Simple Fixes for Google Play Store Problems

If you’ve got an Android phone, it’s almost given that you acquire all your apps from the Google Play Store. But what happens when it stops working? This week, ProApps looks at how to uninstall and reinstall the Google Play Store when things go wrong.

The Google Play Store doesn’t always play nice with users. It suffers from a tremendous number of potential issues. Some errors display an error code. You can resolve most issues by stopping the app and wiping its cache or data. If users encounter an error code, the routine is often the same, but a few of these require 
different methods. I’ve included both resources for looking up error codes, as well as some fixes for commonly seen codes that a simple cache wipe won’t resolve.

The Basic Formula for Fixing Google Play Store Problems

There’s four different fixes for repairing most Play Store errors. You don’t need to use all of these simultaneously — just try one and see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn’t, try another.

The four fixes are: Stop the app and then wipe the Store’s cache and/or data; switch from a data connection to WiFi; Uninstall and Reinstall the Play Store (requires root privileges); refresh your Google Account.

The Google Play Store relies on other processes that runs silently in the background. Whenever you wipe the Google Play Store, it’s also a good idea to do the same with Google Services and Google Framework Services. Optionally, you may also want to wipe data for Download Manager. Once wiped, restart your device and then reattempt the installation or update. This may require that you reenter your login information.

Because this method resolves most issues, I’ll provide a step-by-step rundown:

First, go to Settings. Then navigate to Apps and find the tab for All.

Next, choose Google Play Services and go to FORCE STOP and stop the app. Then choose CLEAR CACHE (or CLEAR DATA, which also wipes the cache, but requires that you re-log into the service).

A lot of apps won’t install if your Internet connection is spotty — which commonly afflicts those using  mobile data. To switch from mobile data to WiFi, simply connect to a WiFi network.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Play Store App

For those with root access users can uninstall and reinstall the Google Play Store. You can download a mostly up-to-date copy of the Store, which requires that you use a file manager (like Amaze File Manager).Refresh your Google Account

Refreshing, or removing and re-adding, your Google Account isn’t very hard. Here’s Google’s official instructions (technically, these instructions cover Nexus devices, but they will work for most everyone). WARNING: This will remove your personal data from the device, including messages and other data.

First, head to Settings. Then choose Accounts.

Then select the account that’s experiencing issues. If all accounts suffer from the problem, you will need to remove all the accounts. Choose the menu option, which is represented by three vertical dots, located at the top-right of the screen. Then choose Remove account.

You can then re-add your account from the Accounts menu. You may want to restart your phone after re-adding your account, but that’s not required.

Other Google Play Store Error Codes and Fixes

XDA user mohamedrashadcompiled a mammoth list of Play Store error codes. There’s about twenty or so common error codes. Most of these require that the user perform the actions listed above (cache wipe, etc…), although a few are exceptions to this rule. The exceptions are:

• Error 498: In this case, your phone’s cache is full. Try wiping the cache partition using your phone’s recovery.
• Error 919: Your phone’s storage can’t squeeze in any more applications. You’ll need to remove unneeded apps in order to continue. Here’s a useful guide on debloating Android.
• Error 403: You’re using two different Google Accounts on the same device. You’ll need to use the correct account.
• Error 927: The Play Store is already updating, so there’s no reason to troubleshoot this issue. Just wait until it finishes updating.
• Error 101: You have too many applications installed. Try removing a few.
• Error 919: Your Access Point Name settings aren’t correct (how to configure APN settings). This requires getting the correct APN settings and reconfiguring your device.

Why Modifying Android Causes Google Play Store Failures

Oftentimes, rooting or installing a custom ROM can change data contained within Android’s system directory. Some alterations to the system directory can cause the Play Store to stop functioning. A major cause of Play Store failure comes from using a custom recovery (what’s a custom recovery?) to restore the system or data directory. I advise using Titanium Backup, or a similar backup solution, to restore apps with data. It’s worth noting that Helium doesn’t require root access and can also perform app backups.

Don’t get me wrong — there’s a lot of reasons to install a custom ROM. Unfortunately, when things go wrong (and they often do), troubleshooting requires a great deal more experience and effort than on an unmodified device.

There’s an App For That

One of the best resources is Error Codes & Fixes, which combines the knowledge of AndroidPIT’s users and editors on resolving Android error codes. The app includes both Android error codes and Google Play Store error codes. It’s designed as a reference utility — users simply input the code and the app displays potential fixes.

On the downside, the app displays full-screen ads. While this is a small price to pay for resolving a device-disabling bug, you might prefer an Internet search for your particular error code, if it’s not contained within this article.

If all else fails, you can always try the Amazon App Store or F-Droid (great apps on F-Droid). Both install on pretty much anything and suffer from fewer problems than Google’s Play Store.

Resolving Google Play Store Issues

Killing Play Store problems isn’t hard anymore. If the default wipe of the Play Store’s cache and data fails, you can always look up your particular error code and solve almost any problem — unless you’ve installed a custom ROM.
Courtesy of Kannon Yamada(Andriod Expert)