How to Fix Google Maps When It’s Not Working on Android? 

Since its creation, Google Maps has evolved to become the leading and the most reliable navigation app for Android globally. It has changed the way people travel through satellite modeling of the target locations enabling you to estimate your travel time, actual distance, and traffic you are likely to encounter on specific routes.

However, like all successful technologies, glitches are inevitable. This article will show you how to solve the “Google Maps Not Working problem.” Read on!

Ways To Fix Google Maps Not Working on Android

With the increased number of users, Google Maps servers are likely to experience downtimes and other problems that may cause the app not to work on Android phones. Other times, the trouble lies with the Android phone operating systems, thanks to the numerous updates. If your Google Maps app has stalled and you’re in a strange place far away from civilization, what do you do? No one wants to get lost in the wild in the middle of winter! The following eight troubleshooting methods should help you get the Google Maps to run or at least provide an alternative navigation method;

1. Check if Google Maps is down

Sometimes, the solution to Google malfunctioning is much simpler than you think. Before you proceed to other complicated fixes, please find out whether Google Maps servers are down. The simplest way of doing it is trying to navigate Google Map from a different device. If the servers are down, the app will malfunction across multiple devices. The other way of finding out when the servers are down is using other apps such as Downdector, which will give you Google map issues reports across the world and user reports on an hourly basis.

If Google Maps is not working on multiple devices, you can only wait until they fix the problem. If the app is not working on your device, only proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

2. Check Location Services

You may not see the blue dot when navigating on Google Maps because you had not enabled location services on your device. Such cases are rare because every time you open the app, it will request you to allow location services, but it still helps countercheck. If you had enabled the location services, check whether you had given Google Maps permission to access location services. Use the following steps;

• Tap on Settings on the home screen.
• Proceed to the Apps option and select Google Apps.
• Select Permissions and tap on Location. Click on Always on the next screen to complete the process.

3. Ensure you have a stable internet connection

Start by checking whether the Flight mode is enabled on your device because it restricts all the network services, and Google Maps must be connected to the internet to work. Disable it to continue. You should also note that you need a fast and stable internet connection for Google Maps to work. Ensure that you are connected to a reliable network provider because a slow internet connection may prevent Google Maps from loading the necessary data on your Android device.

4. Restart your Device

Still on the simple solutions, rebooting your device may help clear a few system glitches that may be causing Google Maps GPS to malfunction. Rebooting your device not only helps fix the app it also fixes other minor issues and refreshes the Android system so that all apps start loading from scratch. To restart your device, hold the power key button for some seconds and select the Restart option. If the simple fixes didn’t solve the issue, proceed with more technical solutions below.

5. Enable High Accuracy in Location

You can allow Google Maps to run at optimum speeds by enabling the high accuracy option, which helps Google Maps to provide clear directions and navigation maps based on your location. To enable high accuracy in location, follow the following steps;

• Open the notification tab and long-press the Location icon.
• Select Advanced Location settings on the next page.
• Select the Google Location Accuracy and move the toggle to the ON position.
• Relaunch Google Maps and check whether the problem persists.

6. Recalibrate the Compass

Google Maps may show inaccurate bearings if the location is not precise enough. You may experience glitches when using the app if the compass is not correctly calibrated. If the blue navigation button, which shows your current location, is too wide, you need to recalibrate the compass. Although a bit technical, the following steps should help you with the process;

• Open Google Maps and tap on the blue cycle that indicates your current location.
• Look for the Calibrate Compass, usually located bottom left on the next page.
• Select Options and follow the promptings on your screen to recalibrate Google Maps.
• You can also do the automatic recalibration by moving your Android device in a manner that draws the number 8. The dot should get narrower with each complete movement.

7. Clear Cache and Data of Google Maps

Clearing app and cached data may temporarily fix the problem. If you didn’t know, cache are files stored temporarily on your Android device by apps to improve performance. They may, however, interfere with the smooth functioning of Google Maps if left to pile for too long. Here is how to do it.

Open the Settings menu, tap on Apps, select Google Maps followed by Storage. You will see two options at the bottom of the screen to either clear cache or clear data. Tap on both options. You can now relaunch Google Maps and check whether the problem is fixed.

Please note performing the above action won’t delete any other data. However, clearing app data may delete some offline videos and maps stored in your Android device.

8. Try Downloading Offline Maps

If you cannot access Google Maps online, the only option left is downloading the offline map of the location you want to go to and use it for navigation without incurring hiked data charges. You can download a map offline by opening Google Maps, searching for the location map, swiping the screen to see additional options, and hitting the download option.