8 Methods on How to Fix Google Maps Not Working on Android

Google Maps is one of the most popular and useful navigation apps for Android users. It helps you find your way around, get directions, traffic information, and more. However, sometimes Google Maps may not work properly on your Android device, causing you to miss your destination or get lost. This can be very frustrating and inconvenient, especially when you rely on Google Maps for your daily commute or travel plans.

Fortunately, there are some simple methods that you can try to fix Google Maps not working on Android. In this article, we will show you 8 methods that can help you solve common Google Maps problems, such as crashing, freezing, not loading, not showing your location, or giving wrong directions. Follow these methods in order and see if they can restore Google Maps to normal functioning.

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Method 1: Restart the Google Maps App

The first thing to try is restarting the Google Maps app. Sometimes, the app may encounter a glitch or a bug that prevents it from working properly. Restarting the app can clear the temporary data and refresh the app’s connection to Google’s servers. To restart the Google Maps app, follow these steps:

• Tap the Recent Apps button on your Android device (usually a square icon at the bottom of the screen).
• Swipe left or right to find the Google Maps app card.
• Swipe up on the app card to close it.
• Tap the Home button (usually a circle icon at the bottom of the screen) to go back to the home screen.
• Tap the Google Maps icon to launch the app again.

See if this method fixes Google Maps not working on Android. If not, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Restart Your Android Device

Another simple method to try is restarting your Android device. This can help resolve any system issues or conflicts that may affect Google Maps or other apps. Restarting your device can also free up some memory and improve its performance. To restart your Android device, follow these steps:

• Press and hold the Power button on your device until a menu appears.
• Tap Restart or Reboot (depending on your device model).
• Wait for your device to turn off and then turn it back on.
• Unlock your device and launch the Google Maps app.

See if this method fixes Google Maps not working on Android. If not, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Check the Internet Connection

Google Maps requires a stable and fast internet connection to work properly. If your internet connection is slow, weak, or unstable, Google Maps may not load correctly, show outdated information, or give wrong directions. To check your internet connection, follow these steps:

• Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Notification Panel.
• Check if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or a mobile data network.
• If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, make sure it has a strong signal and is working properly. You can test it by opening another app or website that requires internet access.
• If you are connected to a mobile data network, make sure it has a good signal and is not in roaming mode. You can also check if you have enough data balance or if there are any restrictions on your data plan.
• If you are not connected to any network, try turning on Airplane Mode for a few seconds and then turning it off. This can refresh your network settings and help you connect to a nearby network.
• Alternatively, you can try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data networks to see which one works better for Google Maps.

Method 4: Update the Google Maps App

Google regularly updates its apps with new features, improvements, and bug fixes. If you are using an outdated version of Google Maps, you may encounter some problems or errors that have been fixed in newer versions. Updating the Google Maps app can help you enjoy its latest features and enhance its performance and stability. To update the Google Maps app, follow these steps:

• Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
• Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
• Tap My Apps & Games.
• Find Google Maps – Navigate & Explore in the list of installed apps.
• Tap Update if there is an update available.
• Wait for the update to download and install.
• Launch the Google Maps app.

Method 5: Enable Background Data for Google Maps

Google Maps may not work properly if it is restricted from using background data. Background data is the data that apps use when they are not in the foreground or active on your screen. Some apps, such as Google Maps, need background data to function properly and provide you with real-time information and notifications. To enable background data for Google Maps, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings app on your device.
• Tap Apps & Notifications or Apps (depending on your device model).
• Tap Google Maps or Maps.
• Tap Data Usageor Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.
• Make sure the toggle for Background Dataor Allow Background Data Usage is turned on.

Method 6: Calibrate Google Maps on Android

Google Maps relies on your device’s sensors, such as the GPS, accelerometer, and compass, to determine your location and orientation. If these sensors are not calibrated properly, Google Maps may not show your correct location or direction. To calibrate Google Maps on Android, follow these steps:

• Launch the Google Maps app.
• Tap the Location icon (a blue dot) at the bottom right corner of the screen.
• Tap the Compass icon (a red arrow) at the top right corner of the screen.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate your device. You may need to tilt, move, or rotate your device in a figure-eight motion until the compass is calibrated.
• Check if Google Maps shows your correct location and direction.

Method 7: Clear the Google Maps Cache & Data

Google Maps stores some data and files in your device’s cache and storage to improve its performance and speed. However, sometimes these data and files may get corrupted or outdated, causing Google Maps to malfunction or crash. Clearing the Google Maps cache and data can help you delete these data and files and reset the app to its default settings. To clear the Google Maps cache and data, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings app on your device.
• Tap Apps & Notifications or Apps (depending on your device model).
• Tap Google Maps or Maps.
• Tap Storage & Cache or Storage.
• Tap Clear Cacheto to delete the temporary data.
• Tap Clear Data or Clear Storage to delete all app data. This will erase your preferences, settings, and saved places in Google Maps. You may need to sign in again and set up your preferences after clearing the data.
• Launch the Google Maps app.

