Play Store Apps Not Updating (Update Missing / Stuck): 15 Fixes That Work

If your Google Play Store apps are not updating, or you don’t see the Update button (it’s missing, stuck, or greyed out), the reason is usually one of these:

• Updates are queued and Play Store is doing them one-by-one
• Your internet is unstable, or downloads/updates are stuck
• Storage is low (updates can’t finish)
• Play Store cache/data is corrupted (Google says clearing cache is the most common fix)
• Google Play services is bugged/outdated
• Download Manager is disabled or stuck (common on some Samsung/Android skins)

What exactly is happening?

• Update button missing on the app page → update may not be available yet, you might need a restart, or you’re not viewing the right app listing
• Updates stuck (0%, pending, verifying) → queue/network/Download Manager issue
• Only one app won’t update → that app is corrupted or has a conflict

Fast test

1. Try updating one small app (like a small utility)
2. Switch Wi-Fi ↔ mobile data
   If mobile data works instantly, your Wi-Fi/DNS/VPN is the cause.

Do this first

1. Restart phone (sometimes Update appears after restart)
2. Cancel all queued updates and update one app only
3. Check storage (keep 1 GB+ free)
4. Clear Play Store cache + data
5. Clear Google Play services cache + data
6. Reset Download Manager (enable + clear cache/data)
7. If still not updating: uninstall Play Store updates or remove/re-add Google account

Play Store Stuck on “Checking for updates”: 13 Fixes

Fix 1: Restart your phone (Update button can appear after restart)

Google notes you may need to restart your device to update an app, and the Update button appears on the app’s details page when an update is available.

Fix 2: Update one app at a time (clear the queue)

If multiple updates are pending, pause/cancel them and update just one. Samsung also highlights Play Store behavior around update loading and clearing Play Store data when updates don’t show.

Fix 3: Switch networks (Wi-Fi ↔ mobile data)

Google’s basic troubleshooting for stuck downloads/updates starts with network checks.

• Try mobile data
• Turn off VPN/Private DNS temporarily
• Retry update

Fix 4: Check storage (updates won’t finish if storage is low)

Low storage can stop updates and installs from completing.
Free space and try again.

Fix 5: Force stop the Play Store

Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Force stop
Reopen Play Store and try updating again.

Fix 6: Clear Play Store cache (safe)

Google says clearing Play Store cache is the most common solution for download/update issues.
Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage & cache → Clear cache

Fix 7: Clear Play Store data (strong)

Google warns this can remove some Play Store settings (like parental controls), but it fixes many stuck update cases.
Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear storage/data

Restart phone after this.

Fix 8: Update Play Store itself

Google’s official steps show how to update Play Store:
Play Store → Settings → About → Update Play Store

Fix 9: Clear Google Play services cache/data

Google provides a troubleshooting flow for Play services: update first, then clear cache/data if needed.
Settings → Apps → Google Play services → Storage & cache → Clear cache → Clear data

Restart and test updates again.

Fix 10: Reset Download Manager (very important)

On some phones, app updates depend on Download Manager. Samsung support guides include clearing Play Store data and also mention Download Manager in their troubleshooting steps.
Try:
Settings → Apps → (3 dots) Show system → Download Manager

• Enable it
• Force stop
• Clear cache/data (if available)

Fix 11: If Update button is missing on one app only

Try this:

• Open that app’s Play Store page (not “Manage apps” list)
• Restart phone once
• Then check again (Update button appears on the details page when available)

If still missing, move to Fix 12.

Fix 12: Uninstall and reinstall the app (if safe)

If one app refuses to update, uninstall and install again (only if you can log back in and won’t lose important data).

Fix 13: Uninstall Play Store updates (advanced)

If the issue started recently, Google includes uninstalling and reinstalling Play Store updates as an advanced fix.
Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → (menu) Uninstall updates

Then reopen Play Store and let it update itself.

Fix 14: Remove & re-add Google account (last step)

Google lists removing and re-adding your Google account as an advanced troubleshooting step for Play Store issues.
Do it only if you remember password/2FA:
Settings → Accounts → Google → Remove → Restart → Add again

Fix 15: If nothing works, it may be temporary

If updates fail on all networks and all devices, it can be a temporary service issue. Try again later after the top fixes.

Play Store Stuck on “Verifying Download”: 13 Fixes

Sources

Google Play Help: Fix problems with the Google Play Store app
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/14121800

Google Play Help: Fix problems downloading apps (downloads & updates stuck)
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/14122894

Google Play Help: How to update apps on Android
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113412

Google Play Help: Fix problems with Google Play services
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9037938

Samsung Support: Play Store isn’t loading updates / won’t download apps
https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/what-to-do-if-google-play-store-will-not-load-or-download-apps/