How to fix the most common Google Maps problems

Google Maps is one of the most popular applications among Android users in Spain. It is an application that has improved significantly over time, incorporating a multitude of new functions. As with any other application on our Android phone, it may suffer certain failures over time.

There are some errors or failures that are very common in Google Maps for Android. In fact, it is most likely that you have met one of them on some occasion. Therefore, we leave you with solutions for the most common errors of this application on Android, in order to tackle these problems.

What to do if Google Maps runs slow on Android

If Google Maps is running slow on your Android phone, there are a number of solutions to try so that the app works fine again on it.

Google Maps won’t open

The first problem, which we have probably faced on some occasion on Android, is that the application does not open. This is something that can happen with any application on the phone, including Google Maps. Therefore, if this happens to you, there are a series of solutions that we can try:

• Force close the app: Force closing the app and opening it again is a good way to get it working again.
• Clear app cache: Common solution when there are problems with applications in Android, clear the cache Since if too much cache accumulates, it ends up being corrupted and operating problems arise.
• Check your connection: Internet connection could be the source of this problem. So check if it is stable.
• Restart the phone: When there are problems with applications, including Google Maps, you can try restarting the phone and in many cases it will work again.
• Update the app: If nothing has worked as expected, you can check for an application update. In case the crash started after updating, please go back to a previous version.

The compass does not work well

One of the most common problems in Google Maps, possibly the most common, is that the compass does not work well. When this happens, it is usually that the compass does not point well in the correct direction. This is usually that one of the sensors used for the calculations is not working correctly and needs you to calibrate it, so that everything works normally again. Luckily, the solution to this bug is very simple:

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Click on the blue circle that shows your location.
3. Select the Calibrate Compass option from the menu that opens.
4. Move the phone in a figure figure following the onscreen instructions (do this three times).
5. Restart the app.

The map appears blank

Another problem that many have faced is that the map or maps are blank in the app. If this happens, it is impossible for you to use the application, or to see the route or the site you have searched for. The origin of this failure in the application can be very varied, as well as its solutions. If this has happened to us, we can try this:

• Check your connection: The Internet connection could be the source of this failure, so it is good to check if your connection is stable. If you are using WiFi, switch to mobile data or vice versa, as this could fix it.
• Force close the app: Force closing the app and opening it again is a good way to get it working again.
• Clear app cache: Common solution when there are problems with applications in Android, clearing the cache can help. Because if too much builds up and becomes corrupted, performance problems arise.
• Restart the phone: Another common solution when there are problems is to restart the phone. This is usually effective and the maps may be displayed normally again.
• Update the app: If it happened suddenly, you can check for an app update. In case the crash started after updating, please go back to a previous version.

Google Maps cannot find the site you are looking for

Another problem we face when using Google Maps is that the app can’t find the site What are we searching for. Surely it has happened to most of them on occasion, both in the Android application and on the computer. It is another problem that has several solutions, all very simple:

• Did you write the site well?: It may sound stupid, but typing the site incorrectly can cause the app not to find it. Check that the name of that place is spelled correctly.
• Change the map area: If the place you are looking for is far from the area of ​​the map where you are, there are times when the application has problems finding that place. Get away from this area of ​​the map and try again.

GPS icon in red color

This is something that many users surely recognize in Google Maps: the GPS icon, located on the right, comes out in red. If this has happened to you, you have a simple reason. Since this happens when we have denied the application permission to access the location, which is essential for operation (especially in navigation or when planning routes in it).

When this happens, you simply have to tap on the GPS icon on the screen and then you will be asked again if you want to grant the app location permission. Accept and in this way said icon returns to its normal color.

The app works slow

If the application works slow, something that you have probably experienced on occasion, there are some solutions that we have discussed previously. It can happen on some occasions that Google Maps works slow on your Android phone, but in most cases it is usually related to your Internet connection or problems in the app, such as the need to clear the cache or update it.

The entry How to solve the most common problems in Google Maps appears first in The Free Android.