How to Fix Error 491 Code on Google Play [2022 Guide]

How to Fix Google Play Error Code 491?

So, I bought this beautiful Samsung Galaxy Android phone the other week and I love it! I love the camera, I love the Google applications that are preloaded on my phone, I love the operating system and experiencing how it has a dual screen function, and I have loved the applications that I have been able to download.

But for some reason, I am not unable to download any more applications, which is a bummer considering that I still have so much storage space left to use. Is there something I can do on my own to get this fixed, or do I have to bring my practically brand new Android phone to a service center to get it fixed?

I really would rather not have to do that, I’m a single mom and working two jobs, so I don’t really have the time to do that. Please tell me that there is something that I can do without having to waste a few hours of my day just to get this worked out? Hoping to hear back from you at your soonest convenience.
- Kathleen ‘92

Part 1: IntroductionPart 2: What Is Error Code 491 On Google Play?Part 3: Learn How To Fix Google Play Error Code 491 On Your OwnPart 4: Google Play Store Problems and 3 Simple Fixes to These ProblemsPart 5: Conclusion

Part 1: Introduction

Sad to say, but the error 491 on Google Play has occurred on several devices now. Known devices to suffer from this so far are the Samsung, HTC, Nexus, the ZTE devices, as well as other Android phones and tablets.

Having this error makes it pointless for users to even trying to download, install, or update applications that users may be interested in having or updating.

However, all is not lost. Developers have studied the dreaded error 491 code and discovered that there are a couple of things that users may attempt on their own in order to try to fix the error.

Granted, these tips and tricks may work for some but not for others. The exact difference is still unknown but it remains good news that at least it does work on some occasion, if not all.

But before we get into the different steps you can take in order to remedy the situation, it might be best to first understand why this occurs in the first place. Or more importantly, what error code 491 in Google Play is, to begin with.

Part 2: What Is Error Code 491 On Google Play?

The Google Play error code 491 seems to have come around from nowhere! No one saw it coming and no one really quite knew what to do when it first appeared. But the shock of everyone who experienced it could not be contained and a solution had to be found.

But before one could search for the solution, one had to know what it was, to begin with. What was error code 491 on Google Play? What was causing it? Was it permanent? How could one fix it? Was it even something that could be fixed?

What is Android error code 491?

Android error code 491 is an error that usually occurs when downloading an app from the Play Store. It means that the download or update is not available at the moment.

What are the causes of Android erroe code 491?

Pretty soon, it was discovered that the cause of the dreaded error code 491 on Google Play was quite simple. It was a result of one of a few possibilities. These possibilities are as follows:

• Possibility #1: One of your Google Play applications contained data that was corrupted.
• Possibility #2: There was a problem with your Google account sign in.
• Possibility #3: It could have happened that there may have been some settings on your Android device that were not quite compatible with the Google Play application that was installed and downloaded on to your Android phone or Android tablet.

However, have no fear. No matter the reason for what has caused your error code 491 on your Android device, there are a few possible solutions that you can give a go in order to get it sorted out.

Part 3: Learn How To Fix Google Play Error Code 491 On Your Own

In an attempt to make life easier for poor victims of Google Plays error code 491, we have listed down 8 possible solutions on what you can do in order to solve the error code 491 on Google Play without having to take your mobile device to a repair or service center to get it fixed.

With any luck, one of these 8 solutions is all you’ll need to do and we wish you the best of luck! Remember though, if our first solution does not work, simply move on to the next one until you find the right solution for you.

If in the end none of these solutions work, don’t worry too much and definitely do not throw your phone away. Something can always still be done.

Here are our top 8 solutions on how to fix the error code 491 on the Google Play store.

Solution #1: Restart your Android phone or tablet.

If when you receive the notification that your phone or tablet is suffering from error 491, one of the best things you can do for yourself in order to rid yourself of this problem is to restart your device.

To restart, all you have to do is hold down the power button for a prolonged period of time and then simply select restart. There are a number of cases that have reported the problem vanished by simply doing this easy task.

Solution #2: Clear the cache and data on your Google Play.

