How to Fix Google Play Store Stuck At Waiting For Download Screen

1. Reboot the Device

First of all, you should try rebooting the handset manually to make sure there is no conflict with the system glitch whatsoever. It’s better to force restart the device from the power menu (if available). Just press and hold the Power button > Tap on Restart and wait for the device to be booted up again automatically.

2. Check the Internet Connection

Make sure to check out the internet connection at your end whether it’s working properly or not because a slow or unstable internet network can cause multiple issues with the download/update process on Google Play Store. No matter whether you’re using mobile data or Wi-Fi, you should check for the same or the available data. You can also try performing the internet speed test via the Ookla SpeedTest or Fast.com services.

Additionally, you should also check for the app download preference on your device by following the steps below:

• Tap on the Settings menu on your handset.
• Go to General > Tap on App Download Preference.
• Here you’ll need to select the Over any network option.
• Finally, tap on Done to save changes.

3. Free Up Low Storage Space

It’s also recommended to check whether your device storage is running out of free space or not. Sometimes a low storage space on the handset can eventually trigger several issues with the app installation or updates if the file size is bigger than the free space. You can follow the steps below to do so:

• Tap on Settings > Select Storage.
• Check for the Available storage space.
• Now, if the free storage space is low then make sure to delete temporary files, duplicate files, unnecessary media or PDF files, etc to free up the storage space quite easily. You can also uninstall some third-party unnecessary applications from your device to make it more convenient.

4. Set Correct Date and Time

The chances are high that somehow your device system is running on an incorrect date & time format or a different timezone which may affect the application installation or update process via the Google Play Store. It’s better to check for the same and set the correct date & time properly on the device then reboot the handset to apply changes. To do that:

• Go to Settings > Tap on System.
• Tap on Date & Time. [It may vary depending on your device brand or model]
• Ensure to set it Manual and then adjust the correct date & time.
• You should also ensure to set the correct timezone as per your region.
• Once done, save changes, and just select Automatic for the date & time.
• Restart your phone and try to install/update the app again.

5. Update Google Play Store

It’s also possible that somehow your Google Play Store app becomes outdated or corrupted. Now, in that scenario, you should check for the Play Store update, and install the same whenever available. To do so:

• Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
• At the top right side, tap on the Profile icon.
• Now, tap on Settings > Tap on About.
• Select the Play Store version and check if it tells you that ‘Play Store is up to date’.
  • If so, tap on Got it.
• If there is an update available, it’ll automatically start downloading and installing the update in a few minutes.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the device to apply changes.

6. Clear Cache and Storage Data of Google Play Store

Sometimes an outdated or corrupted cache data of the Google Play Store application on the device may occur several issues with the app launching or installing other apps. You should clear out the cache and storage data of the Play Store to ensure there is no glitch.

• Go to the device Settings menu > Tap on Apps & Notifications.
• Click See All Apps > Go to Google Play Store under the App info section.
• Select Google Play Store to open the app info page > Tap on Storage & Cache.
• Now, tap on Clear Cache > Then tap Storage & Cache again.
• Tap on Clear Storage > Launch the Google Play Store app and Sign in to the account.

7. Allow Storage Permission to Google Play Store

You should also allow the storage permission to Google Play Store so that there is no issue with the app running. Without the storage permission, your Play Store app may not complete the installation process properly. To do this:

• Open the Settings menu > Select Apps (Apps & notifications).
• Now, Tap on Google Play Store from the list of All Apps [System Apps].
• Select Permissions and check whether the Storage permission is allowed or not.
• If in case, the Storage permission isn’t allowed, make sure to Allow it.
• Reboot the device to apply changes immediately.

8. Check App Download Preference on Play Store

Google Play Store might encounter issues with installing or updating other apps on the device if the app download preference is selected against the network that you’re currently using. To do that:

• Open the Google Play Store app > Tap on the Profile icon at the top.
• Tap on Settings > Tap on App download preference.
• Select Over any network > Tap on Done to save changes.

9. Try Disabling Auto Updates for Installed Apps

Sometimes the auto-update apps option on the Google Play Store may get stuck forcefully by the system if the setting is turned on. It’s recommended to disable the auto-update option for all installed apps on the Google Play Store application so that you can manually update each app.

