Android users have repeatedly reported problems with Google Play, regardless of the version their phone has installed. Several instances of Google Play crashing or malfunctioning in some way have been reported and discussed online. The good news is it's not a lost cause at all - it's a minor problem that can be easily fixed.
Google provides a checklist in their Support page that explains the steps users need to take when troubleshooting Google Play issues. Android Pit has also discussed a step-by-step fix for this based on Google's guidelines. Given the data or WiFi connection is good, the following steps should be taken to fix the issue:
Clear the Cache & Data
Google Play tends to malfunction or crash when the cache is full. According to AndroidPIT, emptying the cache should speed things up. Simply go to the Application Manager on the phone, which is usually found under Settings, click on Google Play, and press the Clear Cache button. If the cache is the only problem, the Play store should work well once it restarts.
Clearing the data may also help if clearing the cache is not enough. In the same window as the previous process, above the Clear Cache button is the Clear Data button. Click it and restart Google Play to check if it is working.
Turn On Download Manager
Google Play will not download updates and apps and will continue displaying error messages if users have disabled the Download Manager on their phones. To activate, go to Settings, then App Manager, find Download Manager and click on Activate.
Remove and Reinstate Google Account
The problem may be a glitch in Google Play itself, especially after downloading an update. CNET suggests, removing and installing account. In the Settings menu, go to Accounts, select the Google account used in Google Play, and click on Remove Account. Once the user confirms the account removal and the process is completed, restart the phone and set up the account once more - this should fix the problem.
Uninstall and Reinstall Google Play Updates
Uninstalling the updates downloaded reverts Google Play back to the stock version it came with when the user bought the phone. Go to App Manager under Settings, select Google Play, and click on uninstall updates. Confirm the uninstall and try to run Google Play again. Try reinstalling the updates once Google Play starts running again.
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