Android OS issues and how to resolve them

 Android OS issues and how to resolve them

These typical issues have simple workarounds and cures.

If the name Android Authority doesn't give it away, we are big admirers of the Android operating system. Aside from fanboying, we must confess that Android smartphones are far from ideal, with numerous difficulties cropping up from time to time. While some are device-specific, others are caused by the operating system. Here are some common issues that Android users face, as well as some remedies!

Editor's note: In this article, we will look at some specific issues that Android 12 users are experiencing. The procedures following may potentially alter based on the UI of your phone. All general troubleshooting recommendations, however, will apply to other versions as well.

Android issue #1: Excessive battery drain

Almost every smartphone has customers complaining about quick battery loss. This might range from power drain when the phone is on standby to specific apps that are battery hogs. Keep in mind that in some cases, the battery will deplete faster than usual. These include using the phone for navigation, taking a lot of pictures or videos, playing games, or setting up a phone for the first time.

Possible solutions:

Third-party software was the source of the problem for many customers. To see if this is the case for you, boot the device into Safe Mode (instructions are provided below). Charge the phone to a level that is greater than the discharge %. Allow the battery to drain until it falls below that figure once more. If the phone operates normally and does not shut down unexpectedly, the problem is caused by an app. Remove any recently installed or updated programs until the issue is resolved. If you can't figure it out on your own, you may need to perform a factory reset.

Some may have a hardware issue as a result of the degradation of Li-ion batteries. This is particularly prevalent if the phone is over a year old or has been reconditioned. The only option here is to contact the device maker and request that the phone or battery be repaired or replaced.

Android issue #2: When you click the power button, the smartphone does not start up.

The "forced sleep" bug is quite prevalent and has caused issues for a variety of devices. When the screen is turned off, pressing the power button does not cause it to wake up. Users must instead press and hold the power button for ten seconds to force a restart.

Possible solutions:

The forced restart will resolve the issue, at least temporarily. However, this is not a long-term solution and only a future software update will permanently resolve this problem. However, there are some workarounds.

Some users have discovered that a screen protector, particularly one made of tempered glass, causes the issue. Removing the screen protector is beneficial but not ideal.

Enabling " Always On Display " on some phones with this function helps to solve the problem.

Deactivating the Active Edge function on Pixel phones equipped with the feature is a convenient workaround.

Some phones allow you to customize the function of the power button, such as launching the Google Assistant. This could be because of a setting issue. Check the device settings to confirm that everything is in order.

Android issue #3: SIM card not detected

The phone does not recognize the SIM card. Obtaining a replacement SIM card does not solve the problem.

Possible solutions:

For several customers, simply resetting the phone solved the problem. However, in most cases, the problem appears to resolve itself in a matter of minutes.

Some people have discovered that turning on mobile data while connected to a Wi-Fi network helps to resolve the issue. Of course, this approach is only suitable for individuals with a strong data plan, and you will need to keep track of your data usage if the Wi-Fi connection fails. Because data usage is taxed, using this workaround without a data package is not recommended.

If you have a phone with an eSIM, there is another option. To open network settings, enter *#*#4636#*#*. It may take several attempts. Select Phone Information. Change the configuration in the network settings section to one that works. Instead of trial and error, you can call your network carrier to determine the best solution. If your phone supports two SIMs, make sure DSDS is enabled.

Android issue #4 – Google app causes excessive battery drain

Some customers have discovered that the Google app consumes the majority of their device's battery life. This is a fairly common problem that affects a variety of phones. It appears to be a growing issue with Android in recent years.

Possible solutions:

Open the list of apps by going to Settings->Apps & notifications. Scroll down and tap on the Google app. Clear both "Storage & cache" options.

In the preceding menu, select "Mobile data & Wi-Fi." You can turn off "background data usage" and "unrestricted data usage," as well as "Disabled Wi-Fi" and "Disabled data usage." However, this will impact app behavior, and the Google app and its features (such as the Assistant) will not function as planned. Only perform these procedures if the battery depletion renders the phone useless.

This issue appears to be a result of software updates. If you are experiencing this problem, an upcoming app update will most likely resolve it.

Android issue #5 – Charging problems

When it comes to the cables and chargers that come with a phone, people have a lot of issues. This can include sluggish charging speeds, inability to download files from a PC, and other issues.

Possible solutions:

- This could simply be a problem with the charging wire. Charge other phones or devices to ensure they work. If the cable does not work with anything, you will need to replace it.

- These difficulties are especially common with USB-C to USB-C cables. Some users have discovered that utilizing a USB-C to USB-A cable alternatively solves the issue. Of course, if your charger uses the former, you'll need to acquire an alternate cable to use with the latter.

- Cleaning the USB-C port appears to work for a large number of customers. Fold a business card and use a sharp edge to gently clean out the port. Compressed air can also be used as long as the pressure intensity is not too high.

- These troubles could potentially be caused by an app. Boot the device into Safe Mode and check to see whether the issue persists. If not, an app is causing the issue.

- If nothing seems to work, the phone's USB port may be destroyed. The only remaining alternative is to get the device repaired or replaced.

- If your phone isn't charging as quickly as it should, it could be a charger compatibility issue. Many manufacturers no longer include chargers in the box. To achieve the fastest charging speeds, it's still recommended to get a first-party charger. Some manufacturers, like OnePlus and OPPO, use proprietary fast charging.

Android issue #6 – Poor performance

If your phone is running sluggish, laggy, or taking too long to reply, there are a few common troubleshooting techniques you may use. Many of the steps outlined below can also help with battery drain difficulties. Performance and power issues appear to be a permanent feature of Android OS.

