Android Setup Keeps Stopping? How To Fix [Explained]

Are you having difficulty setting up your Android or experiencing issues with the Android Setup app?

Android Setup is a system app that takes care of the initial setup of your device.

It may also be responsible for future software updates, like updates to the Android version your device is using.

Sometimes, though, when setting up your device, the Android setup app might keep crashing.

Alternatively, you may get an error message saying that the Android Setup app stopped working. This usually happens when it’s trying to perform software updates but is unable to, for whatever reason.

This guide will show you how to fix issues related to the Android Setup app.

The short version: Try restarting your phone first. If that doesn’t work, clear the cache or force stop the app. Finally, try factory resetting your device.

For more details and fixes, read on!

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How To Fix If Your Android Setup Keeps Stopping?

Restart Your Device

Photo by Lisa Fotios, Pexels

The first fix is simply restarting your Android device. A lot of times when it comes to software issues, whether on Android or another platform like Windows, rebooting your device is all you need to fix the issue.

That’s because processes and apps can get clogged in the RAM (random access memory), and all kinds of things can go wrong.

Rebooting your device refreshes the RAM and the system memory registers. It also closes a lot of background processes that might be interfering with the smooth operation of your device.

Even when it comes to the initial setup, there could be things going on that disrupted the way the device was supposed to work. Rebooting it can help it return to the state it was supposed to be in.

To restart your Android device, long-press on the side power button. Depending on the manufacturer and particular model of your device, you may also have to hold down one of the volume buttons.

This could be either the increase volume or decrease volume button, and you would have to long-press it simultaneously with the power button.

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Also, when you do so, your device may give you a few options, such as a restart option or a shutdown option. It may require you to slide a slider in one direction or simply press on one of those options.

It does vary slightly from one Android device to another, but overall, the process is pretty similar.

Another option is simply removing the battery. Removing the battery will instantly shut down the device.

Pxyaeq, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Then, replace the battery and turn the phone on again.

This is more common on older Android devices, which used to come with a removable back cover and battery.

Nowadays, most modern Android devices come with a soldered-in battery that can’t be easily changed without going to a repair shop. If you have that kind of Android, do not attempt to open the back cover, as you will simply ruin your device.

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Clear Cache and Data

Another option that will not require you to shut off your device is clearing the cache or data storage of the Android Setup app.

Again, this is a solution that often works for all kinds of apps not working properly, not just the Android Setup app. The cache is where the device stores information about the app.

For example, Instagram’s cache may include some of the most recent posts on your feed. That’s why you may see those posts when opening Instagram, even when you don’t have a data connection.

Those posts are simply loaded from the cached memory, but no new posts can be shown until your data connection is restored.

If the cache memory is corrupted, clearing it could fix the app.

Another option is clearing all saved data from the app. Going back to our example of Instagram, clearing all data will remove not only the stored memory cache but any data stored about Instagram, including your username, password, etc.

That means that when using Instagram after clearing all data, you will have to start afresh, entering your username and password again.

The same applies to the System Setup app. It will reset the app.

So, here’s how to clear the cache or data from the Android Setup app:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Scroll down and click on Apps.
3. Click on App Management. Depending on your device, this might show up as Manage Apps or Apps.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and click on Show System. This may show up as Show System Apps.
5. Search for Android Setup in the search bar and click on it.
6. Click on Storage Usage or Storage.
7. There, you will see options to Clear Data or Clear Cache.
8. First, try Clear Cache. If that doesn’t work, repeat the process, but click on Clear Data.

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Force Stop/Disable System Setup

Another option is force stopping the app or disabling it altogether.

Force stopping an app forcefully stops it from operating in the background. The idea here is to force it out of the RAM and require it to start afresh next time you open it.

This fixes a lot of common issues for Android apps. If an app is lagging, force stopping it will often fix it, without even needing to clear its data.

The second option is disabling it altogether. Disabling an app doesn’t uninstall it, but it does remove it from the list of apps on your home screen, and you can no longer use it until you enable it again.

It’s not usually recommended to disable system apps (apps that come installed on your device). That’s because they are sometimes essential to the smooth operation of your mobile device.

However, if your phone gives you the option of disabling a system app, it typically means that doing so will NOT break your device. If it did, there would be no option to disable it, or the option would be grayed out.

Disabling the Android Setup app is only recommended if it keeps giving you annoying pop ups and notification errors. In that case, disabling it will fix the issue, as it won’t be able to give you any more notifications.

To do that, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Scroll down and click on Apps.
3. Click on App Management. Depending on your device, this might show up as Manage Apps or Apps.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and click on Show System. This may show up as Show System Apps.
5. Search for Android Setup in the search bar and click on it.
6. You should see two options towards the top: Force Stop and Disable.
7. Click on either one of them.

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Factory Reset

Finally, as a last resort, you can factory reset your phone. This is best when all other options have been exhausted, and nothing else works.

Factory resetting your phone restores it to its original state. Any software issues that may have caused the Android Setup problems will most likely be erased.

Note that if there are hardware issues that came with your device, a factory reset won’t help. If your device arrived faulty, you should return it as per your warranty.

However, before factory resetting your device entirely, I recommend trying to reset the default settings.

Also, before you decide to factory reset your device, make sure that you have backed it up (if there is any sensitive data that you will want to restore to your phone after resetting it).

Here is how to reset your device:

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Scroll down until you see System Settings. It should be towards the bottom. Click on it.
3. Scroll down until you see Backup and Reset or something similar. Again, it should be near the end. Click on it.
4. If you wish to, back up your phone using one of the available options.
5. Otherwise, click on Reset Phone towards the bottom.
6. If you see the option, click on Reset All Settings. This doesn’t wipe your device clean (you won’t lose your pictures, for example). However, it will reset all network settings and other settings, and it may fix the issue.
7. If that doesn’t work, repeat the process, but click on Erase All Data instead. Enter your security code (if you have one) and follow the prompts to wipe your device clean.

Note that this process can again vary slightly from one model to another.

For example, when it comes to backing up your device, you may see several options.

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Some models support cloud backups, either to Google or the manufacturer-specific cloud service. Others may only support a physical backup that you can restore by connecting your phone to your computer.

Also, the options may be labeled slightly differently on different devices. Instead of Erase All Data, you might see a Factory Reset option, for example.

Use your common sense. If you are still confused, refer to the owner’s manual that came with your phone for help.

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Conclusion

To summarize, restarting your device should be the first step, followed by clearing the cache or all stored data, if required.

If the above two steps don’t help, try force stopping or disabling the app entirely. Resetting or factory resetting your device is the last option to try.

Finally, if all else fails, bring your phone to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer for assistance.