How to Fix System UI Has Stopped Working On Android

One of the most frustrating errors that Android users encounter is the “System UI Has Stopped Working” warning. This error can crash the app you're using and render your phone unusable for a few minutes. While experiencing this error occasionally is normal, if you're facing frequent issues with Android's system UI, resulting in crashes and disruptions, here are some steps you can take to fix the problem.

Fix System UI Stopped Working

First and foremost, try restarting your Android device. This simple step often resolves the issue. However, if the problem persists, you can try the following solutions.

1. Clear Cache

System UI is a system app on Android, and clearing its cache is the first step to take when encountering issues. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone and select “Apps” or “Apps and Notifications.”
2. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top right and select “Show system” or “Show system apps.”
3. Use the search option to find the “System UI” app.
4. Open “System UI” and select the “Storage and Cache” option.
5. Tap on “Clear cache” to clean the cache of the System UI app.

If the problem persists, you can also try clearing the cache for Google Play Services and the Google app using the same process. These apps can also contribute to system UI issues on Android.

2. Update Apps

Using outdated apps can often cause problems. Ensure that all your apps, especially Google, Google Play Services, and the Play Store, are running the latest versions. Here's how you can update them:

1. Open the Play Store and tap on the profile icon at the top right corner.
2. Select “Manage apps and devices.”
3. Check if there are any updates available for your apps and tap on “Update all” to update them.
4. You can also search for the Google app and ensure it is on the latest version.

Updating Google Play Services requires a different process:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Select “Apps” or “Apps and Notifications.”
3. Search for the “Google Play services” app and open it.
4. Tap on “Advanced” and then select “App details.”
5. This will open the Play Services page on the Play Store, where you can update the app if updates are available.

To update the Play Store:

1. Open the Play Store and tap on the profile icon at the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. In the Play Store Settings, open “About” and tap on the “Update Play Store” option.

3. Uninstall Updates

If the apps are already up to date, the problem may lie with the latest version, which could have introduced bugs. To resolve this, try uninstalling the updates for Google Play Services and the Google app:

1. Go to Settings > Apps or Apps and Notifications.
2. Search for “Google Play Services” and open it.
3. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top right corner and select “Uninstall updates” to revert to the previous version while keeping the app installed.
4. Follow the same steps to uninstall updates for the Google app.

4. Remove Widgets

Widgets placed on the home screen can sometimes cause system UI errors. If any of the apps associated with these widgets have issues, they can crash the entire home screen and the UI. Try removing the widgets one by one to identify if a specific widget is causing the problem.

To remove a widget, long-press on it and drag it to the “Remove” or “Dustbin” option at the top or bottom of the screen. Note that the steps may vary slightly depending on your phone's make and model.

5. Free Up Some Storage Space

Lack of storage space can also lead to app crashes and errors. Try deleting unnecessary files to free up storage. You can use the Files by Google app, which helps you identify and delete large files, screenshots, and other unnecessary data easily.

6. Reboot to Safe Mode

Boot your device into safe mode to disable third-party apps and drivers running in the background. This allows you to identify if any third-party app is causing the problem. Keep in mind that booting into safe mode may remove some widgets from your home screen, which you'll need to re-add later.

To reboot into safe mode:

1. Press and hold the power button until you see the Power menu.
2. Long-press on “Restart” or “Power off.”
3. Tap on “OK” to reboot the device into safe mode.

Reboot your device normally to exit safe mode. If the problem persists even in safe mode, it may be an operating system issue. Consider updating the OS if an update is available.

7. Uninstall Third-Party Apps

If the problem is resolved in safe mode, it's likely that third-party apps are causing the system UI to malfunction. Uninstall recently installed or updated apps to see if the problem is resolved. If not, continue to identify other apps that may be causing the issue. Keep in mind that this process may take some time, and you may lose data, so proceed with caution.

You can reinstall the app if needed, either with the previous version or the same version, and check if the problem persists. Sometimes, reinstalling can also help resolve the issue.

8. Update Android Version

If the problem persists even in safe mode, it suggests an issue at the operating system level. If available, updating to the latest Android version can help resolve the problem.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Search for “System Updates” and open it.
3. Download and install any available Android updates.

9. Reset the Device

If none of the above solutions work, you may have no choice but to reset your device. Keep in mind that this will erase all installed apps and saved data, so proceed with caution.

1. Open the Settings app and search for “Factory reset.”
2. Open it and tap on “Erase all data” to perform a factory reset.

System UI Reboots

If a simple restart doesn't resolve the system UI issue, clearing the system UI or waiting for app or OS updates may help. If none of the methods work, resetting the device may be your last resort, although it comes at the cost of losing your data.

For more information on fixing common Android bugs, such as message notification issues or connectivity problems, check out our other articles.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Follow these steps at your own risk.