Gemini Not Working? How to Fix Common Errors on Web, Android, iPhone, Android Auto and Wear OS

Gemini not working? Whether you see “Something went wrong”, “Can’t access this service”, an error number such as 13 or 1076, or Gemini simply will not respond on your phone, car or watch, the cause usually falls into one of five groups: a Google outage, an account or access restriction, your browser or app, device permissions, or a known bug. This guide starts with quick checks, then walks through the most common Gemini problems on the web, Android, iPhone, Android Auto and Wear OS, using Google’s own help pages wherever possible.

The steps below were checked on 12 October 2026 against Google’s Gemini Apps Help, Wear OS Help and the Google Workspace Status Dashboard. Google does not publish an official list explaining every numbered Gemini error, so where we mention error codes we say what is known and what is not.

Quick Fixes: Try These First

1. Check whether Gemini is down. The Google Workspace Status Dashboard lists Gemini and Gemini Notebook as separate products. If there is an incident, wait for Google to fix it.
2. Refresh or start a new chat. Very long conversations are more likely to fail.
3. Sign out and back in, and make sure you are using the right Google account (personal, work or school).
4. Update the app from Google Play or the App Store, or try the web version at gemini.google.com.
5. Try another browser or a private window to rule out extensions and saved data.
6. Switch networks, for example from Wi-Fi to mobile data, and turn off any VPN.

If Gemini works on one device or browser but not another, the problem is local to that device. If it fails everywhere, check the status page and your account access.

Is Gemini Down Right Now?

Google’s Workspace Status Dashboard (google.com/appsstatus) shows current incidents for Gemini alongside Gmail, Docs and other services. It is aimed at Workspace customers but is the most official public signal of a wider outage. If several people around you see the same error at the same moment, an outage is the likely cause, and clearing caches or reinstalling apps will not help.

If you rely on AI for work, keep a backup assistant. Our ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude comparison covers the main options, and if ChatGPT is the one misbehaving, see our ChatGPT troubleshooting guide.

“Something Went Wrong” and “Can’t Access This Service”

These are the two messages Google’s sign-in help page addresses directly.

“Something went wrong”

According to Google, this can mean your account does not currently have access to Gemini, which can depend on your location, age or account type. Google also says it uses signals to check that accounts have a consistent history of abuse-free activity. What to do:

• Try again later, especially if you have just created the account.
• Check you are in a country where Gemini is available. Google says the web app is offered in more than 70 languages and over 230 countries and territories, but the mobile app’s availability can differ.
• Confirm the account meets the age requirement: 13 or older (or your country’s minimum) for personal and school accounts, and 18 or older for work accounts.
• Try a different Google account to see whether the problem is tied to one account.

“Can’t access this service”

Google says access is limited to personal accounts you manage yourself, or work and school accounts where the administrator has turned Gemini on. Accounts managed with Family Link cannot use the Gemini web app. If you use a work or school account, ask your IT administrator whether Gemini is enabled for your organisation.

Gemini Error Codes 13, 1076 and 1099

Many users report “Something went wrong” messages followed by a number, such as (13), (1076) or (1099). Google has not published an official explanation of these codes in its help centre, and third-party sites offer differing interpretations, so be wary of any guide that claims a single definitive cause. In practice, the same steps resolve most cases:

1. Check the status dashboard for an outage.
2. Start a new chat, because errors are more common in very long threads.
3. Remove large uploads and try the request again with a shorter prompt.
4. Sign out, clear the site data for gemini.google.com (or the app cache on Android) and sign back in.
5. Try another browser, device or network.
6. If you use a work account, ask your administrator to check whether Gemini access or a data policy has changed.

Gemini Not Working on Android

Check the requirements

Google’s help centre says the Gemini app needs an Android phone or tablet with Android 9 or later and at least 2 GB of RAM. It cannot be used inside an Android work profile, which is a common reason it fails on company-managed phones.

Fix microphone and voice problems

If Gemini does not hear you, check permissions. Google’s help centre explains that when Gemini is your device assistant, you manage its permissions through the Google app: touch and hold the Google app, open App info, tap Permissions and make sure the microphone is allowed. Also check that no other app is using the microphone and that your phone is not in a battery-saving mode that restricts background apps.

Gemini not replacing Google Assistant

Google says you switch from Google Assistant to Gemini by accepting an invitation when you use Assistant, and that switching is available in a specific list of countries. If you have not been offered the switch yet, it may not be available for your device, language or country.

