This is the ULTIMATE blog, and it’s kind of unique! How? It brings a new perspective into the game with REDDIT comments from people who faced the Google Search app crashing or stopping. Along with screenshots and a PRO fix, you’ll get the solutions that worked for them. Let’s get started!
How I Fixed this Instantly
When you first notice the Google Search app stopping or closing every time you open it, start by uninstalling the most recent update for the app.
Next, clear the cache data, and then disable and re-enable (AKA force stop) the app.
Lastly, restarting the device a few times can be really helpful. If nothing works, the issue is likely on Google’s side, meaning they are experiencing problems that are preventing you from using the Google Search app.
How to Fix the Google Search App Crashing or Stopping (easy)
To help you fix the Google Search app crashing on Android like a pro, I’ve compiled a detailed guide that combines common and advanced troubleshooting techniques. I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when an app you rely on keeps crashing, and I’ll walk you through each fix step-by-step, explain why it works, and share some real user experiences. This way, you’ll have a complete understanding of what’s going on and how to resolve it.
Fix 1. Uninstall Google App Updates
When I first encountered this issue, my Google Search app kept crashing out of nowhere. After some digging, I realized that it could be related to a recent update. Why it works: Google regularly pushes updates to its apps, but sometimes those updates introduce bugs that can cause crashes. By uninstalling the most recent updates, you’re essentially rolling the app back to a more stable version that doesn’t have these problems. It’s often a server-side issue or a conflict between updates and local files, so rolling back helps reset the app.
How to do it:
Open Settings and navigate to Apps > Google.
Tap Uninstall Updates.
Restart your phone.
Later, you can manually update the Google app, or wait until Google issues a fix.
User Quote: “Pixel 6 Pro: I uninstalled updates and re-updated, and it stopped having issues for me.” – u/Formber
I did exactly what Formber suggested, and it resolved my issue for the time being. If you have automatic updates on, just be mindful that the buggy update might reinstall until Google pushes out a fix.
Fix 2. Clear Cache and Data
In my case, after uninstalling updates didn’t fully resolve the issue, I tried clearing the cache and data, which worked like a charm. Why it works: Over time, apps store temporary files called cache, which help them load faster. However, these files can become outdated or corrupted, causing crashes. Clearing the cache wipes out these bad files, giving the app a fresh start.
How to do it:
Go to Settings > Apps > Google.
Tap Storage, then Clear Cache.
For a deeper reset, you can also tap Clear Data (don’t worry, this won’t delete anything linked to your Google account).
Restart your device and see if the problem is fixed.
“Cleared cache and storage, and it stopped crashing for me.” – u/Pixelnated
When I tried this, the app ran smoothly afterward. It’s one of those quick fixes that I recommend trying early on in your troubleshooting process.
Fix 3. Disable and Re-enable the Google App
After clearing the cache, another method that worked for me was disabling and re-enabling the app. Why it works: Disabling the Google app stops it completely, including any background processes that could be causing conflicts. Re-enabling it starts it fresh, often bypassing any temporary issues.
How to do it:
Open Settings > Apps > Google.
Tap Disable, wait a moment, then tap Enable.
Restart your phone and check if the problem persists.
I was a bit skeptical about this one, but it definitely gave the app a “clean slate” to work with.
Fix 4. Force Stop the Google App
This is one of the methods I always try when an app starts acting up. Why it works: Force stopping the app shuts down all its processes, which is similar to hitting a reset button for that specific session. It’s like telling your phone, “Okay, let’s stop this and try again.”
How to do it:
Go to Settings > Apps > Google.
Tap Force Stop.
Reopen the app and see if it’s still crashing.
User Quote:
“Force stopping Google app, clearing cache, and uninstalling updates worked for me.” – u/TRosenbaum
I combined this with clearing the cache and it resolved the issue for a while, which makes me believe there was some process running in the background that was causing the crashes.
Fix 5. Use Google Go or Other Alternatives Temporarily
I know sometimes you need a workaround while Google sorts out the issue, so I decided to try using Google Go as a temporary solution. Why it works: Google Go is a lightweight version of the Google app that uses fewer resources, making it less prone to crashes. You could also use other search widgets, like Chrome or DuckDuckGo, until the issue is fixed.
How to do it:
Download Google Go from the Play Store.
Alternatively, set up a Chrome or DuckDuckGo search widget on your home screen for easy access.
