Do Not Update Your Google Pixel to Avoid These Serious Issues

Google has rolled out its January 2026 software update for Pixel smartphones slightly later than expected, bringing fixes for several long-standing issues. The update applies to devices going back to the Pixel 7a and addresses problems such as battery drain, flickering on the always-on display, and a wallpaper-related reboot bug.

However, soon after installation, many users began reporting fresh issues tied to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity.

Widespread User Complaints

Pixel users have taken to Google’s official support forum, Reddit, and X to report that the update is causing serious connectivity failures. Several users said Bluetooth cannot be enabled at all, cutting off access to wearables and other accessories.

What the hell @Google @GoogleIndia @GooglePixel_US @googlepixel Wifi and Bluetooth have not been working for over a month now. The only thing the support team does is keep asking for a bug report and when provided they say insufficient data as if I manually write this report.

— Namratha Gillala (@namrathag23284) January 27, 2026

Others reported that opening Wi-Fi settings results in a blank screen followed by a force-close error, while some said the Wi-Fi toggle disables itself automatically. There are also reports of mobile data problems, with users saying that toggling airplane mode does not restore connectivity.

A smaller number of users reported camera-related issues, claiming the camera app continues running in the background and prevents the flashlight from turning on.

Common Fixes Not Working

Standard troubleshooting steps have not helped affected users. Reports suggest that booting devices into safe mode and resetting Wi-Fi connections does not resolve the issues. Some users said Google support recommended a factory reset, but those who tried it reported no improvement.

One user said Google support offered a replacement device, though it remains unclear whether the problem is caused by faulty hardware or a malfunctioning software component introduced by the update.

Not All Devices Affected

The issues appear to affect multiple generations, including the Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 series, but they do not seem to impact every device. Some users have reported that their Pixel phones continue to function normally after the update, highlighting that the problem is not universal.

Despite this, the growing number of complaints suggests the issue is widespread enough to warrant attention.

So far, Google has not officially acknowledged the issue or released a fix. Some users have shared temporary workarounds. One Pixel 8 Pro owner said disabling Google Play Services helped restore connectivity.

Current Workaround

Others reported that sideloading the January 2026 OTA update, instead of installing it through the standard update process, resolved the problems. Multiple users confirmed success with this method on Reddit and Google’s community forum.

Google has made the OTA images available through its support hub. Installing them via the ADB tool does not require unlocking the bootloader or performing a factory reset, but Google advises users to back up their data first. The process remains technical and is not recommended for users unfamiliar with manual flashing.

For now, Google has not paused the rollout or issued a corrective update, leaving affected Pixel users waiting for an official response.