[Android Central Question]

I mistakenly forced to stop Android "Update Apps". Now I'm unable to restart it. Two available buttons are grayed out. As a result, no new app can be installed from Play Store. Therefore, factory reset seems to be the solution. I'm also wondering if updates and upgrade to Android 7 will be available after it.

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! No, a factory reset doesn't roll back a system update. Are you saying you went to Settings>Apps, selected an app called Update Apps, and Force Stopped it? Or did you Disable it? Does this persist after a reboot?

[AnZoSh]

Yes, I went to Settings>Apps, selected an app called Update Apps, and Force Stopped it? It does persist after several reboots. And there's no way to activate it as both buttons are gray.
Since that time the tab is unable to update any app or install any new app from Play Store.

[B. Diddy]

Try wiping the cache partition: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-28382

[AnZoSh]

Will factory reset reactivate this part of Android, or are there other ways to restore it?
Other than the above mentioned issues, my tab functions fine, therefore I'm kind of scared to perform factory reset as there are accounts of it going wrong.

[B. Diddy]

I would guess a factory reset would reactivate it, but I'm not sure why it's not starting on its own. Try the cache partition wipe, because that won't affect any personal data.

Another thing to try is to go to Settings>Apps, tap Menu, then Reset All App Preferences.

[AnZoSh]

Wiping the cache partition according to the article was successful, but it didn't activate the part in question.

[AnZoSh]

Reset All App Preferences didn't affect that app.

[B. Diddy]

Hmm, not sure what to try next. I'm not familiar with a system app called "Update Apps" on any of my devices. Problems with installing apps from the Play Store are often associated with glitchy data in the Download Manager app, so it can help to clear cache/data from that app. But I've never seen an Update Apps system app anywhere (although I don't have any Samsung devices, so it might be a Samsung thing).

[AnZoSh]

I cleared data/cache from Download Manager. It didn't help. It seems Factory Reset is the only option left unless someone else offers another solution. I'll wait a couple of days for it.

Thank you very much for assisting me. I appreciate your efforts and time.

[Rukbat]

The only problem with a factory reset is that any apps you installed will be wiped. You'll have to install all of them again. Also all your data, pictures, music, etc.