I recently started getting “Download unsuccessful” errors on my Android device whenever I tried to upgrade or download an app using Google Play. This seems to be a common error for the entire line of Android devices. Luckily, the fix was easy for me. If you’re experiencing the same problem, give these steps a try.
Fix 1 – Restart
First, give a power down and restart of your device a try. Be sure to power it completely off.
- Unlock the screen.
- Press and hold the “Power” button until a menu appears.
- Select “Power off“.
- Wait for the device to power off.
- Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the “Power” button to power the device back on.
See if you can download items now.
Fix 2 – Clear App Data
If a power down didn’t fix your issue, try these steps.
- Open “Settings“.
- Select “Applications“.
- Select “Manage Applications“.
- Tap the “All” tab, then scroll down and select “Google Play Store“.
- Select “Storage“.
- Select “Clear cache” and “Clear data“.
- Back out of the screen and select “Download Manager” (May also be listed as “Downloads”).
- Select “Clear cache” and “Clear data“.
- Also clear data for “Google Services Framework“, “Google Apps“, “Google Hangouts“, and “Checkin Service“. Some users are reporting they had to clear data for the “Browser” and “Chrome” apps as well. You may not see all of these apps listed on your particular device.
See if downloading from the Google Play works now.
Of course, this works with any Android device.
David says
Hard power off vs the “restart” which I had been trying was all it took for me. Thank you!
veronica jefferson says
i have a Motorola android and its been acting up a lot lately. I have rebooted it and factory reset it so many times. I even started the android as new and created new emails just in case my hone has been hacked or a virus. for example i have never downloaded the facebook app and it appears on my phone eventhough i clear it and disable. i ont know much about technology but i know for a fact that when i bought the phone i did not have a lot of the apps that are on it. i don’t know how to begin i cant get to my important stuff because of it. and what is sandboxed? i see that a lot under some of my apps? like my location, microphone and camera settings will come on also when i keep taking them off for security reasons. its creepy. and that’s why it wont let me do my factory resseting on my google play services. whats stopping it? or whats helping it to start the other weird apps?? what is summit RCS sevice version 1027-65c4a641028-aedad73??
Jack says
Thanks very much for the help. Worked a treat.
Sandi says
Thanks so much!!! It worked! :)
Dewaldt says
I have a Samsung galaxy S2 my whatsapp worked perfect 3days ago then an update came up i installed the update then it stopped working. I uninstalled whatsapp and reinstalled but only gets to 66% completion then I get an error code -11. I updated my Google play services, uninstalled Google play updates in the application manager and updated them again. I cleared all the caches in the app management tab under downloads. My download manager only shows force close next to it cancel which is greyed out can’t select it and there isn’t a disable or enable option.
Please give advice to resolve this problem.
Many thanks
Dewaldt
Luke says
Steve, your solution worked, thanks :)
Steve says
Cleared Play Services and Download Manager data. Got rid of the “ErrorReport” constantly downloading and I was able to download my app. Thank you.
Felicia says
i have tried many times but still gives me unknown errors !help please.
Ben says
Thanks alot genius
Tiffany says
I did all of this and when it didn’t work I factory reset my phone and it still isn’t working. I was getting “%1$s unknown error has occurred “
MIKE says
After AT&T , Samsung and Google techs inside my phone it is a total mystery to all of them. My pro stopped downloading everything in August 2015. I was told AT&T COULD backup my stuff to try a reset. I went to the store they said they had NO way to do it. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS ???
Kye Tyme says
Thankyou, easy to follow instructions
Muhammad says
I don’t know what to say , but it works like genius , please, please please keep the hard work,you are rocks..Thanks a lot.
jt says
Thanks a lot..really it worked..plz help for this type of issues further and be blessed.
joey says
uninstall play store
reboot the unit
re install play store
should be ok
Marike says
It worked!!! Thank you so much!!! Fix 2 works perfectly.
Samantha says
Fix 2 has sorted the mess that was my daughter’s phone – thank you so much :-)
Walmir says
Hi guy! thank you for the information and may the force be with you.
I wish much success in your life.
Ivan says
Thanks a Lot.. !!!!!
richard says
Sorted thanks