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How to fix ‘Google Discover not working’ issue?

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  • 5 min read

Google has dialled personalised recommendations down to near perfection. The Google Discover feed is a great way to keep up with the latest news on topics it thinks you’ll like, and more often than not, it gets the news right. 

However, just like everything else, it isn’t perfect. In this article, we’re going over a few fixes you can try out if your Google Discover feed isn’t refreshing. 


Restart your phone

The first thing you should try is to restart your phone. Restarting your device can fix a bunch of seemingly random issues that can cause your Discover feed to misbehave or not update. 

Also read: How to fix System UI has stopped issue on Android?


Check your internet

Check to make sure you’ve got a stable internet connection. If your internet is too slow or frequently disconnecting, the feed won’t load. Check your WiFi signals and ensure you have internet access. If you’re on mobile data, check your network coverage and make sure mobile data is enabled.


Enable the Google App

There’s a chance that the Google app isn’t simply enabled for the default Android launcher. Here’s how to fix this. 

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Tap and hold the home screen and then tap on Home settings from the menu that appears.
  • Make sure that the Display Google app toggle is enabled. 

Also read: How to restore deleted app icons on Android?


Enable the Discover feed from the Google App

Another possible reason for the feed not updating is because it might be disabled from within the Google app. 

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open the Google app on your phone, head over to the More tab and tap Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Make sure that the Discover toggle is enabled. If it already is, disable the toggle and enable it again. 

Also read: Top 7 Meeting Scheduler apps for Android


Clear the cache

Corrupt files in the app’s cache can also cause it to misbehave. Try clearing out the Google App’s cache and data to resolve the issue.

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open your phone’s settings and tap on Apps & notifications.
  • Tap on Show all apps.
  • Find and tap on the Google app.
How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Tap on Storage & cache.
  • Tap the Clear cache and Clear data buttons.

Repeat this process with the Google Play Services app, restart your phone and try again. 


Update the Google app

If there’s an issue with the Google app itself, chances are that the company has already released an update to fix the problem. Try checking the Play Store for updates and if you see any, install them right away. 


Uninstall updates

If updating the app didn’t work, you should try reinstalling the app. However, since the Google app can’t really be uninstalled, we’re going to uninstall all updates and update the app again.

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open the Play Store and search for the Google app.
  • Tap Uninstall.

Restart your phone and update the app over to the latest version.

Also read: 6 ways to fix Error 97 SMS Origination Denied on Android


Switch to a personal account

If you’ve got some restrictions on the account associated with your Google app, it can cause problems with your feed. If you’re using a work account, try switching to a personal account instead. 

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open the Google app and tap on your profile picture in the top right,
  • The account listed on the top is your current active account. If you’re already logged into another account, tap it to switch accounts. If not, tap on Add another account to add your personal account and try again. 

Use the discover feed without an account

If you didn’t know already, you could use the Discover feed without an account as well. Try using this feature to see if that resolves your issue.

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open the Google app and tap on your profile picture in the top right,
  • Tap on Use without an account.

Now head over to your Discover feed, and tap on Turn On. Log in without a personal Google account. 

Also read: Top 7 running apps for Android


Check data usage

The Google app needs to access data in the background for it to keep the feed up to date. Check to see if the app is actually allowed to do so.

How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Open your phone’s settings and tap on Apps & notifications.
  • Tap on Show all apps.
  • Find and tap on the Google app.
How to fix 'Google Discover not working' issue?
  • Tap on Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
  • Make sure that the Background data toggle is enabled.

Reset app preferences 

Lastly, resetting app preferences can also help you get rid of the issue. Here’s how.

How to fix 'Snapchat notification not working' error?
  • Head over to your phone’s settings and tap on Apps & notifications.
  • Tap on Show all apps.
  • Tap on the three vertical dots in the top-right.
  • Select Reset app preferences from the dropdown options.

Also read: How to preview pages on Chrome for Android?

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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