How to Fix "Android Studio Emulator Hangs or Freezes"
If your Android Studio emulator hangs or freezes during startup or operation, it can be due to a variety of reasons, including configuration issues, insufficient system resources, or outdated components.
Here's how to fix it: First, check the system requirements for running the Android Emulator.
Ensure that your machine meets the necessary specifications, including enough RAM, CPU power, and GPU capabilities.
If your system is underpowered, the emulator might struggle to run smoothly.
To optimize performance, consider enabling hardware acceleration.
Open Android Studio and go to Tools > AVD Manager.
Select your emulator and click on Edit. Under the Emulated Performance section, ensure that Graphics is set to Hardware - GLES 2.0.
This setting improves the emulator’s performance by utilizing the GPU instead of relying on software rendering.
If the emulator still hangs, check if your antivirus or firewall is interfering with its operation.
Sometimes, security software may block parts of the emulator’s processes, causing it to freeze.
Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall to test if this resolves the issue.
If your emulator is still freezing, try creating a new AVD with a different system image.
In AVD Manager, click the trash icon next to your device, and then create a new one with a different Android version or API level.
Preferably, choose a system image that includes Google Play services for better compatibility.
Another common cause of freezing is a corrupted emulator configuration.
To resolve this, delete the .android folder in your home directory, which stores the emulator settings and configurations.
Afterward, restart Android Studio and try running the emulator again.
It might also be helpful to update Android Studio and the emulator to the latest versions.
Go to Help > Check for Updates (on Windows) or Android Studio > Check for Updates (on macOS) to check for any available updates that might address known bugs or performance issues.
Additionally, consider using the emulator in command-line mode to bypass Android Studio's interface.
In the terminal, run the command emulator -avd <your_avd_name> to start the AVD manually.
This can sometimes solve freezing issues caused by the IDE itself.
Lastly, if the problem persists, consider switching to a physical Android device for testing, as it can often provide better performance and fewer issues.
