How to Resolve Emulator Stuck on Loading Screen in Android Studio

How to Resolve Emulator Stuck on Loading Screen in Android Studio

22 April 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Transitioning from Eclipse to Android Studio can sometimes lead to unexpected hiccups such as the Android Virtual Device (AVD) getting stuck on the loading screen. This article will guide you through several verified steps to resolve this issue and get your emulator up and running smoothly.

Common Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into the specific solutions that have helped others, it’s worth reviewing some common troubleshooting steps to resolve emulator issues:

  • Complete reinstallation of Android Studio and the Software Development Kit (SDK).
  • Installation and configuration of the Intel x86 Emulator Accelerator (HAXM).
  • Adjusting the RAM settings in the AVD to meet system capabilities.
  • Deleting and recreating AVDs with different configurations.
  • Resetting the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and ensuring the SDK path is correct.
  • Running updates for the SDK and the associated tools.

Despite these efforts, you might still encounter the emulator hanging on the Android boot screen. Let’s explore some solutions that have proven effective.

Effective Solutions to Try

Based on user experiences, the following methods have successfully resolved the emulator loading issue:

Wipe Emulator Data

Clearing the emulator’s data can resolve issues that may have arisen from previous sessions:

  1. In AVD Manager, locate the troubled emulator.
  2. Click on the arrow next to the emulator and select “Wipe data”.
  3. Start the emulator again and allow some time for it to boot.

Increase VM Heap Size

Increasing the emulator’s VM heap size can provide more memory resources for the emulator to function properly:

  1. Open AVD Manager and edit the settings for your emulator.
  2. Scroll to “Show Advanced Settings” and navigate to “Memory and Storage”.
  3. Set the VM heap size to the value suggested in the warnings, typically 512 MB or more.
  4. Save the changes and restart the emulator.

Remove Lock and Temporary Files

Corrupted lock or temporary files can hinder the emulator’s startup:

  1. Close any stuck emulator sessions.
  2. Remove any .lock and .qcow2 files from the AVD directory.
  3. Try restarting the AVD. Note: This may result in loss of data within the emulator.

If the above solutions don’t yield results, consider creating a new AVD with default settings or checking for interference from antivirus software that might be affecting virtualization features.

Introducing Repeato

While troubleshooting emulator issues in Android Studio is crucial, ensuring your app functions flawlessly is equally important. Repeato, a no-code test automation tool, can help streamline your testing process. With its ability to create, run, and maintain automated tests for iOS and Android apps, Repeato offers a fast and efficient way to verify your app’s functionality across different frameworks like React Native, Flutter, and Unity.

Repeato leverages computer vision and AI to recognize elements within your app, eliminating the need for intricate setup procedures. It also integrates ADB, allowing you to execute ADB commands directly within tests—simplifying tasks such as interacting with the device or app under test. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with emulator-related challenges, as you can programmatically control and verify emulator states within test scenarios.

For more information on how Repeato can assist in your development workflow, please visit our product page.

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