Google Maps is one of the applications that the American company focuses on the most. Due to its continuous updates, it is difficult to find errors or bugs when using Google maps. Yet, it does not mean that it is impossible. Are you having problems using Google Maps? Let's take a look at the most frequent errors and give you the solution.
Application crashes or closes
If your problems are caused by unexpected crashes, very slow performance, or the application not responding, you should go to the App info section. There, you can stop the application with the Force stop button.
Force stop of Google Maps
If it does not solve the problem, go back to App info and tap on Storage usage.
Open storage settings
First, tap Clear cache to delete temporary data from Google Maps.
Clear the cache
If the application continues crashing, use the Clear data button. This will reset the application and delete all data, such as offline maps. However, all information stored in your Google account will be kept.
Clear all the application’s data
Finally, it is recommended to check if you have the latest version of the application. To do this, go to the Google Play Store, tap on your account avatar, and select My apps & games.
Google Play Store updates
Use the Update button to install the latest version of Google Maps.
Update Google Maps
By taking all these steps, Google Maps should be working normally again.
GPS not working
If the GPS is not working, you will see a red icon with a question mark in the lower right corner of the screen. There are three reasons for this. The first is that the phone's location is disabled. In this case, enable it from the quick controls of the notification toolbar.
Enable your location
Secondly, the problem with GPS may occur because the application does not have the necessary permissions. Open the App info tab and go to Permissions.
Access permissions
Tap on Location.
Location permissions
Check the option Allow only while using the app.
Grant location permissions
If after performing the above steps, you are still unable to solve the error, your device may have hardware problems. If so, you must contact the technical service.
Compass not calibrated
If the error message indicates that the compass is not calibrated, do the following. First, tap on the blue dot that positions you on the map. At the bottom of the screen, you will see the Calibrate compass option.
Adjust the compass
Instructions on how to calibrate the compass will appear on the screen.
Instructions to adjust the compass
By doing this, you can solve location problems and increase the accuracy of the geolocation.
Google Maps is offline or map is empty
If you receive a warning that Google Maps is offline or you are unable to see the map, it is recommended to do the following:
- Check that you have an Internet connection, either via Wifi or mobile data.
- Verify that your connection is stable.
- Restart your device.
- Follow the steps mentioned in the "Application crashes or closes" section of this article. In other words, force the application to stop, clear the cache, delete the data, and check that you have the latest version.
In general, these types of errors tend to be specific and can be easily solved.
Your favorites places are not displayed
If you cannot see your favorites places, you may have activated incognito mode. To deactivate it, tap on the avatar located on the right side of the search bar.
Incognito mode avatar
Tap the button, Turn off Incognito mode.
Disable the incognito mode
Your account content will immediately reappear in the application. If this does not work, verify that you are using the correct account, in case you are logged in with two different profiles.
You cannot find what you are looking for
Another common mistake is the lack of results. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please, check the following:
- Check that you are connected to the Internet.
- Make sure you have spelled the name of the place you want to find correctly.
- Locate yourself in an area close to what you are looking for.
- If the error persists, clear the application cache, all its data, or force it to stop. You can see how to do this in the first section of this guide.
You cannot use your account
Finally, let us tell you how to solve your problems with Google Maps in case you cannot use your account. This may be due to a bug in Google Play services. So, head to the Apps section of the settings and locate Google Play Services. Access the application information and finish the process with Force stop.
Force stop of Google Play Services
In Storage usage, clear the cache.
Clear the cache of Google Play Services
Finally, restart the device and check that you can use your Google Maps account again.
