How to Fix Google Search Not Working in Chrome, Android & iPhone

TL;DR
This article provides a complete troubleshooting guide for when Google Search Not Working occurs on various devices. It details the most common reasons for this error, from simple internet connection problems to corrupted cache or problematic extensions. The guide offers step-by-step instructions on how to fix google search for users on desktop Chrome, Android, and iPhone. It covers basic ways to fix google search not working, such as clearing the cache and restarting the device, as well as more advanced troubleshooting google search issues like checking DNS settings or for malware. These solutions are designed to help users quickly diagnose and resolve the problem.

It is one of the most frustrating modern problems: you type a query, hit enter, and… nothing. The “Google Search Not Working” error can bring your workflow or browsing to a complete halt. Whether you are on a desktop or your phone, this issue is a major roadblock. This guide will walk you through the essential steps on how to fix google search and get you back online.

Why is “Google Search Not Working”?

Before we dive into the fixes, it helps to know what is causing the problem. When you find Google Search Not Working, it is almost always one of these culprits:

• Internet Connection Issues: The simplest answer. Your Wi-Fi or cellular data may be down or unstable.
• Corrupted Cache or Cookies: The temporary files your browser or app saves to speed things up can become corrupted, leading to failures.
• Problematic Extensions: A browser extension (especially ad blockers or security tools) may be incorrectly blocking Google’s services.
• App or Browser is Outdated: An old version of your app or browser may have a bug or incompatibility.
• Google-Side Issues: In very rare cases, Google’s servers may be down. You can check this by visiting a site like Downdetector.
• Device-Level Issues: Malware, incorrect date/time settings, or VPN/Firewall settings can all interfere with the connection.

How to Fix “Google Search Not Working” in Chrome (Desktop)

For most desktop users, Chrome is the gateway to Google. When it breaks, here is how to fix google search.

Step 1: The Obvious Check (Your Connection)

This may seem too simple, but it is the most common fix.

1. Try visiting another website, like Bing or a news site.
2. If that site also fails to load, your internet is the problem.
3. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
4. If you are on Wi-Fi, try plugging in with an Ethernet cable to see if your Wi-Fi is the issue.

Step 2: Clear Your Cache, Cookies, and Site Data

Corrupted data is the next most likely cause. This is one of the most effective ways to fix google search not working.

1. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Go to More tools > Clear browsing data.
3. A box will pop up. In the “Time range” dropdown, select “All time.”
4. Check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
5. Click “Clear data.”
6. Restart Chrome and try your search again.

Step 3: Disable Your Browser Extensions

A faulty or over-aggressive extension can block Google’s services.

1. In the Chrome menu, go to Extensions > Manage Extensions.
2. A new tab will open with all your extensions.
3. Disable all of them using the toggle switch on each one.
4. Restart Chrome and try to search.
5. If Google Search works, you know an extension was the problem.
6. Re-enable your extensions one by one, testing a search after each one, until you find the culprit. Then, remove that extension.

Step 4: Reset Chrome Settings to Default

If all else fails, you can reset Chrome to its factory settings. This will not delete your bookmarks or passwords, but it will disable all extensions and reset your startup page and other settings.

1. Go to the Chrome menu > Settings.
2. On the left-hand side, click Reset settings.
3. Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.

How to Fix “Google Search Not Working” on Android

When the search bar widget on your Android home screen fails, it can be just as frustrating. Here are the ways to fix google search not working on your phone.

Step 1: Restart Your Device

Hold the power button and tap “Restart.” This fixes a surprising number of troubleshooting google search issues by clearing temporary system files.

Step 2: Check Your Connection

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen.
2. Turn off Wi-Fi and see if the search works on cellular data.
3. If it fails, turn off cellular data and turn on Wi-Fi, connecting to a trusted network.
4. If neither works, toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces your phone to re-establish its connection to the network.

Step 3: Clear the Google App’s Cache

This is the most common fix for the “Google Search Not Working” problem on Android.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
2. Find and tap on the “Google” app (the one with the ‘G’ logo).
3. Tap on Storage & cache.
4. Tap Clear cache. Do not tap “Clear storage” yet, as this will reset all your settings.
5. Restart the Google app and try searching.

