11 Fixes For ‘Error Checking for Updates’ on Google Play Store

Having an Android phone with a problematic Google Play Store application is probably the worst nightmare of all Android users.

Sometimes you might get error messages for “Error Checking for Updates” that prevent you from downloading and updating the apps on your mobile.

The error mostly occurs when an update is queued. Some of the other causes behind the error could be:

Corrupt Data: Sometimes, some important data related to an app becomes corrupt, which causes it to malfunction. You can delete the data as it regenerates every once in a while.

Playstore Updates: Sometimes, a recently installed app update might malfunction if the update isn’t stable or installed properly, thereby corrupting some of its important features.

Internet Connection: It is vital that you use a secure connection without a proxy or VPN because it might delay the download or update process.

Corrupt Cache: All applications cache some of the data to increase app performance and decrease their loading time. You can delete this data as it might get corrupted and cause the app to malfunction.

Storage Space: It is essential that you have enough space available on your mobile to install updates or any new software. If insufficient, i.e., less than 200MB, is present, then the apps won’t get updated.

Corrupt SD Card: If you use an SD card to increase the storage space, and if that card is corrupted, then you can temporarily remove the card to fix the issue.

Fixes For “Error Checking For Updates”

Now that you know the possible causes of the error, we will look for some of the potential fixes for the error.

• Solution 1: Clearing Cache
• Solution 2: Clear Data
• Solution 3: Uninstalling Updates
• Solution 4: Update the Android OS of Your Device to the Latest Build
• Solution 5: Allow the Google Play Store to Update on Any Network
• Solution 6: Enable Notifications for Google Play
• Solution 7: Adjust the Date and Time of Your Device
• Solution 8: Grant All the Permissions Required to Google Play Store and Services
• Solution 9: Manually Update Some Applications in the Play Store
• Solution 10: Remove Some of the Applications from the Device
• Solution 11: Remove Google Accounts from the Phone

Solution 1: Clearing Cache

If the error checking for updates occurs due to a corrupted cache, you can follow the below-given steps to clear the cache and fix the problem.

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your Android mobile using the dropdown in the notifications panel. Navigate to the “Applications” menu.

Step 2. Click on “Apps” and select “Google Play Store” from the list of apps.

Step 3. Click on the “Storage” option and then hit the Clear Cache option to clear app cache.

Note: If you cannot find the Google Play Store from the list, then click on the three dots on the top-right corner. Now choose “Show System Apps.” The Google Play Store will now be visible.

Solution 2: Clear Data

If clearing the cache didn’t resolve the issue, maybe you need to remove all information to fix the checking for updates error.

It could be occurring due to corrupted data. Similar to the above steps, you can follow the below-given steps to clear the data and fix the problem.

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your Android phone using the dropdown in the notifications panel and navigate to the “Applications” menu.

Step 2. Click on “Apps” and search for “Google Play Store” from the list of apps.

Step 3. Click on the “Storage” option and then hit the Clear Data option.

Note: If you cannot find the Google Play Store from the list, then click on the three vertical dots on the top-right corner. Now choose “Show System Apps.” The Google Play Store will now be visible.

Solution 3: Uninstalling Updates

It could be possible that one of the updates isn’t installed correctly and thus is giving out this error. You can uninstall Google Play Store updates using the below steps:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your Android mobile and navigate to the “Applications” menu.

Step 2. Click on “Apps” and search for “Google Play Store” from the apps list to view the app details.

Step 3. On the top right side corner, you can find three dots. Click on them and select the “Uninstall Updates” option from the menu.

Note: If you cannot find the Google Play Store from the list, then click on the three or two dots on the top-right corner. Now choose the “Show System Apps” option. The Google Play Store will now be visible.

Hopefully, uninstalling corrupt or problematic updates would have fixed the error. If not, then try the next solution.

Remove the SD card and move the apps, if any, from the SD card to internal storage before you move on with the subsequent fixes. Once you move the apps, check the status of Play Protect present in the Google Play menu.

Solution 4: Update the Android OS of Your Device to the Latest Build

Using an outdated version of the Android software could be a reason behind the Google Play Store Error checking for updates. Here’s how to fix it:

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your Android mobile and navigate to the “About Phone” section.

Step 2. Click on the System Update option and tap the “Check for Updates” button.

Step 3. If any Android updates are available, download and install them.

Step 4. Your phone will restart.

Wait patiently for the OS to update and for your phone to turn on. Hopefully, the error will be fixed.

Solution 5: Allow the Google Play Store to Update on Any Network

It is possible that you have set the Google Play Store to update apps on WiFi only to save your mobile data. You need to change the settings and set it to update on any network.

Step 1. Go to the Google Play Store app on your mobile.

Step 2. Tap on the top-left hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), or for the latest Android version, tap on your Google account icon on the top right corner.

Step 3. Open the phone’s Settings menu and click on the “Auto-update apps” option.

Step 4. Select the “Over any network” option to initiate the updating process.

You can also use a VPN client to update the Play Store apps if the Google play store error persists.

Solution 6: Enable Notifications for Google Play

It seems small but not giving Play Store permission to show notification can be a significant cause behind the “Error Checking for Updates.” By allowing the notification, you can quickly fix the issue.

Step 1. Open the phone’s Settings app on your Android mobile.

Step 2. Navigate to the Notifications permission menu.

Step 3. Navigate Google Play Store from the list and tap on it.

