"Play Store Waiting for Download" - Fix Download Pending Error!

Android applications can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. It is rightly the marketplace for all apps, for it is the place where they are all found. The update or installation of the apps on your phone occasionally fails. An error appears about downloading and it gets stuck on it.

Here’s a quick guide to repair the Google Play Store stuck at downloading issues.

In addition to the download pending error, you may also receive an error message saying that you are unable to download from Play Store. All of these solutions can also be applied to solve these problems.

The following guide will help you to fix Google Play Store problems, like waiting for downloads on Android phones.

Table of Contents

How To Fix Play Store “Waiting For Download” 2021

Close Any Open Downloads or Updates

Due to the fact that many of them are already running, you may need to restart your Play Store downloads. Install the app that you really want first and then disable the updates and installation of all other apps you do not need.

On your device, open the Google Play Store.
In the top-left corner, tap the horizontal lines.
On the following screen, click My Apps & Games.
When you see an app or game being updated, tap X to cancel the update process.

In the event that WiFi fails, you can download via mobile data

In order to download your apps, you must make sure that your Internet connection is working. It’s possible to download your apps over cellular data if you’re on a WiFi network and it won’t work.

Connect your phone to cellular data and Turn-Off WiFi.
You can access the Google Play Store by opening the app on your phone.
To access the Settings menu, tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner.
The following screen lets you select an app’s download preference.
The option Over any network must be selected before tapping on Done.
The app should work if you download it from the Store.

Remove the VPN application from your device

There is also a possibility that a VPN app is causing the Play Store download issue. If you are using a VPN, Google Play Store may believe you are in a country not set for your device if you use one. This causes downloads to stall.

To resolve the problem, there isn’t much you can do. Your phone needs to be disabled in order for you to use it.

Depending on the app you use, you’ll need to follow different steps to disable a VPN. Most apps, however, let you turn on and off the service via a large button on the main interface. In order to solve the Play Store problem, you should turn it off.

Delete all data from the Play Store

In addition to storing its time-sensitive information in temporary files, the Play Store app also stores its configuration and settings in your device. You may be experiencing Store issues because of these files.

If you follow these instructions, you’ll be able to fix the problem.

Go to your device’s Settings app.
Go to Apps & Notifications and tap on it.
The Google Play Store App can be found and opened by tapping on it.
Go to the Storage tab.
Clear the files by selecting Clear Storage.
Make sure that Cache Files are cleared by choosing Clear Cache.

Updates from the Play Store should be Disabled

An update to the Play Store that caused the pending download issue might be the root cause. This issue can be remedied by rolling back your device’s updates.

Select Google Play Store from the Apps & Notifications section of your Settings app.
Choose Uninstall updates from the three-dot menu at the top-right corner of your screen.
You will see a prompt on your screen.
To continue, tap on OK.

Make Your Phone’s Memory More Usable

Every new app you download requires a certain amount of space. When you run out of memory on your phone, you may have to clear some of the memory before downloading your apps.

Play Store pending downloads can be caused by not having enough storage.

You can access your phone’s settings by opening the app.
To check your storage details, tap on Storage.
There will be a clear indication of how much space is taken up by what.
To make room for your new apps, delete the items that you will no longer need.

Reset the preferences of your apps

You can set a specific app as the default app for a specific file type when you install an app that can open that type of file. I suggest clearing the preferences of the app to see if that helps resolve the pending downloads issue.

No matter how many times you reset your preferences, you can always force your files to open with a particular app.

Go to Settings on your phone.
To access apps and notifications, tap on the Apps & Notifications button.
You can reset app preferences by tapping the three dots at the top-right corner and selecting Reset App Preferences.

Reset Your Device to Factory Settings

You’ll have to reset your phone to factory settings if nothing else works or your Play Store download issue persists.

A factory reset will be done following which your phone’s settings, configurations, and data will be erased.

If you are wiping off your device, make sure to back up any files you need.

Go to the Settings app.
Go to the bottom and click System.
Choose Reset from the options.
Choose Erase All Data (factory reset).
If you follow the on-screen prompts, your device will be reset to its original factory settings.

Turn Off Bluetooth

A lot of Samsung phone owners have reported that turning off Bluetooth on their phones has resolved the issue for them. It might be worthwhile to do that as well. There is a possibility that the problem is temporary.

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Has the Google Play Store ever caused any issues to prevent new app downloads on your Android device? If so, what did you do to fix it? We await your response in the comments below.