
Delete the file "hosts.txt" (requires root)
For advanced users who have already rooted their device, open your root-privileged file explorer of choice. Then go to your root/system directory and search for "hosts.txt" and delete the file. Note: do not touch any of the other system files!
Uninstall updates on Google Play
Generally, when you have a problem with an app, you can just uninstall it and then reinstall it. Well, that works for some apps, but the Google Play Store is a system app on your Android device. What you can do instead is uninstall previous updates to the app, and this might help your problem, depending on the Android version your mobile is running. Here's how you can do it.
If your Google Play Store is still not working, then you need to go back and reinstall the updates. From there, head down to our last solution.
Perform a factory data reset on your smartphone
If you're still facing problems after having tried all of the above, then you may have little choice but to do a factory reset. This is a drastic measure, and there are consequences. All of your data will be lost. So you should perform a complete backup beforehand. Your data will be restored when you log back into your Google account.
Here's how you can factory reset a phone running stock Android.
Did these solutions work for you? Do you have any other advice to get the Google Play Store working again? Let us know in the comments.
This article was updated in March 2022. Older comments were kept and may refer to outdated instructions.