Fix: Unfortunately, Google Play Store has Stopped

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on June 5, 2023
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

Unfortunately, the Google Play Store has stopped. Most of these Google Play Store-related issues stem from the cache Google stores in local storage to expedite the process of re-downloading from Google servers and to reduce the load.

Errors usually occur when the servers and the device are out of sync. An example would be if something has been updated on the server, but the phone is still looking into its local storage (cache). These types of errors with the Google Play Store are easily fixable.

Before moving on with solutions, ensure that your system has enough free space. Also, restart the device to see if it resolves the problem. Moreover, ensure that you have a working internet connection. Additionally, make sure you are using the updated versions of Google Play Store and Google Play Services.

In this guide, I will down a few methods for fixing this issue:

Method 1: Reset Apps.

  1. Go to settings.
  2. Tap the Application Manager or App Manager.
  3. Tap the menu button.
  4. Tap ‘Reset App Preferences.‘
    resetapps
    Reset Android Apps

Test if it works; if not, proceed to Method 2.

Method 2: Enable Downloads

  1. Go to settings.
  2. Tap Apps and then choose All.
  3. Locate the downloads.
  4. Open Downloads and tap the Menu button.
  5. Ensure that it is enabled; if not, then enable it

Test if Google Play works; if not, proceed to Method 3.

Method 3: Reset the Google Play Store.

  1. Tap on Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, and then choose All (swipe to the right).
  3.  Locate the Google Play Store.
  4. Tap the menu button.
  5. Tap Force Stop, tap Uninstall Updates, and then tap Clear Data.

    O: 

    playstore2
    Clear Data of Google Play Store
  6.  Repeat the process for
    • Google Play Services
    • Google Services Framework
 

One of the methods mentioned above should fix this Google Play problem for you. If none of them work, then a reset to factory defaults is needed. Make sure you back up your data to Google by syncing. If you are still experiencing the issue even after resetting the device to factory defaults, then have your device inspected at an authorized hardware repair shop.

Tags
Kevin ArrowsUpdated on June 5, 2023
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo of Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

34
    AA
    Aleksandar Alex Ajdarevic Oct 30, 2015

    Google play is working for me, but when I try to download some app it says:”Unfortunately, Google play has stopped.”

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Oct 31, 2015

      Did you follow the steps in this guide?

      Reply
    HE
    Henry Nov 9, 2015

    Google play runs and updates apps in the background, but when I try to manually download an app it says:”Unfortunately, Google play has stopped.” The above method did work, but when the app updates the problem returns.
    This is a new problem and has only been happening the last month or so. Anyone know what version the problem start with so I can go to the previous?
    Thanks.

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Nov 9, 2015

      It would be best to stick to the previous version and re-try after a few weeks.

      Reply
        BR
        brandonc Apr 17, 2016

        same problem. when i remove play store updates it works , but then its updating play store itself so then it doesn’t work till i delete updates again

        Reply
    MO
    morgan Nov 28, 2015

    hi, i bought a new htc desire 626 today from best buy. when i go into goodle play, i can type in “wallpaper”, and a couple other words. however, for most things i try to type in, it stops. for example, if i type “fire” (as in firefox) into the search in google play, it says “unfortunately, google play has stopped”. i tried all of the above suggestions. thank you for your time!

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Nov 28, 2015

      Please confirm if you’ve Cleared Google Play and Google Search’s Cache from Settings -> Applications -> All.

      Reply
        GM
        Greg Millman Dec 22, 2017

        The error message comes up as soon as I power up the phone, won’t go away after5 i punch “ok” , and blocks me from doing anything else including going to “Settings.” What now?

        Reply
      AD
      Abhinaba Dutta Mar 26, 2016

      Is this fixed ? Cos i am facing the same .pls help me out

      Reply
    AF
    afreen Dec 14, 2015

    hi,em facing same prioblem but i hve done all settings which hve shown above.but issue is when em opening google paly frm settings then its not giving any option its jzt shown disable, no update option is there……plzzzzzzzzz help me……..my mobile is micromax canvas hd

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Dec 15, 2015

      If the methods listed in the guide don’t work for you, I would suggest that you remove and then re-add your Google account from your phone, and if that doesn’t fix your problem either, a hard reset of your device should be your last resort.

      Reply
        SR
        Srinjoy Dec 15, 2015

        But the factory version is not showing anything. Plz help

        Reply
          KA
          K. Arrows Author Dec 16, 2015

          What exactly is it not showing and what steps did you take to perform hard reset?

    KI
    Kimberly Mar 24, 2016

    Google play isn’t my problem. After I have downloaded a game. And when I go to play the game it says unfortunately this game has stopped. It does it to a lot of games. Please help

    Reply
      OW
      Omar Wagih Mar 25, 2016

      Have you tried clearing the cache of your applications? Does it only do that with games?

