How to Fix Download Pending Issue in Google Play Store
If you are an Android user, you must have encountered the annoying "download pending" issue in Google Play Store at some point. This issue prevents you from downloading or updating any apps from the official app store of your device. It can be frustrating, especially when you need an app urgently or want to enjoy a new game.
Fortunately, there are some common solutions that can help you fix this issue and resume your app downloads. In this article, we will explain what causes the download pending issue and how to resolve it using various methods. Let's get started!
pending download google play store
Introduction
What is download pending issue and why does it happen?
The download pending issue is a common error that occurs when you try to download or update an app from Google Play Store. It means that your app download or update is stuck in a queue and cannot proceed further. You will see a "download pending" message below the app name and a progress bar that does not move.
There are several possible reasons why this issue happens, such as:
You have too many apps downloading or updating simultaneously.
Your internet connection is slow or unstable.
Your VPN app is interfering with the Play Store.
Your Play Store data is corrupted or outdated.
Your device storage is full or low.
Your app preferences are conflicting with the Play Store.
Your device software is outdated or buggy.
Common solutions to fix download pending issue
Cancel the current downloads and/or updates
The most common cause of the download pending issue is queued downloads, that are generally caused by the auto-updates. To check the same, open the Play Store and navigate to the "My apps & games" section through the side menu. Here, you will see which apps are in the process of being updated or downloaded. Just press the X next to their name to cancel the download and get the app you urgently need.
Download over mobile data if Wi-Fi doesn't work
Since your app downloads require the internet, you should make sure that your internet connection works. If you are using Wi-Fi and it's stopped working for some reason, you can change your internet source to cellular data to download your apps. However, be aware that this may incur extra charges or use up your data allowance.
To enable app downloads over any network, follow these steps:
Open the Google Play Store.
Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select Settings.
Choose App download preference.
Enable the Over any network option and tap on Done.
Turn off the VPN app on your device
The download pending issue could also be caused by a VPN app on your device. Since VPNs basically spoof your location, it may lead Google Play Store to think you aren't in the country where you should be according to your device, and it can pause your downloads. If that's the case, all you need to do is disable the VPN app on your phone and try again.
Delete Play Store data
Like other apps on your device, the Play Store app also stores some data and cache that can get corrupted or outdated over time. This can affect the performance of the app and cause issues like download pending. To fix this, you can try clearing the Play Store data and cache from your device settings. Here's how to do it:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
Find and tap on Google Play Store.
Tap on Storage.
Tap on Clear Data and Clear Cache buttons.
This will reset the Play Store app to its default state and hopefully resolve the download pending issue. However, you may have to sign in to your Google account again after doing this.
How to fix download pending issue in Google Play Store[^1^]
Play Store download pending error and how to resolve it[^2^]
What causes Play Store download pending and how to fix it[^3^]
Troubleshoot problems downloading apps from the Play Store[^4^]
Korean nuclear fusion reactor achieves 100 millionC for 30 seconds[^5^]
How to cancel current downloads and updates in Play Store
How to download apps over mobile data if WiFi doesn't work
How to turn off VPN app on your device to fix Play Store issue
How to delete Play Store data and cache to resolve download pending
How to uninstall and reinstall Play Store updates
How to free up memory space on your phone for Play Store downloads
How to reset your app preferences to fix Play Store issue
How to factory reset your device to resolve download pending error
How to check your internet connection for Play Store downloads
How to enable data downloads over any network in Play Store settings
How to clear Google Services Framework cache for Play Store issue
How to force stop the Play Store app and restart it
How to remove and re-add your Google account for Play Store downloads
How to disable battery optimization for the Play Store app
How to change your country or region in the Play Store settings
How to use a different Google account for Play Store downloads
How to install apps from third-party sources if Play Store doesn't work
How to update your Android system software for Play Store issue
How to contact Google support for help with Play Store downloads
How to report a bug or feedback about the Play Store app
Uninstall Play Store updates
Sometimes, the download pending issue can be caused by a bug in the latest version of the Play Store app. If that's the case, you can try uninstalling the updates and reverting to the older version of the app. This will not delete any of your data or apps, but it may remove some features or settings that were added in the newer version. To uninstall Play Store updates, follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
Find and tap on Google Play Store.
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
Select Uninstall updates.
This will restore the original version of the Play Store app that came with your device. You can then check if the download pending issue is fixed or not. If it is, you can update the Play Store app again later when a new version is available.
Free-up memory space on your phone
Another possible reason for the download pending issue is low or insufficient storage space on your device. If your device is running out of space, it may not be able to download or update any apps from the Play Store. To fix this, you need to free up some memory space on your phone by deleting unwanted files, apps, photos, videos, etc. You can also use a cleaning app like CCleaner or Files by Google to remove junk files and cache from your device.
To check how much storage space you have left on your device, follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Storage.
You will see a breakdown of how much space is used and available on your device.
Reset your app preferences
Sometimes, the download pending issue can be caused by a conflict between your app preferences and the Play Store settings. For example, if you have disabled some system apps or services that are required for the Play Store to function properly, it may prevent your app downloads from completing. To fix this, you can try resetting your app preferences to their default values. This will not delete any of your data or apps, but it will restore the original settings for all apps on your device. To reset your app preferences, follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
Select Reset app preferences.
Factory data reset your device
If none of the above solutions work for you, then you may have to resort to the last option: factory data reset your device. This is a drastic measure that will erase all of your data and settings from your device and restore it to its original state. This may fix the download pending issue, but it will also delete all of your apps, photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc. Therefore, you should only do this as a last resort and after backing up your important data to a cloud service or an external storage device.
To factory data reset your device, follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on System or General Management.
Tap on Reset or Backup & reset.
Select Factory data reset.
Read the warning message and tap on Reset phone or Reset device.
Conclusion
The download pending issue in Google Play Store is a common problem that many Android users face. It can be annoying and frustrating when you want to download or update an app but it gets stuck in a queue. However, there are some simple and effective solutions that can help you fix this issue and resume your app downloads. In this article, we have explained what causes the download pending issue and how to resolve it using various methods, such as canceling the current downloads, downloading over mobile data, turning off the VPN app, deleting Play Store data, uninstalling Play Store updates, freeing up memory space, resetting app preferences, and factory data resetting your device. We hope that this article has helped you fix the download pending issue and enjoy your apps without any hassle.
FAQs
How do I clear the queue in Google Play Store?
To clear the queue in Google Play Store, you can follow these steps:
Open the Google Play Store.
Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select My apps & games.
Tap on the X icon next to each app that is downloading or updating to cancel it.
How do I change the app download preference in Google Play Store?
To change the app download preference in Google Play Store, you can follow these steps:
Open the Google Play Store.
Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select Settings.
Choose App download preference.
Select the option that suits your needs: Over any network, Over Wi-Fi only, or Ask me every time.
Tap on Done to save your changes.
How do I update Google Play Services and Download Manager?
To update Google Play Services and Download Manager, you can follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
Find and tap on Google Play Services.
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
Select Update if there is a newer version available.
Repeat the same steps for Download Manager.
How do I uninstall and reinstall Play Store updates?
To uninstall and reinstall Play Store updates, you can follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
Find and tap on Google Play Store.
Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
Select Uninstall updates to revert to the original version of the app.
Open the Google Play Store again and tap on Update if there is a newer version available.
How do I factory data reset my device?
To factory data reset your device, you can follow these steps:
Go to Settings on your device.
Tap on System or General Management.
Tap on Reset or Backup & reset.
Select Factory data reset.
Read the warning message and tap on Reset phone or Reset device.
: : : 44f88ac181