Help Widgets not updating

ptardivel · Nov 4, 2012

Hi All. I've recently switched from an iphone to my first Android device. I've fl got a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Vodafone in the UK. I'm really impressed and would definitely recommend the switch to others. One thing I really like is the widgets. However I have an issue with a few of my widgets not updating/refreshing unless I reboot the phone (although some times they seem to wake up after a weeks hours). The widgets that don't refresh are: the built in dual digital clock, calendar (splanner), alarm clock, also the 3rd party my reminders app widget. The Accuweather app clock always seems to update fine though.

I'm on Android version 4.1.1. Any views on what the issue may be and how I can fix it?

Many thanks

Paolo

!on · Nov 4, 2012

Quite often widgets are actual apps, but the widget is a simple user interface of it.

If you go in the app draw to find the app corresponding to your widget, there might be extra settings in there that may or may not be accessible from the widget itself.

Also, apps with widgets should stay on the phone (not on SD card). The widget won't appear if it's on the card.

ptardivel · Nov 5, 2012

Many thanks for the swift response. I've checked the corresponding apps and there doesn't appear to be any settings that I'm overlooking. Also with the same issue across 3 separate widgets i'd be surprised if it was a widget specific issue. I don't have an SD card so that can't be it either.

Are there any known Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or Android v.4.1.1 widget refreshing issues? If not any other thoughts?

Thanks again

Paolo

ptardivel · Nov 6, 2012

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks

Paolo

clayq · Nov 7, 2012

I have the same problem - Note 2 LTE with 4.1.1. Annoying...

ptardivel · Nov 7, 2012

Thanks Clayq - it is frustrating isn't it! I'm new to posting in these forums, does the lack of responses mean people don't know what might be causing the issues, or am I being too impatient?!

ExtremeNerd · Nov 7, 2012

ptardivel said:
Thanks Clayq - it is frustrating isn't it! I'm new to posting in these forums, does the lack of responses mean people don't know what might be causing the issues, or am I being too impatient?!

There are no known bugs like this. There are common mistakes people make which cause this to hapen, though. A few things which could prevent you from updating:
-Background Data turned off
-No/bad data connection
-Update settings for each app set too long
-Battery Manager preventing apps from updating regularly.

clayq · Nov 8, 2012

Some good news - I think I fixed the problem. Basically I removed all the non-standard widgets and rebooted the phone. I then re-added all the widgets. While adding, I also checked the settings.

For example, Audio Manager Pro has a setting for how often it updates itself - it was set to never. I changed it to every 1 mins (since the GN2 battery is so good).

So far I have gone the whole day without the problem happening again (usually it would happen within 2-3 hours and would need a reboot). Hope it can work for you also - I think it is a corner case problem, as I searched far and wide and this was the only account of the problem I could find.

I just rooted my phone tonight, so will see if it stays working with root also.

ptardivel · Nov 11, 2012

Thanks Clayq. Following your advice I removed all widgets, rebooted then added them back one by one (leaving it half a day or so in between to see if the issue returned). Turns out to be the myreminders widget that caused all the other widgets to stop updating. Nothing in the settings for this app/widget so will just stop using the widget!

Thanks for all the advice all.

Paolo

buck351 · Dec 23, 2012

So we got our S3's, wife and I, and the wife found a place to manually set the town on the weather widget when we first got them. I don't like big brother or apps tracking me so I keep all GPS functions off unless I need them. My weather app is still working but the wife's only updates when the GPS is on? How come, same phone same version of android. We moved up to Jellybean. We tried wiping the data files for the app and stopping it and rebooting. Mine works fine with the GPS off. Any ideas?

ScandaLeX · Dec 23, 2012

ptardivel said:
Thanks Clayq - it is frustrating isn't it! I'm new to posting in these forums, does the lack of responses mean people don't know what might be causing the issues, or am I being too impatient?!

Maybe.

You'll find more people read than reply- esp. when they've no idea how to help.

clayq said:
Some good news - I think I fixed the problem. Basically I removed all the non-standard widgets and rebooted the phone. I then re-added all the widgets. While adding, I also checked the settings.

For example, Audio Manager Pro has a setting for how often it updates itself - it was set to never. I changed it to every 1 mins (since the GN2 battery is so good).