      Reply
    JL
    Jeff Levesque May 9, 2016

    I was getting the message “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” no matter what I had tried! I had tried EVERYTHING that was mentioned online and nothing worked! I even rooted my phone! The only thing that finally worked for me to get Play Store working was to download a different browser to my phone which was easier said than done! I remember Play Store had mentioned once that my browser (my phone’s default browser) was no longer supported. So after having tried everything else – I remembered the message! I was finally able to download Firefox onto my phone my using the default browser set to Desktop View instead of Mobile View! I made sure to set my phone to allow for 3rd party apps to be downloaded – and finally I was able to download Firefox! Google had kept switching me over to Play Store every time I went to download Firefox until I switched to Desktop View in the phone’s default browser! Since Play Store wasn’t working I couldn’t download Firefox or Chrome using Play Store! Anyway, once I got Firefox installed I disabled my phone’s default browser via Settings then Apps and I was all set. Now when I click “Play Store” the Firefox browser opens and gives me instant access.

    Reply
    JL
    Jeff Levesque May 9, 2016

    I was getting the message “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” no matter what I had tried! I had tried EVERYTHING that was mentioned online and nothing worked! I even rooted my phone! The only thing that finally worked for me to get Play Store working was to download a different browser to my phone which was easier said than done! I remember Play Store had mentioned once that my browser (my phone’s default browser) was no longer supported. So after having tried everything else – I remembered the message! I was finally able to download Firefox onto my phone my using the default browser set to Desktop View instead of Mobile View! I made sure to set my phone to allow for 3rd party apps to be downloaded – and finally I was able to download Firefox! Google had kept switching me over to Play Store every time I went to download Firefox until I switched to Desktop View in the phone’s default browser! Since Play Store wasn’t working I couldn’t download Firefox or Chrome using Play Store! Anyway, once I got Firefox installed I disabled my phone’s default browser via Settings then Apps and I was all set. Now when I click “Play Store” the Firefox browser opens and gives me instant access.

    Reply
    LW
    Linda Waldo May 9, 2016

    I have tried all of these. Google play loads , but crashes when I try to download or update any apps.

    Reply
      TL
      Thomas Levy Sep 3, 2016

      I’m having the same problem.

      Reply
    LE
    Lexyvil May 22, 2016

    When I try to revert back to the factory version, “Google Play” returns back to “Play Store”, where it’s forcing me to get “Google Play” again, making the error come back.

    Reply
      DA
      DaVince Jun 14, 2016

      That’s because the app used to be called differently, and then updates to have the faulty version with the new name again.

      Reply
    SC
    Scooter Jul 2, 2016

    Did this it worked but only for a few minutes. Had to do it again, go to google store then hit menu, settings, and tap auto updates section and select do not allow auto updates. My Kyocera Hydro Icon does not like google updates at all

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Jul 2, 2016

      You have to stop updates and then re-do the steps so that once it is fixed, it shouldnt install the faulty update.

      Reply
    SC
    sophia cortez Sep 6, 2016

    I followed every step and unfortunately google play store stopped keep popping up

    Reply
      CO
      coffee777 Sep 8, 2016

      yes me too

      Reply
      BE
      Be Aug 11, 2017

      Me three. This is an old google problem, and they refuse to deal with it. They just gaslight us.

      Reply
    AN
    Anonymous Oct 28, 2016

    I’ve tried everything and it hasn’t worked. The message only popped up after updating my phone to 6.0.1. I think it might have to do with the update, but when its showing the message, google play is still showing in the background.

    Reply
    RA
    Rajdeep Nov 15, 2016

    It dosent work i have tried with grt precision

    Reply
    QL
    Quincy Land Jan 3, 2017

    Whenever i try to download any app on google playstore it says unfortunately google playstore has stopped, and it will exi google play. I tried all the steps but they didnt work

    Reply
    JO
    Joy Aug 8, 2017

    Thank you. The third step worked for me!

    Reply
    GM
    Gopal Krishna Mathur Sep 12, 2017

    HI I have tried all steps but still the same problem i am facing.
    Can you please help to get it resoloved

    Reply
      TC
      Tony Celentano Oct 4, 2017

      Hi Gopal,

      Did you try the final resort of a factory reset? What is the model and Android version of your phone?

      Reply
    NO
    NotJohnLennon1 Nov 22, 2017

    If you have a Samsung tab (x) X is model # for example I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Go to settingsapplication manager & scroll down to Google play store. Tap Google play store & tap uninstall updates. If it asks you to restore to factory, tap OK It may take a minute, reboot device. This worked for me on my tablet.
    Rick

    Reply
    SA
    Salman A May 28, 2018

    These steps worked for me, thanks!

    Reply