How to fix Google Play Store error -501

The Google Play Store is the gateway to every Android app you'll need for your device. Even though the store is regularly updated and usually a flawless experience, it can occasionally present you with some random errors. While multiple errors can occur, Google Play Store Error -501 is one that persistently crops up and continues to cause Android users frustration with how to fix it.Don't Miss: How to Get Google Play Store on Amazon Fire TabletGoogle Play Store Error -501 will prevent any app from downloading, installing, or updating. Specifically, the error reads “[App Name] cannot be installed. Try again, and if the problem continues, get help troubleshooting (Error code: -501)”. In some cases, Google Play Services may report a 501 error when updating the app through the Play Store if you are running a custom ROM. Here are some of the methods you'll need to try to fix error -501.

Three possible solutions

1. Clear Google Play data and cache

As simple as it sounds, clearing the Play Store app's data/cache has been known to solve many of the problems experienced with the Play Store. Android will store temporary files in its cache, and sometimes these files can get corrupted and prevent further operations in the store. Follow these steps to clear the cache.

• Go to Settings > Apps
• Find the Google Play Store
• Tap on the app, and clear Cache and Data
• Force Stop the application
• Repeat the previous two steps for Google Services Framework and then Google Play Services
• Restart your device

2. Download apps one at a time

One of the most common occurrences of the Google Play Store error -501 is following a factory reset on your Android device. When restoring an Android device, you have the option to reinstall all the previous apps you had on your device before the reset. The Play Store will try and download these apps all at once and this can cause the error. Canceling the simultaneous downloads and installing one app at a time will solve the error in this case.

3. Uninstall the app causing the issue

If the above two fixes do not resolve the issue, chances are the app that is reporting the error is corrupt. Head into Settings > Apps and look through the list of apps to find the one reporting the error. Tap on the app and uninstall it. Once you've restarted your device you can go ahead and reinstall the app. Hopefully, the error should have disappeared.Google Play Store errors can be incredibly frustrating, but they exist for a reason, even if it may not always be apparent what that reason is. Following the methods listed above should see you on your way to resolving at least one Google Play Store error.

SOURCES: GOOGLE PLAY HELP, LINKEDIN, APPUALS