How to fix Google Play Services keeps stopping Error Messages [9 ways]

If you are using an Android device, be it a tablet or a phone, you might have come across an error message at least once. The error message would read as “Google Play Services keeps stopping”. Now, is this a really big issue or something to worry about that much? Not really. But it can get on your nerves when the error keeps popping out of nowhere again and again. Today’s guide is all about how to fix Google Play Services keeps stopping error.

Google Play Services are important and needed to run most of the Google apps as well as third-party apps since they make use of Google APIs. Why? Well, these apps need a way to exchange information with the Play Store, such as being able to login into an app right away with your Google Account or to even check for any new updates for the app that might have arrived on Google Play Store. The main reason as to why this error might keep showing up is probably because the Play Services are not updated or you could be running an older version on Android. Whatever the reason may be, here are a few ways that you can fix the Google Play Services keep stopping error.

Fix Google Play Services keeps stopping

When this error keeps on showing up, it does get annoying and just makes you get mad about it. Here are a few ways that you can follow to remove the error and keep your mind sane.

Update Google Play Services

The first thing that needs to be checked and fixed is the Google Play Services. It could be possible that the Play Services are running an older update and are not able to function because of it. To update the app, do the following.

  1. Open the Settings app and select Apps.
  2. In the apps menu, you will get a list of all apps installed currently on the device.
  3. Scroll through the list and select Google Play Services.
  4. At the bottom, you will find App details. Tap on it.
    google play services keeps stopping
  5. It will now take you right away to the Google Play Services page on the Play Store.
  6. If there is an update, simply tap on the green Update button, and the Play Services will now begin downloading and installing the update.
  7. By having the updated version of the Play Services, you should no longer be getting the keeps stopping error. But, if it still shows you the error, follow the next step.

Uninstall old Play Services update

Updates are always there for improving service, but sometimes, they can also bring in surprise errors. Bugs in the update could be triggered, causing Play Services to stop and thus show the error. Uninstalling an update can also fix this error. Here is how you can uninstall a Play Services update.

  1. Open the Settings app and select Apps.
  2. In the apps menu, you will get a list of all apps installed currently on the device.
  3. Scroll through the list and select Google Play Services.
  4. In the app info screen, you will see three dots at the top right. Tap on it.
    google play services keeps stopping
  5. You will now see an option to Uninstall Updates. Tap on it.
  6. It will now ask if you wish to replace the play Services app with the factory one. Select OK or Yes.
  7. The update will now have been uninstalled from your device.

You can always check back later on the Play Store and see if there is a fresh update available to install. Make sure that this is not the same update that was causing the error message to display. The Play Store page will show you the date of when the app last got an update. Hopefully this will fix Google Play Services keeps stopping error.

Leave Play Services Beta Program

Now, joining a beta program is one way to be able to try and test out new features before the general public gets the finalized update. Now, it could be possible that you might have enrolled in the beta version of Play Services. Leaving the beta program can also help stop the Play Services error message from popping up from time to time.

  1. Open the Settings app and select Apps.
  2. In the apps menu, you will get a list of all apps installed currently on the device.
  3. Scroll through the list and select Google Play Services.
  4. At the bottom, you will find App details. Tap on it.
  5. It will now take you right away to the Google Play Services page on the Play Store.
  6. On the Store page, it will show that you are a beta tester. Simply tap on the green Leave text.
    google play services keeps stopping
  7. You will now be removed from the beta program. 
  8. Check the updates page of the Play Store to get the latest update of the stable version of Play Services.

Clear Play Services Cache Files

Clearing up cache files can most of the time help the app to work and run fine without any issues. Cache files are files that have been downloaded to store the app’s data. Now, if the cache storage is running out of space, the app might sometimes miss behave and can also be the reason why the Google Play Servies error keeps showing up. Here is how you can clear the cache of the Play Services app.

  1. Fire up the Settings app and select Apps.
  2. In the apps menu, you will get a list of all apps installed currently on the device.
  3. Scroll through the list and select Google Play Services.
  4. Now, tap on Storage. Here you will be able to see how much space the app is taking up as well as the cache file size.
  5. Select Clear Cache to clear the cache files and that is it.
  6. Should you still be getting such error messages again, follow the next step.

Sign out of the Google Services

Sometimes a few glitches with a Google account could also be the reason what causes the Play Services to throw up the error messages. The best way to do this is to remove your account right away from your device. Follow these steps on how to remove a google account from your phone.

  1. Open up the Settings app on your phone.
  2. Scroll to Users and Accounts and select it.
  3. You will see a list of apps that you have created accounts in. Select Google.
  4. Tap on the Google Account that you wish to remove.
  5. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a trash can icon.
  6. Tap on the trash can icon to remove the account. It will warn you about all your data on the phone being deleted. Select Remove.
    google play services keeps stopping
  7. Your Google account and all its data from your phone will now be removed.
  8. To sign, simply tap on add a new account to sign back on your phone.
  9. In this manner, you should expect the Google Play Services to keep stopping errors to no longer appear, indicating that the issue has been fixed.

Check Date and Time Settings

Now, there could also be issues with the region date and time being wrongly set up on your device. This can cause the Google Play Services to throw up some issues. Although it’s not a very common issue, it is always best to check that your date, time, and region are correct.

  1. Open up the Settings app and scroll over to System.
  2. Select Date and Time.
  3. If the Set Automatically option has the toggle set to Off, simply tap on it to turn the toggle to On.
  4. Your date and time will now be automatically set up and this should help remove the Play Services keep stopping error message.
  5. The settings for Date and Time can vary depending on the OEM. The best solution is to simply type in Date and Time in the search box that is present in the Settings app.

Check for System Updates

The main cause of such errors showing up is because the device is running an older version of Android. It is always best to keep your phone updated to the latest version so that you can make the best use of the apps installed without any kind of issue. If you have older Android devices at home that no longer receive support in terms of updates and are running a version of Android that Google has stopped supporting, you will this error message popping up multiple times.

  1. To check if any update is available on your phone, go to the Settings app.
  2. Now scroll till you find System. Select it.
  3. Tap on Software update or System update.
  4. If any updates have been found, you should download and install the update. 
  5. An always updated system should not be receiving any of the Google Pay Services keep stopping errors.

Restart the device

Yes, the good old, turn-on/turn-off method for a lot of devices has always worked the best. It helps to clear anything in the system memory and restart fresh. To restart the device, simply press and hold the power button till a power menu shows up. Tap on Restart. Your device will now restart and the error message should no longer show up.

Format the device

If for any reason whatsoever, none of the above options worked for you to fix the Play Services keeps stopping error message, it is time to format the device.

  1. In the Settings app scroll till you find System.
  2. Under System, find the Reset option and tap on it.
  3. It will now ask what kind of a reset you would like to perform. Select Reset Phone.
  4. The reset process will now begin. Do note that all of your data on your phone will be wiped away. This process can take between 10 to 15 minutes or less.

Your phone will then restart and you will have to go through all the basic setup and account sign-in on the phone. Once you have got everything done, you should no longer be seeing the Google Play Services keeps stopping error.

Conclusion

Well, this is how you will be able to fix the Google Play Services keeps stopping error messages on your Android device. However, if you are running a really old Android device and this message keeps showing up, there is nothing you can do apart from buying a new phone, or maybe by flashing a custom ROM. you can do that only if you have a strong idea and knowledge of what you will be doing to tinker with the phone.

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Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

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