Google Chat app is not working? How to troubleshoot

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Google Chat

There are many chat apps for Android that you can use to message your friends, family, and colleagues and Google Chat is one of them. As a Google Chat app user, you may encounter a few errors while using that may prevent it from working. 

Some of the most common reasons that prevent Google Chat from working properly include a poor internet connection or software glitches. We’ll help you troubleshoot Google Chat when it is not working on your device.

What happened to Google Chat?

When Google Chat stops working, it will show a specific error. You may come across errors such as “unable to load chat,” “trying to connect the chat,” or “can’t load the list of spaces. Try again in a minute.” In other cases, your Google messaging app may also crash when you try to open it.

Below are ways to fix the Google Chat app and clear the errors.

1. Check your internet connection

Your Google Chats app is not working mostly likely because of an unstable or no internet connection. In this case, ensure that your iOS or Android device is connected to a stable internet connection. You can also force-stop the app and reopen it to see whether it is operating as usual.

If your internet connection still has a problem, you can reset network settings despite it erasing your Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth network. The following are the steps on how to reset your network settings:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Tap on System.
  • Tap on Advance and scroll down the menu to tap on Reset options.
  • Tap on Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile, and Bluetooth.
  • A pop-up notification will appear notifying you that it will erase Wi-Fi and cellular network. Tap on the Reset Settings button to confirm the process.
  • To complete the process, you will be prompted to enter your PIN, fingerprint, or password. 
  • Tap the Reset Settings button again and wait a few minutes before setting your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. You can then check the status of Google Chat on your web browser.

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2. Google server is down

You may realize that your Google Chat app does not load, or you’re not getting Google Chat messages. It is because the Google Chat app server is down, hence the server error. You can check the Google app server status by using the incognito mode and following the steps below:

  • Launch the Google Chrome web browser and turn to incognito mode.
  • Once enabled, go to the Google Chat website to check its server status.

Ensure that the web browser supports Google Chat services. For example, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge are browsers that support Google Chat services. Alternatively, you can visit the Down Detector site to check the current status and problems.

3. Restart your device

Your device’s operating system or the Google app may be experiencing system glitches and bugs. They, therefore, tend to crash the app and make it stop working. You can fix this by restarting your device using the following steps:

Google Chat app

Below are steps on how to restart an Android phone:

  • Press the Power button until the Power off menu appears on the screen. 
  • Tap on Restart on the Power Off menu.
  • Allow the device to rest for two minutes before turning it on by pressing the Power button. 

Below are steps on how to restart an iOS device: 

  • Press and hold the Volume Up button and the side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  • Drag the slider and allow the device to turn off.
  • Wait for two minutes before you can turn on your phone. 
  • Press the Power side button until the phone turns on.

4. Update your web browser

Your web browser may be outdated and incompatible with the Google Chat app. To fix this, you can update the web browser you currently use through the Google Play store for Android or App Store on iOS devices.

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5. Clear cache data and disable extensions

Some third-party web browser extensions may create issues using the Google Chat app. In addition, too many site cookies and cache files may cause the Google Chat app to keep crashing. You can fix this issue by manually uninstalling web extensions and clearing cookies and cache files using the following steps:

  • Open Google Chrome web browser.
  • Click on the three-dotted icon on the upper right corner of the screen.
  • Click on the More Tools option on the drop-down menu.
  • Click on Extensions.
  • Turn off the toggles next to the browser extensions to disable them.

Below are steps on how to clear cache files and cookies on your web browser:

  • Launch the Google Chrome web browser.
  • Click on Privacy and Security on the left side of the screen.
  • Click on Clear Browsing Data.
  • A list of history data, cache, and cookies will appear on the screen. Click on the boxes next to them and the Clear button.

If you are using an Android device, below are the steps you need to follow:

  • Tap on Chrome.
  • Tap on Settings.
  • Tap on Site Settings and then tap on Storage.
  • A list of data and cache files will be displayed on the screen. Check the files that you want to delete and tap on Clear. 

Fixed Google Chats app

The Google Chats app allows you to message and video calls your friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, like any other app, the Google Chats app is prone to experience issues that result in it not working.

These issues include poor network connection, accumulated cache files, and cookies or system glitches and bugs.

You can fix Google Chat issues by updating your web browser, clearing cookies and cache files, disabling extensions, or restarting your device. If the problem continues, you should contact Google support for further assistance.