How to Fix a “System UI Isn’t Responding” Error on Android

Millions of devices use the incredibly versatile Android operating system worldwide. However, like all software packages, it may encounter errors that hinder its performance or usability; one such error is “System UI isn’t responding,” which often occurs when using certain applications or features of an Android phone.

Android’s System UI, or User Interface (UI), controls everything you see when not inside an app on your screen, such as status bars, navigation bars, notifications, quick settings, and the home page. When the System UI stops responding properly, it could mean something is stopping it from functioning normally, leading to freezing, crashing, lagging, or unresponsiveness issues for you and others using it.

Key Takeaway

The “System UI isn’t responding” error can be caused by various factors, such as corrupted app cache or data, faulty app updates, incompatible app settings, outdated Android version, low internal storage, malicious apps, or faulty home screen widgets. To fix this error, you can try several methods, such as:

• Restarting your Android phone
• Clearing the cache and data of the Google app
• Uninstalling the updates of the Google app
• Resetting the app preferences
• Booting your phone into safe mode
• Uninstalling suspicious apps
• Factory resetting your phone

In this article, we will explain each of these methods in detail and guide you through the steps to perform them. We will also provide some FAQs to answer common questions about this error and how to prevent it from happening again.

How to Fix a “System UI Isn’t Responding” Error on Android

Method 1: Restart Your Android Phone

The first and simplest method to try when you encounter the “System UI isn’t responding” error is to restart your Android phone. This will help clear any temporary glitches or bugs that may be causing the error and refresh your phone’s system.

To restart your Android phone, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button on your phone until a menu appears on your screen.
2. Tap on Restart or Reboot from the menu. If you don’t see this option, you may need to swipe up or down to find it.
3. Wait for your phone to turn off and then turn it back on.
4. Try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

If this method does not resolve the error, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Clear the Cache and Data of the Google App

An additional potential cause for the “System UI isn’t responding” error could be a corrupted cache or data of the Google app, an essential component of Android that provides services and features such as Google Assistant, Search, and Lens. But sometimes its cache or data becomes damaged due to improper updates, malware infections, or system crashes and may interfere with System UI functionality, leading to unexpected error messages.

For a quick resolution of this problem, try clearing the cache and data of the Google App on your phone. Doing this should remove any corrupt or temporary files causing issues while returning their default state back into play.

To clear the cache and data of the Google app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on Apps or Applications.
2. Find and tap on Google from the list of apps. You may need to swipe left or right to find it.
3. Tap on Storage and then tap on Clear Cache.
4. Tap on Clear Data or Manage Space and then tap on Clear All Data.
5. Confirm your action by tapping on OK or Delete.
6. Restart your phone and try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

Note: Clearing the data of the Google app will delete all your personal settings and preferences for this app, such as your voice model, search history, customizations, etc. You will need to set them up again after clearing the data.

If this method does not resolve the error, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Uninstall the Updates of the Google App

Sometimes updates of Google apps may also lead to System UI issues on certain phones and Android versions due to bugs in updates, incomplete downloads, or installation errors. To fix these problems quickly and permanently, try uninstalling updates to the Google apps altogether and switching back to their factory version.

To uninstall the updates of the Google app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on Apps or Applications.
2. Find and tap on Google from the list of apps. You may need to swipe left or right to find it.
3. Tap on the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner and select Uninstall Updates.
4. Confirm your action by tapping on OK or Uninstall.
5. Restart your phone and try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

Note: Uninstalling the updates of the Google app will remove any new features or improvements that were added to the app by the updates. You can reinstall the updates later from the Google Play Store if you want to use them again.

If this method does not resolve the error, move on to the next method.

Method 4: Reset the App Preferences

Error “System UI isn’t responding” could also stem from conflicts among app settings or permissions on your phone; for instance, if you changed default apps for certain actions such as opening links, sending text messages, and making phone calls, this change might wreak havoc with how System UI interacts with these applications and lead to errors. To remedy this, reset preferences on your phone to restore default values, as this might help resolve this problem.

To reset the app preferences, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on Apps or Applications.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner and select Reset App Preferences.
3. Confirm your action by tapping on Reset Apps or Reset Settings.
4. Restart your phone and try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

Note: Resetting the app preferences will not delete any app data or files, but it will reset any changes you have made to the app settings or permissions, such as default apps, notifications, background data, etc. You will need to set them up again after resetting the preferences.

