How to Fix Google Play Store Error 941
What error 941 means
Error 941 shows up when you’re updating an app from the Google Play Store and the update gets interrupted partway through. You’ll see a message that the app could not be updated due to error 941, and no amount of tapping Update makes it move forward — the store is stuck trying to resume a download session that no longer exists on Google’s servers.
Think of it like a paused video that lost its place: the Play Store remembers that it was downloading the new version, but the partial file is gone or unusable, so every retry collides with the same broken state. This typically happens when an update is interrupted by a lost connection, a phone restart, or the phone running out of space mid-download.
Because the problem is a single stuck download session rather than deep system corruption, clearing the failed session’s data almost always lets the update start fresh and complete on the next attempt.
Common causes
- Interrupted update download: a lost connection or a restart in the middle of an app update leaves a dead session behind.
- Stuck download session: the Play Store’s download manager keeps trying to resume a session that can’t continue.
- Corrupted Play Store cache: bad temporary data around the update state confuses the store.
- Low storage mid-update: update files couldn’t be fully written because space ran out.
- Background data restrictions: the system killed the download to save mobile data or battery.
How to fix error 941 — step by step
Work through these fixes in order. Error 941 is one of the quickest Play Store errors to clear.
- Clear the Play Store’s cache and data. Open Settings, then go to Apps > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache. Tap Clear cache first, then Clear storage (or Clear data). This wipes the stuck update session. Reopen the Play Store — it rebuilds clean temporary data — and try the update again.
- Cancel stuck downloads. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then go to Manage apps & device > Manage and cancel anything pending or stuck. Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Download Manager > Storage & cache and tap Clear cache (use Clear storage too if downloads still won’t clear).
- Restart your phone. Press and hold the Power button, then tap Restart. A restart clears the download manager’s in-memory state, which is often all that’s needed after the cache clear. Once the phone is back up, open the Play Store and retry the update.
- Free up storage space. Go to Settings > Storage and make sure you have at least 1 GB free — updates need working room beyond the app’s size. Delete apps you don’t use, clear large caches (Settings > Apps > pick heavy apps > Storage & cache > Clear cache), or move photos and videos to cloud backup.
- Update over a stable connection with background data allowed. Connect to reliable Wi-Fi and turn off Data Saver (Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver). Then allow the Play Store to work in the background: Settings > Apps > See all apps > Google Play Store > Mobile data & Wi-Fi, and enable Background data and Unrestricted data usage. Retry the update.
Did this fix it? Quick checklist
- The interrupted app updates to the latest version
- No pending or stuck downloads remain in the Play Store queue
- At least 1 GB of free storage shows in Settings
- New updates download without the 941 message
If the same app keeps throwing 941, uninstall it completely and reinstall it fresh from the Play Store — your cloud-synced data comes back after you sign in. If every app throws 941, clear the Google Play Services cache as well (Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage & cache > Clear cache).
Frequently asked questions
What does error 941 mean?
It means an app update was interrupted and the Play Store can’t resume the dead download session. The store keeps retrying a download that no longer exists on Google’s servers, so the update never progresses.
Will I lose the app’s data if I uninstall and reinstall it?
Data stored in your Google account or the app’s own cloud sync comes back after you sign in again. Local-only data — like offline downloads or unsynced files — may be lost, so check the app’s backup or sync settings first.
Why does error 941 keep happening on mobile data?
Data Saver or background-data restrictions may be killing the download mid-transfer. Allow background data for the Play Store (Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Mobile data & Wi-Fi) and retry on Wi-Fi for the most reliable result.