Unfortunately, Settings Has Stopped? Try these Fixes

If your Android phone is displaying the error Unfortunately, Settings has stopped, you probably can’t use certain services and features.

Fortunately, this should be easy to fix providing you know what to look for. This guide walks you through several troubleshooting steps you can try.

What is the “Unfortunately, Settings Has Stopped” Error? 

Well, as the name suggests, this is an Android settings app-related problem where the app just stops working or crashes when you launch it. 

The app crashes occasionally but in some cases, users completely lose access to the Settings app. Whenever the app gets launched, it crashes instantly. 

So, you need to fix this problem before it’s too late. Otherwise, it may lead to even bigger issues like Android not booting properly, firmware crashes, crashing apps, and more.   

Troubleshooting the “Unfortunately, Settings Has Stopped” Error on Android 

Here are all the tips that will help you get rid of the Unfortunately, Settings has stopped Error.

1. Android Reboot 
2. Force Stop Settings App
3. Close Unused Applications
4. Clear Settings App Cache
5. Clear Google Play Services Cache 
6. Update Google Play Services
7. Update Android OS
8. Factory Reset

1. Android Reboot

The easiest fix for, unfortunately, Settings has stopped on Android is to restart the device. It is simple, but effective nonetheless.

So, just hold the Power button and wait for the Power Menu to appear. Then, just tap on the Restart button.  

2. Force Stop Settings App

If restarting the device didn’t work, then you should restart the Settings app to resolve the issue. 

Now, if you want to restart the app, you need to close it properly, first. So, just force close the Settings application and after that, you can launch it again. Here are the steps. 

1. Launch the Settings app and tap on Apps. 
2. Search and locate the Settings app and tap on it.
3. On the following page, tap on the Force Stop button below. 

After force-stopping the settings app, you can restart the Android device. After the device starts again, launch the Settings app again. 

3. Close Unused Applications 

One of the biggest reasons for the Settings app crash is the unavailability of sufficient RAM. A certain amount of RAM is necessary for applications to function properly. 

So, if you have too many apps open on your mobile, there might not be enough RAM left for the Settings app. 

In this situation, you need to check how many apps are open in the background and close them all if possible.

Doing this will free up enough RAM to launch and operate the Settings app properly, effectively stopping the crash. 

4. Clear Settings App Cache

Another big reason for getting, unfortunately, Settings has stopped on Android is cache files. Similar to other applications, Settings also creates cache files whenever it is launched.  

If you have neglected to clear the cache files from time to time, too many cache files may have piled up and caused the crash. 

We also suspect the possibility of some of the cache files being corrupted, which can also cause similar problems. Whatever the case is, clearing the Settings app cache files will resolve it. 

1. Launch the Settings app and tap on Apps. 
2. Search and locate the Settings app and tap on it.
3. On the following page, select the Storage option. 
4. Tap on the Clear Cache option.

If the crash was caused due to the presence of the cache files, removing them should fix the issue.  

5. Clear Google Play Services Cache 

If the Settings app is still crashing on your Android mobile, clear the Google Play Services cache file. 

The Google Play Services is an integral part of the Android system. If it is not performing optimally, in this case, due to piled-up or corrupted cache files. Removing them will fix the Play Services along with the settings app.  

Simply, navigate to the Settings and locate the Google Play Services, and tap on the Clear Cache button. 

6. Update Google Play Services 

If clearing the cache files for the Google Play Services didn’t work, you can update the app if the app hasn’t been updated in a while.   

An outdated Google Play Services is buggy and known to cause several problems like when Google Play Services keeps stopping. So, updating the app may resolve the problem. 

1. Launch the Settings app and tap on Apps.
2. Search and locate the Google Play Services and tap on it. 
3. On the App Info page, scroll down and tap on the App Details in Store option. 

Now, if you see the Update option on Google Play, tap on it to update the app.

If you see the uninstall button, then you are using the latest version of the Google Play Services. In that case, tap on the Uninstall button to remove the service from your mobile. Then, reboot the device and install it again from the Google Play Store.

7. Update Android OS 

An outdated operating system is full of glitches and it also creates a lot of issues as a result. So, when you are getting, Unfortunately, Settings has stopped on your mobile, you need to update the Android OS if none of the previous methods have worked. 

Simply, tap on the Download and Install option under Software Update. Android will start to locate the latest update, if there’s an update available, an Install option will be prompted. Tap on it. 

8. Factory Reset 

The final and the most effective solution for this issue is Factory Data Reset. Still, this method is no one’s first recommendation as it comes with a hassle. 

Performing a factory reset means, all the files from your device will be erased along with all the custom settings. So make sure to back up your Android phone before moving forward with this step.

But if you haven’t solved the issue yet, you have no other option but to reset the device. So, we recommend backing up important files. 

Now, you can do the regular factory reset method. It involves tapping on the Reset option under General Management. Under reset, you will find the Factory Data Reset option. 

But you can also reset the device from the Android Recovery Mode. If the Settings app is crashing as soon as you are launching it, you will have no other options. 

You need to connect your smartphone to your computer or laptop via a USB cable. After that, hold the Power Button and the Volume Up button to enter Recovery Mode.   

In the Recovery Mode, use the volume buttons to navigate. Select the Factory Data Reset option and then hit the Power button to execute. 

Wrapping It Up 

It’s frustrating when your Android phone is displaying the Unfortunately, Settings has stopped error message.

Hopefully, the troubleshooting tips in this guide were useful in helping you get rid of this annoying message.

Let us know if this helped fix this problem. If you found success doing something else, leave me a comment down below!