Google Maps Not Working? 13 Fixes to Try!

Google Maps is a popular and reliable choice when it comes to navigating your way around a new city, traveling to a tourist destination, or simply knowing the traffic status of your daily commute route. With great features and capabilities, Google Maps is one of the most popular apps for navigation out there. I, for one, rely heavily on Google Maps on a daily basis. If I am looking for a new place to eat, I turn to Google Maps. If I want to check out transit routes, I turn to Google Maps. I even have offline maps saved for my favorite and frequent destinations. So, I can understand how annoying it can be to find Google Maps not working properly, or even worse, it glitching out while navigating the route.

Well, if you are annoyed by Google Maps malfunctioning often, you have landed at the right place. We have listed all the possible fixes you can try to resolve the Google Maps not working issue. Stick around till the end to learn more.

1. Check the Google Maps Server Status

Sometimes the Google Maps servers can experience downtime or get glitched. In such instances, Google Maps might not function properly. Now, you cannot do anything in this case. You will have to wait until the issue is resolved from Google’s end.

However, you can verify whether or not Google Maps’ servers are optimally functioning. Google offers a dedicated Google Maps Status Dashboard to provide information on all the services that are part of Google Maps. To check whether the Google Maps servers are up and running, you can visit the Google Maps Status Dashboard using your favorite web browser on your Android or iOS device.

If the servers are working as intended, they will be represented by a green tick inside a green circle, and service outage will be represented by a red cross inside a red circle.

If you find that all the services are running as expected, it is safe to assume that the issue is from your end. So, continue reading below to find the possible fixes for the Google Maps not working issue.

2. Restart the Google Maps App

You will be surprised to know that many issues can be solved just by restarting the app. Restarting the Google Maps app will end all of its existing tasks and relaunch its processes. This will allow your Android phone to free up its memory as well. Once you restart Google Maps, it should rectify the issues you were facing earlier with the app.

3. Clear Cached Data on Android & iOS

The apps on your smartphone store temporary data to load information faster and quicker when you relaunch them. This enables the apps installed on your device to access information directly from your device instead of establishing a connection with the server again. But, this cached data can sometimes get corrupted due to various reasons. Faulty cached data can cause your app to behave abnormally, and in some cases, even crash continuously.

Hence, another way to fix the Google Maps not working issue is clearing cached data stored by that app onto your phone memory. Continue reading to know how you can delete the cached data of Google Maps on your Android and iOS devices.

On Android

Follow the steps mentioned below to clear the Google Maps cached data on Android.

1. In the app drawer, locate the Google Maps app. Long press on the app to open a floating pop-up window and click the “i” “information icon” to open the app info page.

2. Select “Storage & cache”.

3. Click on “Clear cache” to delete the cached data for Google Maps. Now, relaunch the Google Maps app. This should fix the issue for you.

On iOS

Follow the below-mentioned steps to delete the Google Maps cached data on iOS.

1. Open Google Maps and click on the “profile icon” at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Select “Settings” and scroll down to the bottom to find the “About, terms & privacy” option.

3. Here, select “Clear application data” to delete Google Maps cached and local data. In the confirmation pop-up menu, click “Ok.”

Now relaunch Google Maps on your iPhone, and it should start working without any hiccups.

4. Check for Available Updates

Sometimes the simplest solutions can terminate the most complex of issues. In this case, something as simple as updating your Google Maps app can do the trick for you. Here’s how how you can check for Google Maps app updates on your Android and iOS devices.

On Android

On your Android smartphone, open Play Store and search for Google Maps. If there is an update available, you will notice the “Update” icon. Tap the “Update” button to install the latest version.

Once you have confirmed that there is no pending update for Google Maps in the Play Store, relaunch the app. If the issue still persists, proceed to try out other fixes to resolve the Google Maps not working issue.

On iOS

On your iPhone, open the App Store and search for Google Maps. If there is any pending update for Google Maps, you will notice the update icon below the app name. Download the latest update if available.

Once you have confirmed there is no pending update for Google Maps in the App Store, relaunch the app again.

5. Uninstall and Install Google Maps

Sometimes when you are facing the Google Maps not working issue, it is advisable to uninstall the app completely from your device and reinstall it. This allows your device to completely remove any associated data of that app, thus eliminating the possibility of interference from any corrupted file and data related to that app.

Let me show you how you can uninstall and install Google Maps on your Android and iOS devices.

On Android

1. Simply open the Play Store app and search for Google Maps. Click on the Uninstall option. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click “Uninstall” to remove the Google Maps app from your device. You will notice that the Uninstall option is replaced by Update.

Note that this does not completely remove the Google Maps app from your device. It simply rolls back all of the updates that you have installed in recent times. You will need to use the Universal Android Debloater to completely remove the Google Maps app from your device. Visit our detailed guide to debloat your Android smartphone.

2. For the time being, you can reinstall Google Maps back by clicking on the option that says “Update”.

Now, when you launch the Google Maps app on your Android device, this should remove all the previously encountered issues. If Google Maps is still not working on your device, then proceed to the next fix.

On iOS

1. Simply long-press on the Google Maps app till a floating pop-up window appears. Select the “Remove App” option.

2. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click “Delete App” to completely uninstall the Google Maps app from your iPhone.

2. To reinstall the Google Maps app, visit the App Store and click on “Get” or the Download icon to install the app again.

6. Restart Your Device

The next fix that I will recommend to you is to restart your Android or iOS smartphones. Restarting your device is the most common fix for most of the issues and it might just be the trick to get Google Maps working flawlessly.

So, continue reading below to find out how you can restart your Android and iOS device.

On Android

Long press the power button until a floating pop-up window appears. From this window select “Restart”.

Wait for the phone to reboot and launch the Google Maps app on your Android device. This should fix the issue for you.

On iOS

Long press the power button and the volume up button simultaneously until the “Slide to power off” option appears. Once you power down your iPhone, long press the power button to restart it.

Wait for some time and launch the Google Maps app on your iOS device. This should fix the issue for you.

7. Check the Network Connection

One of the biggest reasons why Google Maps might not be working properly for you could be due to slow or inconsistent network connectivity. In case your mobile data and/or Wi-Fi isn’t functioning properly, Google Maps will have a hard time working as intended.

So, in case you are on mobile data, try turning on the Airplane Mode for at least 60 seconds before turning it back on. This should fix any issue that you have been facing with your cellular network. In case you are on Wi-Fi, turn off your router and turn it back on after 60 seconds. This should fix your Wi-Fi network.

Another reason why Google Maps might be struggling to work properly is if you have a VPN turned on on your device. You might have forgotten to turn it off before using Google Maps, hence the issue. So, turn off the VPN and try using Google Maps again.

8. Improve Location Accuracy

Google Maps relies on your smartphone’s GPS to give accurate location data to you. This is why any inaccuracy with your phone’s location or GPS data will interfere with the smooth operation of Google Maps. So, let’s learn how you can improve the location accuracy of Google Maps on your Android and iOS devices.

On Android

1. Open the Settings app and then visit the “Location” section.

2. In here, open Maps and enable the “Use Precise Location” option. This will grant Google Maps permission to use your precise device location and give you much more accurate and relevant data.

This should fix any issues that you had been facing previously with Google Maps on your Android device.

On iOS

1. Open the Settings app and then scroll down to Google Maps.

2. Open the Location menu from Google Maps and enable “Precise Location”. This will allow Google Maps to have access to your specific location and not your approximate location for improved navigation.

9. Change Location Services Permission

Google Maps relies on your location data to function properly. Hence, any issue with your on-device location permissions, GPS, or other location-related issues, will interfere with the functioning of Google Maps. Ensure that necessary location permissions are granted to the Google Maps app to have it working again. Here’s how you can do that:

On Android

1. Open the “Settings app” on your Android device and scroll down to the “Location” option.

2. Click on “Maps” and now select the “Allow only while using the app” option.

Now, relaunch the Google Maps app.

On iOS

1. Open the “Settings app” on your iPhone and scroll down until you notice the Google Maps option.

2. Here, click on “Location” and then enable the “Always” option. This will ensure that Google Maps has access to your location all the time to deliver better results to you.

Now, when you relaunch the Google Maps app, it should function as expected.

10. Try Using Google Maps Go

For Android users, Google offers a lightweight version of its Google Maps app called Google Maps Go. This app brings all the necessary features of Google Maps in a much lighter and more compact package. You get all essential functionalities like real-time GPS navigation, local suggestions, real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, offline maps, and much more.

The Google Maps Go app is essentially targeted at low-end smartphone users, who might encounter issues while running the full-fledged RAM-intensive Google Maps app on their device. You can download the Google Maps Go app for free from the Play Store.

Once installed, you should be able to run the Google Maps Go app smoothly on your Android device. However, if you are on iOS, this lightweight version of the Google Maps app is not available for you.

11. Enable Background Data Consumption

While the background data consumption is on, apps installed on your smartphone can download data for future usage and provide you notifications when they are not running actively. This allows the apps to stay ready from the get-go as soon as you launch them. For an application like Google Maps, enabling background data consumption is essential since this will enable the app to keep itself updated constantly with the latest information and data, based on your GPS, and real-time location data.

Let me show you how you can enable background data consumption for Google Maps on Android and iOS.

On Android

1. From the Settings app, click on the option that says “Apps”. Locate Google Maps from the apps menu and click on it.

2. Now, select the “Mobile data & Wi-Fi”option and enable “Background data”.

Once toggled on, Google Maps will be able to use your smartphone’s background data even when not in active usage.

On iOS

1. Open the “Settings app” and click on “General”.

2. From General, select “Background App Refresh”. Toggle Background App Refresh on for Google Maps as depicted below.

Relaunch the Google Maps app now. It should function normally.

12. Disable WiFi-only Mode

For better results, you can disable the Wi-Fi-only mode for Google Maps on Android. This will allow Google Maps to use both your mobile data and Wi-Fi to operate. Follow the steps below to learn how to disable the Wi-Fi-only mode for Google Maps on your Android device.

1. Open Google Maps and click on the Profile icon located at the top right corner of the screen.

2. From the pop-up window, open “Settings”. Disable the Wi-Fi-only mode.

Google Maps will now be able to function using your mobile data as well.

13. Check Date and Time Accuracy

If the time and date set on your Android and iOS device are inaccurate, then also Google Maps might act abnormally. Let’s say, due to some technical issue, your device time and date are not accurate. In such cases, your timeline in Google Maps will get faulty. In this case, Google Maps might show places you have not visited or interfere with your device’s GPS.

So, it is important that you double-check the date and time on your Android and iOS devices. Check out our detailed guide on changing the time on your iPhone.

Possible Reasons for Google Maps Not Working?

It is hard to pinpoint the exact reason for the failure of Google Maps. Google Maps can crash or not work as intended due to a multitude of reasons. From server crashes to hardware and software issues on your smartphone, the reasons are diverse. But, the most common reasons are inconsistent or slow network speed, low GPS accuracy, pending app updates, and Google Maps server downtime.

Fix Issues with Google Maps Now!

I hope the above suggestions helped you fix the issues that you had been facing with Google Maps. I know it can get pretty annoying and inconvenient when Google Maps isn’t functioning the way it should. However, you must remember that like any other app, Google Maps too can face issues sometimes. But there are always solutions to mitigate these problems. So, which fix did the trick for you? Did we miss out on any additional solutions? Do let us know in the comments below!