I recently came across an error message in the Uber app that stated, “Google Play Services keeps halting.” Unless I fixed the Uber app, it wouldn’t work. So, after a dozen steps, I was finally able to solve the problem. If you’re experiencing the same issue, there are a few options to fix the Google Play Services that keep stopping errors on Android devices.
Fix Google Play Services Stopping Errors
What Is Google Play Services
We must first comprehend the nature of the problem before proceeding to address it. What are Google Play Services, and can you use your device without them?
First and foremost, contrary to popular assumptions, Google Play Services is not the same as the Google Play Store. The Google Play Store is a one-stop shop for downloading, purchasing, and updating apps.
Google Play Services, on the other hand, is the core infrastructure that allows other Android apps to interact with you. Uber, for example, uses the Google Play Services API to determine your device’s position. However, in order for your Android phone to work properly, you’ll need both apps. Let’s get started with the fixes.
If you have a newly rooted device or are running a custom ROM, skip forward to this step for a quick workaround.
1. Check Storage
Low internal storage is the most common cause for the Google Play Services to stop working. The Google Play Services will not be able to save cache and data if your internal storage is low. As a result, it would not function properly, resulting in the error ‘Google Play Store Services keeps halting.’ We need to check our Android’s internal storage and clear some memory.
To do that, head over to the Settings app. Next, type storage in the search bar and tap on the results.
You can see your device’s storage statistics under the Storage option. If you tap the Manage Storage option, you’ll be taken to the Google Files app, where you can tidy up your files.
I recommend using a third-party storage cleaner app if you can’t figure out how to clear your storage. These are more precise, useful, and prevent crucial data from being accidentally deleted.
Google Play Services should work well when you’ve emptied the storage.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
First and foremost, make sure you have an active Internet connection. If that’s taken care of, your Wi-Fi or Internet connection may be blocking Google IPs at times. As a result, we’ll have to shuffle things around a little. Switch to mobile data if you’re on Wi-Fi. Switch to Wi-Fi if you’re using mobile data.
In the event that things still don’t function, Google Services may experience downtime. As a result, it’s a good idea to see if Google Services is up and functioning right now. The best way to check them is the IsItDownRightNow web app.
3. Update All Apps
If the Internet isn’t the problem, we can look into your Android apps. Check to see if Google Play Services or the app in question has been updated to the most recent version. Although it may appear to be a minor issue, apps do have issues. As a result, updating the apps ensures that the defect in the app is not the cause of the issue.
The Play Store makes it simple to update all of your Android apps. Simply go to the Play Store and tap the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner. After that, select My Apps & Games. To update all of your apps, go to My Apps & Games and tap the “Update all” option.
Restart your device and verify that all of the apps have been updated. We can go on to the next step if things don’t work out.
4. Check Play Services Permission
To work properly, Google Play Services need full device access. All permissions are set to “Allowed” by default. Permissions may have been changed as a result of several well-known third-party apps or the privacy guard. The dreaded “Google Play Services keeps halting” issue would result.
As a result, we’ll need to double-check permissions. To do so, go to the Settings menu and search for Google Play Services, then tap Permissions under that. Scroll to the bottom of the App permissions page to see if any rights are denied.
If you come across permissions that are denied, tap on them and allow them. After that, restart the device and see if it now works properly.
5. Force Stop Play services
We’d have to force halt the Google Play Services if permissions weren’t the issue. The Google Play Services may occasionally become stuck in a loop or encounter an error. To fix the problem, we must stop Play Services and manually restart it.
Go to the Settings section of the menu. At the top, there’s a search bar.
Then, in the search bar, put “Play Services”. From the search results, select Google Play Services and then the Force stop button from the menu.
You must also force stop the Google Play Services Framework app. This app is used internally by Google Play Services, thus it’s vital to force stop it as well. Restart your device once you’ve finished.
6. Clear Cache to Fix Google Play Services Errors
If forcing a stop and restart does not resolve the issue, we must remove the cache and data from Play Services. Google Play Services would have a new start as a result of this.
To do so, go into Settings and look for Play Services. Tap Google Play Services from the search results, then select Storage & Cache from the menu.
Touch the Clear cache and then the Clear Storage buttons on the Storage page.
Select the “Clear All Data” button on the Google Play Services storage menu. When the pop-up appears, press the OK button.
Your Settings menu will then crash and exit by itself. You must wait for a few minutes before restarting your smartphone. As a result, Google Play Services will rebuild their cache and data, resolving the issue.
7. Reset Play Services
The Play Services app will need to be refreshed next. To do so, go to the Google Play Services section of the Settings menu.
Scroll to the bottom of the Google Play Services page and tap “App information.” Tap the Uninstallation button on the Play Store page.
When you select uninstall, it will remove all prior updates. Then, on the same page, touch the Update option to update Google Play Services to the most recent version.
Restart your smartphone now to see if everything is working properly.
8. Sideload Play Services
If the update doesn’t work, we can attempt sideloading the Google Play Services app to fix the problem. It’s quite simple.
First and foremost, use the technique outlined above to uninstall Google Play Services from the Google Play Store. Then, under the Settings menu, return to the Google Play Services page.
Tap the Disable button on the left side of the Google Play Services menu. When a pop-up appears, simply press Disable app.
You’ll get a barrage of notifications from other apps that aren’t able to connect to Play Services. Ignore them for the time being and go to APKMirror to get the most recent Google Play Services version. Because I’m using Android 11, I’m downloading the most recent Google Play Services according to the date and Android version.
Download Google Play services from APKMirror
To install the app, touch on the APK file after it has been downloaded. Click the Installation button on the pop-up.
On a side note, if you’ve never sideloaded an app on Android before, you’ll be prompted to allow Chrome to do so. Simply go to Settings > Allow Chrome to Install Apps.
Restart your Android smartphone after sideloading the Play services app to test if it functions properly.
9. Reset Factory to Fix Google Play Services Errors
Unfortunately, if the previous approaches failed to resolve the ‘Google Play Services keeps pausing’ issue, we would have to perform a factory reset. A bad Android update can sometimes cause everything to go crazy. A factory reset is the only way to repair this. However, before you do so, make a backup of your Android device.
Next, go to Settings and search for “factory reset” in the search field. Select the “Erase all data (factory reset)” option from the list of options.
Select “Erase all data (factory reset)” from the Reset options box. Tap the “Erase all data” button on the next screen.
10. Download GApps
Now, if you’re running a custom ROM or have recently flashed a stock firmware, there’s a chance it doesn’t have GApps. Simply put, the ROM you’re running doesn’t have Google Play Services or the Google Play Store installed, and any apps you’re running won’t be able to interface with your Android device.
You can get GApps from The Open GApps Project in that scenario. Choose the correct GApps version for your Android device. Things should work normally once you’ve installed GApps.
Must read out: How to Find Deleted Apps on Android
Conclusion: Fix Google Play Services Stopping Errors
After sideloading a Google Play Services variation via APKMirror, the problem on my smartphone was resolved. If none of the following solutions work, you might attempt replacing the gadget if it is still under warranty. If you have an older Android device, you might want to consider installing a custom ROM. Custom ROMs for older devices, contrary to popular assumptions, are more stable and regularly updated.
