How to Resolve Google Play Store Errors

This article explains how to troubleshoot Google Play Store errors you may encounter when downloading apps, games, and more. Instructions cover all smartphones and tablets with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later, but some steps may vary slightly depending on your device model.

Common 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 resolve itself soon.

Often, you'll receive an error code that indicates what's wrong. Here's a list of common Google Play error codes and what each means:

Error 944

Google’s servers are having connectivity problems; wait until Google resolves the problem.

Errors 919, 101, 923, and 921

Your device is out of storage space. 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 appears when you 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 is caused by problems with Google or the app. Clear the Play Store app's cache data by going into the Settings app and selecting Apps & notifications > See All Apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

Error 505

Similar apps are trying to access the same permissions. This is only a problem with older versions of Android. Clear the cache via the app settings and install the latest Android update to prevent this issue.

Error DF-DLA-15

This code relates to app updates. Clear the Play Store app cache to fix this error.

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 get this code erroneously. Update to the latest versions of Google Play and Android to solve this issue.

Error 491

No downloads or updates are possible due to a technical issue. Try removing, then re-adding your Google account on your device.

Error 403

This error happens when you download the same app using different Google accounts on a single device. Sign in to the Google account you originally bought the app with and uninstall it before downloading it with your other account. You may also need to clear the Play Store search history. To do this, go to the Google Play Store app and tap Menu > Settings > Clear local search history.

Error 911

This code indicates a problem with your Wi-Fi connection, or you may need to clear the data cache. If you use a hotspot with authentication requirements, log in again.

Errors 941, 504, 495, 413, 406, 110, rh01, and rpc:aec:0

These downloading errors occur for various reasons, but all require the same fix. First, clear the cache. If that doesn't solve the problem, use a different Google account.

How to Fix a Google Play Store Error

You won't always see a code when Google Play unexpectedly stops working or misbehaves, so you may 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.

1. Restart your device. Turn off your device and turn it back on to resolve a surprising number of technical issues.

2. Force close the Google Play Store app. To force the Google Play Store app to close, open the Settings app, then tap Apps & notifications > See all apps.

   Tap Google Play Store, then tap Force Stop. Tap OK to confirm.

3. Toggle airplane mode. Although it's unclear why, many users report that turning airplane mode on and off corrects Google Play's behavior. Go to Settings and tap Network & internet, then toggle Airplane mode on or off.

4. Toggle Wi-Fi. Disable Wi-Fi for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Go to Settings > Network & Internet and toggle Wi-Fi off and on.

5. Reset your router. If you have trouble with other web apps, there could be an issue with your internet connection. Giving the router a reset often solves these problems.

6. Eject the SD card. SD cards can cause issues with Google Play if the card isn't set up properly. Remove the SD card and re-insert it when you're done using the Google Play Store app.

7. Clear Google Play Store cache. This action may help the Google Play Store app to behave. To clear the Google Play cache memory:

   Go to the Settings app and select Apps & notifications > See all apps.

   Then select Google Play Store > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

8. Clear Google Play Services cache and data. Google Play Services helps keep apps updated and running properly. Clearing the Google Play Services cache may help resolve Play Store errors, particularly downloading errors.

   Go to the Settings app and select Apps & notifications > See all apps.

   Then select Google Play Services > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

9. Check disabled apps. Google Play depends on other apps to run, some of which can accidentally be disabled. Go to Apps & notifications > See all apps. Then, scroll through the Apps list and look for apps that say "Disabled." Tap each disabled app and tap Enable. Check to see if this solves the problem.

10. Disable Proxy Server/VPN. If you use a virtual private network or any other type of proxy server, turn it off and see if this solves the problem.

11. Check the system date and time settings. Inaccurate date settings cause conflicts with Google’s servers, so navigate to Settings > System > Date & Time. Make sure Network-provided time and Network-provided time zone are enabled. (Depending on your device, these settings may be labeled "Automatic date and time" or something similar. )

12. Update Google Play Services. Navigate to the Google Play Services app page. If you see Update, tap to update the app. If you see a Deactivate option, then Google Play Services is updated to the latest version.

13. Update the Android OS. Go to Settings > System > Advanced and then tap System update (or Firmware update on some devices) to see if it's possible to upgrade.

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

    Navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps, then tap Google Play Store. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner on the app details screen, and tap Uninstall updates.

    Restart your device. The most current updates install automatically. When Google Play finishes updating, download the app again.

15. Remove and re-add a Google account. The problem may stem from an issue with your Google account. To reset a Google account on your device:

    Open Settings and tap Accounts. Tap the account you want to remove, then tap Remove account.

    Restart your device, then go back to Settings > Accounts and tap Add Account. Re-enter your account information, then see if the problem has been resolved.

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

17. Clear your device's Download Manager. Emptying the Download Manager's cache and data may solve your problem.

    Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps.

    Tap More (three dots) > Show System, then scroll down and tap Download Manager.

    Tap Storage & cache. Tap Clear Cache, then tap Clear Storage > OK.

18. Reset your device. Performing a factory reset on your Android device returns your phone or tablet to the state it was in when you bought it. This may fix your problem, but it also deletes everything you downloaded and saved, so save this step as a last resort.

How to Fix Other Google Play Errors

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