So far I have gone the whole day without the problem happening again (usually it would happen within 2-3 hours and would need a reboot). Hope it can work for you also - I think it is a corner case problem, as I searched far and wide and this was the only account of the problem I could find.

I just rooted my phone tonight, so will see if it stays working with root also.

It'll stay rooted until you either unroot or perform a system update that knocks out root. (Stay away from OTA (over the air) updates & wait for the dev community if you don't want to loose root.

ptardivel said:
Thanks Clayq. Following your advice I removed all widgets, rebooted then added them back one by one (leaving it half a day or so in between to see if the issue returned). Turns out to be the my reminders widget that caused all the other widgets to stop updating. Nothing in the settings for this app/widget so will just stop using the widget!

Thanks for all the advice all.

Paolo

Widgets are not an exact science and as you've discovered, one can throw the others out of whack making you think the problem is more widespread than it is- when it's actually just related to your phone- meaning people cant help as you may like them too because we've no idea what apps you're using.

I'm glad you got it worked out.

tsingkong · Jul 25, 2013

clayq said:
Some good news - I think I fixed the problem. Basically I removed all the non-standard widgets and rebooted the phone. I then re-added all the widgets. While adding, I also checked the settings.

For example, Audio Manager Pro has a setting for how often it updates itself - it was set to never. I changed it to every 1 mins (since the GN2 battery is so good).

So far I have gone the whole day without the problem happening again (usually it would happen within 2-3 hours and would need a reboot). Hope it can work for you also - I think it is a corner case problem, as I searched far and wide and this was the only account of the problem I could find.

I just rooted my phone tonight, so will see if it stays working with root also.

Thank you, clayq! You're my hero!
It's a weather widget which stop all widgets updating.

stewbuntu · Dec 18, 2013

Same problem for me. No solutions found yet that work. I check every couple months For new solutuin. Sucks. sometimes the ram refresh when holding the home button down refreshes everything. So sick of it!

Jmtrout · May 3, 2015

Hi,
I was having the same problem on my Galaxy S5 after the recent Lollipop update. It was the alarm widgets that wouldn't update, but the alarms still went off as set.

Ptardivel had it right: Removed all widgets, turned my phone off, and started it back up. Replaced widgets and viola! I'm in business again!

Thanks everyone, just wanted to let everyone know it worked. Especially the people looking for answers.

ElGato · Nov 27, 2015

ptardivel said:
Hi All. I've recently switched from an iphone to my first Android device. I've fl got a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Vodafone in the UK. I'm really impressed and would definitely recommend the switch to others. One thing I really like is the widgets. However I have an issue with a few of my widgets not updating/refreshing unless I reboot the phone (although some times they seem to wake up after a weeks hours). The widgets that don't refresh are: the built in dual digital clock, calendar (splanner), alarm clock, also the 3rd party my reminders app widget. The Accuweather app clock always seems to update fine though.

I'm on Android version 4.1.1. Any views on what the issue may be and how I can fix it?

Many thanks

Paolo

I had a similar situation and solved it by turning on the GPS (more accurate location) on both the phone and the app

raceq · Nov 15, 2016

stewbuntu said:
Same problem for me. No solutions found yet that work. I check every couple months For new solutuin. !

if you're still looking for a solution I have posted a tip here http://androidforums.com/threads/help-with-widget-not-working.1091623/

AnitahHandle · Nov 25, 2016

The clock widgets that came with my new LG v20 don't always update the time. I looked for alarm widgets on Google Play and finally found one that works. It's called "Timely Alarm Clock".
1) Install it
2) Look for it in your widgets and drag to where you want it.

I know this post is old but this issue remains a problem. I hope this helps someone.

leonveliki · Jan 4, 2017

I had the same problem (on note 4 and SW 6.0.1.), but I was able to solve it.

My problem was, that battery saver did its job. So to disable battery saving for this app go to:
settings --> battery --> app power saving
Find the Hd widgets and set the value to "disabled".
Go to widget, click on the weather to refresh and viola.

Hope this helps.

Help Widgets not updating

Lurker

Android Expert

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Android Enthusiast

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Wasn't Me

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

Lurker

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads