Weather widget not updating on Android? Start here.

When a weather widget looks stuck, first open its app and compare the same place. This helps you tell whether the forecast inside the app is also old, or whether only the home-screen view needs attention.

This is a general Android checklist. Settings, update behavior and widget configuration differ between app versions, Android releases and phone manufacturers.

Compare the app and the widget

Open the weather app, select the place shown on the widget and check any update time that is displayed. Use the app's refresh control if it offers one. Compare the location, units and forecast period as well as the temperature.

• Both views look old: start with connectivity and the app's own forecast.
• The app updates but the widget stays old: review the widget's configuration and the app's background settings.
• The places differ: check whether the widget is configured for a saved city or your current location.

Check connectivity and the selected place

Confirm that the phone can load a website, then try the app again. If other online services work but the app cannot refresh, note any message it shows. A connection test alone cannot rule out an issue with a weather service or the app's request.

If the widget is set to your current location, review the app's location permission in Android settings. Google explains how to find these controls in Manage location permissions for apps. Choose access appropriate to the feature you use. If the app supports a fixed saved city, that can also help you compare a location issue with a general update problem.

Review background activity settings

Android can limit activity while an app is in the background. On Pixel phones, app battery settings include background-usage controls, and Google recommends keeping the optimized setting for most apps. Other manufacturers can use different labels and controls.

Check whether this particular app has been explicitly restricted. Use your device's guidance rather than turning off battery protection for every app. Google's battery optimization guidance explains the trade-off: allowing more background activity can increase battery use.

Also check whether Android has paused the app because it has not been used for a long time. The system can stop an unused app's background activity and revoke permissions. Open the app again and review the relevant controls described in Manage unused apps.

Check the widget configuration

Look for a widget configuration or edit option offered by your launcher or the app. Confirm its selected place and units. If it still shows stale information while the app works, remove the widget from the home screen and add it again. This recreates the home-screen instance; check any setup choices when it is added.

Our Android weather widget guide shows the general add-and-resize process. Check for updates to the weather app and your launcher before repeating the comparison.

Check what the widget is meant to show

A current-condition panel, an hourly forecast and a daily forecast describe different periods. Differences between them do not automatically mean a widget is broken. An animated element or a clock can also move while the weather data remains unchanged. Compare an update timestamp when one is available.