Fixing the Google Play Store on Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) often involves clearing system conflicts or manually refreshing the app’s internal state. Because this is an older Android version, background services can frequently stall or lose compatibility with newer server-side updates. Core Fix: Clearing Play Store & Service Data

The Real Fix (Tested on 7.1.2)

Step 1 – Force-stop everything
Go to Settings > Apps > Show system (menu overflow).
Find:

Here’s what actually fixed it—and why it works for others stuck on Nougat: