[SOLVED] Google Search Not Working on Android and Chrome

By Nathan E. Malpass, Last updated: January 9, 2024

When it comes to the huge world of the Internet, Google is a big player. Without it, we won’t be able to find the best sites we are looking for. Yes, there are alternatives. But, no one comes close to the robustness of the Google search engine giant.

But what if you find the problem where Google search not working properly? What will you do? There are times when this happens and when it does, it can be very annoying. For instance, you might not be able to make a search on Google. Or, it doesn’t show search results after making a query.

In order to help you with the problem, we’ve come up with the different methods you can do in order to fix a non-responsive or faulty Google search. Let’s get started with the first of the multiple methods below.

Part 1. Google Search Not Working on Android? Here Are Top Solutions Part 2. How to Fix Google Search Not Working on Google Chrome Browser Part 3. To Wrap It All Up

Part 1. Google Search Not Working on Android? Here Are Top Solutions

Solution 01. Restarting Your Device

Usually, the problem is simply a minor one. And, a restart of your Android phone will work things out. Before you head on to the other solutions below, you should restart your device first and try your search again. Turn it off and then turn it on the back again. Check out if this will fix the issue.

Solution 02. Checking Your Internet Connection

There might be an issue with your Internet connection. For instance, if you try to open another browser, like Firefox, check to see if it works. If the other browser didn’t work, then the problem might be with your mobile data or Wi-Fi.

When you use a Wi-Fi connection, you must restart the modem in order to reset the connection. Or, you can also try to switch between a Wi-Fi connection and a mobile data connection. Check whether this will solve the problem.

Solution 03. Adding Google Search Widget “Again”

If you are having problems with the search widget (which also refers to the search bar), then you should try to remove it and add it back again. In order to do this, press and hold the widget. Then, drag it to the delete icon.

Now, press and then hold within an empty region on the home screen. Now, choose “Widgets” from the variety of options that comes up. Locate the widget for the search bar of Google. Now, drag it towards your device’s home screen.

Solution 04. Restarting Your Google Application

When Google search not working is your problem, you’d have to restart the application. This doesn’t mean that you have to remove it from your current list of open applications. What you need to do is to “force stop” Google first. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Launch Settings within your Android device.
Step 02 - Visit Application Manager or Apps depending on what is present in your device.
Step 03 - Press Google. On the screen that appears, press “Force Stop.”
Step 04- Try to use Google widget on the home screen. Or, you can open the browser on your Android device. Check to see if Google search is now working.

Restarting Google Application to fix Google Search Not Working

Solution 05. Clearing the Cache of The Google App

You should also try to clear the app’s cache when Google search not working is your problem. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Visit Settings within your Android device.
Step 02 - Go to the section labeled Application Manager or Apps.
Step 03 - Then, select Google.
Step 04 - Press Storage.
Step 05 - Then, tap on “Clear Cache.”

It is important to remember that when you clear up your cache on Google, not data will be deleted. In addition, you won’t be logged out from the app. However, if you choose the option to clear the data or storage, then you will lose your data from the Google app. If this solution doesn’t work, you should try out clearing the data as well.
Clear Cache to fix Google Search Not Working

Solution 06. Disabling Your Google Application

Most Android phones come with Google pre-installed within it. That’s why you won’t have the ability to uninstall the application. But, you can still remove updates it has made. In this way, it is reverted back to the factory settings. This is done by disabling the Google application. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Visit Settings within your Android device.
Step 02 - Go to the section labeled Application Manager or Apps.
Step 03 - Then, select Google.
Step 04 - Press “Disable”
Step 05 - Confirm the process of disabling the Google application.
Step 06 - Reboot your Android device.
Step 07 - Follow the same steps above. In this case, follow steps one to three.
Step 08 - Press Enable.
Step 09 - Visit the Google Play Store.
Step 10 - Look for the Google App and make sure you update it.

It is important to remember that when you disable the app, all preferences and updates will be deleted from Google. Also, there are times when the Google app itself is disabled. If this is the case, Google search not working will occur. Thus, you have to make sure you enable it by following the steps above.

Solution 07. Updating The Google App

Typically, the problem is with the application and in most cases, this is because it is outdated. If you're able to connect to the Internet, update the Google app to the latest version. To check if you get results, try your search again.

Solution 08. Booting You Device on Safe Mode

Booting your Android device in Safe mode is a great way to fix a lot of issues. In addition, it can help you detect if there are incompatibilities with other apps. If Google search works within your device Safe Mode, then this means another application is the cause of the issue.

Thus, if you have installed an application recently, you must uninstall it as it might be conflicting with Google search.

There are two ways you can do in order to set your device into Safe Mode. The first method involves the Power button. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Press the Power button and hold your press until different options are displayed.
Step 02 - Tap and hold the option for Power Off.
Step 03 - Wait until the phone prompts you if you wish to open the device in Safe Mode. Press OK in order to confirm the process.
Step 04 - Ensure that you are in Safe Mode by looking if the words “Safe Mode” is located at the lower-left part of the screen.

Another way of doing this is to use the Volume and Power buttons. This is the traditional method of doing so. It is an alternative to the first way of entering Safe Mode if the said method (the first one) didn’t work. Here are the steps to enter Safe Mode within your Android device using this procedure:

Step 01 - Shut off your Android device.
Step 02 - Press the Power button and hold this press until the logo of the device manufacturer is displayed.
Step 03 - Release the Power button and hold the button for Volume Down.
Step 04 - Wait until you have entered Safe Mode. Again, you will notice that the words “Safe Mode” are in the lower left part of the screen.

If you wish to return to normal mode and get out of Safe Mode, all you have to do is to restart the Android device.

Solution 09. Clearing The Chrome Browser Cache

You might have to clear the browser cache of Chrome within your phone in order to fix the issue of Google search not working. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Launch Chrome using your mobile device.
Step 02 - Press the menu that looks like three dots. This is located at the top part of the interface.
Step 03 - Choose Settings. This can be seen in the menu that pops up.
Step 04 - Press “Privacy.”
Step 05 - Then, press “Clear Browsing Data.”
Step 06 - Tick the box that says “Cached Images And Files.”
Step 07 - Press the “Clear Data” button.

Part 2. How to Fix Google Search Not Working on Google Chrome Browser

Google search not working on the Chrome browser? In this section, we’ll teach you how to fix it. Below are two solutions you must implement especially if you find the errors where Google wants you to “check proxy and firewall” and says that the “connection timed out.”

Solution 01. Removing Browser History

This fix might be temporary but it is one of the methods you should try to solve the problem. All you need to do is to clear your browsing history or search history. Here are the steps on how to do it:

Step 01 - Launch menu that looks like three dots.
Step 02 - Press “History.”
Step 03 - Press “Clear Browsing Data.”
Step 04 - Check all boxes and then press “Clear Browsing Data” again.

After you have done this, you must also perform the removal of data using an advanced method. Here’s how to do it:

Step 01 - Press Settings. Then, scroll towards the bottom of the interface and press “Show Advanced Settings.”
Step 02 - Under the section labeled Privacy, press “Clear Browsing Data.”
Step 03 - Check the four boxes referring to the downloaded history, browsing history, cache, cookies, and other data.
Step 04 - Make sure you uncheck the following boxes: saved passwords, autofill data, hosted app data, content licenses.
Step 05 - Finally, click “Clear Data.”

Solution 02. Reset The Settings Of Your Firewall

It might be necessary to reset the Firewall to its default settings. It might be a great fix for Google search not working on your Chrome browser. Some outbound and inbound rules of the browser might hinder the search engine giant from loading within it.

Step 01 - Visit your Windows PC’s Control Panel folder.
Step 02 - Launch the Windows Firewall option.
Step 03 - Find the option that says “Restore Default.” Open this option.
Step 04 - Press “Restore Defaults.”
Step 05 - Restart your browser and check if Google search is now working.

Part 3. To Wrap It All Up

We have given you various fixes to Google search not working on Android devices and Chrome browsers. These fixes can be used to solve the problem at hand. As such, you should start from the first solution and progress your way to the last one.

How about you? How do you fix the problem of a faulty Google search engine? Let us know by typing in your comments below.

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