Play Store error: authentication required - what to do?

If the error "Authentication required" occurs when downloading content from the Google Play Store, this can have several reasons. We'll show you how to solve the problem.

Play Store error: authentication required

The error often occurs in connection with server problems at Google. In some cases waiting only helps, in others you can speed up the process with the following instructions.

1. Open as the settings on your Android smartphone.
2. Scroll down and tap on the menu item "Apps" or "Application Manager".
3. Look for the "Google Play Store" in the "All" category.
4. Click on the "Clear data" and "Clear cache" buttons.
5. If the Play Store is still not working, click the "Force stop" and "Uninstall updates" buttons.

Google Play Store: remove and add account

If the "Authentication required" error still appears when downloading content, follow the steps below.

1. Open Settings again and switch to the "Accounts" category above.
2. Select your Google account and tap the "Remove account" button at the bottom right.
3. Restart your smartphone and open the "Accounts" category in Settings.
4. Now you can log in to your Google account again using the "Add account" button.
5. Note: If the problem still has not been resolved, you can only wait. In this case, there is likely to be a server problem on the part of Google.

We'll show you what you can do when the entire Google Play Store is down in the next practical tip.