Troubleshooting: Why Your Google News Feed Has Disappeared and How to Restore It

By Olivia ParkerLast Updated April 23, 2025

Understanding the Disappearance of Your Google News Feed

The sudden disappearance of your Google News feed can be frustrating, especially when you rely on it for timely headlines and personalized updates. Many users have reported their Google Discover or News feed vanishing from their home screens or Google app without warning. This guide explores the most common reasons for this issue, provides actionable steps for restoration, and offers alternative solutions to ensure you stay informed.

Common Causes of a Missing Google News Feed

There are several technical and account-related reasons why your Google News feed may no longer appear:

App Settings Glitch: Sometimes, updates or changes in your Google app settings can unintentionally disable the Discover feed. This is a frequent cause for the feed’s disappearance on Android devices, including Samsung and Google Pixel phones. [1] [5]
Launcher Issues: If you use a custom launcher or your device recently updated its default launcher, the integration with Google Discover can break, causing the feed to no longer appear when swiping left from your home screen. [5]
App Updates or Bugs: Updates to the Google app or your operating system may introduce bugs or reset certain features, resulting in the feed being turned off or hidden. [1]
Account or Data Restrictions: If you’re using a work or school Google account, or if your device has restricted background data usage, the Discover feed may not function as expected. [1]
Corrupted App Cache or Data: Over time, cached data can cause performance issues and impact how feeds are displayed. Clearing the cache can often resolve the problem. [1]

Step-by-Step Instructions to Restore Your Google News Feed

Follow these proven steps to troubleshoot and potentially restore your missing news feed:

1. Check Google App Settings

Open the Google app on your device. Tap your profile picture or the “More” button, then go to Settings > General . Make sure the Discover option is turned on. If it’s off, toggle it on. This is the most common reason for the feed disappearing. [1]

2. Verify Launcher Integration

Some launchers (the app that manages your home screen) may not support Google Discover. To check if your launcher supports the feed:

Long-press on an empty area of your home screen.
Select Home settings .
Look for an option like “Show Google App” or “Show Discover page.” Enable it if available. [4]
If your launcher doesn’t have this option, try switching to your device’s default launcher (e.g., Pixel Launcher, One UI Home).

Example: A user on the Fairphone forum found that after a factory reset, the Discover feed was missing because the launcher’s integration had failed, even though the Google app’s Discover setting was enabled. [5]

3. Restart Your Device

Temporary glitches can often be resolved by simply restarting your phone. This clears memory and reloads apps, sometimes restoring the missing news feed. [3]

4. Clear Google App Cache and Data

Corrupted cache files can interfere with app performance:

Go to Settings > Apps > Google .
Select Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data .
Restart the app and check if Discover reappears. [1]

Be aware that clearing data may reset your app preferences and personalized recommendations.

5. Update the Google App

Outdated versions may have bugs that impact feed visibility. Open the Play Store, search for the Google app, and check for updates. Install the latest version and restart your device. [1]

6. Check Data and Account Restrictions

If you’re on a corporate or restricted account, switch to a personal Google account in the app settings. Also, confirm that background data usage is allowed for the Google app under your device’s network settings. [1]

7. Reset App Preferences

As a last resort, you can reset all app preferences on your device, which restores default settings for all apps. This is found under Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences . Only use this if other solutions fail, as it will affect all apps on your device.

Alternative Ways to Access Google News

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, or if your device/launcher does not support the Discover feed, you still have several options to access Google News:

Google News Website: Access your personalized news feed directly by visiting the official Google News website from any browser. This version is always available and features the same headline and topic coverage. [Official]
Google News App: Download the standalone Google News app from the Play Store or App Store, which provides a dedicated interface for personalized news and trending topics.
Google Chrome or Google Go App: Both apps often include the Discover feed on their start pages. If your primary device feed is missing, try accessing via these alternative apps. [1]

These alternatives ensure you can stay updated with the latest news even if the main feed is temporarily unavailable.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Disappearing Google News feeds can result from a range of technical and account issues. The most reliable solutions include reviewing your app and launcher settings, keeping your apps updated, and clearing cache and data as needed. For persistent issues, switching to the Google News app or the official website ensures uninterrupted access to headlines and updates. If you continue experiencing problems after all troubleshooting steps, consider contacting your device manufacturer’s support or visiting official Google Help resources for further assistance.