Fix: Can’t sign in on Google Play Store? Check our 6 solutions

Android is lauded for its openness, customization options, and overall usability. However, Google made sure to keep a short leash on all its services. Without a Google account, you won’t be able to access Google Play Store. So, no apps, games, or other media for you. Unless you sideload APKs. Now, users learned to live with that as all OEMs come with Google services except Huawei. Regardless, some users noticed a peculiar error with Google Play Store. They can’t sign in to Google Play Store.

If you are experiencing similar problems on your Android handset, make sure to check the steps we listed below.

Table of contents:

1. Clear cache and data from Google Play services
2. Clear cache and data from additional system services
3. Remove your Google Account
4. Check the Network connection
5. Uninstall Play Store updates
6. Reset your device to the factory settings

Google Play Store won’t let me sign in! Here’s why

If Google Play will not let you sign in, there are a few possible culprits for this:

• Network issues. Make sure that your Android is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
• A system bug of sorts.
• Problems with associated apps like Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
• Faulty update to Play Store.
• Check for system updates.
• A system issue occurred after restoring your device after a factory reset.

In ideal conditions, you shouldn’t be asked to sign in to the Play Store to start with. Using Google Play Services, your Google Account is automatically assigned to Play Store, Chrome, Gmail, Play Games, and other built-in Google apps. So, firstly, reboot your device. Secondly, make sure you are signed in with your Google Account.

If that doesn’t help, check the steps below so we can fix it together.

1. Clear cache and data from Google Play services

Let’s start by clearing the cache from Google Play Store. If you recently restored your device after a factory reset or installed a newer version of Android, there’s a chance that the locally-stored data got corrupted. The best entry troubleshooting step is to just clear these files and, hopefully, the Play Store will load without issues. Of course, you can’t reinstall system apps.

Here’s how to clear cache and data from Google Play Store:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps & notifications (Apps).
3. Expand All apps (App manager or Manage apps).
4. Open Play Store from the list of available apps.
5. Tap on Storage.
6. Clear the cache from Play Store first and try accessing the Store.
7. If this fails, tap Clear Storage and confirm the selection.
8. After that, reboot your device again and give it another go.

2. Clear cache and data from additional system services

Google Play Store is hardly a standalone tool. There are more than a few Google Play services working in the background, some connecting it to other apps, some allowing instant apps, and others for the location or in-store payments. And, if the Store is not functioning as intended, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other services are not culprits.

The first one we should look into is Google Play Services. The second one is Google Services Framework. Like in the previous step, we’ll need you to reset these two services by clearing their local data.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps & notifications (Apps > App manager or Manage apps).
3. Open All apps.
4. Tap on the 3-dot menu at the top and choose to Show system processes.
5. Open apps and tap Storage. Once there, clear data from  Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
6. Restart your device and try accessing the Play Store again.

3. Remove your Google Account

As we already said, once you set up your Android with a certain Google Account, it will automatically sign you into all Google apps. No need to sign in to Gmail or Chrome. However, things can go awry from time to time. So, in our next step, you’ll need to remove your Google Account and add it again.

If you are not sure how to do that, follow the instructions below:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Accounts.
3. Open Google Account.
4. Remove the account and reboot your device.
5. Sign in again with the same account, open Play Store, and try installing or updating apps.

4. Check the Network connection

Although this is hardly a reason why you can’t sign in to Google Play Store, you must have a stable network. Google Play Store is inaccessible if you are not connected to the internet. So, ensure that you’re connected to Wi-Fi before moving to the next step.

If you experience some connectivity issues, check this dedicated article, or try the steps below:

• Reboot your device.
• Forget the network and connect again.
• Pause high-bandwidth activities on other devices temporarily (downloads, HQ streaming, etc.).
• Disable Bluetooth and NFC temporarily.
• Reset Network Settings.

5. Uninstall Play Store updates

Besides clearing data, you can also uninstall Play Store updates. You can’t uninstall Google Play Store, so what you want to do is remove all changes made to the app. With the Store on factory values, you shouldn’t have issues with the login sequence anymore.

Here’s how to uninstall Play Store updates on Android:

1. Again, navigate to Settings > Apps > All apps.
2. Open the Google Play Store app.
3. Tap on the 3-dot menu and Uninstall updates.
4. Restart your phone/tablet.

If the issue persists and you still can’t sign in to the Play Store, consider resetting your device to factory settings.

6. Reset your device to the factory settings

Finally, if the issue keeps occurring every time you open the Play Store, we can only recommend restoring your device to factory values and starting from scratch. Everything you need to know about the factory reset procedure on Android can be found in this article.

Once you wipe all and sign in again with your account, the problem with the Play Store should be gone. In case you are still unable to do so, try formatting your device again but, this time, avoid restoring your data. We understand that this is too much to ask from end users, but that’s all we can suggest.

That’s it. Thank you for reading, follow us on our social media profiles (Facebook and Twitter), and leave alternative solutions we missed or questions in the comments section below.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.