9 ways to fix GPS on Android that doesn't work

Nearly every Android phone today has built-in GPS. Although this is a fairly simple function, there may be times when your GPS cannot determine the exact location. But what can you do when GPS signals are causing you problems? Check out the following guide for solutions to solve the problem of GPS not working on your Android device.

1. Move to another location

GPS sensors need a clear view of the sky to function properly. If you're indoors, try going outside - you may notice your GPS signal improve. At the same time, in urban areas with high-rise buildings or in locations with many electronic interference objects, GPS signals may be hindered or weakened. You should move to a place with fewer obstacles.

Also, install an app like GPS Essentials to see if your phone is connected to various satellites around the planet. If your phone is connected but GPS still can't find your location, you may be looking at a software issue. If you don't have any satellites, it could be due to metal objects near you causing interference or hardware related. Unfortunately, in this case, there isn't much you can do other than replace the phone.

 Finally, GPS problems can sometimes be temporary, so waiting for your phone to re-establish its connection to the GPS satellites may be all you need to do to resolve the problem.

2. Charge your phone

GPS is notorious for consuming quite a bit of battery, so if your phone is running low on battery, it may have difficulty finding your location.

Make sure you charge your phone before trying to use the GPS function again. Also, turn off any power saving modes you may have enabled when your phone's battery is low.

Turn them off by going to Settings -> Battery -> Battery Saver and making sure it's turned off.

3. Check Internet connection

Some applications that need to use GPS also require the Internet to function properly. You should check your WiFi connection and make sure all is working well. Also, see this guide to learn what to do if your mobile data isn't working on Android.

 4. Turn off GPS and turn it back on

A quick fix for your problem may be as simple as restarting the GPS function on your Android device. To do so, swipe from the top of the device to reveal the Quick Settings menu .

Swipe again to expand the menu, then tap the Location button to turn it off. Press again to reactivate it.

5. Turn off airplane mode

Now that you've accessed the Quick Settings menu , check to see if the Airplane Mode toggle  is enabled. If so, quickly turn it off. If this feature is turned off, try turning it on to end all wireless communications on your device.

 Wait a few seconds then turn it off! It will give your GPS function a chance to start again.

6. Turn on Location Accuracy to increase GPS accuracy

Your Android phone can help you increase GPS accuracy in a variety of ways, and you should check your device's settings for options. This will fix the problem of weak GPS signal.

Go to Settings -> Location and tap Location services .

Make sure the Google Location Accuracy option is enabled. Also check to see if Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning are enabled. If not, turn them on.

7. Check app permissions

If GPS isn't working when you're using a particular app, you may need to check that the app has the necessary permissions.

Navigate to Settings -> Apps and find the app in question. On the app page, tap Permissions -> Location and select Allow all the time or Allow only while using the app .

 8. Recalibrate the compass

Sometimes fixing the error can be as easy as recalibrating the GPS. Do this using a compass app, such as GPS Essential, or the app you're trying to use, such as Google Maps.

Open the app and find your location point on the map. Because your device is experiencing weak or lost GPS signals, the location will not be accurate. Click on the point and select the Calibrate option .

When you are asked to turn on the camera, tap Next . You will have to move your smartphone so that it can detect your surroundings.

Note : You may need to install/update Google Play Services for AR before continuing.

If you don't find yourself in an area with identifiable landmarks or buildings, select Use compass in the next pop-up window. You will have to tilt and move your device until Compass accuracy is displayed as High .

9. Reinstall the affected application

It's possible that it's not the GPS function that's malfunctioning, but the app that uses it. In this case, you can first check the Google Play Store for new updates for the app(s) in question.

 If that's not the case, try reinstalling the affected apps (also from the Play Store) to see if that makes any difference.