Step 4: Update the Google App and Android OS

1. Go to the “Google Play Store.”
2. Tap your profile icon and select Manage apps & device.
3. See if an update is available for the “Google” app.
4. Separately, go to Settings > System > System update to check for any pending Android OS updates.

How to Fix “Google Search Not Working” on iPhone

Whether you use the Google app or just Safari, here are the ways to fix google search not working on an iPhone.

Step 1: Hard Restart Your iPhone

A simple “turn it off and on again” is a powerful troubleshooting step.

• For iPhone X or newer: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
• For older iPhones: Press and hold the Home button and the side/top button at the same time until the Apple logo appears.

Step 2: Check Your Wi-Fi and Cellular Connection

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn it off. Try your search using only cellular data.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular and turn it off. Connect to a trusted Wi-Fi network and try again.
3. If it is still not working, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, but it often fixes deep-seated connection issues.

Step 3: Clear Safari Cache (If You Use Safari)

1. Go to Settings > Safari.
2. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data.
3. Confirm to clear the data. This will log you out of websites.

Step 4: Reinstall or Update the Google App (If You Use the App)

1. Press and hold the Google app icon.
2. Tap Remove App > Delete App.
3. Go to the App Store and reinstall it.
4. Also, check Settings > General > Software Update to ensure your iOS is up-to-date.

Advanced “Troubleshooting Google Search Issues”

If your search is still not working after trying all the above, you may have a deeper, more complex problem. These are some advanced troubleshooting google search issues.

Check Your Date and Time Settings

This sounds strange, but if your device’s date and time are incorrect, it will fail to connect to Google’s secure servers (HTTPS). Go to your device’s Settings > General or System and ensure “Set Automatically” is turned on.

Check for Malware or VPN/Firewall Issues

On a desktop, run a malware scan with a trusted antivirus program. Malware can reroute your search traffic. Also, if you are using a VPN or a strict firewall (especially a corporate one), try disabling it. It may be blocking Google’s services. This is a common source of troubleshooting google search issues.

Conclusion

A Google Search Not Working error is disruptive, but as this guide shows, it is almost always fixable. For a user, this is a temporary frustration. But for a business, having your own site “not working” on Google is a critical problem that costs you money. At Wildnet Marketing Agency, our expertise is ensuring your website is perfectly healthy, visible, and optimized to be found. We handle the complex troubleshooting google search issues from a business side so your customers never have a problem finding you. Are you ready to ensure your business is always the answer Google can find?

FAQs

Q.1 Why does my Google search just show a blank white page?

Ans. This is a very common sign of a corrupted browser cache or a problematic extension (like an ad blocker) interfering with the page’s scripts. Follow the steps for clearing your cache and disabling extensions.

Q.2 How do I know if Google itself is down?

Ans. It is extremely rare, but possible. The easiest way to check is to visit a third-party “downdetector” website. If they report a massive spike in outages for Google, the problem is not on your end.

Q.3 Why is “Google Search Not Working” on my Wi-Fi but works on cellular?

Ans. This points to a problem with your local network. Your Wi-Fi router may be blocking Google’s services, or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be having a temporary issue. Restart your router.

Q.4 Does my VPN cause Google search issues?

Ans. Yes. A VPN routes your traffic through a different server. If that server is slow, overloaded, or in a different country, Google may show you a “Captcha” to prove you are not a bot, or the search may fail entirely.

Q.5 What are the most common ways of troubleshooting google search issues?

Ans. The three most common fixes are: 1. Checking your internet connection. 2. Restarting your device. 3. Clearing your browser or app cache. These three steps solve the vast majority of problems.

Q.6 Can a virus stop Google Search from working?

Ans. Yes. Certain types of “browser hijacker” malware are specifically designed to intercept your Google searches and redirect you to spammy or malicious websites, making it seem like Google Search Not Working.

Q.7 The search bar widget on my Android is not responding at all. How do I fix it?

Ans. This is usually a problem with the Google app itself. The best fix is to clear the Google app’s cache (as described in the guide). If that fails, try removing the widget, restarting your phone, and then re-adding the widget to your home screen.