This task may sound daunting to a user who is not all too knowledgeable about computers and technology but it really is rather simple and can be accomplished by following just a few steps. Please see these steps below and soon you may find yourself problem free or error code 491.

• Step #1: Click on Settings, followed by Apps/Applications;
• Step #2: Scroll down and find Google Play Services and Google Play Store;
• Step #3: Select the Google Play Service/Google Play Store;
• Step #4: Select Clear Data and Clear Cache.

As an added bonus tip to what could also help resolve this issue, if you also have Google Service Framework downloaded and installed on your Android mobile phone, you can also clear your cache and data on that as well.

Now that you have successfully cleared your data and cache, head on back to the Google Play Store and check to see if you are able to install and/or download a game or application. If you continue experiencing the error code 491 after having done all these, simply move on to the next possible solution.

Solution #3: Uninstall the updates on your Google Play Applications.

Sometimes it works just to uninstall the updates on your Google Play Store and Google Play Services. Once again, it is a relatively simple task to accomplish and will not consume too much of your time. Please follow the steps below in order to successfully handle this task.

• Step #1: Go to Settings, followed by Apps, and then on to Google Play Store.
• Step #2: Once you are on your Google Play Store, you can select Uninstall Updates from there.
• Step #3: After you have successfully uninstalled your updates, simply restart your Android phone or tablet and watch the change take effect.

If solution #3 has continued to not work for you after once again attempting to download a new application or game, do not fret. Perhaps Solution #4 is better suited for you.

Solution #4: Try removing your Google Account.

Being that it may be possible that the Google account in the first place is causing the problem, it may be helpful to remove your Google account entirely.

I know, this sounds like a terrible solution, or worse, no solution at all, but by removing your Google account, that does not mean that you cannot or should not download and add it again.

But first, be sure to restart your Android phone or tablet first! Otherwise, it may be a useless effort. Here are the simple steps to remove your Google account.

• Step #1: Go to your Settings and then select Accounts.
• Step #2: Select Google Accounts followed by selecting Remove Account.
• Step #3: After you have successfully deleted or removed your Google account, it is vital that you restart your Android device.
• Step #4: Once your device has restarted or rebooted, return to Settings, followed by Account in order to add your Google account once again.

A rather large number of users have reported a trouble-free download and update experience after having accomplished the step above.

However, it may also be noted that for other users, they have had no trouble with their Google Play Store downloads, installations, or updates after having switched to a new or different Google account.

Solution #5: Reset your applications preferences.

If after attempting to rid yourself off error code 491 through the given steps above, the next thing that you can do is to reset the preferences on your applications. To do so, check out these easy clicks below.

• Step #1: Head on over to your settings, followed by App/Applications;
• Step #2: Locate and click on the three-dot icon where several options will appear. Select and click on Reset App Preferences.

By doing this, you will be resetting your preferences with your applications, but will not clear the data on your Android phone or device.

People Also ReadA Guide on How to Solve Error Code 920 on AndroidA Guide on How to Fix Google Play Error 927

Solution #6: Deleting your APN with Proxy/Port Set.

This section may be a little bit techier, but if you understand and are able to follow the simple steps above, then you will have no trouble with this step either. It might be a little less familiar, but the steps are just as easy and no more confusion.

The reason why this is even on this list in the first place is that by deleting your APN, you could actually help stop error code 491 on your Google Play Store.

• Step #1: Click on settings, followed by Network Connection, and then More Networks.
• Step #2: Select Mobile Networks and then click Access Point Names.
• Step #3: Once here, click on Access Points and check if they have a proxy/port set.
• Step #4: If the proxy/port is set, delete the APN.

Solution #7: Try downloading APK.

This solution is somewhat rather simple especially if you follow these easy steps. With any luck, this will be the last of the solutions you will need to accomplish in order to get your Android phone or tablet working normally again. Try it out and see for yourself how this might have been all you’ve needed to do since the beginning of the problem.

• Step #1: Go to your settings, and then click on the security button.
• Step #2: Go to the button of the Unknown source and click the switch that clicks it.

Once you have made this selection, you will now be able to download applications as well as games from sources other than that of the Google Play Store.

