Pixel screen acting up After Android 17? Try these 3 quick fixes

If you’re keeping tabs on the troubles that Android 17 has brought to Google Pixel phones, touchscreen issues are the latest on the list.

We reported on them a few days ago, and while the issue remains officially unresolved, there are some fixes that have worked for people that you can try if your Pixel is among the affected.

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Some possible fixes to try

Both those afflicted with touch-related problems following the Android 17 update and an official Google account have shared some of the solutions that they’ve found, though results vary.

Several posters have found that turning off the triple-tap shortcut for accessibility options has freed them of the issue. You can do that by going to Settings > Accessibility > [Feature] > Triple tap and turning it off.

Of course, this limits the ease of accessing features like magnification.

An official Google account on Reddit, suggested that the Pixel Launcher is involved and that clearing the cache might resolve the issue. To try this, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Pixel Launcher app > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

The same account recommended rebooting your phone in safe mode. Before you try this, note that doing this will remove some home screen widgets.

To reboot your phone, turn it off fully. Then press your phone's power button and when the animation starts, press and hold the volume down button until the animation ends and your phone starts in safe mode. You should see "Safe mode" at the bottom of your screen.

The origin and status of the touch input issues

Ever since Android 17 became available for Pixels, users have been reporting issues with how their phones react to touch input, including scrolling in the opposite direction and being unresponsive.

Android Authority first reported a Reddit post describing the issue. "Once in a while (maybe 1 in 10), the screen scrolls in the opposite direction of my finger," the poster wrote. They link to Google’s issue tracker, which reveals that the problem is occurring across many Pixel models and pinpoints the start of it to the installation of Android 17.

As of now, the status update on the issues tracker is "No update yet."

A tally of the problems Pixels face with Android 17

The Android 17 update has been a particular plague on Pixels. People have reported widgets vanishing, the inability to maintain a 5G connection, and spotty Wi-Fi connectivity.

It’s a disappointing start for many to an update that held the promise for multitasking breakthroughs, advanced security, and a fun gaming experience for the Pixel Fold.