If this method does not resolve the error, move on to the next method.

Method 5: Boot Your Phone into Safe Mode

Another possible source of the “System UI isn’t responding” error could be an app from an unknown source or third-party app store that interferes with or modifies your System UI, leading to errors or crashes. To fix this, attempt rebooting into safe mode to see if any third-party applications still interfere; safe mode serves as a diagnostic mode that only permits preinstalled apps, giving you an opportunity to identify which are causing an issue and uninstall them accordingly. Read the full guide on How to Turn on Safe Mode.

To boot your phone into safe mode, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button on your phone until a menu appears on your screen.
2. Tap and hold on Power Off or Restart from the menu until a pop-up window appears asking you to confirm if you want to reboot into safe mode.
3. Tap on OK or Confirm to enter safe mode.
4. Wait for your phone to restart and then look for a Safe Mode label at the bottom left corner of your screen.
5. Try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

If the error does not arise when in safe mode, this indicates a third-party app could be the culprit. You can leave safe mode by restarting normally and uninstalling any suspicious apps installed or updated recently.

To uninstall an app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on Apps or Applications.
2. Find and tap on the app that you want to uninstall from the list of apps. You may need to swipe left or right to find it.
3. Tap on Uninstall and confirm your action by tapping on OK or Delete.
4. Restart your phone and try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

If this method does not resolve the error, move on to the next method.

Method 6: Factory Reset Your Phone

The last resort when dealing with “System UI isn’t responding” errors is to factory reset your phone and erase all settings and data, including photos, videos, music files, and contacts, before purchasing. This should restore it back to its original condition when first bought, as well as eliminating potential causes like corrupt system files, malware infections, or outdated updates that might have led to this error. However, it will delete your personal files such as photos, videos, music, and contact messages, so beware! Before going down this route!

To factory reset your phone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on System or General Management.
2. Tap on Reset or Backup & Reset.
3. Tap on Factory Data Reset or Erase All Data.
4. Review the information on your screen and tap on Reset Phone or Erase Everything.
5. Confirm your action by entering your PIN, password, or pattern if prompted.
6. Wait for your phone to reset and then set it up again as a new device.
7. Try launching or using the app or feature that was causing the error and see if it works normally.

If this method does not resolve the error, you may have a hardware issue with your phone that requires professional repair or replacement. You can contact your phone’s manufacturer or service provider for further assistance.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to fix the “System UI isn’t responding” error:

What is the System UI on Android?

The System UI is part of Android that controls everything you see on your screen when you are not inside an app, such as the status bar, the navigation bar, the notifications, the quick settings, and the home screen. The System UI is responsible for providing a consistent and intuitive user interface across different apps and features on your phone.

Why does the System UI stop responding?

The System UI can stop responding due to various reasons, such as:

• Corrupted app cache or data, especially of the Google app, which is a core component of Android
• Faulty app updates, especially of the Google app, can introduce bugs or incompatibilities with your phone’s model or Android version
• Incompatible app settings or permissions, especially of the default apps for certain actions, such as opening links, sending messages, or making calls
• Outdated Android version, which can cause conflicts or errors with newer apps or features
• Low internal storage, which can affect the performance and stability of your phone’s system
• Malicious apps, which can interfere with the System UI and cause errors or crashes
• Faulty home screen widgets, which can overload or conflict with the System UI

How do I prevent the System UI from stopping responding?

To prevent the System UI from stopping responding, you can follow these tips:

• Keep your Android version up to date by checking for and installing any available updates from the Settings app
• Keep your apps up to date by checking for and installing any available updates from the Google Play Store
• Avoid installing apps from unknown sources or third-party app stores, as they may contain malware or viruses that can harm your phone’s system
• Avoid changing the default apps for certain actions, such as opening links, sending messages, or making calls, unless you are sure that they are compatible and reliable
• Avoid using too many home screen widgets, especially those that require a constant internet connection or data usage, as they may slow down or overload your phone’s system
• Clear the cache and data of your apps regularly, especially of the Google app, to free up some space and remove any corrupted or temporary files that may cause problems
• Perform a factory reset on your phone occasionally, especially if you notice a significant decline in your phone’s performance or stability, to erase any potential causes of errors and restore your phone to its original state.