Step 4. Disable the “Block all” option and “Show silently” option.

Step 5. Restart your phone.

Once rebooted, it is highly possible that the error must have been resolved.

Solution 7: Adjust the Date and Time of Your Device

Having a different date/time compared to the local time zone might cause the Google Play Store to stop working properly. Thus, by having date & time configured properly in your Android mobile will be the best-suited fix.

Step 1. Open Settings app on your Android mobile.

Step 2. Please navigate to the Date and Time menu and open it.

Step 3. Make sure that the “Automatic Date & Time” and “Automatic time zone” options are enabled using their toggles.

Step 4. You can also disable the “24-hour format” toggle.

Step 5. Restart your mobile to allow the changes to reflect.

Now check if the Play Store has started working properly or not.

Solution 8: Grant All the Permissions Required to Google Play Store and Services

When you would have first used the Google Play Store on your mobile, it must have prompted you for some permissions which are critical for the app to perform well.

In case you have denied any permission, you need to provide the permissions that the Google Play Store requires to perform well. Here are a few steps for you to follow:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone and navigate to the “Applications” menu.

Step 2. Open “Apps” and search for “Google Play Store” from the list of apps to view app details.

Step 3. Click on the “Storage” button and then hit the “Clear Data” and “Clear cache” options.

Step 4. Perform Step 3 for Google Play Services App, Google App, and Google Services framework.

Step 5. Close the app and restart your mobile

Step 6. Open the “Settings” app once again and go to the Apps menu.

Step 7. Navigate to Google Play Store App and tap it.

Step 8. Go to the Permissions section and make sure that all the permissions required by the app are enabled.

Step 9. Now repeat steps 6 to 8 for Google Play Services as well.

Step 10. Open Google Play Store and download any new app and check if the error checking for updates is fixed.

If the Google Play store error message persists, plug in your mobile overnight for charging. Try to download any app from the Play Store in the morning and check if it works.

Solution 9: Manually Update Some Applications in the Play Store

It is possible that the error is not serious and just a temporary glitch in the Android OS for which a patch will come soon.

Step 1. Open the Play Store app and type the name of any app that you want to update in the search bar.

Step 2. Press the Update button on the app’s page and update it.

Step 3. Similarly, you can manually update all the other apps by navigating to the “My Apps & Games” menu.

You can arrange these apps in alphabetical order and then update them one by one. Once all the apps are updated, check if the Google Play Store error message persists.

Solution 10: Remove Some of the Applications from the Device

The best thing you can do for incomplete installations or problematic apps – Uninstall or remove the apps.

It is a good practice to not keep unnecessary apps on the mobile as they might not be safe or could be collecting the data.

Steps to remove Problematic Apps

Step 1. Open Google Play Store on your mobile.

Step 2. Tap on the top-left hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), or for the latest Android version, tap on your Google account icon on the top right side corner.

Step 3. Tap on “My Apps & Games” to open the list of installed apps.

Step 4. Navigate to the “Installed” tab. You might have a “Review” button. Click on it.

Step 5. You can see the essential and critical apps installed on your mobile as well as the unreviewed apps. Having unnecessary apps on your mobile creates clutter, and you won’t be able to install new apps or update old ones due to insufficient storage space.

Step 6. Uninstall the unnecessary apps from your mobile.

Step to Remove Unused Apps

Step 1. Open Google Play Store on your mobile.

Step 2. Tap on the top-left hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), or for the latest Android version, tap on your Google account icon on the top right corner.

Step 3. Tap on “My Apps & Games” to open the list of installed apps.

Step 4. Uninstall any app that you haven’t been using in a long time.

Uninstall updates and apps that are no longer compatible with the Play Store or have been removed or banned.

Solution 11: Remove Google Accounts from the Phone

If none of the above-listed fixes have worked for you, we have another fix for which you will have to remove your google account from the device.

Some people tend to keep multiple google accounts on their mobile, which may not be fully configured (for ex., password change not successful). Removing such accounts from google accounts on your device will have you fix the error.

Before proceeding, make sure that you remember the password of the account you are removing and that the account has some way to recover the password in case you forget.

By adding your mobile number and alternate email, you can secure the account. Also, remove only that account which is unnecessary to save you from future trouble.

Problem Due to No Sync

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your mobile and navigate to the Accounts tab.

Step 2. Locate the Google option and open the menu.

Step 3. You can see all the accounts that are currently logged in on your system. Ensure that all these accounts have the sync feature turned on.

Step 4. If some of the google accounts do not have the sync feature turned on, click on enable sync. Check if the Play Store error checking for updates is fixed.

Remove a Few Accounts

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your mobile and navigate to the Accounts tab.

Step 2. Locate the Google option and open the menu.

Step 3. You can see all the accounts that are currently logged in on your system.

Step 4. Tap on any of the Google accounts and tap on the “Remove Account” option. It will remove the unnecessary google account from the device.

Remove All Google Accounts

If none of the fixes given above have worked, you can remove all the google accounts logged in on your mobile.

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your mobile and navigate to the Accounts tab.

Step 2. Locate the Google option and open the menu.

Step 3. Tap on the remove all Google accounts option and restart your phone.

Step 4. When the phone restarts, add one of the removed accounts and check if it fixes the play store error.

You can also change the password of your Google account and then add it again. If none of these fixes have worked, then doing a full factory reset is the last option.

Frequently Asked Questions