Troubleshooting Play Store: Apps Not Downloading? Here's How to Fix It

 In the world of smartphones, there are only two major competitors when it comes to UI (user interface) - iOS and Android. Both of these platforms allow you to download any app, be it a game or any other application. However, it can be quite frustrating if apps stop downloading on your phone.

This problem is more common with the Android Play Store. For instance, this morning I tried to download a remote control app and it got stuck in a pending state. I then tried a few things and only then did the download start. Now, I'm going to share those steps with you:



1. Check Your Internet Connection

First and foremost, properly check your internet connection. Is it working correctly? If you're on WiFi, try switching to mobile data and see if that helps. Sometimes, our data plan runs out and we don't realize it. So, first, make sure your internet is functioning properly. If the internet is working fine, then move on to the next step.

2. Clear Cache and Data

After checking your internet connection, you should clear the cache memory of the Google Play Store. This will clear the temporary files stored by the app. To do this, you need to go to Settings, select "Google Play Store" from the list of apps, and then clear the cache memory. Most problems get  resolved in this step. 

Go to Settings.

Click on Apps or Application Manager.

Find "Google Play Store" and click on it.

Click on "Storage."

Click on "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data."

In my phone too, the app download started after this step. But I thought that if it doesn't work in this step, let's explore what other workarounds are there.Remember that regularly clearing app cache and data can help maintain overall system performance and prevent potential issues So let's move on to the next steps.

Force Stop and Restart

If clearing the cache and data of the Google Play Store doesn't resolve the app download issue, you can try the "Force Stop and Restart" option. This option will force the system to stop all processes associated with the Play Store, which might eliminate any lingering issues or temporary glitches.

Go to Settings.

Click on Apps or Application Manager.

Find "Google Play Store" and click on it.

Click on "Force Stop."

Now, restart the Play Store app.

Restart the Play Store

After clearing the cache memory of the Google Play Store, it is recommended to restart the app to allow the changes to take effect properly. To do this, follow these steps:

Access Recent Apps: Open the recent apps view on your Android device. This is typically done by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or using a specific gesture depending on your device's interface).

Close the Play Store: Locate the Google Play Store app in the recent apps list. Identify the app and swipe up on it (or use the appropriate gesture) to close it.

Relaunch the Play Store: Once the Play Store app is closed, tap on its icon on your home screen or app drawer to relaunch it.

Check for App Downloads: After restarting the Play Store, try downloading an app again to see if the issue has been resolved. The restart should have refreshed the cached data, potentially resolving any issues related to cached data.

Update Play Store

The Play Store, like other apps, gets updated with new features. While most users tend to ignore these updates, they play a crucial role in maintaining the overall performance and stability of the app store. After a while, the Play Store might stop supporting certain features. Therefore, check if your Play Store is updated to the latest version. As of today, May 21 2024, the latest update is version 40.4.31 released on April 5 -2024.

Restart Phone

I've read reviews from many places, and in some cases, a simple restart has solved the problem. Often, we make things too complicated and forget about simple solutions. This step is something we can always do; there’s nothing much to learn here—just a simple restart.

Restarting clears temporary glitches, refreshes the system, and improves the phone's performance. It also resets network connections. Additionally, it's recommended to restart the phone once a week to maintain optimal performance.

Sign Out and Sign Back In to Your Google Account

If the previous troubleshooting steps haven't resolved your Play Store issue, signing out and signing back in to your Google account can sometimes help. This process refreshes your account connection and clears any temporary glitches or conflicts that might be affecting the Play Store's functionality.

Simple Steps: Here's how to proceed:Navigate to Settings: Launch the "Settings" application on your Android device.

Navigate to Accounts: Locate the "Accounts" or "Users & Accounts" section within the Settings menu.

Select "Google" Account: Find your "Google" account entry. It might be listed under "Accounts" or a specific section for Google-related services.

Initiate Account Removal: Tap on the "Google" account entry and select "Remove Account" or "Remove Account from Device" to proceed.

If the issue persists after signing back in, you may need to explore other troubleshooting options.

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Final Takeaway

Don't fret over stalled Play Store downloads! This guide equips you to troubleshoot and fix download issues on your Android device. Simple steps like clearing cache, restarting apps and your phone, and keeping Play Store updated can often do the trick. For persistent problems, consider signing out and back in to your Google account. This toolkit empowers you to conquer Play Store download woes and get back to downloading your favorite apps. 


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