Why has my Google account stopped working on my Galaxy Alpha phone?

[AC Question]

Google account stopped working on Galaxy Alpha phone

After trying to change something on the sync settings, Google Play and Gmail can no longer be accessed. The gmail account no longer shows up in my email accounts list and when I try to add it, the screen does not give me an option to do so. I have also tried to link the phone to my laptop to back up the pictures (as I can't access google drive or the google play apps store either) and the laptop can 'see' the device in Device Manager but I can't access it. Have tried downloading new drivers for laptop and they won't install (Windows 10). This is a nightmare, can anyone help? I don't want to lose data on phone.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Google account stopped working on Galaxy Alpha phone

Welcome to Android Central! Go to Settings>Accounts, and remove your Google account, then add it back again. Does that help?

 

[Carob888]

Re: Google account stopped working on Galaxy Alpha phone

Er didn't resolve problem. Tried that. Lost all the contacts as a result. It says something about a sync issue - have also had error messages said server could not be opened? Can't get the google app to work. It's there but nothing happens when I try to click on gmail etc. If I have to do a factory reset, I need to get the data off the phone first and that's where my problem is with neither Windows 7 nor Windows 10 allowing access to the device.

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Google account stopped working on Galaxy Alpha phone

I assume your contacts are all in Google Contacts, and you can still see them on the Google Contacts website on your computer, right?

Do you have 2-step authentication turned on for your Google account? If so, turn it off temporarily, then try adding your Google account again to the phone.