An app not working usually traces back to one of three causes: the service behind it is down, your internet is weak, or the copy of the app on your phone has gone stale. Most people lose time because they guess the wrong one. This page helps you sort it out in a few minutes and then points you to a detailed guide for the exact app.
The same logic works when a website is not working. A page that will not open, a login that loops, or a spinner that never ends all come from the same short list of causes. Start at the top of the steps below and stop as soon as the app works again.
Common causes
1The service is down for many people
How to tellFriends on other networks also cannot open it, and the app's status page or social account mentions a fault
What fixes itWait; nothing on your phone will help until the company fixes it
2Weak or blocked internet
How to tellOther apps are slow too, or the app works on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi
What fixes itTest both connections, restart the router, see the internet guide
3Old app version
How to tellThe app started failing after the service changed, or it asks for an update
What fixes itUpdate from the official app store, then reopen
4Full or corrupted app cache
How to tellOnly one app misbehaves while the rest of the phone is fine
What fixes itClear the app cache on Android, or offload and reinstall on iPhone
5Wrong date, time or low storage
How to tellSecure connection errors, or downloads fail with a storage warning
What fixes itTurn on automatic date and time and free up some storage
6Account, login or permission problem
How to tellThe app opens but shows sign in again, or features like camera do not respond
What fixes itSign out and in, and check the app permissions in phone settings
7Heavy traffic at a busy moment
How to tellFails during sales, results, ticket windows or match time, then works later
What fixes itTry again after some minutes instead of refreshing repeatedly
Where to start
Check whether it is down for everyone
Message a friend who uses another operator and ask them to open the same app, or read the company's status page or verified social account. If many people report the same fault, wait. If it works for them, the problem is on your side and the steps below will help.
Force close the app, then launch it again
On Android, bring up your list of running apps and swipe this one off the screen. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom edge and flick the app off the screen. This clears a stuck session in seconds.
Run a quick internet check
Try loading any ordinary web page in the browser. Should it crawl or fail, sort out the connection before anything else, using internet not working or WiFi not working. Also test the page once over Wi-Fi and once over your SIM data.
Turn airplane mode on and off
Flight mode, held for about ten seconds and then released, makes the phone sign in to the mobile tower afresh. That often revives a half-dead data link.
Install pending updates
Open the official app store, find the app and look for an Update button. After that, look for a software update inside the phone's own settings. Old versions are a common reason an app stops working after the service changes.
Clear the cache, or reinstall
On Android, long press the app icon, open App info, then Storage, and clear the cache first. Clear data only if you are sure your account is backed up, because it signs you out. On iPhone, remove the app and download it afresh from the store.
Check date, time and free space
Set date and time to automatic. Make sure the phone has a little free storage, because apps cannot update or save files on a full phone.
Reboot and try again
A plain reboot clears background tasks that can block the app. If one app still fails while everything else works, wait for the service or contact the app's in-app help.
What it means when an app is not working
An app is only a window to a service that runs on distant servers. If the window is damaged, you fix the app. If the servers are down, no fix on your phone can help. That is why the first job is to find which side is broken.
You open a shopping app and the screen says Something went wrong. Please try again. If the same message appears on a friend's phone, it is the service. If not, work through the steps on your own phone.
Is the app not working because of the app, phone or service?
| What you notice | Likely side | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone you ask has the same problem | Service | Wait and check the official status page |
| Only one app fails, others are fine | App on your phone | Update, clear cache, reinstall |
| Every app is slow | Internet or phone | Fix the connection, restart |
| Works on mobile data, not Wi-Fi | Router or Wi-Fi | Restart the router, forget and rejoin the network |
| Works on Wi-Fi, not mobile data | SIM or data settings | See mobile data not working |
Website not working: extra checks
For a site that will not open, try the same address in a private window and on another browser. If it loads there, wipe the stored cookies and cached files of that one site. Error numbers on the page tell you more: a 404 means the page is missing, a 500 or 503 means the site's server is struggling. Government and exam sites often slow down on deadline days, so try early in the morning or late at night.
Guides for popular apps and sites
| Which guide | Typical problem |
|---|---|
| YouTube not working | Clips will not play, keep buffering or the app closes. |
| Instagram not working | Feed will not refresh, reels stall or login fails. |
| WhatsApp not working | Messages stay on the clock icon or the app will not connect. |
| Telegram not working | Chats stuck on connecting or media will not download. |
| ChatGPT not working | The chat page is blank, slow or keeps showing an error. |
| Google search not working | The search page will not open or results do not load. |
| Snapchat not working | Snaps fail to send or the camera screen freezes. |
| JioHotstar not working | Streams stop, show an error or refuse to start. |
| Claude not working | The assistant does not reply or the page fails to load. |
| Pinterest not working | Pins do not load or the home feed stays empty. |
| Wattpad not working | Stories will not open or chapters fail to load. |
| IRCTC app not working | Ticket booking, login or payment steps fail. |
| Flipkart not working | Orders, search or checkout will not go through. |
| Facebook not working | Feed, login or messenger links fail to open. |
| X (Twitter) not working | Posts will not load or the timeline shows an error. |
| Play Store not working | Apps will not download or update, or the store will not open. |
| Spotify not working | Songs skip, will not play or the app signs you out. |
| Zepto not working | Cart, address or delivery slot problems. |
| Blinkit not working | Items will not add or the order will not place. |
| Gmail not working | Mail will not sync or send, or the inbox stays blank. |
| Netflix not working | Shows will not start or an error code appears. |
| CapCut not working | Export fails, templates stall or the editor crashes. |
| ChatGPT error in message stream | The reply stops halfway with a stream error. |
| Rapido not working | Cannot book a ride or the map will not load. |
| Swiggy not working | Restaurants will not show or the order fails. |
| WhatsApp Web not working | The QR code, linking or desktop chat fails. |
| Google Maps not working | Location is wrong or the map stays grey. |
| Prime Video not working | Playback errors or a black screen on video. |
| Zoom and Google Meet not working | Meeting will not join, or camera and mic fail. |
| Gemini not working | The assistant gives no answer or shows an error. |
| WhatsApp calls not working | Calls ring but there is no sound or no connection. |
| Grok not working | Replies do not load or the page times out. |
| Amazon app not working | Cart, orders or payment screens fail. |
| Reddit not working | Posts and comments will not load. |
| Meta AI not working | The assistant inside chats does not respond. |
| Myntra not working | Catalogue, bag or checkout problems. |
| Canva not working | Designs will not open, save or export. |
| Zomato not working | Menus, offers or order placing fail. |
When the problem is bigger than the app
If several apps fail after an update, check your phone storage and system update. If the phone itself is slow, hot or restarting, see phone not working. Do not install files from unofficial sources to repair an app. Use only the official store.
Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords with anyone who contacts you about a broken app. Real support never asks for them.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some apps not working on my phone?
Old app versions, a stuffed cache, a nearly full phone or poor signal cause most of these. When just some apps fail, update them and clear their cache. If all of them fail, check the internet first.
Why is a website not working today?
Either the site is down for everyone or your connection is blocking it. Ask someone on another network, or open the site on mobile data. If it fails for them too, wait for the owner to fix it.
How do I know if the server is not working?
Look for a status page or an official social account of the service, and ask a friend to try. Server faults often show as error pages with codes in the 500 range.
My app is not working only on Wi-Fi. What now?
Restart the router, then forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network on the phone. If it still fails, your internet plan may be down, so contact the provider.
Will clearing app data delete my account?
Clearing cache is safe. Clearing data signs you out and removes local files, but the account stays on the service. Make sure you know your login before you do it.