While Google Play Store is feature-rich and has simpler navigation, it still has a few bugs that prevent users from searching & downloading their favorite apps and games.

Many Android users have recently reported problems using the Google Play Store search feature. Users have claimed that the Google Play Store search is not working.

Whenever they search for an app name, it displays unknown errors instead of showing the results. Sometimes, it returns no results. If you are dealing with the same problems, here are a few fixes you can try.

1. Relaunch the Google Play Store

Relaunching will fix temporary bugs and glitches preventing the Google Play Store’s search function. Hence, before you do anything else, relaunch the Google Play Store app on your Android smartphone.

To relaunch the Google Play Store, close the app and open it again from your Android App drawer.

2. Force Stop the Google Play Store

If the Google Play Store is not working after the relaunch, you need to force stop the Google Play Store application on your Android.

Force Stopping the Google Play Store will likely end all Google Play Store services and processes in the background. Hence, if any background process conflicts with the search, it will be fixed.

To force stop Google Play Store, long press on the Google Play Store and select ‘App Info’. On the App Info screen, tap on the Force Stop button.

3. Restart your Android device

If the above two methods do not fix the Google Play Store search problem, you need to restart your Android smartphone.

Restarting your Android regularly is a good practice. It gives your device time to cool down and terminates all hidden background processes and apps.

Press the Power button to restart your Android smartphone and select ‘Restart’. After the restart, access the Google Play Store and search for your favorite app or game you want to install.

4. Check if the Google Play Store’s servers are down

Before moving to the complicated ways to resolve the Google Play Store search not working, you need to ensure that the App Store does not face server-side issues.

When Google’s servers are down, you will have problems using most of Its Services, including Google Maps, Photos, Gmail, and the Google Play Store.

You can check the Google Play Server status at the down detector. If the servers are down, you must wait until they are restored.

5. Avoid using VPN or Proxy Apps

Another reason you may be unable to use the Google Play Store search is the VPN or Proxy app. If you use a VPN or Proxy to unblock country-specific apps, temporarily disable the VPN connection.

VPN and Google Play Store aren’t perfect matches, and you will face problems. Sometimes, VPN connections can trigger internet connectivity issues, leading to Google Play Store search not working.

Also, Google doesn’t allow a VPN connection to unblock apps and games that are unavailable in your region, which could result in an account ban.

6. Disable Parental Control on Google Play Store

If specific apps do not appear on Google Play Store searches, the account may have Parental Control enabled. To resolve the issue, you need to disable Parental Control. Here’s how.

1. Open the Google Play Store and tap the Profile picture in the top-right corner.

2. Select Settings from the list of options that appear.

3. On the Settings screen, expand the Family section.

4. On the next screen, tap on the Parental controls.

5. Disable the toggle for ‘Parental controls are on’.

After turning off the Parental controls, relaunch the Google Play Store and try to search again. This time, the Google Play Store will list your apps and games.

7. Correct the Date & Time on the Android

Many Android users have reported fixing the Google Play Store search not working issue by correcting the date & time on their smartphone.

If your Android phone uses the incorrect date and time or the wrong zone selection, you will have problems using most Google Services.

Hence, make sure that your phone is using the correct date & time to resolve Google Play Store issues.

8. Clear Google Play Store & Services Cache

Another leading reason for Google Play Search not working is a corrupt cache file for the Google Play Store and Google Services. To resolve this issue, you can clear both the Google Play Store and Services caches.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone and select Apps.

2. Next, on the Apps, tap on App Management.

3. On the App Management screen, find Google Play Store and tap on it. Next, tap on Storage Usage.

4. Next, tap on the Clear Cache button.

5. Now, on App Management, find and tap on Google Play Services.

6. Tap on the Clear Cache button for Google Play Services.

9. Uninstall the Google Play Store Updates

Google Play Store on your Android device is set to auto-update. It installs the updates silently without notifying you.

Chances are that Google Play Store has recently installed a buggy update, leading to Search not working. Hence, it’s a good idea to uninstall the Google Play Store updates and check.

• Long press on the Google Play Store icon on your home screen and select App Info.
• Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the App Info screen.
• Select Uninstall updates from the list of options that appear.

10. Remove and Re-Add Your Google Account

If nothing has worked for you, removing your Google Account and signing in again is the next best option. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android and select Passwords & accounts / Users & accounts.

2. On the Passwords and accounts, tap on your Google Account.

3. On the top-right corner, tap the three dots and select Remove account.

This will remove the Google Account from your Android smartphone. Now, you need to sign in with the same account again. This should fix the Google Play Store search not working issue.

11. Switch to a Google Play Store Alternative

Google Play Store is not the only app store for Android. You have many other app stores where you can download your favorite apps and games.

We have already shared a guide listing the best Google Play Store alternatives for Android. You need to check that article to discover the best app stores for Android.

You can also manually sideload the Android app or game apk file on your smartphone and install it.

Also Read: 25 Best Android Apps Not Available on the Google Play Store

Since Google Play Store is the app store for Android, search not working issue can be frustrating. However, our shared methods will help you resolve the Google Play Store search stopped working issue. Let us know in the comments if you need more help.