Symptoms
- Widget shows old information
- Widget looks blank or greyed out
- Data updates in the app but not the widget
- Widget worked before and stopped
Likely causes
- CommonBattery optimization restricting the app's background activityAggressive power-saving settings can prevent widgets from refreshing.
- CommonBackground app refresh turned off for that appWidgets rely on the app being allowed to update data in the background.
- PossibleWidget needs to be removed and re-addedA stale widget connection sometimes needs a fresh setup to reconnect properly.
- PossibleWeak or no internet connectionWidgets that pull live data need connectivity to refresh.
- PossibleOutdated app versionWidget bugs are commonly fixed in app updates.
What to do
- Confirm the phone has an internet connection.
- Check background app refresh is enabled for that app.
- Exclude the app from aggressive battery optimization settings.
- Remove the widget from the home screen and add it back fresh.
- Open the app itself to force a manual data refresh.
- Update the app to the latest version.
- Restart the phone to refresh background services.
When to call a pro
No professional help is needed for widget issues; if it persists after these steps, report it to the app's developer as a possible bug.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.