Galaxy Note 8 Google Play Store app has stopped working error [troubleshooting guide]

Many Android users encounter Google Play Store issues so we’ve come up with this brief troubleshooting guide to help #GalaxyNote8 users deal with the problem.

How to fix a Note 8 Google Play Store stopped working error

There’s a short list of possible reasons why your Note 8 Play Store app has stopped running properly. Don’t worry as solutions to this error is just around the corner. Because there’s no way for us to know what causes a particular Play Store error in a certain device, it’s up to you, end user, to figure out where the possible fault lies. Our job here is to provide the solutions so you can implement them.

Solution #1: Check if Play Store app is working in another device

Before doing anything on your Note 8, you should ensure that Google Play Store app servers are actually up and running. You can do that by checking and using Google Play Store app in another smartphone. If you don’t have another phone, ask a friend to see if the Play Store app is working on his/her end, and if it can download or install apps normally. Play Store app servers very rarely go down but there’s always a chance that it’s causing your problem right now.

Solution #2: Restart your Note 8

The lowly restart should be one of the first things that you must do whenever you have problems, any problem. Once you’ve refreshed the system after restarting, load Play Store app again and see if it works.

Solution #3: Verify Note 8 has correct time, timezone, and date

Incorrect time and date settings can cause incorrect configuration errors when downloading something from the Play Store app so be sure to reset time and date in your Note 8. If you can’t help but change your phone’s date and time most of the time, make sure that set them back to the correct ones just for this troubleshooting.

Solution #4: Check if Note 8 internet connection is working

Slow or non-existent connection can cause app problems so be sure to check this out as well. If possible, try to connect to a known fast wifi network before using Google Play Store again.

Solution #5: Force Stop Google Play Store

The first troubleshooting step to directly deal with your Play Store app is by interrupting its operation. You can do that by doing a Force Stop option. Here’s how:

From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
Tap Settings.
Tap Apps.
Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon.
Tap Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
Tap FORCE STOP.

Solution #6: Delete data of Google Play Store app

Another way to directly address the Play Store issue you’re having is by reverting its settings back to defaults and deleting its its data. By doing this, you’re effectively returning Google Play Store to its known working state.

From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
Tap Settings.
Tap Apps.
Tap the desired application in the default list or tap 3 dots icon.
Tap Show system apps to display pre-installed apps.
Tap Storage.
Tap Clear data and then tap OK.

Solution #7: Delete data of Google Services Framework

One of pre-installed apps that can directly affect the behavior of or cause problems to the Play Store app is Google Services Framework app. To see if this is the case, make sure to delete its data as well. After doing this step, your Google Play Store app may ask you sign back in so just do that.

Solution #8: Remove then add your Google account

If the issue remains up to this point, consider deleting your Google account under Settings>Cloud and accounts>Accounts. After tapping Google, pick the Google account you want to remove, tap the three-dot icon at the upper right, then tap Remove account. Repeat the same steps for your other Google accounts.

Once you’ve removed all your Google accounts, restart your Note 8, before adding them back.

Solution #9: Boot to safe mode

Just as a preinstalled app like Google Services Framework can cause problems with Play Store app, third party apps are equally capable of causing issues as well. To check if one of your downloaded apps is the reason for the erratic behavior of Play Store app, restart your phone to safe mode.

Turn the device off.
Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.

While in safe mode, your Note 8 will only be running apps that came with Android (preinstalled). So if the Play Store will work normally when your Note 8 is on safe mode only, you have a pretty obvious reason why that is so.

To fix the problem, you must uninstall apps until the issue is gone.

Solution #10: Check disabled apps

If you’re fond of tweaking things without knowing what they are or what they do exactly, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll hit a snag. The same is true if you disable apps or services without really understanding why they are in the system and what they do. If you have lots of disabled apps, try to enable them back to see if one of them is critical to Google Play Store app. Remember, apps, especially core system apps, don’t work in isolation. Rather, they need other apps and services in order to allow Android to run as expected.

Solution #11: Disable VPN

This is an optional step for those who don’t use a VPN to connect to the internet. If you are though, consider disabling your VPN to see a difference. Countries like China also don’t allow Google services so if you bought your device from there (well all things come from China nowadays), or if you’re using a Note 8 that’s designed for the Chinese market, you’ll most likely not find Google Play Store or its services in your phone.

Solution#12: Unroot

In some cases, some root software or even custom ROM may block Google Play Store app from connecting to Google servers. If you happen to have a rooted device, or running a custom ROM, try to unroot or run stock firmware to see if that will fix the problem.

Solution #13: Factory reset

As your last resort, try to wipe the phone clean and begin from scratch. This is definitely a hassle but for an expensive flagship phone being unable to access Google Play Store, it’s definitely worth it. We suggest that you do a master reset instead of a normal factory reset under Settings as it’s more thorough. Just be sure to back your files up before you proceed.

Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
Press Power button to select.
Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
Press the Power key to restart the device.