Why had Google Discover stopped working?

[Android Central Question]

If I swipe on the home screen Google Discover appears with no cards.

In "More" "Customise" is greyed out.

A few days ago I got an error message saying it had stopped.

I cannot find a way to restore the cards.

Any suggestions?

Moto G5 with Android 8.1.0

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Does this persist after a reboot? Have you already tried clearing the app cache/data from the Google app in Settings>Apps​?

 

[Labarum]

Yep.

Persists after reboot and after clearing cache/data. First things I tried.

Thanks for taking an interest.

 

[B. Diddy]

When you open the Google app, can you tap the More button at the lower right? If so, is your Google account listed at the top?

 

[Labarum]

Yes. My account shows correctly named.

 

[Labarum]

I have a shortcut Google App icon on my home page which I prefer to tap rather that swipe the screen. If I tap I go to discover. The menu bar is at the bottom and if I tap More my account name does appear at the top.

If I swipe I (usually) go to a screen without the menus at the bottom and an Updates icon next to the search bar at the top.

 

[Labarum]

I notice the last update of the Google App was 27 June. That was about the time it stopped working for me.

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you on the beta version of the Google app? If you are, try leaving the beta program. If you're not, try joining the beta program.

 

[Labarum]

Thanks, BD. You are being very patient with me.

I had considered trying to install the Beta, but couldn't find the method. I think I have clicked the right links now and wait for it to be pushed to me.

The lack of "Google Now" or whatever it now calls itself is not a show stopper, but it did turn up some interesting articles to read.

It would seem my current problem is of Google's making. I'm sure it will come right in the end. It seems Google's ambition that I should talk to my phone and my phone should talk to me is the problem! I have no desire to address my phone verbally, or have it scream at me!

I'll now wait till the Beta appears and see where that gets us.

Thanks again.

 

[Labarum]

Beta installed. Problem persists. Cleared cache and rebooted again. No solution. No cards and "Customise" greyed out.

I guess now is the time for me to be patient!

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmm. Ok, let's try an opposite approach -- go to Settings>Apps, select the Google app, and this time Uninstall all updates, which should revert it to the factory-installed version. Does the problem go away? If so, then something in the latest update might be causing a glitch on your particular model.

 

[Labarum]

Thanks. Tried that days ago. The factory version does not work either.

I am coming to the conclusion it's a conflict with Google Assistant.

 

[B. Diddy]

I wonder if it could be a problem with the Google Discover feed that's integrated with the launcher. Try installing a 3rd party launcher like Nova temporarily and see if the problem persists when you use that.

 

[Labarum]

Thanks. I have used Nova before. Will try next week.

It's all working perfectly on my wife's Moto G6!

 

[Labarum]

Installing Nova makes no difference.

 

[B. Diddy]

Forgot to ask this earlier -- did you also try wiping the system cache partition? https://www.hardreset.info/devices/motorola/motorola-moto-g5/recovery-mode/

 

[mustang7757]

Forgot to ask this earlier -- did you also try wiping the system cache partition? https://www.hardreset.info/devices/motorola/motorola-moto-g5/recovery-mode/

I think it might be a glitch in the Google app it was causing issues on beta for pixels , just heads up on that if it might be issue here.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think it might be a glitch in the Google app it was causing issues on beta for pixels , just heads up on that if it might be issue here.

You mean the beta version of the Google app, or the Android Q beta?

 

[mustang7757]

Andriod Q beta the app got update not long ago a creating glitches , the app is not in beta.

You mean the beta version of the Google app, or the Android Q beta?

 

[Labarum]

Wiped system cache.

Problem remains. No cards. "Customise" still greyed out.

This is quite a chase. Thank you for your patience.