Android comes packed with several widgets that allow users to perform basic tasks like checking emails, weather updates, messaging friends, etc. But what if your widgets aren’t working anymore or disappear altogether?
What do you do when the widgets on your Android device become dysfunctional?
Do you have to uninstall them and find new ones? Or are there any tricks that can fix your widgets?
Before we answer all of these questions, let’s first take a look at what Widgets actually are.
What are Android Widgets?
Android widgets are shortcuts to the functions of an application or utility on your device.
For example, you can set the messaging app’s widget on your home screen to send quick messages without opening the app itself.
With Android widgets, you can conveniently check real-time updates of apps like Facebook, Gmail, YouTube and more without actually opening them.
Widgets are very helpful, but sometimes they tend to stop working.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can fix your widgets if ever they become dysfunctional or get deleted by mistake.
Android Widgets Not Working – Top 5 Ways To Fix Your Broken Widgets
Well, today, we’re here with some easy tricks that can fix any problem with your widgets. Here’s all you need to know:
#1 Restart Your Device
This is the easiest solution and also the most effective one. Sometimes, when our devices become sluggish and unresponsive, we tend to force close or kill an app to make it work again. Still, in doing so, we often end up closing important apps that help us perform different functions on our devices. So when your widgets stop working, just restart your phone, and they will work like new again.
#2 Clear App Data for Widgets
If restarting your device doesn’t do anything to fix your broken widgets, then try this next method which focuses on clearing all data from a problematic widget. For this method, you’ll have to go into the application manager.
Step 1) First, go to ‘Settings’ and then select ‘Apps’.
Step 2) Under the ‘DOWNLOADED’ tab, you’ll see all your downloaded apps listed. Now just locate the widget that isn’t working properly and click it.
Step 3) Next, click on the ‘Clear Data’ option which will clear all data from your widget, like recent or other modifications you make while using it. Once you’re done clearing the data for one widget, don’t forget to do this for all other widgets as well. Just repeat these steps for each problematic widget until they start working again properly.
#3 Widgets not working? Reset Widget Preferences to default
For resetting widget preferences, you’ll have to go through a slightly longer process, but it’s worth it if all else fails.
Step 1) In the apps menu, locate your widget that’s not working properly and long press on it to select it. Then from the options that appear, click ‘Reset app preferences.
Step 2) Now go back to a level in the apps list, and this time tap on ‘Storage’.
Step 3) Under ‘Storage’ tap on ‘Clear storage’.
Step 4) After you’ve done the above-mentioned steps, your widget preferences will reset.
Now, this method might seem a little complicated, but it’s worth trying if nothing else works for you. Sometimes having all widgets set to their default state will also fix any problems they are facing.
#4 Move all the app data into phone memory instead of SD Card
If your widgets are lagging or become unresponsive, you might want to try moving all the app data into your phone memory instead of SD Card.
Step 1) Go to ‘Settings’ and then select ‘Apps’.
On some Samsung phones, you may see Applications or Application manager instead of Apps.
Step 2) Choose the app that isn’t showing up in widgets.
Step 3) Click on the Storage option
Step 4) Now tap on Change
Step 5) Switch your selection from SD Card to Phone.
#5 Clear the Home Screen data
Sometimes, widgets start acting up because home screen data gets corrupted. You have to delete the home screen data to fix this problem. If you are wondering how to reset your home screen layout, clear all the data and delete all the app icons at once, follow these steps:
Step 1) Go to the ‘Settings’ option
Step 2) Go to Apps
Step 3) Search for an app called HomeLayout
Step 3) Go to the Home Layout’s storage options
Step 4) Clear All the data
Step 6) Once you’re done clearing the home screen data, default widgets should normally start working on your device. You can also add the widgets again if you want.
Final Thoughts
So, these are the 5 easy tricks that will help you fix any problems with your widgets. These tips and tricks should come in handy if widgets stop working for you. If our suggestions don’t work, we know it’s time to move on to a more advanced troubleshooting method that includes wiping the cache partition and factory reset devices.
Now that we have come to the end of this article, you better understand what widgets are and how to troubleshoot their problems. Sometimes widgets don’t work due to conflicting security policies or other software issues that can be fixed with these simple tips and tricks. Good luck!