Gemini not working on the lock screen

If Gemini will not respond while your phone is locked, unlock the phone and try again. If it works when unlocked, look through the Gemini app’s settings for lock-screen options, and make sure your phone’s default digital assistant is set to Gemini.

Gemini Not Working on iPhone

• Update the Gemini app from the App Store and update iOS.
• In iOS Settings, check that Gemini has permission to use the microphone and, if needed, the camera.
• Sign out of the app and back in with the correct Google account.
• Try gemini.google.com in Safari to see whether the problem is the app or your account.

If you are also deciding how much to rely on Apple’s own AI features, our guide on managing Apple Intelligence explains the settings.

Gemini Not Working on Android Auto

Gemini on Android Auto has had known problems. In April 2026, 9to5Google reported a bug after the Android Auto 16.7 update that caused cars using Gemini to switch back to Google Assistant, and said Google was aware of the issue. A workaround reported by users in Google’s community forum was to switch the assistant to Google Assistant in Android Auto’s settings and then opt back into Gemini. It may not work for everyone.

Other checks:

• Update Android Auto, the Google app and Gemini on your phone.
• Make sure Gemini is set as your phone’s default assistant.
• Check microphone permission for the Google app.
• Reconnect the phone to the car, or try a different USB cable for wired Android Auto.

Gemini Not Working on Wear OS or Galaxy Watch

Google’s Wear OS help centre lists these requirements and steps:

1. The watch must be paired with an Android phone; watches paired with an iPhone cannot send chat messages through Gemini.
2. Both the phone and the watch need a Google account, and they must be connected by Bluetooth.
3. Turn Airplane mode on and off on the watch to refresh the connection.
4. Use “Find my phone” from the watch’s settings. If the phone rings, the connection works; if not, re-pair the devices.
5. Ask Gemini a simple question, such as the weather. If there is no answer, set up the assistant on the watch again.
6. For messaging problems, make sure WhatsApp or your messages app is up to date and signed in on the phone, and check that the contact uses that app.

Gemini Not Working in Chrome or the Browser

• Google supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Edge for the Gemini web app.
• Disable extensions one at a time, especially ad blockers, script blockers and other AI sidebars.
• Clear cookies and site data for gemini.google.com, then sign in again.
• If you are signed in to several Google accounts, sign out of all of them and sign back in with the one you want to use.

Image Generation or Other Features Not Working

If Gemini answers questions but will not create images, video or Deep Research reports, you may have reached a usage limit for your plan, or the feature may not be available in your country or for your account type. Paid Google AI plans raise limits; our Gemini pricing guide explains what each plan includes, and our Nano Banana 2.1 guide covers image generation. Newer features such as Gemini Agent or Gemini Skills may roll out to some accounts and regions before others.

How to Report a Problem to Google

If nothing works and there is no outage, use the feedback option in Gemini’s menu and describe the problem, the device and the time it happened. Google’s Gemini Help Community is the official forum where other users and Google product experts discuss current issues. Workspace users should contact their administrator, who can raise a support case with Google.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Gemini not working today?

Either there is an outage, which you can check on the Google Workspace Status Dashboard, or something specific to your account, device or network is blocking it.

What does “Something went wrong” mean in Gemini?

Google says it can mean your account does not currently have access, depending on location, age or account type. It can also appear during temporary faults. Try again later, start a new chat and check your account.

Why does Gemini not work on my work phone?

Google says the Gemini app cannot be used in an Android work profile, and work accounts need an administrator to enable Gemini.

Why is Gemini not working with Android Auto?

A bug reported in April 2026 caused Android Auto to switch back to Google Assistant for some users. Switching to Assistant and back to Gemini in Android Auto settings has helped some people.

Can children use Gemini?

Personal accounts must meet a minimum age of 13 (or the local minimum), and Family Link accounts cannot use the Gemini web app.

Conclusion

When Gemini is not working, check Google’s status dashboard first, then confirm your account has access, update the app and rule out your browser, network and permissions. Device-specific issues on Android Auto and Wear OS have their own fixes, and work accounts often need an administrator. Most problems are solved in a few minutes once you know which of these groups you are dealing with.

Sources: Gemini Apps Help – what you need to sign in; Gemini Apps Help – mobile app requirements; Gemini Apps Help – where Gemini is available; Gemini Apps Privacy Hub; Wear OS Help – fix Gemini on your watch; Google Workspace Status Dashboard; 9to5Google – Android Auto Gemini bug.