Fix “Unfortunately, Google Play Services Has Stopped” On Android

Have you stuck on the error message “Unfortunately Google Play Services has stopped” on Android?

As many users have reported that they are getting the same error on their devices.

If you are also going through this issue and want to solve it then read the below solutions to fix “Unfortunately, Google Play Services has stopped” on Android.

What Is Google Play Services And Its Use?

Google Play Services is not an app. It is a background API and service package that helps to ensure the security and reliability of Android devices.

It helps the smartphone to communicate with Google Play Store to check the latest security features, updates, and helps to permit Google authentication, Synchronization to all the recent Privacy Settings.

Why Is Your Phone Saying “Unfortunately Google Play Services Has Stopped”?

Multiple causes can lead to this error on your Android phone or tablet. But here we have mentioned the most common reasons. They are as follows:

• When the internet connection is not stable.
• If you have made some changes in the Operating System (OS) settings.
• When the date and time on your device are wrong.
• If you have not updated Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
• When the Download Manager is disabled.
• If there is not enough storage space on your phone.
• If the cache data of Google Play Services gets corrupted.
• When the recent version of Google Play Services has a glitch.

So, these were some of the major causes for this error prompt and if you are also getting this error then don’t worry as the below-discussed methods will help you to fix it.

Important Note: All the 16 fixes that I am going to discuss will apply to all brands of Android phones and tablets such as Samsung, LG, Huawei, Oppo, Google Pixel, Vivo, Xiaomi, Asus, OnePlus, Sony, Realme, etc. Only you can find some different options in place of that.

Fix 1: Restart Your Android Device

The easiest and working method to fix Google Play Services stopped working is to restart the handset.

We are saying it to do because, if an application or a background service on your device is causing the Play Services to crash then restarting the handset will clear it off the RAM and put the phone in a new state.

You can restart your smartphone by selecting the restart option or by pressing the Power button.

Fix 2: Ensure Date And Time Is Correct

Google Play Services and many applications only work date and time on your phone is same as the network date and time.

Hence, you should check that the time and date on your Android smartphone is correct.

If it is not correct then follow the below steps to correct it so that you can get rid of this issue.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Then scroll down and hit on Additional Settings.

Step 3: After this, tap on Date & Time.

Step 4: Here, ensure to turn on the options Use network-provided time and Use network-provided time zone.

Fix 3: Check Internet Connection

Internet connection is the most important element in the working of apps because apps receive data from the internet.

If you are using Wi-Fi then restart the router, this will reset the IP Address and solve the problem.

You can switch to mobile data if you are using Wi-Fi or vice versa. If the internet connection is fine but still you are encountering the issue then follow the next solution.

Fix 4: Update Google Play Services

You can also face the Google Play Services error if it is not updated to the latest version. Hence, check the update for it and if available then install it.

Below are the steps to do the same:

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Then in the search box, enter the name of the app and tap on it.
3. Next, tap on the “Update” button beside the app.

You will also update all the apps by going to Google Play Store > tap on your profile. Then tap on My Apps & Games> Update All.

Fix 5: Clear Cache Of Google Play Services, Google Services Framework, Google Play Store, & Download Manager

All the Google Play applications that you install on your handset are controlled by Google Play Services and it acts like a framework for the Google Play apps.

So, if the cache files of it get corrupted then your device will pop up this type of error.

Therefore, you are suggested to clear the cache of the app.

The steps are as follows:

• Go to Settings > Apps/Application Manager/Applications/Apps & Notifications.
• Now Scroll down to find “Google Play Services” and hit on it to open it.
• There you will get the “Storage” option, simply tap on it.
• Next, hit on the “Clear Cache” button.

After doing this follow the same steps to clear the cache of Google Play Framework and Google Play Store.

Fix 6: Disable And Then Enable Google Play Services

If the error still pops up then you can disable Google Play Services and then enable it again.

Below, learn how to do this:

• Open the “Settings” app.
• Next, tap on “Apps”/“Apps & notifications”.
• Then scroll down and select “Google Play Services” and tap on it.
• After this, tap on “Disable”, and confirm it by tapping on “Disable app” in the pop-up menu.

• Now, you need to wait for few minutes and then follow the same steps and tap “Enable” to enable it again.

Fix 7: Install Latest Version Of Android OS

You need to also check that your Android Operating System is running on the latest version because this can also trigger this error prompt.

So, just go through the steps to check it.

Step 1: Go to Settings > About Phone.

