How to Fix Google Pay Not Working on Samsung Galaxy S21

Google Pay (Also known as GPay)is a secure way to pay in stores, on the web, and in apps without having to reach for your wallet using your Samsung Galaxy S21.

However, some users have reported issues with Google Pay not working correctly on their Galaxy S21 devices. According to our inspection, this issue often occurs due to a glitch in the system software of the Samsung Galaxy S21.

The good this is, with a few workarounds, you can quickly fix this issue and start using the Google Pay feature seamlessly.

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S21 model (S21, S21 Plus, S21 Fe, and S21 Ultra models.) 

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S21 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Fix 01: Restart Your Galaxy S21 & Turn On NFC

One of the most common reasons why Google Pay not working on Samsung Galaxy S21 is due to temporary software glitches. To rule out this possibility, you should perform a forced restart, also known as a soft reset.

Here’s how to do a soft reset on your Galaxy S21:

1. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button.

2. Once the Samsung logo appears, release both buttons.

After the restart, make sure that NFC (Near Field Communication) is turned on. Google Pay uses NFC technology to process payments. If NFC is turned off, Google Pay won’t work.

To turn on NFC on your Galaxy S21:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
2. Tap on the “NFC” icon.

Fix 02: Clear Google Play Services Updates

Google Pay is closely linked with Google Play Services. If there are issues with the updates of Google Play Services, it can prevent Google Pay from working properly. 

Therefore, you need to uninstall these updates temporarily to see if Google Pay starts working again.

Here’s how you can do that:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Apps”.
3. Scroll down and tap on “Google Play services”.

4. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right corner and select “Uninstall updates”.

After removing the updates, restart your device and use Google Pay again.

Fix 03: Re-install the Google Pay App

If the previous solutions didn’t work, you have to reinstall the Google Pay app. This will remove any existing data that may be causing the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the App drawer.
2. Find and long-press on “Google Pay” app.
3. Tap on “Uninstall” from the options that appear.
4. Once the app is uninstalled, go to the Google Play Store.
5. Search for “Google Pay” in the search bar.
6. Click on “Install” to download and install the app again.

Fix 04: Do a Software Update

If none of the above solutions have worked for you, it’s possible that a software update could fix the Google Pay issue on your Samsung Galaxy S21. 

To check for a software update:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Battery and device care”.

3. Scroll down and tap on “Software update”.

4. Tap on “Download and install”. Your device will check for updates.

If a software update is available, your device will start downloading it. Once the update is downloaded, tap on “Install now”. Your device will restart and the update will be installed.