How to Resolve Google Play Store Errors

Getting an annoying error code? Here's how to fix it.

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by Robert Earl Wells III
Robert Wells is a professional writer and amateur game developer. His specialties include web development, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity.
Updated January 27, 2019

When you download apps or games from Google Play, you may occasionally run into errors. A Google Play Store error can occur for a number of reasons including:

  • Problems with your device.
  • Problems with your internet connection.
  • Problems with Google Play Services.

Common Causes of Google Play Store Errors

Before you begin troubleshooting Google Play errors, visit Downdetector.com to see if other users are reporting problems with Google Play. If so, the issue likely lies with Google Play Services, and it will likely resolve itself soon enough.

Often, you'll receive an error code that can give you an idea of what's wrong. Here's a list of common Google Play error codes and what they mean:

  • Error 944: Google’s servers are having connectivity problems, so you must wait until the problem is fixed.
  • Errors 919, 101, 923, 921: Your device is out of storage space, so you must delete some apps to make room. Consider moving your music, pictures, and videos to cloud storage.
  • Error 481: Your Google account has been shut down due to an error. The only solution is to delete it and create a new one.
  • Error 927: This error code can appear if you try to download an app while the Google Play app is updating. Wait until the update is finished installing, and then try your download again.
  • Error F-BPA-09: This download error can be caused by problems with Google or the app itself. Try clearing the Play Store app's cache data by going to Settings > Apps > All > Google services framework.
  • Error 505: Similar apps are trying to access the same permissions. This is only a problem with older versions of Android. Clearing your cache via the app settings and installing the latest Android update should prevent this issue.
  • Error DF-DLA-15: This code usually relates to app updates. Clearing the Play Store app cache may help.
  • Error 103: Your device is incompatible with the app you downloaded. Google Play typically doesn't let you download incompatible apps, but sometimes it does. You may also sometimes get this code erroneously. Update to the latest versions of Google Play and Android.
  • Error 491: No downloads or updates are possible due to a technical issue. Try removing, then re-adding your Google account on your device.
  • vError 403: This error happens when you try to download the same app using different Google accounts on a single device. You must sign into the Google account you originally bought the app with and uninstall it before you can download it with your other account. You may also need to clear your Play Store search history by going to Play Store Settings > Clear search history.
  • Error 911: This code could indicate a problem with your Wi-Fi connection, or you might just need to clear the data cache. If you're using a hotspot with authentication requirements, you might need to log in again.
  • Errors 941, 504, 495, 413, 406 , 110, rh01, and rpc:aec:0: These errors can occur for various reasons, but they all require the same fix. First, try clearing the cache. If that doesn't solve the problem, try using a different Google account.

Assigning a new Google account to your device can cause compatibility issues with some apps, so you may need to reinstall them before they will work properly.

Other Google Play Errors

If you encounter other error codes not listed above, a quick Google search should give you some insight into which solutions might fix your problem.

You won't always see a code when Google Play unexpectedly crashes or misbehaves, so you'll have to perform some troubleshooting to identify the underlying issue. If Google Play malfunctions without giving you an error message, there are plenty of strategies you can try to get it working again.

How to Fix a Google Play Store Error

If you have problems downloading apps from the Google Play Store, try these troubleshooting tips:

Google Play is optimized for Android devices. Although it's possible to install Google Play on Amazon Fire tablets and even iOS devices, the following strategies may or may not fix Google Play Store errors.

  1. Restart your device. Simply turning off your device and turning it back on can resolve a surprising number of issues.

  2. Force close Google Play Store. On your device, go to Settings > Apps > All > Google Play Store and tap Force Stop.

    Navigate to Settings > Apps > All > Google Play Store and tap Force Stop.

  3. Toggle airplane mode. Although it's unclear why, many users report turning airplane mode on and off can correct Google Play's behavior.

  4. Toggle Wi-Fi. Disable your device's Wi-Fi for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

  5. Reset your router. If you're also having trouble with other web apps, there could be an issue with your internet connection.

  6. Eject the SD card. SD cards can cause issues with Google Play if not set up properly, so try removing your SD card and re-inserting it when you're done.

  7. Clear Google Play Store cache. To clear the Google Play cache memory:

    1. Tap Settings, then tap Apps.
    2. Locate and tap Google Play Store.
    3. Tap Storage.
    4. Tap Clear Cache.
    Clearing the Google Play cache memory can resolve Play Store errors.

  8. Delete Google Play Store data. Follow the same steps as above, but tap Clear Data instead. Afterward, you'll have to sign in and go through the initial set up process again.

  9. Clear Google Play Services cache and data.

    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services.
    2. Tap Clear Cache.
    3. Select Manage Space > Clear All Data.
    Clear the Google Play Services cache and data.

  10. Check disabled apps. Google Play depends on other apps to run, some of which can accidentally be disabled. In your device's Settings, scroll through your Apps list and enable any disabled apps to see if that fixes the problem.

  11. Disable Proxy Server/VPN. If you use a virtual private network, or any other type of proxy server, turn it off.

  12. Check system's date and time settings. Inaccurate date settings can cause conflicts with Google’s servers, so navigate to Settings > Date & Time, then tap Automatic date & time.

    You may be asked if you want to use the time provided by the network you're currently connected to, or your device's internal GPS. Either option should produce the same result.

  13. Update Google Play Services. Visit the Google Play Services app page and tap Update. If you see a Deactivate option, Google Play Services is already up to date.

  14. Update the Android OS. Go to Settings > About phone, then tap System Update to check to see if an update is available

  15. Uninstall and reinstall Google Play updates. You can't actually uninstall Google Play from your Android device because it's a system app, but you can uninstall all of the updates, which essentially takes the app back to a previous version:

    1. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store.
    2. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner.
    3. Tap Uninstall updates.
    4. Restart your device. The most current updates should start installing automatically.
    5. When Google Play finishes updating, try downloading your app again.
    Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner and select Uninstall updates.

  16. Remove and re-add Google account. To reset your Google account on your device:

    1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google.
    2. Tap your account.
    3. Tap the three dots in the upper right hand corner of the window then tap Remove account.
    4. Restart your device.
    5. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google once again You'll be prompted to reenter your account information.
    6. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Manage Space then tap Clear All Data.
    7. Open the Google Play Store to see if the problem is resolved.

  17. Use another Google account. Follow the steps above to remove your account, but assign a different account instead of re-adding the old one.

    If you have multiple accounts listed when you go to Settings > Accounts > Google, the one at the top is the primary account for your device. To change the primary account, you must delete the current one (you can re-add it later).

  18. Clear your device's Download Manager:

    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Download Manager > Storage.
    2. Tap Clear Cache.
    3. Tap Clear Data. 

    If you don't see Download Manager listed under your apps, tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner, then tap Show system. 

  19. Reset your device. Performing a factory reset on your Android device will return your phone or tablet to the state it was in when you bought it. Therefore, it will probably fix your problem, but it will also wipe everything you've downloaded and saved, so save this step as a last resort.

You should backup all of your important data before performing a factory reset.