Having issues with the Google Play Store constantly stopping or crashing can be frustrating. There are a few potential causes and solutions to try to get the Play Store working properly again.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try that may resolve Play Store crashing or stopping:
- Restart your device – Completely power down your phone or tablet and then turn it back on. This will refresh the operating system and Play Store app.
- Clear the Play Store cache – Open your device settings, applications, select Google Play Store app and choose to clear cache.
- Check for Play Store updates – Open the Play Store app and tap the hamburger menu icon in the top left. Go to Settings > About and see if any app updates are available.
- Disable auto-updates – In the Play Store Settings, turn off auto-update apps. This prevents apps from updating in the background which could be causing crashes.
- Force stop the Play Store – In your device settings Apps section, select the Play Store app and choose Force Stop.
Checking for Problems with Other Apps
Issues with other apps on your device could potentially be causing the Play Store to crash or stop working correctly. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Uninstall recently added apps – If you’ve added any new apps recently, try uninstalling them. A new app may be conflicting with the Play Store.
- Check for app updates – Open the Play Store and go to My Apps section. Look for any available app updates and install them. Outdated apps can cause glitches.
- Clear app cache and data – For any apps you frequently use, try clearing the cache and app data through your device settings. Too much data can overload apps.
- Boot into Safe Mode – Restart your phone and hold the power button during boot up to boot into Safe Mode. This will disable third-party apps and services.
- Factory reset your device – Backup your data and then perform a factory reset. This will wipe your device and solve any software issues.
Fixing Account and Connection Issues
There are also some account and connectivity issues that could lead to problems with Google Play Store crashing or freezing. Solutions for account and connections include:
- Check your internet connection – Make sure you have a stable WiFi or cellular data connection. Play Store requires an internet connection.
- Clear Play Store data – In your device settings, find the Play Store app and choose to clear data. This fixes cached account issues.
- Remove and re-add your Google account – Delete your Google account from the device and then add it again to reset everything.
- Force stop Download Manager – Find Download Manager app in your settings and choose Force Stop to restart it.
- Toggle Airplane mode – Turn on Airplane mode for 30 seconds and then turn it off to refresh connections.
Installing Updates
Having the latest version of Android and the Google Play Store app is important. Make sure that updates are installed:
- Install Android updates – Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check for and install any Android OS updates.
- Update Google Play Store – Open the Play Store app, tap the hamburger menu and choose Settings > About to check for updates.
- Update Google Play services – Open the Play Store, go to My Apps and check if Google Play services needs updates. Keep services updated.
- Check device manufacturer updates – Go to your device manufacturer’s website to search for any necessary firmware updates.
- Restart after updates – After any app or system updates, reboot your device for changes to take effect.
Clearing Cache and Data
Excess cached data and account issues can sometimes cause the Play Store to misbehave. Try clearing out the data:
- Clear Google Play Store cache – In your device settings, find and clear cache for the Play Store app.
- Clear Google Play services data – Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play services > Storage > Clear Data.
- Clear Download Manager cache – Find and clear cache for the Download Manager app in your settings.
- Wipe Play Store app data – In Settings, find the Play Store app and choose to clear all data. You’ll have to set up the app again.
- Clear Google search cache and data – Go to Settings > Apps > Google > Storage > Clear Data.
Performing a Partition Cache Wipe
Doing a partition cache wipe will clear out your device’s cached partition containing Play Store data. It can help resolve crashing issues.
- Power down your Android device completely.
- Press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button together until you see the boot up menu.
- Use the volume keys to scroll to “Wipe cache partition” and select it.
- Confirm you want to wipe the cache partition.
- Let the process complete, then select “Reboot system now”.
Factory Resetting the Device
If all else fails, performing a factory reset on your device will wipe it clean and often fix Play Store issues. Before resetting, make sure to backup your data.
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and select System (or General Management depending on device).
- Choose Reset options (may also be Backup & Reset).
- Select Factory data reset.
- Follow prompts to confirm reset and erase all data.
- Device will reboot, boot up fresh and you’ll have to set up apps again.
Getting Help from Google
If you continue to experience Google Play Store crashing or freezing even after trying the above solutions, you can get help directly from Google:
- Visit the Google Play Help Center for troubleshooting guides and chat support: https://support.google.com/googleplay
- Join the Google Play community forum to search for help or post questions: https://support.google.com/googleplay/community
- Contact Google Play support via email for additional troubleshooting help: [email protected]
Conclusion
Google Play Store crashing or freezing can often be fixed by troubleshooting common issues. Start with simplest solutions like restarting your device, installing updates, or clearing app caches and data. For ongoing issues, wipe your cache partition, factory reset the device, or contact Google support. With some dedicated troubleshooting, you should be able to get the Play Store working properly again.
| Troubleshooting Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Restart your device | Power cycle your phone or tablet |
| Clear Play Store cache | In device settings, clear cache for Play Store app |
| Check for Play Store updates | Open Play Store and check for available updates |
| Disable auto-updates | Turn off auto-update apps in Play Store settings |
| Uninstall recently added apps | New apps may conflict with Play Store |
| Clear app cache and data | Clear cache and data for frequently used apps |
| Check internet connection | Make sure WiFi or cellular data is connected |
| Install Android updates | Check Settings for any pending Android OS updates |
| Wipe cache partition | Boots into recovery to wipe cache partition |
| Factory reset device | Backup data and reset device to original settings |
| Contact Google Play support | Get help via email, chat, forums if issue persists |
