How to Fix "Unfortunately Google Play Store Has Stopped"

PDF download Download Article
Reset and reactivate the Google Play Store
PDF download Download Article

If you are seeing the “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error message on your Android phone or tablet, it could be caused by any number of things. Some potential issues are a lack of internet connection, not enough storage space, or corrupt data. This wikiHow teaches you how to fix the error message in the Google Play Store.

Troubleshooting Tips

  1. Restart your Android device.
  2. Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
  3. Free up storage on your device.
  4. Update your Android to the latest version.
  5. Clear the cache and data.
Section 1 of 4:

Basic Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Restart your phone or tablet.
    If you are having problems with the Google Play Store, the first thing you should try is restarting your phone or tablet. Use the following steps to restart your phone or tablet:[1]
    • Press and hold the Power button until the Options menu appears. The Power button is generally on the right side of your phone or tablet.
    • Tap Restart.
    • Wait for your phone to finish rebooting.
  2. Step 2 Check your Wi-Fi...
    Check your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. If you are continually having problems with the Google Play Store or app downloads, check your internet connection. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, check the Wi-Fi symbol at the top and make you are getting mostly solid arches.[2] If you are using mobile data, check to make sure have full bars or near full bars and that your phone displays "4G LTE" or "5G" at the top.
    • If you are having problems with your Wi-Fi connection, try moving closer to your modem or router. If you are still not getting a good Wi-Fi connection, unplug your modem or router for about 20 seconds and plug it back in. Allow a few minutes for it to fully boot up. If you are still having problems, contact your service provider.
    • If you are having problems with your mobile data connection, try moving to a different location to see if you get a better signal. You can usually get a better mobile data connection outdoors. If you are not able to get any mobile data, contact your mobile service provider.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Check how much...
    Check how much storage you have available. You can check how much storage you have available under the "Storage" menu in the Settings app. This is on the main Settings menu of stock Android devices. If you are using a Samsung Galaxy device, it is under "Device Care" in the Settings app. Make sure you have at least 1 GB of storage available. If you have less than 1 GB of storage available, uninstall some apps or delete some files to create more space.[3]
  4. Step 4 Make sure your...
    Make sure your Android system is up-to-date. If your Android system is not up-to-date, it may cause problems with the Google Play Store. Use the following steps to make sure your system is running the latest version:[4] f
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap System.
    • Tap Software update.
  5. Step 5 Check the Google Play Store status.
    If you're receiving this error on other devices and the previous steps didn't help, it may be an issue on Google's end. You can check the Google Play Status Dashboard or Downdetector for recent reported issues.
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Clearing Data and Cache of the Google Play Store

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Open the Settings app icon.
    To open the Settings app, swipe down from the top of the screen to display the Quick Access menu. Then tap the icon that resembles a gear in the upper-right corner.
    • Alternatively, you can access the Settings app in your Apps menu by tapping the icon that resembles a gear.
  2. Step 2 Scroll down and tap Apps & notifications.
    This displays your apps and options for your apps.
    • If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, tap Apps instead. This will display a list of apps.[5]
    • On some Android devices, you may need to tap Storage, followed by Other apps.[6]
  3. Step 3 Tap See all apps.
    This displays a list of all apps installed on your phone or tablet.
  4. Step 4 Tap Google Play Store.
    Apps are listed alphabetically. Scroll down until you find Google Play Store and tap it.
    • Alternatively, you can tap the magnifying glass icon at the top and type "Google Play Store" in the search bar.
  5. Step 5 Tap Storage.
    This displays options for managing the storage on your device.
  6. Step 6 Tap Clear Cache.
    It's listed at the bottom of the screen. This instantly clears the app cache.
  7. Step 7 Tap Clear data followed by Ok.
    This clears the app data.
    • Warning: This will erase all your Google Play Store settings and your account data.[7]
  8. Step 8 Open the Google Play Store icon.
    Try to launch the Google Play Store again to see if the problem is fixed.
    • If you are still having problems with the Google Play Store, use these same steps to clear the cache and data for Google Play Services and Download Manager.[8]
    9. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Uninstalling and Reinstalling Google Play Store Updates

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Open the Settings app icon.
    To open the Settings app, swipe down from the top of the screen to display the Quick Access menu. Then tap the icon that resembles a gear in the upper-right corner.
    • Alternatively, you can access the Settings app in your Apps menu by tapping the icon that resembles a gear.
  2. Step 2 Scroll down and tap Apps & notifications.
    This displays your apps and options for your apps.
    • If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, tap Apps instead. This will display a list of apps.[9]
    • On some Android devices, you may need to tap Storage, followed by Other apps.[10]
  3. Step 3 Tap See all apps.
    This displays a list of all apps installed on your phone or tablet.
  4. Step 4 Tap Google Play Store.
    Apps are listed alphabetically. Scroll down until you find Google Play Store and tap it.
    • Alternatively, you can tap the magnifying glass icon at the top and type "Google Play Store" in the search bar.
  5. Step 5 Tap the More button ⋮.
    It's the button with three vertical dots in the upper-right corner. Tap this button to display the "More" menu.
  6. Step 6 Tap Uninstall updates.
    A pop-up box will appear asking you, “Replace this app with the factory version? All data will be removed.”
  7. Step 7 Tap Ok.
    This will uninstall all updates to the Google Play Store.
  8. Step 8 Open the Google Play Store icon.
    After uninstalling Google Play Store updates, try launching it again.
  9. Step 9 Tap your profile image.
    It's the circular image in the upper-right corner. This displays the menu.
    • If you have not set a profile image for your Google account, this will appear as a colored circle with an initial in the middle.
  10. Step 10 Tap Settings.
    It's near the bottom of the menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear.[11]
  11. Step 11 Tap About.
    This expands the "About" menu.[12]
  12. Step 12 Tap Play Store version.
    It's near the bottom of the "About" menu. This checks for the latest version of the Google Play Store.[13]
  13. Step 13 Tap OK.
    This starts downloading the latest version of Google Play Store. Wait for your download to finish.
    • You will then notice on the notification bar that the Download Manager has started downloading the latest version of Google Play.
    • Due to fresh installation, the error message “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” should be gone too.
    14. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Removing and Re-adding Your Google Account