From here, you can easily download the Google Play Store APK from almost anywhere on the internet and finally, install the application on your Android phone or tablet.

Solution #8: Hitting the factory reset button on your Android device.

So you have now been through 7 different solution options and none of them have worked for you. You must be quite frustrated by now. Luckily, these steps are not too time-consuming and more than that, you have been able to weed out what the problems are not! Which is technically half the battle.

But now we prepare you to try our final solution from this list, which is really what we all would rather avoid, but considering the complication and hassle of having error code 491, we figured this final solution is definitely worth the trouble.

Here are the simple steps on how to conduct a factory reset on your Android phone or tablet. Please keep in mind that by doing this, you will be deleting all of your data as well as all of the settings you have programmed on your device.

Before following the steps listed below, you may want to take a moment to backup all of your data, or at least the important ones, that way you can put them back on your device after you have completed the factory reset process.

• Step #1: Backup your Android phone or tablet.
• Step #2: Go to settings, followed by clicking backup & reset.
• Step #3: Click on Factory data reset.

Once you have completed the process of factory resetting your device, get your device started up again and check if the error code 491 on Google Play Store is finally resolved. Good luck!

Part 4: Google Play Store Problems and 3 Simple Fixes to These Problems

Yes, it is true that the Google Play Store has not always satisfied their users with their services. It has occurred on an occasion or two, or three, that the Google Play Store has had its share of problems and as a result has listed an error code.

Luckily, most problems can be resolved by simply clearing your cache data, but sometimes the problem is a little bit more serious and simply clearing your cache is just not enough.

But there are solutions and we would like to list 3 basic solutions you can work on it in case you are experiencing problems with your Google Play Store. Here they are:

Solution #1: Stop the application, and clear your cache and data.

As it happens and operates, the Google Play Store is quite heavily dependent on what other processes are quietly functioning in the background.

So when a user needs to wipe the Google Play Store, it is also wise to do the same for your Google Services as well as Google Framework Services. As an added bonus, you may also opt to clear your data from the Download Manager.

Once this has been accomplished, restart your Android mobile phone or tablet and try to install a new application or update a previously downloaded application. A friendly reminder, you may have to enter your login information once again.

Here’s the step by step on how to accomplish this.

• Step #1: Go to settings followed by clicking the Apps button.
• Step #2: From within the apps selection, click the All tab found at the top of the page.
• Step #3: Select Google Play Services then click on Force Stop to cease the operation of the application.
• Step #4: After conducting the force stop command, click on Clear Cache and/or Clear Data.

Solution #2: Switch your connection to the internet from data to Wifi.

One of the most common problems of using the Google Play Store does not lie in Google at all. Sometimes, the problem you are experiencing has everything to do with your internet connection.

It may be informative to know and remember that an application will not install if the internet connection is not very good. Oftentimes, a poor internet connection is a result of using mobile data. So it is useful to note that you may want to switch to a secure Wifi connection that is more dependable than that of your mobile data.

Solution #3: Refreshing your Google Account.

This is definitely not our first option considering that by doing so, you are deleting your personal data as well as messages and other data, but it is definitely an option worth going for if you continue experiencing problems with your Android device.

Also, refreshing, removing and reinstalling are all relatively easy to achieve and logging in again is not really the worst thing.

To do this, follow the easy steps listed below.

• Step #1: Select the account that is experiencing the issues and/or problems. Note: if all your accounts are suffering from the same problem, you may want to remove all of the accounts.
• Step #2: Click on the three-dot menu option found on the top right of the screen followed by the Remove Account option.

At this point, you will need to restart your device followed by a trip back to the accounts menu in order to login your information once again.

Part 5: Conclusion

The error code 491 on the Google Play Store really is quite a headache and stops us dead in our tracks when we are most excited on our Android devices.

This inconvenience sure can bug the heck out of us, but on a positive note, it is great to know that there is something that we can do about it and that we are not completely stuck and unable to do anything about a situation so dire.

We hope that you are able to sort out your Android phone or tablet and that this article has helped you out of error code 491.