Settings not working on Android – Try These Fixes

Some years back, when the Android KitKat update was released, the most commonly reported problem was that of settings not working. Some users still complain about this with their handsets when trying to open settings option, but it’s not always a system or software update related issue.

If you get the unfortunately settings has stopped working error message on your Android device, and restarting it or clearing the device’s cache didn’t help, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Fix Settings not working on Android

Wipe cache partition

To do this, you need to go into Recovery mode and select Wipe cache partition option. Take the steps below to complete the process:

• Power off your device
• Press a specific combination of keys to access recovery mode (it can be home+power+volume buttons depending on your device)
• The recovery screen will appear
• When you see the recovery menu, use volume button to go to Wipe cache partition
• Select the wipe cache partition using the power button
• Now select reboot or restart

Uninstall and reinstall Google Play store update

This can help fix the settings not working issue, by clearing cache for Google Play. To do this:

• Open Settings>Apps>App Manager
• Find Google Play and tap it
• Tap Clear cache and then tap Uninstall updates
• Restart the device and go to Google Play again
• Tap Settings
• Now tap Build version and tap OK when the message “a new version of Google Play store will be downloaded and installed” appears

Boot in Safe mode

To do this:

• Press and hold down Power button and press power off when the menu appears
• If you’re asked to reboot into Safe mode, tap OK
• Safe mode will be displayed in the bottom left side of the screen, and you can try the settings option again. If it works, then a third-party app is causing the problem

Perform a factory reset

You can factory reset your device when nothing else works, but this should be a last resort as it wipes your data and settings and restores the phone back to its original state when you first got it. Before taking this action, backup all your data using your Google account by going to Settings>General>Backup & Reset. You’ll see two options: automatic restores or backup my data. Enable the two options and the backup will begin.

To factory reset your device, do this:

• Open Settings>tap Backup & Reset
• Tap Factory data reset
• Now tap reset phone/tablet and then set up your phone again once it restarts

Elsie Otachi

Elsie is a tech writer with 8+ years professional experience. For Tech News Watch, she brings rich experience contributing to topics such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS among others. In her spare time, she loves checking out the latest tech trends, gadgets, and news, listening to music and cars.