Why can't I remove widgets from my home screen?

[Android Central Question]

I have a Samsung S9 running Android 9 and updating automatically so it is fully up to date. Today I changed my wallpaper to a photo and want to remove a widget so I can see it. But when I tap and hold the widget (or any other widget), I get a message saying Google keeps stopping and the phone goes back to whatever app I was last on. The option to remove the widget never shows up. I have tried uninstalling the app; no joy. Help!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Does this persist after a reboot? Or in Safe Mode? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-37190

 

[ToryPony]

Yes, it still does it after a reboot and in safe mode.

 

[ToryPony]

Okay so it turns out it's not just widgets (the widgets finally went away after I rebooted it out of safe mode anyway). The Google and Facebook apps--I guess any app that comes pre-installed--do it too when I try to move them around the screen.

 

[ToryPony]

(The other apps move just fine.)

 

[ToryPony]

The situation resolved when I reset the Google app to factory settings.

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm glad you figured it out! Did you try updating the Google app again afterwards, and if so, did the problem stay fixed?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Thanks for posting the solution that worked for you. Hopefully this will also help someone else in the future.