Dealing with Android location issues can be really frustrating, especially when you just need to navigate somewhere or find out where you are. If your Google Maps or other location-based apps keep throwing errors or seem completely dead, chances are there’s a quick fix hidden somewhere in your settings or cache. Most of the time, these problems are caused by temporary glitches, outdated apps, or misconfigured permissions. The good news? There’s no need to dive into complicated tweaks—most fixes are straightforward and can be done in just a few minutes, saving you from a lot of head-scratching on the go.
Here’s a collection of effective methods to potentially get that pesky Location Services back on track. They’re all proven, at least in some weird way, to help resolve common Android location hiccups—whether it’s a GPS signal that’s shaky, Maps not updating your location, or the app outright refusing to work. Just remember, Android devices can be a bit finicky depending on the brand and Android version, so don’t be surprised if one fix works perfectly on your device but needs a second or third attempt on another.
Best Ways to Fix Location Services Not Working on Android
Follow these methods carefully—sometimes it’s just a matter of toggling a setting or clearing some cache to get everything flowing again.
Restart Your Device
The classic go-to—and honestly, it still works a lot of the time. Restarting clears out any temporary bugs or stuck processes that might be messing with your GPS or internet connection. On some setups, this even fixes glitches that didn’t respond to anything else. So, give it a shot first. Just hold down the power button, tap Restart, and see if the location starts behaving again. If not, move on to the next method.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Kind of weird, but toggling airplane mode resets network connections at a fundamental level. This can help if your device is having trouble connecting to GPS satellites, Wi-Fi, or cellular data. Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Airplane Mode. Turn it on, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it off. Alternatively, swipe down from the top to access the quick settings and tap the airplane icon. Sometimes, this makes your phone forget whatever weird network hiccup was happening behind the scenes, and your location gets back on track.
Check Your Internet Connection
Google Maps and many location services need a stable internet to fetch real-time data, even if GPS is technically working. Without a good connection—be it Wi-Fi or mobile data—your app might look dead or keep spinning without updating. Make sure your data is turned on, and if you’re on Wi-Fi, check if the connection works in other apps or browsers. Sometimes, just switching from Wi-Fi to data (or vice versa) helps reset things. Or, try turning your router off and back on if your Wi-Fi seems flaky.
Clear Cache and Data for Map Apps
This one’s a classic. Over time, cached files and corrupted data can cause apps like Google Maps or Waze to freak out. Head to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps, then find Google Maps. Tap Storage & cache and hit Clear Cache and Clear Storage. This wipes out temporary files and resets the app’s state, which often clears up weird glitches. On some phones, you might have to dive into Manage Apps or App Info depending on the UI, but the idea’s the same. Just a heads up: clearing data might remove saved offline maps or preferences, so plan accordingly.
Turn on High Accuracy Mode
If your GPS is acting weird or unreliable, this is a good fix. Android has a setting called Google Location Accuracy, which uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks to improve GPS precision. Go to Settings > Location > Mode. Make sure it’s set to High Accuracy. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of enabling this option so the device can scan all nearby signals and get a more precise fix. On some devices, you might find this under Google Location Settings.
Update Google Maps
It’s kind of obvious, but outdated apps have bugs—sometimes big ones. Head over to the Google Play Store, look for Google Maps, and hit Update if it’s available. After updating, restart your device. The newest version usually has fixes for known bugs and better compatibility, which could fix your location woes.
Make Sure Date & Time are Correct
Believe it or not, wrong date or time can mess with GPS and internet authentication. Check in Settings > Date & Time and ensure Set Time Automatically and Set Time Zone Automatically are enabled. If they’re wrong, your device might not sync with satellites or Google servers properly, leading to location errors. This one’s a quick fix, but often overlooked.
Reinstall Google Maps
If everything else fails, uninstall Google Maps entirely—delete any leftover files that might be corrupted. Find the app in your app drawer, hold the icon, then tap Uninstall. Head back to the Play Store, search for Google Maps, and reinstall. This can sometimes clear up underlying issues with the app itself—especially if it’s been acting buggy for a while.
Try Google Maps Go
Last resort if your device struggles with the full app—Google Maps Go is a lightweight version with most features, but it’s less demanding on resources. Perfect for older phones or those with limited storage. It still offers real-time navigation, offline maps, and traffic info, just in a sleeker package. Give it a try if your standard Maps just won’t cooperate.
App Link: Google Maps Go
Wrap-up
Getting location services back on track is often just a matter of playing around with a few settings or clearing some caches. On some setups, a simple restart or toggling airplane mode does the trick, while others might need a more in-depth approach like updating apps or fixing permissions. Still, these fixes are pretty easy to try and usually solve the problem without a full reset or factory wipe. Just remember, Android can be a bit unpredictable, so what works on one device might need a tiny tweak on another.