Platform-specific support
Google Pixel troubleshooting
Pixel problems that follow Google's monthly updates: battery drain, camera and fingerprint faults, charging, calling and connectivity, with the fixes Google documents.
Pixel phones receive updates directly from Google through monthly patches and the Pixel Drop feature updates, so many problems are fixed by installing the latest build. Settings, System, Software updates shows what is current, and Settings, About phone shows the model and build number. A fix in a recent update is the first thing to check when a fault began after an update.
Pixel camera opens to a black screen
A black camera preview can be an app lock, another app holding the camera, permission state, temperature protection or hardware failure. Compare front and rear cameras in a second app.
Open record Google Pixel · biometricsPixel fingerprint unlock works only sometimes
Fingerprint reliability changes with screen protectors, dry/wet skin, sensor cleanliness and enrollment angle. Security lockouts after restart or repeated attempts are normal.
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging is not working
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging is unusually slow or delayed
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
Open record Google Pixel · batteryPixel Adaptive Charging works only on one app, network, account or location
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen behaves incorrectly or produces the wrong result
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen is not working
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen is unusually slow or delayed
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen keeps disconnecting or working intermittently
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen stopped working after an update, outage or hardware change
Open record Google Pixel · callingPixel Call Screen works only on one app, network, account or location
Open recordTroubleshooting a Google Pixel phone
For battery drain, Settings, Battery, Battery usage shows the heaviest apps, and Adaptive Battery and Adaptive Connectivity affect idle use. Google has fixed several idle drain bugs in updates, so keep the phone current. Restart in Safe mode to test whether an app is responsible, and use the Pixel's Battery Health information to see whether the battery has worn. Back up with Google One before a reset.
Pixel fixes are often delivered by Google as a monthly update, so a fault that began after an update may be fixed in the next one, and a fault that began long after an update is more likely a setting or an app. Adaptive Battery learns which apps you use and restricts the rest, which can delay notifications from rarely used apps, and the battery graph in Settings, Battery shows which apps use the most power.
Pixel phones have a dedicated Safe mode and a guided repair mode, which lets you hand the phone to a repairer with your data locked away. Camera and fingerprint-sensor issues are often fixed by an update or by cleaning the lens and sensor, and charging problems start with the cable, the charger and the USB-C port. Back up with Google One before a factory reset.
How do I find the build number on a Pixel?
Open Settings, About phone and read Build number; it tells you which monthly update the phone has.
Is there a way to hand a Pixel over for repair without sharing my data?
Yes, Pixel phones have a repair mode in Settings, System, which locks your data until you turn it off.