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Google Search is probably the only source of information and knowledge for most people worldwide. Want to make quick spaghetti? Google it. Want to know how to protect your device from hackers? Just Google it.
However, the problem arises when Google Search suddenly stops working on your device. As Google has been integrated into our lives, this problem can be quite frustrating to many of us.
But don’t worry, in this article, we will delve into why Google Search is not working and how to fix it.
Reasons why Google Search is not working
Before diving into the solutions, let us quickly understand the reasons why Google Search is not working on your device:
- Network connection problems: To connect to Google seamlessly, you will need a stable internet connection. If you are having issues with your internet, this may be the primary reason for this issue.
- Issues with your browser: There can be several issues with your browser including cache problems, extension issues, and outdated browser apps or websites.
- Malware on your device: Sometimes, malware issues on your device prohibit various applications from running smoothly, including Google Search.
- Server outages: Sometimes, the fault is not at your end. Google’s servers sometimes may crash and Search may not work properly.
- VPN issues: Sometimes, using a VPN can also cause Google Search to not work. This issue happens especially when you use free VPN services.
Also read: How to enter the referral code in Google Pay?
How to fix Google Search isn’t working?
Now that we have understood the possible causes of why Google Search isn’t working, let us quickly dive into the fixes.
Restart your device
Restarting your device is the basic step that you should take when something happens on your device. When you restart your device, it flushes the corrupt files from RAM and the device starts afresh.
If restarting doesn’t fix the Google Search not working issue, head on to other more specific fixes.
Fix your internet connection
The next step you should take is to fix your internet connection. It involves several steps like checking the internet hardware, checking with the internet service provider (ISP) for any outages, or checking the DNS settings.
To fix your internet connection, head to this article on what to do if the internet isn’t working.
For WiFi-related issues, check our article on what to do if WiFi is not working.
Fix your browser issues
If fixing your internet and WiFi issues doesn’t fix the Google Search not working issue, you should fix the browser issues.
Disable browser extension
Sometimes, incompatible browser extensions may cause issues with some websites. To fix this, you should disable some extensions. Here’s how:
Step 1: Click on the three-dot button at the top right of the screen.
Step 2: Tap on Extensions and then head to Manage Extensions.
Step 3: Now, click on Remove to delete the extension or turn off the toggle to temporarily disable it.
You will have to disable individual extensions and then try to open Google Search after each process. This will allow you to know which extension is actually causing the problem.
Clear browser cache
Cache files are small files that store those bits of data that can be quickly accessed. However, sometimes these files can get corrupt and cause issues with browsers.
To fix this, you will have to clear the browser’s cache. Head to this article on how to clear the cache on Google Chrome. In this article, we have detailed two methods of doing this.
Update Chrome
Sometimes, updating the browser can also fix various issues. Here’s how:
Step 1: Click on the three-dot buttons at the top right of the screen.
Step 2: Next, head to Help > About Google Chrome.
Scan your device for malware
You should also scan your device for malware to fix Google Search not working issue.
Step 1: Open Windows Security by heading to the Start menu and searching for the app.
Step 2: Next, click on Virus and threat protection.
Step 3: Click on Scan options.
Step 4: Now, select Full scan.
You can also install several third-party antivirus such as Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky.
Turn off your VPN
If you have turned on the VPN, Google Search may not work. Turning off the VPN may help in this case.
When you do this, you provide a stable and direct internet connection and Google Search should work fine.
In conclusion, Google Search may not work because of several issues including server outages, unstable internet connection, malware infection, browser issues, and VPN. To fix this issue, fix these issues one by one and you are good to go.
Also read: How to type exponents on Chromebook?
