Basic Fixes
- Check the Google Play server: Access the Google Play Status Dashboard to verify the Play Store service availability.
- Force stop Google Play Store and reboot the device: Long-tap the Play Store icon, select App info, and tap Force stop. Restart your device and reopen the Google Play Store.
- Correct device date and time: Open Android Settings, select System, and tap Date and time. Toggle on Set time automatically to correct it.
- Disable VPN: Open your VPN app, tap Disconnect to disable the active connection, and reload the Play Store.
- Clear the device storage: Head to Android settings, select Storage, and review installed apps to uninstall and reclaim free space.
- Update system software: Open Android Settings, select System update, and tap Install now (if available) to update the software.
Fix 1: Clear Google Play Store and Google Play Services Cache and App Data
Corrupt cache and excessive app data are common underlying culprits behind the Google Play Store not opening on Android. Clear them manually for Google Play Store and Google Play Services to fix it.
Step 1: Open the Settings app, select Apps, and search Google Play.


Step 2: Tap Google Play Store in the search results and select Storage and Cache.
Step 3: Select Clear cache, followed by Clear storage.


Step 4: Similarly, open Google Play services and select Storage and cache.
Step 5: Tap Clear cache, followed by Clear storage.


Fix 2: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Play Store Updates
A buggy Google Play Store update can prevent you from opening the app. Uninstall its previous update manually and reinstall the latest to restore its normal functioning.
Step 1: Long-tap the Google Play Store icon > tap on App info > select the three-dot menu at the top-right > Uninstall updates.


Step 2: To update the Google Play Store, open the app, tap your account profile at the top right, and select Settings.
Step 3: Expand About and tap Update Play Store to install new updates.



Fix 3: Disable and Enable the Google Play Store
If clearing the Play Store updates doesn’t work, disable and enable Google Play Store from Android Settings to reset it to factory defaults.
Step 1: Long-tap the Play Store icon > tap App info > Disable.


Step 2: Wait a few seconds and tap Enable to re-activate it.
Fix 4: Check for Google Play System Update
Updating the Google Play System fixes security issues and enhances its core components. If it’s outdated, the Google Play Store might fail to open on Android. Head to Android Settings to check and update it.
Step 1: Open the Settings app > select Security > tap Google Play system update.
Step 2: Tap Check for update to install available updates.



Fix 5: Remove and Add Your Google Account
If the Google Play Store still doesn’t open on your phone, it might be due to incorrect Google account configuration. Try removing and re-adding your Google account to resolve the issue.
Step 1: Open Android Settings, select Accounts, and tap your Google account.
Step 2: Tap Remove account and follow the on-screen instructions to remove it.



Step 3: Next, select Add account under Settings > Accounts, tap Google, and type your account credentials to sign in and re-add it.


Fix 6: Factory Reset Your Android Phone
If nothing works, reset your Android phone to factory defaults, fixing all Google Play Store issues at once.
Note: Back up your device data before performing a factory reset.
Step 1: Open System under Android Settings > select Reset options.


Step 2: Tap Erase all data (factory reset), and confirm it by selecting Erase all data at the bottom right.


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Last updated on 12 July, 2024
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