Restarting your phone usually solves the problem.

- Check to determine if the program is current. Navigate to System > Advanced > System Update in Settings. Update any apps you've downloaded from the Google Play Store as well.

- Examine the storage capacity of your phone. When the quantity of free storage falls below 10%, you may notice a slowdown.

- Check whether third-party apps are causing the issue by booting into Safe Mode and seeing if the problem persists.

- If you discover a large number of apps running in the background and causing issues with battery life and performance, you may need to force-quit them. Open the list of apps by going to Settings > Apps & notifications. Locate the app and then select "Force Stop."

- A complete factory reset may be the only option if nothing else works.

Android issue #7 – Issues with connectivity

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues can occur from time to time. While certain devices have special Android connectivity issues, there are a few generic methods you can try first.

Possible solutions:

Wi-Fi problems

- Turn off the device and the router for at least ten seconds, then restart and retry the connection.

- Go to Settings > Power saving and make sure this option is disabled.

- Re-establish the Wi-Fi connection. Navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi, long-press the connection name, and select "Forget." Re-enter the information and try again.

- Check that the firmware on your Wi-Fi router is up to date.

 - Check that the device's applications and software are up to date.

- Make a note of your device's MAC address in Wi-Fi > Settings > Advanced, then ensure that it is granted access in the router's MAC filter.

Bluetooth problems

- If you have problems connecting to the automobile, consult the manufacturer's instructions for the device and the car, and then reset your connections.

- Check that you have not overlooked a critical step in the connection process. Some Bluetooth devices have their own set of instructions.

- Go to Settings > Bluetooth and double-check that nothing has to be changed.

- Go to Settings > Bluetooth and erase all previous associations before starting over. Don't forget to remove any devices from this list that you no longer use.

- Only a future version will be able to fix concerns with numerous device connections.

Android issue #8 — Android Auto issues

Complaints regarding Android Auto connectivity issues are fairly common, especially with new phones.

Possible solutions:

- Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and others make it relatively simple to set up a new phone while keeping the old device's settings, apps, and files. However, using apps like OnePlus Switch or similar causes difficulties with Android Auto. Go to the Google Play Store, search for Android Auto, uninstall it, then reinstall it. Begin the connecting procedure at the beginning.

- The Android Auto app will no longer be available in your app drawer. Instead, it's hidden in your Settings menu. Because it varies depending on your phone, the best method is to enter Settings and search for Android Auto. Check that the settings are configured correctly.

- A faulty cable could be the source of the frequent disconnections. To test if the problem goes away, try an alternative cable.

- If you utilize Android Auto Wireless, your phone may not be recognized by the car the first time. Users report that connecting with a cable first and then using Android Auto Wireless afterward appears to work.

Android issue #9: Gesture navigation is not working.

Most Android phones include gesture navigation. Users, on the other hand, complain about gesture navigation stopping, being slow, or being unresponsive.

Possible solutions:

- Some people have discovered a simple remedy for this issue. On your phone, look for the gesture navigation setting. On a Google phone, go to Settings->System->Gesture to find it. 

- Switch to the three-button navigation mode. Restart the phone and then return to the gesture navigation configuration.

- It could be a launcher problem, especially if you utilize third-party launchers. Navigate to Settings->Apps and notifications->See all apps (the processes may vary). Locate the launcher app, tap Clear cache, and then restart the phone.

- Malicious software could be causing issues with gesture navigation. Boot the phone into Safe Mode (instructions are provided below) and see whether the problem persists. If it doesn't, the problem is with an app. Uninstall any apps that were recently installed or updated. If you can't track out the problem, you may need to conduct a factory reset.

Google Play Store not working on Android #10

The Google Play Store is the key to all of your Android phone's apps. Unfortunately, it does not always function well. Check out our tutorial on how to resolve common Play Store issues, such as the "download pending" error. If you're having problems with the apps, see our advice on what to do if your Android apps keep crashing.

Android issue #11: Where is my update?

- Android 13 is anticipated later this year, and while many of you have phones running Android 12, many more have phones running Android 11 or earlier. Unfortunately, the device manufacturer has complete control over when you receive the next significant software update. Check out our Android 12 update tracker to see when your phone will receive the new software.

- Aside from significant software updates, it's critical to keep your phone up to speed with the latest security and bug-fix patches from OEMs. Many Android issues are frequently resolved with these upgrades.

- Rebooting to Safe Mode and Factory Resetting

- The Pixel 6 will be used as an example in the following guides. The instructions may differ slightly based on the phone you have.

Secure Mode

- Press and hold the power button if the phone is turned on. Touch and hold the power off icon in the menu that appears. When a pop-up notification asks for confirmation to enter Safe Mode, tap OK.

- If the phone is turned off, press and hold the power button until the loading animation begins. When it does, hold down the volume button. Hold the volume down until the animation stops, and the phone should boot into Safe Mode. To confirm, look for the Safe Mode icon in the lower left corner.

- When you want to escape Safe Mode, restart the phone.

Reset to Factory Settings

If the phone is turned on, Go to System->Advanced->Reset options in Settings. Tap Erase all data, followed by Reset phone. To confirm, tap Erase everything.

- If the phone is not responding or is turned off:

- For ten to fifteen seconds, press and hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously. If the phone restarts, you may have to restart.

- To enter Recovery mode, use the volume controls and confirm using the power button.

- If No command appears on the screen, press and hold the power button, then the volume up button, and then release both.

- To confirm, use the volume controls to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and then click the power button.

That concludes a look at some of the most common issues encountered by Android users. While some remedies are rather generic, Android Authority also lists device-specific issues.