5 Ways to Fix Error Checking for Updates in the Google Play Store

Quick Fixes

• Clear Google Play Store and Google Play Services cache and app data under Settings > Apps > Storage and cache.
• Enable Unrestricted data usage for the Google Play Store from App info > Mobile data and Wi-Fi.
• Reset all app preferences on Android under Settings > System > Reset options.

Basic Fixes

• Check the app update preference: If you can’t update apps manually, check the app update preference to automate it. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon at the top-right > Settings. Expand Network preferences, select Auto-update apps, and enable it.
• Correct device date and time: Open Android settings, tap System, select Date and time, and toggle on Set time automatically.
• Update the system software: Head to the Settings app, select System update, and install new updates (if available).

Fix 1: Clear Cache and Data for Google Play Store and Google Play Services

Corrupt cache and app data are common culprits behind Google Play Store showing the Error Checking for Updates message. Clearing the Google Play Store and Google Play Services cache and app data manually should resolve it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app, select Apps, and tap Google Play Store in the list.

Step 2: Select Storage and cache, and tap Clear cache followed by Clear storage.

Step 3: Similarly, open Google Play services, select Storage and cache, and tap Clear cache and Clear storage.

Fix 2: Set Unrestricted Data for Google Play Store

By default, Android optimizes all applications to limit their data consumption. When these restrictions are enforced on the Google Play Store, it might fail to check new app updates. Enable the Unrestricted data usage for it to resume updating apps.

Step 1: Long-tap the Google Play Store icon to open App info and select Mobile data and Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Toggle on Unrestricted data usage.

Fix 3: Uninstall Updates for Google Play Store and Google Play Services

Incomplete or buggy Google Play Store updates can often lead to the Error Checking for Updates message in the app. Uninstall the Google Play Store and Google Play Services updates manually and reboot your phone.

Step 1: Open Android Settings, select Apps, and open Google Play Store in the list.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu at the top-right and select Uninstall updates.

Step 3: Similarly, open Google Play Services, tap the three-dot menu at the top-right, and select Uninstall updates.

Fix 4: Reset App Preferences

If Google Play Store frequently fails to check new app updates, reset the app preferences on your Android phone to restore normalcy.

Note: Resetting app preferences will reset preferences for Disabled apps and notifications, default action applications, background data restrictions, permission restrictions, and battery usage settings.

Step 1: Open the Settings app, tap System, and select Reset options.

Step 2: Select Reset app preferences, and tap Reset when prompted to confirm the action.

Fix 5: Re-Add Your Google Account

Lastly, if nothing works, you can remove your Google account and add it again to solve account-related issues preventing the Google Play Store from checking new app updates.

Step 1: Open Android settings, tap Accounts, and select your Google account.

Step 2: Tap Remove account and select Remove when prompted to delete it.

Step 3: Finally, tap Add account, pick Google, and type your account credentials to re-add it.