“I downloaded DuckDuckGo and made it my default until Google fixes this. Might not even go back.” – u/That_Sugar2372
I followed this advice for a few days, and it worked perfectly until Google issued a fix.
Fix 6. Perform a Soft Restart
In my experience, a simple restart can fix more issues than you’d think. Why it works: Restarting your phone clears the system memory, stops all background processes, and gives apps a fresh start. This often resolves minor bugs and conflicts.
How to do it:
Hold down the Power Button until the restart option appears.
Tap Restart and wait for the device to reboot.
Open the Google app again to see if it’s functioning properly.
User Quote: “I turned my Samsung Galaxy off and on again and it resolved the issue.” – u/Wooden-Cookie-7069
This method gave me temporary relief from the crashing problem, and it’s something I recommend trying first before diving into more complex fixes.
Fix 7. Use Safe Mode to Identify App Conflicts
When all else failed, I booted my phone into Safe Mode to identify whether a third-party app was causing the issue. Why it works: Safe Mode disables all third-party apps, leaving only system apps like Google running. If the app works fine in Safe Mode, then a third-party app is likely causing the crash.
How to do it:
Hold down the Power Button, then tap and hold Power Off until Safe Mode appears.
Select Safe Mode and test the Google app.
If the app works in Safe Mode, restart your phone and consider uninstalling any recently installed apps.
This helped me identify a conflicting app that I had installed recently, and uninstalling it fixed the problem.
Fix 8. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
I know a factory reset sounds extreme, but when nothing else works, it’s often the last resort. Why it works: A factory reset wipes your phone completely, eliminating any software bugs, corrupted files, or settings that might be causing the crash. Only do this if all other methods fail.
How to do it:
Backup your data first.
Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
“I was about to do a hard reset but luckily found a fix before that.” – u/Cokomon
While I didn’t end up needing this, it’s an option if the issue persists after trying everything else.
Fix 9. Wait for Google to Release a Fix
Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end but with the app itself. If there are widespread reports of crashes, it’s often best to just wait for Google to release an official fix.
After analyzing a Reddit thread about the Google Search app crashing on Android, here’s a direct list of the issues users encountered, categorized by device models:
Phones slow down or freeze due to repeated crashes. Devices: Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S23.
The app crashes even without recent updates. Devices: Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Crashing in the Google app affects other apps like Google Lens. Devices: Pixel 6 Pro, Sony Xperia.
Some phones freeze or restart due to the crashes. Devices: Pixel 7, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The app works briefly after clearing cache but crashes again. Devices: Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
App crashes randomly without any clear pattern. Devices: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro.
The app icon or widget disappears from the home screen after a crash. Devices: Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy S23.
Older devices are also affected. Devices: Older Pixel phones, Nexus 5X, Nexus 4.
Bonus Tips
Check App Permissions: Make sure the Google app has the correct permissions under Settings > Apps > Google > Permissions.
Install Google WebView Dev or Canary: If WebView is part of the problem, switching to a beta version of WebView can help you bypass the issue.
Whether you’re facing minor crashes or looking for more advanced fixes, these methods cover everything from simple troubleshooting to in-depth solutions. I started with basic steps like clearing the cache and uninstalling updates, but when those didn’t work, I moved to more advanced methods like Safe Mode. Hopefully, this guide helps you as much as it helped me!
Additional Tips and Considerations
Check for Third-Party Apps: Some third-party apps can interfere with the Google Search app and cause crashes.
Contact Google Support: If you’re still experiencing issues, reach out to Google support for further assistance.
Consider Alternative Search Apps: If the problem persists, you might want to explore alternative search apps.
Conclusion
That’s it for the blog post today. Today, I tried showing you all the proven ways to fix the Google Search app not working on Android devices and continuously crashing. Moreover, I tried including all the screenshots and attachments, like Reddit comments, to give you a unique and real perspective from the user’s point of view. I hope you found the information helpful. If you did, let me know in the comment section below. If you still find it difficult to solve, then come to us—we’ll help you for free. Contact us from here.
Kunal Kashyap, the tech guru behind FixItKunal.com, simplifies complex tech issues with clear and user-friendly guides. With expertise in Android, iOS, and more, his tutorials empower users to tackle tech problems confidently. Kunal's engaging style makes technology accessible to both beginners and experts. Beyond tech, he explores psychology and keeps up with tech and business trends awarded by the Government and Namita Thapar.
