Galaxy S8 showing “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped.” error

One of the common errors that affected a lot of Samsung and non-Samsung devices in the past is the “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped.” error. Now, we’re getting reports of this error occurring in the #GalaxyS8 devices as well. Below is one such report we received so far and in response, we also come up with the solutions.

Today’s problem: Galaxy S8 showing “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped.” error

Hi there, I am having a problem with my S8. It keeps saying that unfortunately the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped. These messages are on the screen permanently and I can’t get rid of these messages at all. I can’t get to my home screen at all. What can be done to get my phone up and running again? — Darren.Glasser

How to fix S8 “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped” error

“Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped” error is usually caused by another app, usually the Download Manager app but in some cases, others may be also to blame. To fix the problem, we lay out the possible reasons and how to address each of them.

Fix #1: Make sure that Download Manager is enabled

In a lot of cases, “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped” error is caused by a disabled Download Manager app. This app is part of any Android phone’s core set of apps but some users choose to disable it. In case you also disabled it, or if it was disabled for some reason, make sure that you enable it back. Here’s how:

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the More settings icon at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Show system apps.
Look for Download Manager in the list and tap it.
Tap ENABLE button. If you see the DISABLE button instead, that means that your Download Manager app is actually turned on and you should proceed to the next solution.

Fix #2: Reset all app preferences

If Download Manager has been enabled all along, or if enabling it back won’t make any difference, then the error must be caused by another app. Since there’s no way to know what that particular app might be, it would be best if you can just reset all their settings back to their defaults. Here’s how to do that:

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the More settings icon at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Reset app preferences.

Fix #3: Clear cache and/or data

The gapps in the “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped.” error

refers to Google apps so clearing the cache and/or data of three important Google apps might work. These apps are:

Google Play Services,
Google Services Framework, and
Google Play Store

In order to clear an app’s cache, follow these steps:

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the More settings icon at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Show system apps.
Look for the app in the list and tap it.
Tap Storage.
Tap CLEAR CACHE.

In order to clear an app’s data, follow these steps:

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the More settings icon at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Show system apps.
Look for the app in the list and tap it.
Tap Storage.
Tap CLEAR DATA

Try to clear an app’s cache first. If nothing works and the error continues to appear, proceed to deleting its data. Be sure to clear the cache and data of all three Google apps mentioned above..

Fix #4: Uninstall updates for Google Play Store

If the “Unfortunately, the process com.google.process.gapps has stopped.” error occurred after installing app updates, it’s possible that a Play Store update may be causing it. Some users were able to successfully resolve this issue by uninstalling updates for Google Play Store app. If the issue continues up to this point, be sure uninstall the previous update for Play Store. Follow the steps below to uninstall Play Store update.

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the More settings icon at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Show system apps.
Look for Google Play Store app in the list and tap it.
Tap Menu icon at the upper right portion.
Select Uninstall updates.
You’ll get the prompt asking you if you want to return the app to its factory version. Hit OK to confirm.

Fix #5: Observe your S8 in safe mode

Just as Google apps can interfere with the operating system and cause glitches, third party apps can do too. To check if your S8 is having an issue with one of your downloaded apps, let it run to safe mode. While in this mode, all third party apps will be blocked so if the error won’t occur, you bet one of them is problematic. To restart your S8 to safe mode, follow these steps:

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.
Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

Fix #6: Install Android updates

While updates certainly do bring under-the-hood and cosmetic changes all the time, some may also packed with solutions for known bugs. It doesn’t matter whether you have an issue or not, skipping an update is definitely a bad idea. If you set your S8 to receive updates but not install them on its own, make sure to double check. Go under Settings > Software update and see if there’s a pending update that you can install.

Fix #7: Factory reset

As a last resort, factory reset is the ultimate solution that any user can do when fixing any software-related errors or glitches. If all our suggestions above won’t help fix the issue, then it’s high time for you wipe the phone and bring all software settings to their defaults.

Don’t forget, factory reset will erase your personal data so be sure to back them up before you proceed.

Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
When the 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.