Pokemon GO is an augmented reality game that relies on your real-world location and movement to function properly. The game uses your phone’s GPS and internet connection to generate Pokemon spawn points, PokeStops, gyms, and routes for you to walk around and explore.
However, these key features in Pokemon GO sometimes stop working right. You may open the app and see no nearby Pokemon, nothing on the map, or routes failing to generate properly. When core parts of the Pokemon GO experience break down like this, it essentially renders the game unplayable.
But don’t worry – with a few troubleshooting steps; you can likely get Pokemon GO back up and running smoothly again.
Kindly note that not all users have access to Pokemon GO Routes. This could be the reason why you haven’t received the feature yet. If you happen to have access but are encountering issues, the following solutions may be of assistance to you.
Here are some things to try if your Pokemon GO routes are not working:
1. Restart the App
One quick first step is to completely close out of the Pokemon GO app and restart it. This will force the app to reconnect to Niantic’s servers which provide all the route, spawn, and map data. A simple reboot is often needed to realign things and get routes functioning again.
Force quit Pokemon GO, then launch it again. Give it about 30 seconds after launch to reload the routes and map. If the issues persist, move on to the other steps.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
Since Pokemon GO relies on constant internet access to populate the in-game world, spotty internet is one of the most common culprits of route problems. Check your wifi connection, or switch to cellular data if needed.
You can run a speed test on your phone to confirm your connection is performing well. Also, consider restarting your phone completely to renew the internet connection. Verify in your phone’s settings that cellular data for Pokemon GO is enabled if relying on mobile data.
3. Update Pokemon GO
Be sure you have the latest version of Pokemon GO installed. The developers of Niantic are constantly tweaking the game and releasing updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and optimize local routes/spawns. Updating ensures you have the best experience.
Open the Google Play Store app on Android devices and go to the Pokemon GO listing. If an Update option is shown, tap it to download the newest version. Go to the App Store listing for Pokemon GO on iPhones and tap Update if available.
3. Clear App Cache and Data
Over time, corrupted temporary files and data can build up within apps, potentially causing performance issues. Clearing the cache and data for Pokemon GO could help resolve route problems.
On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Pokemon GO. Tap Storage, then Clear Cache, followed by Clear Data. For iPhones, the only option is to completely uninstall and reinstall Pokemon GO, which will wipe the app data.
4. Check Server Status
Sometimes the Pokemon GO servers are having issues so routes won’t load properly for anyone. When Niantic’s servers are down for maintenance or due to an outage, there’s not much you can do except wait it out.
Check third-party server status sites like Downdetector to see if others report widespread Pokemon GO problems. This will confirm whether it’s an issue on Niantic’s end rather than your device. If the servers are down or unstable, take a break and try again later.
5. Enable Location Services
Pokemon GO requires access to your phone’s location services and GPS to function. Make sure your phone’s settings enable location access for Pokemon GO. Go to Settings > Apps > Pokemon GO > Permissions on Android and enable location access. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services on iPhones and select Pokemon GO.
You can also try rebooting your phone’s GPS by turning Airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then turning it off. This will reset the connection and may resolve any GPS glitches.
6. Force Stop App
If nothing else has worked, try force-stopping Pokemon GO as a last resort. This completely shuts down all processes running in the background. You can then restart with a clean slate.
On Androids, go to Settings > Apps > Pokemon GO. Tap Force Stop. Use the app Switcher to swipe up and fully close Pokemon GO for iPhones. Then restart the app.
7. Contact Niantic Support
If you still can’t seem to get routes and other key features functioning after trying everything, it’s time to reach out to Niantic. Report the issues you’re experiencing via the in-game help section or Niantic’s contact page online.
Provide as many details as possible, like your phone model, iOS/Android version, and when the problems started occurring. This will help Niantic investigate and troubleshoot on their end to identify any bugs or diagnose server-side causes.
With any luck, one of these troubleshooting tips should get your Pokemon GO navigation and gameplay back on track. Patience and persistence are key when dealing with technical issues. Don’t hesitate to contact Niantic for further help if needed. Now get back out there and catch ’em all!
