There are many instances when we face issues while downloading an app from Google Play Store. One such issue is Waiting For Download or Waiting For Network and once a user gets this error, it means that the app they are trying to install is not downloading. In this article, we have added some ways to fix Waiting For Download Issue in Google Play Store.
How to Fix Waiting For Download Issue in Play Store?
When a user wishes to install or download an app on their Android phone, the only place they have to go is Google Play Store as it’s the larger marketplace for all the apps for Android.
However, many times, users get a Waiting for Download error on it. You might get the error with a different message like download pending or unable to download an app as well. Whatever the error message could be, in this read, you will learn how you can fix the issue of apps not downloading.
Restart Your Device
The very first method you can try to fix the problem is to restart your phone as the issue might be related to your phone. Follow the below steps to restart your device.
1. Press and hold the Power button or Side button on an Android phone.
2. Tap on Restart from the given options on the screen.
3. Wait for a few seconds to finish the restarting process.
Check Your Internet
Check whether you have a good internet connection or not because if it’s low, you will not be able to download apps on your phone. Follow the below steps to run a speed test to check your internet speed.
1. Visit an Internet Speed Checker website on your device.
2. You can visit fast.com, speedtest.net, and others.
3. Once opened, click on Test or Start if the speed test does not begin automatically.
4. Wait for a few seconds or minutes until it finishes the test.
5. Once done, it will show the download and upload speeds.
Now, check whether you have a good download or upload speed. If it’s low, switch to a stable network. After switching the network type, your issue should be fixed.
Check current downloads and updates
If there is no app downloading and updating then you might face an error message similar to Waiting for Download. However, if you urgently need to download an app, you need to cancel the app which is processing currently. Here’s how you can do it.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Tap on your profile picture icon at the top-right side.
3. Click on Manage apps & devices from the menu.
4. Tap on See Details under the updates in progress or install in progress message.
5. Now, click on the cross (x) icon next to the current progress apps to cancel the download then proceed to download with the app in which you are getting the error.
Check Available Storage
Check whether your phone has enough space to download or update an app. If not, you will get the download error. If your phone is running out of storage, you can remove some unnecessary apps or photos from your device and then try downloading the apps.
Clear Play Store Cache Data
For many users, clearing the cache files of the Google Play Store app fixes the problem. Follow the below steps to clear cache data on your Android smartphone.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Click on Apps then tap on Manage Apps or All Apps or See All Apps.
3. Select Google Play Store from the list to open App Info.
4. Alternatively, long-press the Play Store app icon on the home screen then tap on the ‘i’ icon to open App Info.
5. On the App Info page, tap on Clear Data or Mange Storage or Storage Usage (on some devices you will see Storage & cache option, tap on it).
6. Finally, click on Clear Cache to clear the cache data.
Correct Date and Time
Sometimes, due to an incorrect date and time, Google Play Store might stop downloading apps on your phone, and that’s the reason for the error. To fix it, you need to correct the date and time on your phone. Follow the below steps to correct it.
1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Click on Date & Time (on some Android devices, you will find it under Additional Settings while on others, you will find it under System).
3. On the Date & Time page, turn on the toggle next to Use network-provided time or Set time automatically. Alternatively, you can manually enter the correct date and time.
Set Download Preference to Any Network
Google Play Store has an option by which users can select the type of network to download their apps. In order to download the apps on any network, you need to set app download preference to any network. Follow the below steps to set it.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone.
2. Tap on your profile picture icon and select Settings.
3. Click on Network Preferences and tap on App download preference.
4. Select the checkbox for Over any network.
Turn OFF VPN
If you are downloading the Google Play Store after connecting to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) then there is a high chance that it’s the reason for the error.
Hence, we suggest you, turn off the VPN on your phone and then use the Google Play Store and your issue should be fixed.
Turn OFF Auto Updates
There are chances that you are getting the error while installing new apps due to the slow auto-updates on Play Store. Hence, in order to fix it, you need to turn off the auto-updates. Follow the below steps to disable it.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Click on your profile picture icon and choose Settings.
3. Tap on Network Preferences then select Auto-update apps.
4. Select the checkbox for Don’t auto-update apps.
Check Play Store Permissions
If you have not given the required permissions to Google Play Store then you might get the error while downloading an app. Follow the below steps to check and enable the required permissions.
1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to Apps and then Manage Apps or See All Apps.
3. Tap on Play Store from the list then click on App Permissions.
4. Under the Not Allowed section, tap on Permission and select Allow to allow the permissions.
Once allowed, your issue should be fixed.
Disable Parental Control
If you have enabled Parental Controls on Google Play Store then there are chances that it might be interfering with your downloads. Follow the below steps to disable it.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Tap on your profile icon and select Settings.
3. Click on Family then tap on Parental Controls.
4. Turn off the toggle next to Parental Controls are on to disable it.
Update Android System Webview
Updating the Android System WebView app helps many users in resolving the problem. Follow the below steps to update it.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Search for Android System WebView and hit enter.
3. Click on the Update button if available to download the latest version.
Reset App Preferences
Many users have reported that resetting the app preferences of their device helps them in resolving the problem. Follow the below steps to reset it.
1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Go to Apps then tap on Manage Apps or All Apps.
3. Click on the three-dots icon at the top and select Reset App Preferences.
4. Confirm it by tapping on Reset.
Turn OFF Battery Saving Mode
If you have enabled power saving mode or battery saver on your device then there are chances that it may be the reason for the error. Follow the below steps to disable it.
1. Open the Settings app on an Android phone.
2. Click on Battery & Performance.
3. Tap on Battery Saver or Power Saver under the Battery section.
4. Finally, turn off the toggle next to Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode.
Turn OFF Bluetooth
Many users have reported or suggested that turning off the Bluetooth feature on their phones has fixed the problem for them. Hence, you can also give it a try by turning off the Bluetooth on your phone, it should fix your problem.
Uninstall Play Store Updates
Play Store and Play Services update automatically in the background. However, many times it can cause an error or problem while downloading or installing an app. Hence, you need to uninstall the updates in order to resolve the problem. Follow the below steps to do so.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Click on Apps then tap on Manage Apps or All Apps or See All Apps.
3. Tap on Google Play Store to open its App Info.
4. Click on the three-dots icon at the top and select Uninstall updates.
5. Follow the same process for Play Services and uninstall its updates too.
Once done, wait for a few minutes then open the Play Store and your issue should be fixed.
Conclusion: Fix Waiting For Download Issue in the Play Store
So, these are the ways by which you can fix the “Waiting For Download” or “Pending Download” Issue in Google Play Store. I hope you find this article helpful; if you did share it with your friends and family.
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