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Open the Settings app icon.
    To open the Settings app, swipe down from the top of the screen to display the Quick Access menu. Then tap the icon that resembles a gear in the upper-right corner.[14]
    • Alternatively, you can access the Settings app in your Apps menu by tapping the icon that resembles a gear.
  2. Step 2 Tap Passwords & accounts.
    You will see a list of all the accounts added to your device.
    • If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will first need to tap Accounts & backup before tapping Accounts.
    • On some devices, this may just be Accounts.
  3. Step 3 Tap the email address associated with your Google account.
    Make sure this is the account you use to download and make purchases on the Google Play Store.
    • Before deleting, make sure all of your data including contacts, calendar, docs, and Gmail are synchronized with your Google account.
  4. Step 4 Tap Remove account.
    It's below the listed email address and Google logo. This removes your account from your device.[15]
    • Remember, deleting your primary Google account from your Android device will delete your contacts, calendar, and other account-associated data from your device.
  5. Step 5 Enter your PIN or password if needed.
    If asked to do so, enter the PIN or Password, or use your fingerprint to confirm that you want to remove the Google account.
  6. Step 6 Go back to the "Accounts" page and tap + Add account.
    It's at the bottom of the "Accounts" page in the Settings app.[16]
  7. Step 7 Tap Google.
    It's next to the Google "G" icon. This indicates that you want to add a new Google account.
  8. Step 8 Enter your password or PIN if needed.
    If asked to do so, enter the password or PIN, or use your fingerprint to confirm that you want to add a new account.
  9. Step 9 Enter your Google account email and tap Next.
    Make sure you enter the email address associated with your primary Google account.
  10. Step 10 Enter your Google password and tap Next.
    This signs you back into your Google account.
  11. Step 11 Try using the Google Play Store again.
    Now that you have logged out and logged back into the Google account you are using with the Google Play Store, try relaunching the Google Play Store and see if the problem is fixed.
    12. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I can't open my Playstore and its keeps going back to my home screen.
    Rudy Toth
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    Go to your phone settings and see if you can clear out the cache that builds up during the daily/nightly usages. Clean the cache in Google Play Store on your phone and then reboot your phone and see if that works for you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
     Thank you for your feedback.
     If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 40 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Unsuccessful in solving problems. Everytime I tap on a given instruction the screen shrinks and nothing seems to happen. Why is this?
    Rudy Toth
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    Go to settings and see if you can delete the "Cache" in your phone. Open the Google Play Store app and clear the cache that way you solve the problem. You also can install a cache cleaner app that removes all the cache your phone builds up over the days of usages. Things tend to slip and not work with the cache is over filled in some apps.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
     Thank you for your feedback.
     If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 7
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Fix Insufficient Storage Available Error in Android6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
Why Can't I Download AppsWhy Can't I Download Apps on My Phone or Computer?
System Ui Not RespondingFix System UI Not Responding Error: 10 Android Troubleshooting Tips
Something Went Wrong Please Try AgainA Guide to Fixing a 'Something Went Wrong' Error on Any Device
Log Off Google Play
How to
Log Out of Google Play on Android & Desktop
Fix Mobile Network Not Available11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
Tiktok No Internet ConnectionTikTok "No Internet Connection": 7 Methods You Can Try to Fix This Error
Instagram Keeps Crashing8 Easy Ways to Fix Instagram Crashing on iPhone and Android
Something Went Wrong Instagram9 Instagram Troubleshooting Tips for The "Something Went Wrong" Error
Update Whatsapp on Android
How to
Update WhatsApp on Android + Troubleshooting
Snapchat Won't Open6 Easy Ways to Fix Snapchat That Won't Open
Why Is My Cellular Data Not WorkingWhy Is My Cellular Data Not Working? Fixes for Android and iPhone
Starbucks App Not WorkingStarbucks App Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Facebook App Crashing10 Ways to Fix Facebook If It’s Crashing
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664998?hl=en
  2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075847?hl=en
  3. ↑ https://support.google.com/files/answer/11349611?hl=en
  4. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en
  5. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077611/
  6. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7431795?hl=en
  7. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7431795?hl=en
  8. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7513003?hl=en#zippy=,check-your-storage-space
  9. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077611/
  1. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7431795?hl=en
  2. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en
  3. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en
  4. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412?hl=en
  5. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664951?hl=en
  6. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664951?hl=en
  7. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664951?hl=en

About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Stan Kats
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 876,839 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 22
Updated: June 2, 2025
Views: 876,839
Categories: Google Applications
Article SummaryX

1. Restart your Android device.
2. Check your internet connection.
3. Check how much storage you have available.
4. Make sure your Android system is up-to-date.
5. Locate Google Play Store in the Apps menu in the Settings app.
6. Clear the Google Play Store cache and data and try again.
8. Uninstall all Google Play Store updates in the Apps menu in the Settings app.
9. Remove your Gooogle account from your phone and sign back into it.

Did this summary help you?

In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 876,839 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement