Understanding and debugging the Google Search app 'Something went wrong' error

Update (May 06, 2024)

12:40 pm (IST): The Google Search team has identified the problem and is working on a fix that might take a few weeks or more to roll out.

We have identified the issue and are working on a fix, which might take a few weeks or more to be implemented. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Original article (May 2) follows:

A concerning glitch has been plaguing Google Pixel users for sometime and disrupting their search experience through the convenient Google Search bar at the bottom of the home screen. This issue manifests in a couple of distinct ways, causing frustration and inconvenience.

In some instances, attempting a search through the Google bar results in a blank screen. While the search query and Google logo appear as intended, the search results fail to load, leaving users staring at an empty void. This unexpected behavior can be quite frustrating, especially when it occurs frequently. Here’s how one user describes their encounter with this Google search glitch on a Pixel 7a:

I’ve been experiencing a weird bug recently. Starting a couple weeks ago, when I go to search something in the Google app via the search bar on the bottom of the home screen, the first time doesn’t load anything, it just sits on a blank screen with my search and the Google logo on top. But then if I tap on my search query and hit enter again, it loads. It seems to be an issue with the Google search app. I’ve tried clearing the cache and app data and that worked for about a day but now it’s doing it again.

Alternatively, Google Search users may be greeted with an error message stating ‘Something went wrong’ instead of their intended search results. While tapping “Try again” rectifies the issue, it’s a persistent annoyance that requires this extra step after every search. This disrupts the natural flow of using the search bar and can be a significant inconvenience, particularly for users who rely heavily on Google search throughout the day. Below is how a Pixel 8 user describes this issue:

Every time I open Google to search something I get a message that says “Something went wrong” it happens whenever I open Google. After that happens I press “Try again” and it works perfectly. There is no major problem it is just annoying and a inconvenience that I have to press try again after every search. I have tried contacting Google about it and I have sent in feedback but I never get a response. I’ve also tried updating my phone but that did not fix it. I am using a Google Pixel 8. The problem has been going on for about a month now.

The presence of this glitch has understandably led to frustration among Google Pixel users. Online forums serve as a platform for users to share their experiences and seek solutions. Multiple threads in the Google support forums and on Reddit highlight the widespread nature of the problem and the inconvenience it causes.

Despite user reports spanning months, Google has yet to officially acknowledge this widespread issue. While some users have received the generic advice of clearing the Google app cache, this fix proves temporary, with the problem resurfacing shortly after. Even drastic measures like factory resets haven’t provided a permanent solution for everyone. This lack of official acknowledgment and a definitive solution leave Google Search users experiencing the ‘something went wrong’ error in a state of uncertainty and frustration.

Up to now, no one knows what’s causing this issue. Some have just started experiencing it. Others have had it for weeks, while others noticed it months ago. This makes it hard to pinpoint the source. However, it is interesting to note that so far, it seems to only affect Pixel devices. And while a permanent solution remains elusive, some users have reported success with the following workarounds:

Switching to a non-Gmail account within the Google search app seems to resolve the issue for some, suggesting a potential link between the glitch and Google accounts. This workaround might not be ideal for everyone, as some users may prefer to stick with their primary Gmail account.

A few users have mentioned that updating their devices’ Google Play system resolved the problem. However, this isn’t a universal solution, as others report the issue persisting even with the latest April update. This inconsistency makes it difficult to definitively recommend this approach as a guaranteed fix, but there’s no harm in trying.

As suggested by Google support, restart the Google app before attempting to restart your device. If none of these works, try updating the Google app to the latest version. Alternatively, clearing the Google app cache and/or data can offer temporary relief. However, the issue tends to return after a while. This temporary solution requires users to repeat the process frequently, adding another layer of inconvenience.

Important note:

It’s crucial to mention that during my testing on multiple Pixel and non-Pixel devices, I could not reproduce the specific ‘Something went wrong’ error with Google search. This suggests the issue might be affecting a specific subset of users or configurations. While the exact cause remains unknown, this observation helps narrow down the scope of the problem.

The lack of official acknowledgment and a permanent solution from Google leaves Pixel users in a state of uncertainty. The inconsistency in workarounds and the randomness of the glitch’s occurrence make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause and predict when a fix might be available. Until Google comprehensively addresses this search issue, affected Pixel users might have to resort to the temporary workarounds mentioned above while hoping for a permanent solution in the future. The longer this issue persists, the more frustration and inconvenience it will cause Pixel users who rely heavily on the smooth functionality of Google Search.