Method 8: Reinstall Google Maps App

If none of the above methods works for you, you may need to reinstall the Google Maps app on your device. This can help you remove any corrupted or damaged files that may prevent Google Maps from working properly. Reinstalling the Google Maps app will also update it to its latest version automatically. To reinstall the Google Maps app, follow these steps:

• Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
• Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
• Tap My Apps & Games.
• Find Google Maps – Navigate & Explore the list of installed apps.
• Tap Uninstall and confirm your action.
• Wait for the app to be uninstalled from your device.
• Tap Install to download and install the app again.
• Launch the Google Maps app.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to fixing Google Maps not working on Android:

Q: Why is my Google Maps not showing my location?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Google Maps is not showing your location correctly. Some of them are:

• Your location services are turned off or disabled on your device.
• Your device’s GPS signal is weak or blocked by buildings, trees, or other obstacles.
• Your device’s sensors are not calibrated properly.
• Your device’s date and time settings are incorrect.

To fix this issue, you can try these solutions:

• Turn on location services on your device and grant permission to Google Maps to access your location.
• Move to an open area with a clear view of the sky and wait for a few seconds for your GPS signal to improve.
• Calibrate your device’s sensors using Method 6 above.
• Adjust your device’s date and time settings to match your current time zone and location.

Q: Why is my Google Maps not giving me directions?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Google Maps is not giving you directions correctly. Some of them are:

• Your internet connection is slow, weak, or unstable.
• Your Google Maps app is outdated or corrupted.
• Your destination address is incorrect or incomplete.
• Your route settings are not compatible with your destination or preferences.

To fix this issue, you can try these solutions:

• Check your internet connection and switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data networks if needed.
• Update or reinstall your Google Maps app using Method 4 or Method 8 above.
• Check your destination address and make sure it is correct and complete. You can also use voice search or drop a pin on the map to enter your destination.
• Check your route settings and make sure they match your destination and preferences. You can change your travel mode, avoid tolls or highways, add multiple stops, or choose alternate routes.

Q: Why is my Google Maps not loading?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Google Maps is not loading properly. Some of them are:

• Your device’s cache and storage are full or corrupted.
• Your device’s RAM or memory is low or overloaded.
• Your device’s software is outdated or incompatible with Google Maps.
• Your device’s screen resolution or display settings are not optimal for Google Maps.

To fix this issue, you can try these solutions:

• Clear your device’s cache and data using Method 7 above or using a third-party app cleaner.
• Close any unnecessary apps or background processes that may consume your device’s RAM or memory.
• Update your device’s software to the latest version available or check if it meets the minimum requirements for Google Maps.
• Adjust your device’s screen resolution or display settings to match Google Maps’ recommended settings.

Q: How do I fix Google Maps voice navigation not working?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Google Maps voice navigation is not working properly. Some of them are:

• Your device’s volume or sound settings are muted, low, or disabled.
• Your device’s speaker or headphone jack is damaged or blocked by dust, debris, or water.
• Your device’s microphone or voice input settings are not working or configured correctly.
• Your Google Maps app is outdated or corrupted.

To fix this issue, you can try these solutions:

• Check your device’s volume or sound settings and make sure they are turned on, high enough, and not in silent mode.
• Check your device’s speaker or headphone jack and make sure they are clean, dry, and undamaged. You can also try using a different speaker or headphones if available.
• Check your device’s microphone or voice input settings and make sure they are working and configured correctly. You can also try using a different voice language or accent if available.
• Update or reinstall your Google Maps app using Method 4 or Method 8 above.

Q: How do I fix Google Maps offline not working?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Google Maps offline is not working properly. Some of them are:

• Your offline maps are expired, outdated, or corrupted.
• Your offline maps are not downloaded completely or correctly.
• Your offline maps are not compatible with your device, location, or travel mode.
• Your offline maps are not enabled or selected in the app.

To fix this issue, you can try these solutions:

• Update or delete and redownload your offline maps using the following steps:
  • Open the Google Maps app and tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
  • Tap Offline Maps and select the map you want to update or delete.
  • Tap Update if there is an update available or tap Delete to remove the map from your device.
  • To download a new offline map, tap Select Your Own Map and choose the area you want to download. You can also adjust the zoom level and map size as needed.
  • Tap Download and wait for the map to download to your device. Make sure you have enough storage space and a stable internet connection for this process.
• Check if your offline maps are downloaded completely or correctly by opening them in the app and zooming in and out to see if they load properly. If they don’t, try downloading them again using the steps above.
• Check if your offline maps are compatible with your device, location, or travel mode by reading the following limitations:
  • Offline maps only work on Android devices that meet the minimum requirements for Google Maps. They may not work on some older devices or custom ROMs.
  • Offline maps only cover certain areas and regions that are available for download. They may not cover some remote areas, islands, countries, or continents.
  • Offline maps only support driving directions. They do not support transit, walking, cycling, or other travel modes.
  • Offline maps do not provide real-time information, such as traffic, road closures, or alternate routes. They also do not provide voice navigation, street view, or indoor maps.
• Check if your offline maps are enabled or selected in the app by following these steps:
  • Open the Google Maps app and tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
  • Tap Offline Maps and select the map you want to use.
  • Tap View to open the map in the app. You can also tap Directions to get driving directions using the offline map.
  • Make sure you see a lightning bolt icon at the top right corner of the screen. This indicates that you are using an offline map. If you don’t see this icon, tap it to switch to offline mode.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you fix Google Maps not working on Android. Google Maps is a great app that can make your life easier and more convenient, but it can also encounter some problems or errors from time to time. By following these 8 methods, you can troubleshoot and resolve most of the common Google Maps issues and enjoy its features and benefits.

If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and help you out. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family who may be facing the same problem with Google Maps.

Thank you for reading!