Google Play Store no longer allowing installs/updates

[4Lark]

Hi!

I'm no longer able to install new apps or update existing apps on my phone, an LG G8 ThinQ. I've tried to install/update via WiFi as well as 4G.

I've disabled Google Play Store, force stopped it, cleared the cache, deleted all of its data, all to no avail.

When I attempt to install/update apps, the process is stuck in "Waiting for download".

I'd like to avoid a factory reset, but I don't know what else to try.

EDIT: The problem is persisting even after a full factory reset.

Please help!

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU!

 

[SpookDroid]

Have you tried logging out and logging back into your Google account? (Or adding a second one and trying from that to confirm it is your account that's the issue?)

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Also clear the cache/data from Download Manager. To find it, go to Settings>Apps, then tap Menu>Show System.

 

[mustang7757]

Also Google play services clear data,cache, force stop
And android web view uninstall update

 

[4Lark]

The problem is persisting even after a full factory reset.

 

[mustang7757]

The problem is persisting even after a full factory reset.

Try uninstalling the update to Andriod web view and test again

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you using a VPN, or some other security apps that might be throwing up a firewall?

 

[4Lark]

I force stopped Android System WebView, but there were no updates to uninstall after the factory reset.

No VPN ever, and no security apps after the factory reset.

I'm baffled that this is still going on after the factory reset.

 

[B. Diddy]

Try booting into Safe Mode, then see if you can install anything from the Play Store. (You won't be able to open the apps if they install, but at least we can see if the Play Store can install an app.) https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/android/lg-g8-thinq/safe-mode-lg-g8-thinq

I know you just reset the phone, but there's still the possibility that some apps might have automatically reinstalled during the setup process.

 

[mustang7757]

Yeah try this step next , safe mode !

 

[4Lark]

I booted into Safe Mode. Still unable to install/update from Play Store. However, I did notice a couple things this time:

1. the app I tried downloading in Safe Mode was 72% downloaded when I exited Safe Mode, despite not having shown any progress while in Safe Mode; this app remained stuck at 72%, though
2. before I factory reset the phone, but after I cleared the cache and deleted the data from Google Play Store and Google Play Services, a notification appeared that "1 out of 10 apps [was] downloading", despite the Auto-update Apps setting being off; when I first noticed this notification, I thought I was unable to engage with it, since pressing the drop-down arrow next to it and/or swiping left or right on it did nothing; it remained at "1 of 10" for a LOOOOONG time, before eventually going up to 2, and then 4; I went to bed frustrated; waking up several hours later, I noticed that it was now at "5 of 10" apps; I then tried pressing the notification itself for the first time, instead the drop-down arrow next to it or swiping it left/right; upon doing so, I was finally able to see what the 10 mystery apps were that were now half downloaded; they were all Google apps (Chrome, Maps, YouTube, etc.) that were already on my phone, albeit not the most recent versions, which were downloading
3. I came back to the forum and saw the advice to boot into Safe Mode and did so; I noticed that the app I'd been attempting to download was in a queue behind the Google Apps that were still updating; I then wondered if the reason the app I was trying to install wasn't installing was because of all the Google Apps ahead of it in the queue, so I stopped the rest of the Google Apps from downloading, canceled the download of the app I wanted, and tried to download it again; as before, it seemed stuck in "Waiting to download"; when I exited Safe Mode, I noticed that this app was at 72% (as I mentioned earlier), but was stuck there; I canceled it and tried again, and it, as before, remained at "Waiting to download" without any progress or even an indication of "0% downloaded"

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you tried letting it sit overnight with the installations?

See if you can use LG Bridge to reinstall your firmware, in case this is due to firmware corruption. I think the Update Error Recovery option will reinstall the firmware. https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-bridge-download-how-to-use-CT10000026-1438110404543

 

[4Lark]

Have you tried letting it sit overnight with the installations?

See if you can use LG Bridge to reinstall your firmware, in case this is due to firmware corruption. I think the Update Error Recovery option will reinstall the firmware. https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-bridge-download-how-to-use-CT10000026-1438110404543

So I'm clear, do you recommend doing another factory reset first? Then waiting for however long it takes for the Google Apps to update the latest versions? And THEN reinstalling the firmware? Also, where to even find the firmware to reinstall?

 

[B. Diddy]

I'd just let it sit overnight trying to install updates first. If that doesn't work, then try reinstalling the firmware. I think (but can't be 100% sure because I don't have direct experience) that LG Bridge can reinstall the firmware using the Update Error Recovery option that I mentioned above. Let me see if others can confirm that -- @Mooncatt, am I off base?

 

[Hunter006]

The same thing happens to me at times. I just cancel the download and then click reinstall right after I cancel and it works fine. Just saying. You've probably already done this but reset your WIFI. I've had to do that also.

 

[B. Diddy]

You've probably already done this but reset your WIFI. I've had to do that also.

Good idea, but the OP also mentioned that the same thing happens on mobile data.:-\

 

[4Lark]

But, do you recommend another factory reset?

 

[B. Diddy]

Using LG Bridge to reinstall the firmware (if that's what it does) will act as a factory reset.

 

[Javier P]

But, do you recommend another factory reset?

Long but easy shot before going through another factory reset or flashing the firmware.

Boot in Safe mode, go to settings - apps - search for Download Manager - force stop and clear data. Repeat this same process for the Play Store app.

Open the Play Store and stop all the updates. Search in that list for Android System Webview and Chrome and select only one of them to be updated (better start with the Webview if it's there). See if the update manages to complete.

 

[Mooncatt]

Good idea, but the OP also mentioned that the same thing happens on mobile data.:-\

To the OP, I would double check that the Play settings have download preference set to any network, disable you're Wi-Fi on the phone (to ensure Play isn't trying to use it), then try to download/update an app. That setting may have been reset when you factory reset the phone. When it comes to resets, it's always good to re-check the diagnostic steps.

But, do you recommend another factory reset?

To be clear, a factory reset and re-flashing the firmware from LG Bridge are not exactly the same. If you have a firmware corruption, that corruption may survive a standard factory reset, leaving it in place. Re-flashing it pulls a fresh, known good copy direct from LG, which would definitely fix the corruption (unless hardware related, of course). The end result is still a factory reset, but it's eliminating another variable.

I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of issue. It has happened before to me, but would resolve itself in a few days. It's possible this is an error on the Google servers, in which case the only thing you can do is wait it out.