It’s a very frustrating experiance when you are supposed to use a mobile application and suddenly that app not working.
Whether it’s crashing, freezing, or simply not responding; any of these problems could be really-really frustrating experiance.
And unfortunately, there aren’t many resources available online that might helps you fix those problems on your own.
That is one of the reasons why in this post we are going to talk about Why a particular app stopped working, the reasons why it’s happening, and What steps you can take to solve this issue.
Why Exactly is that app not working for you?
Why you are having an issue with the mobile application comes down to that application itself, its uses, or specific conditions.
Depending on the kind of error you are getting while accessing the mobile application, There could be any reason why you are having the issue.
Here are the most common reasons-
Common reasons for the app not working issue
Before we get into the troubleshooting process, let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of the app not working issues.
Generally, there are a few main culprits that cause apps to stop working:
Network issues
If your phone is having trouble connecting to the internet, the app may not be able to load properly. This could be due to a weak signal, or your phone may be trying to connect to the wrong network.
Device compatibility
Some apps may not be compatible with your device, either because it’s an older model or because there’s an incompatibility between the app and your device’s operating system.
Sometimes the app in question might be simply incompatible with your device.
This issue does not happen if you install the application from the inbuilt app store like – the Google Play store or iOS App store.
Memory issues
If your device is running low on memory, it may affect how the app runs. This can cause the app to crash or freeze, or it may not even open.
Not providing sufficient permission after installation of the app can also cause issues.
Software updates
If the app is out of date, it may not work properly. The same goes for your device’s operating system – if you’re behind on updates, the app may not be able to run.
Data corruption
If there is corrupted data in the app, it may cause it to stop working. This could be due to a bug in the app, or it could be caused by a virus or malware.
Server related issues
Errors like Server down, error connecting to the server, or error loading content appear because there is some sort of issue between the app and its server.
It’s a common enough reason nowadays for the apps that pull or push data into the cloud.
Glitches or Bugs
Bugs are common not only in mobile applications But in games, computer software, and websites as well.
These glitches are simply issued which hasn’t been fixed by the developer.
You can easily identify the issue you are having is a bug or not by visiting the App store page.
If other users are complaining about the same issue, it is simply a bug that is causing the issue.
If this is the case you have to contact the app developer.
Hardware issues
Sometimes there might be an issue with your Phone.
For example, an app that is for taking photos can’t take photos due to a Camera problem.
Or an Older model of a Smart TV which is configured to work for the latest version of applications.
Regional Restrictions
Some App developers restrict their services to some countries only.
This especially applies to applications that do business in one or a few countries only.
For example a streaming app. Some streaming apps like Hulu, or Netflix which is not available in every country.
Basic troubleshooting steps
Now that we’ve looked at some of the common causes of the app not working issues, let’s go through the troubleshooting process step by step.
This is the best way to find the cause of the problem and get your app working again.
Check your network connection
The first step is to check your network connection.
Make sure that your phone is connected to the internet and that it’s not trying to connect to the wrong network. You can do this by checking your network settings.
Check for updates
It’s also a good idea to check for any software updates, both for your device and for the app itself. If either of them is out of date, it could be causing the app not to work.
Clear the app’s data
If the app is still not working, try clearing its data. This will reset the app to its default settings and may help to fix any corrupted data. You can do this by going to your device’s settings and selecting the app.
Uninstall and reinstall the app
If clearing the data doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This will get rid of any corrupted data and may help to fix any compatibility issues.
Check for viruses or malware
Finally, it’s a good idea to check for any viruses or malware on your device. This could be causing the app to stop working, so running a virus scan is a good way to make sure that everything is ok.
Specific troubleshooting steps for Android or iOS
Now that we’ve gone through the troubleshooting process, let’s take a look at how to fix the app not working on Android and iOS.
Generally, the steps are the same for both operating systems, but there are a few differences
On Android:
For Android devices, the first step is to check for any updates. You can do this by going to the Google Play Store and checking for any updates for your device or the app in question.
Once you’ve done this, you can try clearing the app’s data or uninstalling and reinstalling it.
On iOS:
For iOS devices, the first step is to check for any updates. You can do this by going to the App Store and checking for any updates for your device or the app in question.
Once you’ve done this, you can try clearing the app’s data or uninstalling and reinstalling it.
Get Support from the app developer
If you’ve gone through the troubleshooting process and your app still isn’t working, there are a few other things you can try. One option is to contact the developer of the app and ask for help. They may be able to diagnose the issue and provide instructions on how to fix it.
Another option is to look for help online.
There are plenty of support forums and websites dedicated to helping people with the app not working issues. You can search for specific problems or browse through the forums to see if anyone else has had a similar issue.
Get Support using Email, Website, or Toll-Free Number
One good thing about mobile applications is that if you have any issue related to the mobile app we can contact developers about it.
There are many ways you can contact the app developers or support team.
While not app developers offer extensive support options like Toll-free customer care helpline numbers, at the very least you can email them.
Get Support Via the official support email
You can find the official support email for the application users on both the Google Play store and the iOS app store.
On the apps publisher page on the Google play store, this option is there under developer contact > email.
Get Support from the official website
App developer lists their official website on the play store or iOS app store page.
Some of the developers have a specific contact page that you can use to contact support.
Get Support via the customer support number
Many app developers, especially large companies provide customer support helplines to their customers.
You can simply find the official support helpline number listed on their official website.
You can find the official app website on their Google Play store or iTunes iOS app store page.
Get Support from Twitter or Social media pages
Many app developers or their support teams are active on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Usually, you will find them on Twitter, just a simple search by typing the app name or in some cases name of the developer will lead you to their official Twitter handle.
Once you find a Twitter page, you can ask for your support.
Providing support is one of the main reasons companies create social media accounts.
You can inform them via tweet or Message them personally.
Reporting the bug on the official app store
While you contact the developer, make sure to explain your issues as clearly as possible.
If possible, along with a support request do send the screenshot of the errors you are getting.
Conclusions
In this article, we’ve gone through the causes of the app not working issues, the troubleshooting process, and how to fix apps not working on Android and iOS.
We’ve also covered some helpful support options and resources.
So next time you’re having trouble with an app, don’t panic – just take a deep breath and go through the troubleshooting steps.
With a bit of patience and a methodical approach, you’ll be able to get your app working again in no time.
Dealing with an app not working can be frustrating, but it’s usually a fairly easy problem to fix. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you’ll be able to find the cause of the issue and get your app back up and running.
If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to the app developer or look for help online.
With some luck, you’ll be able to get your app working again in no time.
So don’t let an app not working get you down – with a little bit of help from this, you’ll be able to get back to using your favorite apps or mobile game in no time.
Here are some example troubleshooting guide to Fix app errors –
