How to fix Galaxy Note9 “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error

One of the common errors an Android user may encounter is “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error. If you have such an error on your Galaxy Note9, or if Google Play Store app keeps crashing, this post is for you.

How to fix Galaxy Note9 “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error

Troubleshooting this error takes patience. There’s no direct way to know what is behind it so you’ll need to follow a set of troubleshooting steps to identify its cause. Be sure to follow the steps below to narrow down the factors.

Restart the device

Restarting your Galaxy Note9 should be the first troubleshooting step in this case. Many minor bugs are fixed by simply refreshing the system. Old cache that may have become outdated after letting the phone run for a long time can lead to issues. Interrupting the system by rebooting it may put a stop to the problem. Here’s how to reboot the system in this situation:

1. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons for approximately 10 seconds or until the device power cycles. Allow several seconds for the Maintenance Boot Mode screen to appear.
2. From the Maintenance Boot Mode screen, select Normal Boot. You can use the volume buttons to cycle through the available options and the lower left button (below the volume buttons) to select. Wait for up to 90 seconds for the reset to complete.

Clear cache and data of Google Play Store app

The most direct way of dealing with Google Play Store app problem is by clearing its cache and data. Clearing the cache is harmless and will only affect the temporary files associated with the app. Clearing the data on the other hand is more drastic as it will delete all cache and user data associated with the app. It will also return the device to its default state. If the bug that causes Play Store app to crash is isolated to the app itself of these steps will help.

How to clear Google Play Store app cache:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Show system apps.
5. Find and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear cache button.
8. Restart your Note9 and check for the problem.

How to clear Google Play Store app data:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Show system apps.
5. Find and tap your app.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear cache button.
8. Restart your Note9 and check for the problem.

Clear data of Google Services Framework app

Sometimes, a bug within one of Android’s core systems app, Google Services Framework, may affect the Play Store. Make sure to clear its data to reset it to its defaults if the issue is still happening at this time. Refer to the steps above on how to clear Google Services Framework data.

Remove Google account, sign back in

Some users were able to fix “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error by removing their Google account, then adding it after a restart. If you haven’t tried doing this before, follow these steps on how to remove a Google account:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Accounts.
4. Tap your Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure to remove them all later on.
5. Once you’ve selected the Google account to remove, tap REMOVE ACCOUNT button.
6. Restart your Note9.

After the device has restarted, you can add your Google account again. If you have several Google accounts, remove them all first, restart the device, then add them individually.

To add an account:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Cloud and accounts.
3. Tap Add account.
4. Tap Google.
5. Enter your PIN, Password, or Pattern if prompted.
6. Add your Google account by following on-screen instructions.

Reset app preferences

Apps like Google Play Store work with other system apps and services in order to do their tasks. Sometimes, another app may change some settings or disable other system apps, resulting to issues. To minimize app problems, you want to make sure that all default apps are enabled. Here’s how to do that:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
4. Select Reset app preferences.
5. Restart your Note9 and check for the problem.

Reset all settings

This procedure is separate from the previous one as it covers all settings of your Android device and not just the apps. It works similarly to a factory reset without erasing apps, personal data, and other files. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
2. Tap General Management.
3. Tap Reset settings.
4. Tap Reset settings.
5. Enter your PIN, Password, or Pattern if prompted.
6. Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Observe in safe mode

As mentioned above, third party apps might interfere with Android and cause problems. If  “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error remains at this point, you can go ahead and check if a third party app is to blame. You can do that by booting the phone to safe mode. Here’s how:

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

If Google Play Store app works normally on safe mode, an app is the culprit. To identify which of your apps is causing the trouble, you should boot the phone back to safe mode and follow these steps:

1. Boot to safe mode.
2. Check for the problem.
3. Once you’ve confirmed that a third party app is to blame, you can start uninstalling apps individually. We suggest that you begin with the most recent ones you added.
4. After you uninstall an app, restart the phone to normal mode and check for the problem.
5. If “Unfortunately, Google Play Store has stopped” error remains, repeat steps 1-4.

Remove root

Some root software may come in conflict with core Google apps like Play Store. If you have a rooted Note9, this may be the reason for the problem. Remove the root from your device and see if it will fix the problem.

Factory reset

If the error still occurs at this point, you must do a more drastic solution by returning the phone’s software to their defaults. Here’s how to factory reset your device:

1. Create a backup of your files.
2. Turn off the device.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
4. 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).
5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
6. Press Power button to select.
7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
9. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

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