How to Fix Google Play Services Keeps Stopping (Google Play Services)
Quick Answer
The "Google Play Services Keeps Stopping" error indicates a disruption in the core background services essential for many Android apps. Often, clearing the cache and data for Google Play Services or restarting your device can quickly resolve this issue.
What Causes This Error
- Corrupted cache or data for Google Play Services.
- Outdated version of Google Play Services.
- Conflicts with other installed applications.
- Insufficient storage space on the device.
- Incorrect date and time settings.
- System software bugs or outdated Android OS.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Restart Your Device
- Press and hold the power button on your device.
- Select 'Restart' or 'Power off' from the options that appear.
- If you powered off, wait for a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again to turn the device back on.
- Check if the "Google Play Services Keeps Stopping" error persists after the device has fully rebooted.
2Clear Cache and Data for Google Play Services
- Open your device's 'Settings' app.
- Navigate to 'Apps & notifications' or 'Apps'.
- Tap 'See all apps' or 'App info' to view the full list of applications.
- Locate and tap on 'Google Play Services'. You may need to tap the three-dot menu and select 'Show system' to see it.
- Tap 'Storage & cache'.
- Tap 'Clear cache'.
- Then, tap 'Clear storage' or 'Manage space', and select 'Clear all data'. Confirm the action if prompted. This will reset Google Play Services to its default state without deleting personal data from your device.
- Restart your device after clearing the data.
3Update Google Play Services and Android OS
- Ensure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- Open your device's 'Settings' app.
- For Google Play Services: Navigate to 'Apps & notifications' or 'Apps', then 'Google Play Services'. Tap 'App details' or 'App details in store' (if available) to go to its Play Store page. If an update is available, tap 'Update'.
- For Android OS: Go to 'System' or 'About phone', then 'System update' or 'Software update'.
- If an update is available, download and install it. Your device may restart during this process.
- Verify if the error is resolved after all updates are complete.
4Check and Correct Date and Time Settings
- Open your device's 'Settings' app.
- Scroll down and tap on 'System'.
- Tap 'Date & time'.
- Ensure 'Set time automatically' and 'Set time zone automatically' are toggled on.
- If they are off, toggle them on. If they are already on, toggle them off, wait a few seconds, then toggle them back on.
- Restart your device and check if the error has been resolved.
Advanced Fixes
Uninstall Updates for Google Play Services
- Open your device's 'Settings' app.
- Navigate to 'Apps & notifications' or 'Apps'.
- Tap 'See all apps' or 'App info'.
- Locate and tap on 'Google Play Services'.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner (if available) and select 'Uninstall updates'. If this option is not available, you may need to temporarily disable 'Device admin apps' for Google Play Services by going to 'Settings' > 'Security' > 'Device admin apps' and unchecking 'Find My Device' or similar.
- Confirm the uninstallation. This will revert Google Play Services to its factory version.
- Restart your device.
- After restarting, Google Play Services will likely update itself automatically in the background, which might resolve the issue with a fresh installation.
Factory Reset Your Device
- Perform a full backup of all important data on your device, including photos, videos, contacts, and app data. A factory reset will erase everything.
- Open your device's 'Settings' app.
- Navigate to 'System' > 'Reset options' or 'Backup & reset' > 'Factory data reset'.
- Read the warning message carefully.
- Tap 'Reset phone' or 'Erase all data' and confirm your decision.
- Your device will restart and go through the initial setup process as if it were new.
- Set up your device and observe if the Google Play Services error reappears before restoring your backup data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Google Play Services?
Google Play Services is a proprietary background service and API package for Android devices. It provides core functionalities like authentication to Google services, synchronized contacts, access to user privacy settings, and location services, making it essential for many apps to function correctly.
Will clearing data for Google Play Services delete my personal information?
No, clearing data for Google Play Services will not delete your personal information like photos, contacts, or app data. It only clears the cached files and settings specific to Google Play Services itself, resetting it to its default state. Your Google account will remain logged in.
Why does Google Play Services keep stopping even after a restart?
If the error persists after a restart, it suggests a more persistent issue than a temporary glitch. This could be due to corrupted application data, an outdated version of Google Play Services, conflicts with other apps, or an underlying system software problem that requires more extensive troubleshooting like clearing its data, updating the OS, or even a factory reset.
How can I tell if Google Play Services is updated?
You can check by going to your device's 'Settings' > 'Apps & notifications' > 'Google Play Services' > 'App details' or 'App details in store'. This will take you to its Google Play Store page, where you can see if an 'Update' button is available. If it only shows 'Uninstall' or 'Open', it is likely up to date or has no pending updates.