• Open the Google Play Store application > Tap on the Profile icon at the top-right corner.
• Now, tap on My apps & games > Under the Updates section, you’ll be able to see which apps are already updating.
• Here simply tap on the Stop button next to the Updates pending option to pause all ongoing updates.
• Tap on the Profile icon again > Select Settings from the list.
• Finally, tap on Auto-update apps > Choose Don’t auto-update apps.
• Tap on Done and you’re good to go.

10. Turn Off Parental Control for Play Store

If in case, you’re not using the Parental Controls feature on your device for Google Play Store then make sure to turn it off manually. This specific feature is useful for children to prevent them from installing age-restricted apps or games. To do that:

• Open the Google Play Store application > Tap on the Profile icon at the top-right corner.
• Tap on Settings > Find the Parental controls option and tap on it to open.
• Turn Off the Parental Controls toggle.

11. Update Android System WebView

Android System WebView is a pre-installed system component by Google that allows Android apps to display web content. You should cross-check whether there is an update available for the Android System WebView program or not by simply visiting this link. Make sure to sign into the specific Google account on the web version so that you can find out available updates.

12. Reset App Preferences

Android smartphones or tablet devices do come with several built-in settings for the Play Store that may affect background data, data usage limits, etc. It’s recommended to reset the app preference for the Google Play Store application on your handset by following the steps below:

• Open the Settings menu on your device > Go to Apps (Apps & notifications).
• Tap on All Apps (System Apps) > Tap on the three-dots icon at the top right side.
• Here choose Reset app preferences > Make sure to confirm changes if prompted.

13. Uninstall Google Play Store Updates

Google generally preinstalls Play Store and Play Services on Android OS out of the box which ensures all Android apps are running properly. However, if the system automatically updates the Play Store version in the background, and somehow the Play Store behaves weirdly, you should uninstall Play Store updates. Follow the steps below to do so:

• Go to Settings on the device > Tap on Apps (Apps & notifications).
• Tap on All Apps (System Apps) > Select Google Play Store from the list.
• Now, tap on the three-dots icon at the top > Select Uninstall updates.
• Make sure to do the same steps for Google Play Services too.
• Once done, reboot the device to apply changes.

14. Try Disabling VPN

Make sure to try turning off VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your device if you’re still facing such an issue. VPNs do offer better connectivity for geo-restricted apps or contents but may occur poor internet speed or stability issues whatsoever. You should disable the VPN service and check for the issue again.

15. Check System Software Updates

It’s also highly suggested check for the latest system update and install it on the device because an outdated system version or build can eventually trigger multiple issues with the performance or installing apps via the Google Play Store. To check for updates:

• Open the Settings menu on the device > Tap on Software Update.
• Tap on Check for Updates > If an update is available, you can install the same.
• Wait for the update process to be completed and then the system will reboot automatically.

16. Switch to Another Google Account

Last but not the least, you should remove the active Google account profile from your device and add it again or you can simply switch to another Google account to check whether the Google Play Store Stuck At Waiting For Download Screen error is still troubling you or not. As you can add multiple Google accounts at the same time on your device which works widely for all Google-specific apps, it can help you out of it.

Switch Google Account:

• Open the Google Play Store application > Tap on the Profile icon at the top right side.
• Now, tap on the visible Google account > Just select another Google account if already signed in.
  • Otherwise, simply tap on Add another account > Input the log-in credentials to Sign in again. [If prompted, enter lock screen password/pattern/fingerprint]
• You’re now successfully switched to another Google account and check for the issue again.

Note: If in case, you don’t have any other Google account, tap on Create account on the Sign in page and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new Google account.

Remove Google Account:

• Open the Settings menu on your handset > Go to Accounts (User & accounts).
• Now, tap on the particular Google account that you want to remove.
  • If in case, you’re unable to see the specific Google account on the list, tap on Accounts > Tap on Account Name.
• So, head over to the Google account info > Tap on Remove account.
• A confirmation pop-up will appear and select Remove account again to confirm the task.
• Once the specific Google account is removed from your device, reboot the device to apply changes.

Please Note: If you’ve only one Google account logged into your device, you’ll need to enter the lock screen pattern/password/fingerprint to allow secure access.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.