Uber No Cars Available (Why the Error and How to Fix)

Uber is a convenient way to get where you need to be, and the platform prides itself on being one of the most reliable ride sharing services on the market. However, even Uber has times where you may run into issues, including the dreaded “no cars available” result.

What does “No cars available” on Uber mean? “No cars available” on Uber usually means that either all of the Uber drivers in your area are currently busy or that there are no drivers available for your ride request. It can also mean that there are no cars of the type you’ve chosen (UberX, XL, etc.) currently available.

If you run into this issue, I’m here to teach you how to solve it.

Of course, this is only a short summary of what you can do and why the error pops up. If you’re interested in learning more about how this occurs and how to counter it, keep reading this guide. I’ll address the details of each of the potential fixes for this situation in further detail and help you get an Uber when you need it.

Uber No Cars Available – What if Uber Can’t Find a Driver?

Did you order a ride but the response you got was “unfortunately Uber is unavailable in your area?” If this happened for the first time, don’t worry! It can happen and the best thing you can do is not panic. Instead, you should contact Uber’s customer service team directly so they can help resolve the issue.

In some cases, they may be able to offer a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances. They may also provide other options like rescheduling your ride for a later time when more drivers are available or sending another ride request from a different location that has more cars available in the area.

Why Are There No Uber’s Available?

When a situation like this occurs, it’s only natural to ask why is Uber unavailable. We’ve all been in a situation where you have to be somewhere fast and you get hit with Uber’s “no cars available” popup. This is always unfortunate, especially if you have no other way to get where you need to be or if you have to get where you’re going on time since it’s time sensitive.

So, why are there no Ubers available? This error occurs because there are no Uber drivers logged into their app around your area or within a decent distance of where you’re located.

What Happens if Uber Can’t Find a Driver?

While Uber will sometimes route drivers that are more than 10 minutes away from you to your address and pay them a bonus for it, sometimes they’re simply too far away.

While there are rare occasions where this is a glitch, it’s typically due to a simple lack of drivers, however there are a few ways to work around this possibility if you really need to get where you’re going.

Let’s take a look at how you can counter the glitch first and then I’ll go over some alternatives if that doesn’t help.

How to Get Around With the No Cars Available Error

If you live in a densely populated area and you feel like it’s pretty unlikely that there are no cars available, then it’s possible that the app is simply glitching.

The best way to get around this is to shut the Uber app and try opening it back up. While this may feel like it’s taking forever when you’re in a rush, it’s better than not getting a ride at all.

After that, you can once again request a ride to the same place from the same address, and in many cases, this should work out for you, allowing you to get a driver to where you are. If this doesn’t work, then there are likely no drivers in your area, and you’ll have to try an alternative approach.

No Ubers Available – Request a Ride Anyway

If Uber’s telling you that no cars are available, you should still be able to put a request for a ride out.

In most cases, this will give drivers about three minutes to respond to your request, and you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that a driver has suddenly come online to pick you up.

This is because requesting a ride in a place with no drivers will typically create a surge in that area, which will give Uber drivers an extra 50% for your ride.

This can sometimes incentivize drivers to come online, especially if they see a notification on their phones that there is currently a surge.

Keep in mind that this isn’t 100% foolproof, and it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll end up getting a ride, so if getting to where you need to be is essential, then this may not be the best option for you.

However, if you’ve exhausted every other potential solution, then this is a pretty valid option.

Uber No Cars Available – Try Searching for a Different Kind of Uber Ride

If you’ve tried looking for an Uber Pool and you can’t find one, then you may wish to try finding another type of ride. While it may be more expensive to book something like an Uber Black to get you where you need to be, this will at least allow you to arrive on time, which can often be priceless.

Of course, you don’t automatically have to opt for the most expensive option, as Uber Blacks can tend to be very pricey compared to a standard Uber and you may not really care about the luxury. Trying other options like Uber XL or even just Uber X may allow you to find a driver when none others are available.

However, there are some restrictions. Searching for something like a pet friendly Uber without a pet will likely leave your driver looking at you quizzically, but if you can get in touch with your driver and explain the situation, they may be a little more understanding with your situation.

Try a Different Means of Transportation When Uber Not Finding Driver

While this may not be the best option, if you really need to get where you’re going, but Uber is not available in your area, then you may have to opt for a different way of getting around. There are other ride sharing services that you may be able to try out if Uber has no drivers available for you, including Lyft.

While there may be a rivalry between Lyft and Uber, that doesn’t mean that you have to stick to one over the other, and while Lyft may sometimes be more expensive, it’s better than nothing.

If you’re not a fan of Lyft, then you could also go with a more old fashioned route. Calling for a cab may take a little bit longer and cost you a bit more, but it will at least allow you to get where you need to go.

Getting A Refund When There Are No Cars Available

If you’ve ever tried to use Uber when there are no cars available, and you got a response like “unfortunately uber is currently unavailable in your area” you know it can be a frustrating experience. You end up waiting for what feels like forever, only to find out that the closest car is several minutes away.

When there are no cars available on Uber, you can get a refund. That’s great news for riders who have been left stranded because of the lack of vehicles. Here’s what you need to know about getting a refund when there are no cars available on Uber.

Uber offers a refund if there are no cars available at the time you request a ride. Here’s how to get your refund:

1. Open the Uber app and go to the ‘ payment ‘ tab.
2. Tap on ‘ trip history ‘.
3. Find the trip for which you need a refund and tap on it.
4. Follow the instructions to get your money back!

When Uber says no cars available, no Uber drivers available or there are no cars available on Uber, your card is usually just charged an authorization–it’s not a actual charge. The authorization falls off after a week or so, and you don’t have to do anything to get it refunded.

Why Is Uber Currently Unavailable in My Area – What’s the Best Solution?

If Uber is currently unavailable in your area, there are a few steps you can take to make sure that you have access to the service. The first and most important step is to check if Uber has officially launched in your city or region. If not, you can contact your local government officials and ask them about their plans for launching the service.