Are you having issues with apps on your Android TV? If so, it can be annoying, especially when you are enjoying your favorite content. In this article, we have added some troubleshooting solutions to fix the app malfunctioning issues or the app not working on your Android TV or Google TV.
There can be several factors that cause apps to stop working. The most common ones that users are having these days are power outages and internet disconnections. Read on to learn about the issue in detail and the methods to resolve it.
Reasons for Smart TV App Malfunctions
Power outages disrupt the normal functioning of the Android TV. In most cases, it’s the reason behind app malfunctions, especially with the app in which you were watching something before power went down.
When the electricity is restored, you might find that some apps fail to work properly. This can happen because the sudden power cut interrupts ongoing processes, leading to corrupted data or settings. Similarly, internet disconnections can cause apps to not work or open at all.
How to Fix Apps Not Working on Android TV
Force Stop the App
The first thing you can try when an app is not working on your Android TV or Google TVis to force stop that app, as it fixes app not working and app crashing issues. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Navigate to Settings by tapping on the gear icon.
Step 2: Go to Apps > See All Apps.
Step 3: Select the app in which you are having issues and tap on it.
Step 4: Choose Force stop and confirm the action.
Clear Cache or Data
If force stopping the app does not help you fix the problem, you can try clearing the cache. Similar to a smartphone or computer, smart TVs also use cache to store temporary files that help apps load faster and run smoothly. While the cache data is helpful most of the time, it can sometimes become corrupted and lead to issues with apps. Instead of deleting the apps, consider clearing the cache of the problematic app first. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: From the home screen, tap the gear icon at the top.
Step 2: Under settings, navigate to Apps > See All Apps.
Step 3: Find the app in which you are facing issues and click on it.
Step 4: Select Clear Cache and confirm it.
Log In Again to the App
When you try to open the app after force stopping it, you may notice a login window. Just log in to your account using your credentials and check if you are having any issues or not. If not, you are good to watch your favorite show. However, if you are still facing the issue, move on to the next fix.
Check for App Updates
If you are still having the same issue, you need to update the app. App updates come with bug or glitch fixes and can help you fix the problem you are facing. Checking and updating apps on the Android TV operating system is as simple as doing it on Android phones. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: From the home screen, open the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Head over to your profile picture icon at the top-right corner and tap on Manage apps & games.
Step 3: Next, click on Updates, and you will see all the pending updates.
Step 4: If the app in which you are facing problems is on the list, tap on it.
Step 5: Finally, choose Update and wait for its completion.
Reinstall Problematic App
If even updating the app does not fix the issue, you need to uninstall and then reinstall the app. Uninstalling the app erases all the data, and installing it again fixes issues like malfunctioning or the app not working that are not resolved by updating them. Here’s how you can do this:
Step 1: From the home screen, head over to the app.
Step 2: Press and hold the OK button on the remote control.
Step 3: From the menu that appears, select Uninstall.
Step 4: Confirm the action, and the app will then be removed.
Step 5: Once done, install the app again from the Google Play Store.
Power Cycle the TV
Another thing you can try is to power cycle the TV. Power cycling involves physically disconnecting the TV from the power source, whereas restarting usually refers to using a command. Here’s how you can power cycle your TV.
Step 1: First of all, power off your TV as usual.
Step 2: Unplug the TV’s cord from the power outlet.
Step 3: Wait for about 2 to 3 minutes before plugging it again into the outlet.
Step 4: Finally, turn on the TV and check if the issue is fixed or not.
Free Up Storage
Another thing you need to check when an app is not working properly on your Android TV is to free up space, especially when you are running out of storage on the TV. This is because apps need some space to function properly, and if you don’t have enough space, the app may crash or not work properly.
Factory Reset the TV
As a last resort, you can try factory resetting the TV to fix the issue you are having. Keep in mind, it restores your TV to its default settings as it deletes all the data and settings on the TV. Check out our dedicated article on how you can do this.
Wrapping Up
So, these are the ways through which you can fix app malfunctioning, app not working, or similar issues on your Android TV. In addition to the above mentioned ways, you can also try correcting the date & time, updating your TV software, or checking the internet connectivity. Do let us know if you have any questions related to the article.
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