Pixel phones are bug-ridden – and Android 17 is just the start

It's not just you

Summary created by Smart Answers AI

In summary:

• Tech Advisor reports widespread call and sound problems affecting Google Pixel phones across multiple generations, from Pixel 6a to Pixel 10 Pro.
• Users experience missed calls without ringing and persistent popping sounds from speakers, with some linking issues to Android 17 updates.
• Temporary fixes include disabling adaptive sound, spatial sound, or Google’s Scam Detection and Call Screen features in device settings.

Google Pixel phone owners are not having a good time of it, with call and sound issues joining a growing list of (possibly) Android 17-related glitches.

The Android 17 update started arriving on Pixel phones on 16 June, and was swiftly followed by a whole litany of bugs. In fact, it was a pretty awful first week, and it looks like the nightmare is continuing – even if you haven’t installed the update.

Over on Reddit and on Google’s own issue tracker, Pixel users are reporting that their phones aren’t receiving calls.

Incoming calls are instantly and silently being registered as missed calls.

The issue appears to be affecting a wide range of devices, including the Google Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 8, Pixel 7 Pro, and the Pixel 6a.

We’ve mentioned Android 17 here, but the interesting thing about this issue is that some users report that it started months ago, before the latest Google OS even began its rollout.

One user has reported a fix that involves disabling Google’s Scam Detection and Call Screen feature in the Settings menu.

Ear-grating pop

Elsewhere on Reddit (via Android Headlines), some Pixel users are reporting a persistent popping sound from the speakers.

Some are stating that this effect only manifests in certain apps and games, while others report that it appears to be a random occurrence.

This issue again seems to be affecting a wide range of Pixel devices in the Google Pixel 8, 9, and 10 families.

If the issue is affecting you, some have achieved a resolution by turning off adaptive sound or disabling spatial sound. It’s worth giving it a try, at least until Google acknowledges and fixes the bug.

It’s got a lot of work to get through, that’s for sure. Since the Android 17 rollout, there have been reports of 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity drops, as well as instances of unresponsive touchscreen inputs and even fully bricked handsets.

With extremely minimal upgrades so far, we’d encourage you to hold off on installing it for now. But even if you’re still on Android 16, you’re not immune to many of these issues.

Google Pixel 10

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