Step 2: Hit on System Update/check for update (it depends on your Android model).

Step 3: After this, hit on Download Update.

Step 4: Once the download process gets completed restart your phone.

Fix 8: Remove And Re-add Google Account

You need to simply remove the Google Account and then add it again.

Doing this will also help you to fix Google Play services stopping issue.

Here are the steps that you need to follow:

• Go to Settings > Accounts.
• Choose Google from the list.
• Next, hit on your Email ID and then on Remove Account.

• After this, add the same Google account again by entering the same ID and password.

Fix 9: Uninstall Google Play Services Update

You can’t uninstall and then reinstall the play services hence you can simply uninstall the update.

This will resolve the problem if it has recently received any glitched update.

Below are the steps that you need to follow:

• Go to Settings > Applications/Apps/Application Manager/Apps & notifications.
• Scroll down and select “Google Play Services” and tap on it to open.
• At last, hit on “Uninstall Updates”.

Fix 10: Clear Cache Of Download Manager

Clearing the cache file of Download Manager will also let you solve this error prompt.

Below, learn how to clear the cache of Download Manager:

Step 1: Open the “Settings” app on your Android phone/tablet.

Step 2: Then tap on “Apps”.

Step 3: Now, find the Download Manager app from the app’s list and open it by tapping on it.

Step 4: Next tap on “Storage” and then on “Clear Cache” button.

Fix 11: Eject And Re-Insert SD Card

Ejecting and re-inserting the SD Card can also remove this error. So, you should also try it if you are using an SD card on your phone.

Fix 12: Reset App Preferences

A lot of the time, you change some app permissions or settings to get features but this can impact the functioning of Google Play Services.

Therefore, to ensure it you can reset the app preferences and then check whether the problem is resolved or not.

Here are the steps:

• Open the Settings
• Then tap on Apps/Apps & notifications.
• Next, hit on Menu icon and then tap Reset app preferences.
• Now, you will get a prompt, confirm it by tapping on the Reset apps option in the pop-up prompt.

Fix 13: Enable Download Manager

Download Manager is very important for Google Play Services and other applications to update themselves.

Hence, you should check that it is enabled on your phone, if not then enable it by following the below steps:

Step 1: Open the “Settings” app and then hit on “Apps”.

Step 2: Scroll down to find “Download Manager” and tap on it.

Step 3: If you are unable to find it then hit on 3 vertical dots > tap on “Show System apps”. Then again find this app and open it.

Step 4: After this tap on Enable button to enable Download Manager.

Fix 14: Wipe Cache Partition

A user who was getting Google Play Services error prompt has fixed this issue by wiping the cache partition of the device.

So, you can also try this method to solve the issue. But to wipe the cache partition you need to boot your Android device into recovery mode.

Don’t Worry! This method will not wipe the app data. It will just erase the temporary files to make Google Play Services to work perfectly.

Here are the steps to do so:

1. Switch off your phone.
2. Then Press and hold Power + Volume Up keys together. Keep holding it until you notice the screen booting up.
3. This will boot your Android device into Recovery mode. If the key combination didn’t work then you can Google it.
4. After this, highlight “Wipe cache partition” option by using the Volume Down.
5. Select it using the Power
6. Now, your device will restart.

Fix 15: Disable Google Chrome

Disabling Google Chrome can also help you to solve the issue, but before doing this, ensure to enable Chrome sync to backup the Chrome data.

If you don’t do this then all your saved bookmarks, password, etc. gets deleted.

Now, go through the steps:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Apps.

Step 2: Then select Chrome app and tap on it.

Step 3: After this, hit on Disable button.

Step 4: After few minutes, enable it again by tapping on Enable button.

Fix 16: Factory Reset Your Device

Factory reset is the last option that you can try to fix Google Play Services stopped working/crashing.

We hope the above methods have solved this error prompt but if not then factory reset your Android phone or tablet to fix this issue.

Note: Before doing a factory reset, make sure to make all your data as all the files, apps, and settings will be deleted after the factory reset.

Here, follow the steps to factory reset your Android smartphone.

• Open the Settings
• Tap on About Phone.
• Then hit on Factory Reset.
• Next, tap on erase all data at the bottom of the screen.
• Then enter the password.
• At last, tap on Factory Reset.

Sum Up

So, all these solutions were about how to fix “Unfortunately, Google Play Services has stopped” on Android. I hope any of the above fixes have worked for you to solve this error.

If it helped you then you can share it with others who are also encountering the same Google Play Services error message.