How to fix unfortunately settings has stopped error on Android phones

The Unfortunately, Settings has stopped error has been widely reported on various Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This error prevents users from syncing their contacts, app data, Gmail, calendar etc in the Google settings. The “Settings has stopped working” error may pop up immediately after entering your device settings >> Accounts >> Google. This means you may not even be able to access your Google settings, where you add or remove Gmail accounts.



There are many fixes or solutions to this Android settings bug. If you have flashed a custom ROM like cyanogenmod on your Android phone, the error can be fixed by simply re-flashing the ROM and Gapps package. If you are getting this error on a factory or stock Android operating system, here are the possible solutions:

Gallery app settings

This one is a weird workaround for users who cannot access Google settings due to this error. This fix has worked on many Galaxy smartphones like Galaxy S4, S5 and S6. Open your Gallery app, press menu (or the three dots on the top right) and then tap on your account. Now the Google account settings will open and you can sync your Google data or remove the account and add a new o ne.
Note: This fix may not work on non-Samsung devices like LG smartphones that have a different gallery app.

Clear device cache from storage

Go to settings >> Storage >>Tap menu >> select “Clear cache”
On some devices from storage >> tap “Cached data” >> tap on “Ok” to clear caches

Wipe cache partition

This solution may also work if you got the settings has stopped error right after installing a software update.

• Turn off your phone
• Press and hold the volume up, power and home buttons at the same time.
• Release once you reach the recovery screen
• Now use the volume button to highlight “wipe cache partition”
• (on some devices it may also be inside advanced options)
• Now press the power button to start the wiping process
• Restart system (device)

Note: The above button combination for recovery mode is for Samsung Galaxy devices, other devices may have different method)

Uninstalling Google Play Store update

• This is a common method used to fix many Google Play Store error codes. It may also be effective for fixing the settings has stopped error.
• Go to Settings >> Apps >> All
• Scroll down the list of apps and select “Google Play Store”
• (on some devices, you will need to press menu icon on top right and then select “show system apps”)
• Tap on “Uninstall updates”
• Optionally, repeat similar steps to uninstall updates of “Google Play Services”

Uninstall third party apps

If you started getting this error after installing some particular apps, then it’s time to uninstall all the third party apps that may be causing some system conflicts.

Re-flash the operating system

Most of the times, factory resetting is not going to resolve this error. If you know how to do it, simply download your stock operating system and then install/flash it via recovery. If your phone is still under warranty, you can take it to the service center and they will reflash a bug free operating system so that your phone will no longer get the “Unfortunately, settings has stopped error”.
If you persistently get this error after trying all the above methods, all you can do is wait for the device manufacturer or carrier to release an update to fix this bug. If the wait is too long, I suggest flashing a compatible custom ROM. Custom ROMs these days are almost as capable and reliable as stock operating systems, so you can expect a satisfying performance from a stable custom ROM.