Google Pay makes paying for purchases as easy as holding your phone to a card scanner. But issues with Google Pay not working ruins that convenience. A little troubleshooting helps fix everything, from simple settings problems to a bad card upload.
Please note that many Google Pay features are moving to Google Wallet and may not be available in the U.S. after June 2024. If your app isn’t working correctly after this point, you may need to move to Google Wallet.
Table of Contents
1. Check for App Updates
The simplest fix for Google Pay not working is to check for an app update. Even if you have automatic updates turned on, it’s a good idea to visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to ensure you have the latest version of Google Pay.
Search for Google Pay in your app store. If it says Update, let the update run. If it just says Open, you have the latest version.
An app update could also be the problem. Sadly, app updates don’t always go as planned. If you weren’t having any issues before an update, and now Google Pay’s not working, check recent reviews in your chosen app store to see whether other users are having similar problems.
If the update is buggy, Google will likely issue a fix within a week or two. Leave feedback within the app or via a review in the app store. While you can sideload an older version, it’s usually safer to wait for an official fix.
2. Ensure Cards Are Updated
Did you recently receive a new credit or debit card? Perhaps you changed banks. In any case, verify that the information on the cards in your Google Pay wallet is correct. This includes card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes. It’s also important that you’ve entered your name exactly how it’s listed on the card. For example, one card might have your middle name on it, but if you didn’t enter the middle name on Google Pay, the card may not work correctly.
To verify card information, tap the Insights button ($) at the bottom right in Google Pay, then tap Show all accounts.
Click each card under Payment methods to view details and edit if needed.
3. Ensure Your Phone Number Is Correct
Another simple, yet common issue that causes problems with Google Pay not working is an incorrect phone number. This could happen through human error when setting up Google Pay on a new device, or maybe you’ve changed your phone number since setting up the app. Either way, ensure that it’s correct, as Google Pay has no way to verify it’s you using the app. It’s a basic security measure.
Open Google Pay. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
Tap Settings, select Personal Info, and verify your number.
If it’s not correct, tap Edit number. This option seems to appear only if you manually entered the phone number during setup. If you chose the phone number during the process, it’s already tied to your device and should be correct.
4. Check Your Internet Connection
When using a digital wallet to make payments at both online and physical retailers, you need a reliable Internet connection. Google Pay works on mobile data and Wi-Fi connections. However, if the connection is weak, your payments may fail. If you know you’re going to be in an area with spotty service, consider taking along at least one physical card, just to be safe.
Many retailers have their own Wi-Fi networks for guests to use. While public Wi-Fi isn’t usually recommended for online shopping, Google Pay uses NFC for in-store transactions. To pick up the transaction, a hacker would need to be extremely close to you, so as long as people keep their distance, it’s safe.
If you’re having trouble with your mobile data, try these fixes for iOS and Android devices.
5. Contact Your Bank/Card Issuer
If you’ve verified everything is correct, but you’re having issues with a specific card, you may need to contact your bank or the card issuer. To verify that Google Pay is not the source of the problem, try using another card in your wallet. If the issue is limited to one card, either your card issuer froze the account, or you have insufficient funds.
Learn how virtual credit card services work to ditch traditional bank and credit cards.
6. Clear the Cache
Whether it’s Google Pay not working or another app, the solution is often the same: clear the cache. Technically, cached data is supposed to make apps work faster. However, sometimes it just hinders the app when too much data is stored.
Steps may vary slightly based on the device. Go to Settings on your device, and tap Application manager. It could also be Apps, Applications, or another variation. Tap App Info and select Google Pay or GPay. If you’re using Google Wallet, tap Google Wallet.
You can also long-tap on the Google Pay app icon, then tap the i button to jump straight to the app settings.
Tap Storage -> Clear Cache. Don’t tap Clear data, or you’ll have to set up your account in Google Pay again.
7. Check for NFC Compatibility and Turn It On
If you’re new to using Google Pay, you may discover that online payments work great, but you can’t make NFC payments in stores. If you’re trying to use Google Pay on an iOS device, it will not work with in-store NFC scanners, so you’ll need to use Apple Pay.
If you’re on Android but using an older device, you may not have NFC capabilities. Go to your device Settings, and tap Connected devices or Connections. Look for NFC.
If you don’t see either option, use the search feature in your settings to search for NFC.
If you don’t see an NFC option, your phone likely doesn’t support it. You can also check your device specifications on the manufacturer’s site to see if NFC is listed.
By default, you may not have NFC enabled, even though you verified that it’s compatible. Depending on your device, there are two ways to activate NFC.
Pull down the notification tray at the top of your screen. Tap the NFC option if you see it.
If you didn’t see it in the above location, go to Settings -> Connected devices -> NFC, and toggle the option on. Depending on your device, NFC may also be under Connections. Or, search for NFC in your device’s settings.
If you’re still having NFC issues, make sure the retailer accepts Google Pay. According to Google, only Pine Lab terminals accept Google Pay NFC payments.
8. Verify Your Identity
If you suddenly can’t use anything in your Google Pay account or are having issues getting started, it’s possible that your account has been flagged for suspicious activity. It sometimes seemingly random which accounts Google needs to be verified. Additionally, it’s required to verify your identity to unlock higher transaction limits and some other features within Google Pay.
You may get a notification to verify your identity, To verify manually, open Google Pay, and tap Insights at the bottom right. Tap Money in Google Pay.
Tap Verify and follow the prompts to provide the required information. You may be asked for your name, address, social security number, date of birth, and photo identification. Learn more about Google’s identity verification.
9. Troubleshoot a Grayed-Out Card
If you try to pay with a card and notice that it’s grayed out, there could be one of several problems:
- Your card was reported stolen, and you need to verify it. Click your card within Google Pay, and make any necessary changes. If it was incorrectly reported as stolen, tap Verify, then Charge Card. It can take up to 48 hours to complete. You’ll see a temporary charge on your credit card account with an eight-digit code. Enter this code in Google Pay to complete the verification.
- Your card can’t be used for a particular purchase. This happens if the retailer doesn’t accept certain credit or debit cards. You’ll need to use a different card.
- The card has expired and is no longer valid until you update the information. If it’s expired, and you haven’t been issued a new card from your bank or card issuer, contact them immediately to get a new card.
10. Reinstall Google Pay
As a final resort, remove and reinstall Google Pay. This isn’t the most convenient option, as you’ll need to re-load all your cards. However, if nothing else is working, and the issue isn’t with the cards themselves, this is often the only method that works.
When you uninstall Google Pay, restart your phone before reinstalling the app. This gives you a clean start.
If you’re having issues with a single card, tap Insights -> Show all accounts -> Payment methods in Google Pay,
Yes, it’s a hassle when Google Pay is not working, but it usually works quite well. It’s still a good idea to carry at least one physical card, just in case. You can also use Google Pay to help manage your budget. If you prefer not using Google Pay, check out Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder
