Widgets are small apps that are added to the home screen of a person’s smartphone. These can be called a shortcut to access a particular set of controls without taking the long route and opening the entire app. For instance, widgets may have Chrome shortcuts, clock, or calendar applications, to name a few. Adding these widgets to the home screen is only meant to simplify an easy process further for the user and to give them a quick view of the app.
Widgets Require Internet Connectivity
The best part is that these widgets are usually updated automatically, without user assistance. They, however, do need consistent connectivity, which the typical ISP often fails to provide. Why not switch to a faster and smoother internet connection such as Wave Internet, so that none of your apps or widgets stop working. Moreover, there are times, when even these widgets cause problems in their normal functioning. These issues may not necessarily be related to the internet. Nonetheless, they do require a bit of deep analysis and correction at the user-end.
The Different Types of Widgets Available for Your Smartphone
There are three different kinds of widgets available, which can be placed on your smartphone’s home screen for several purposes. The Informative Widgets display important information, which is automatically updated, such as the weather widget. Tapping on the weather widget will open the weather app. Whereas, the Collection Widget consists of some options such as the daily news, email, etc. Last but not the least, the Control Widget displays an option where they can carry out important functions. This can be illustrated by the example of a music widget, which can be accessed by tapping on this widget.
Widgets Are Also Present on Websites
Widgets are not only added to the home screen on a person’s smartphone. Many websites also feature widgets, which are updated independently from the website. These are meant to display short pieces of information to both the regular visitor and the online guest. For instance, the QOTD section or the latest news section on the official website of an academic institute is a widget. Although widgets have been present in the tech world for a long time, it is only now that they play an important role via the smartphone through which they have come under the spotlight. What’s more, is that developers are now starting to pay attention to the functionality and display aspects of a widget. With the boom in smartphone tech, everybody is also interested in finding out about how these work. However, it doesn’t take them much to become unresponsive once in a while.
Here’s How to Fix Widgets on Your Phone
Listed below are some ways that one can use to fix widgets without much trouble at the user-end:
Method #1 – Check for Available App Updates and Update Your Phone
When a widget becomes sluggish or inactive, it affects your entire phone, not just your home screen. That’s why it’s important to always keep all apps and widgets updated. App developers try to make sure that when updating a widget, all problem areas are sorted out and bugs are taken care of. To further keep a check over which app has been updated and which one has not, simply head to Google Play Store, go to the My Apps section, and see which needs a timely upgrade. Sometimes, when your internet connection is poor, your apps might not be updated in time and so, you need to make sure to have a great internet plan, like the CenturyLink internet plans, to ensure no connectivity issue.
Method #2 – Reboot the Mobile Device
Another method is to take the typical route and restart your mobile system. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple reboot to make sure that the system is running well. This method will kick start the system again. To do this, simply hold on to the power button until the screen has two options – power off or restart. Select Restart to reboot your device. Just to be sure, you should contact your ISP’s customer service team, so that they can let you know if there is any issue from their end. Xfinity, for example, has round the clock customer service for its subscribers. So, if you’re looking to switch, you can call the Xfinity customer service number and ask for the details of their plans
Method #3 – Remove the Widget to Add it Again
If the reboot fails to make the widget work properly, then a third method is by simply removing that app from the main screen and adding it again. If this method doesn’t work, then it is better to delete it from its root and download it again. Although, most apps usually work the next time, trying this method is instantly meant to help you with an unresponsive widget on the phone.
Wrapping Up
Although widgets are relatively simpler than apps and don’t require much rocket science, using some of the above-mentioned methods to make them work does work! However, if you are still facing several issues with the methods mentioned, it is best to contact the developer or mobile technical assistance to help you with the issue. They can fix such minor bugs for a nominal fee. If that’s not an option, why not download alternatives to the widgets that are no longer working. Irrespective of what you choose, select an option that does not harm the system as such.
