Pixel 11 problems and how to fix them — from boot loops to camera issues

The latest Pixels offer plenty of improvements, from better cameras to new AI features and much more. Of course, like many newly launched devices, they aren’t without a few hiccups.

Despite launching less than a month ago, the Pixel 11 has already had a small number of reported issues. As an example, our very own Joe Maring ran into issues that left his Pixel 11 Pro bricked. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the issues that have plagued users so far, as well as some general troubleshooting and tips to keep your Pixel 11 running at its best.

Problem 1: Boot loops during the reset process

After attempting to reset the phone from scratch, Joe ran into an issue: the phone blanked out during the installation process and has since been stuck in a boot loop. The Pixel series has historically had issues with boot loop drama, but it’s been a few years since this has been a real problem. For now, we don’t know the scale of the issue, but Joe doesn’t seem to be alone, as similar problems have been reported on Reddit and the Google Support forums.

Potential solutions:

• For now, there’s no official fix. Instead, affected owners should contact Google Support to request a placement.

Problem 2: Running into issues with Genshin Impact or other games in general

While not the most serious problem in the world, many users have had trouble getting Genshin Impact to work on the latest Pixels. While this is the only game with confirmed issues, the game maker claims that the PowerVR GPU didn’t meet the app’s requirements. That means, at least in theory, games that are similarly optimized could end up with issues as well.

Potential solutions:

• For now, there’s no true solution, but Google has confirmed the issue and says it will be fixed by the developer in an upcoming update. If other games are impacted, they’ll likely need to do the same.
• Running into general performance issues beyond just gaming with Genshin? Start by uninstalling and reinstalling the offending app. If that doesn’t work, we recommend a factory reset.

Problem 3: Pixel 11 Pro camera’s deep zooms are hallucinating

We’ve seen a few users mention problems with the Pixel 11’s 120x zoom technology on places like Reddit. The complaints are that the feature is overly aggressive, especially as you push closer to the Pixel 11’s maximum. This is a software feature after all, so I can’t say I’m too surprised.

Potential solutions:

• In all honesty, nothing is actually wrong here. Google could do a better job of clarifying that generative technology is used in these shots and that the image might end up dramatically different than the intended shot, but the only real fix is to go easy on the zoom if you care about your photos staying as close to authentic as possible.

Problem 4: RCS issues with the Google Pixel 11 series

As much as I love RCS, the standard can sometimes cause some weird quirks when first switching to a new device. The good news is that fixing this is usually pretty simple.

Potential solutions:

• If you were using RCS on another phone, you need to disable it on your old device by going to Messages > More Options > Settings > RCS Chats and then select Turn Off RCS Chats.
• Don’t have your old device anymore? Google also has a form you can use where you put in your phone number, and it sends you a digital verification code to turn it off from old devices.
• Even if you do nothing, there’s a possibility that the issue will resolve itself, as it takes a day or so for RCC to deprovision your old device and automatically reprovision a new one.

Problem 5: Android Auto issues, including sluggish behavior or a failure to connect

Android Auto has improved a lot over the years, but connectivity problems are still pretty common, especially when swapping phones. Most of these problems are down to little issues like out-of-date software or bad cables.

Potential solutions:

• For most users, all you need to do is ensure you have the latest version of Android Auto on your phone and that your HUD unit itself is up to date.
• Still not working? At least some folks have had success with factory resetting their devices (instructions below), though this is an extreme measure and should only be taken if nothing else works.

Problem 6: Modem connectivity issues

Some Pixel 11 owners are reporting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity issues, as well as mobile data issues in some cases. The reports are limited to a small number of users so far. Common symptoms involve devices displaying a 5G indicator while lacking actual web access, rejecting Wi-Fi connections, and failing to hold a stable mobile data signal.

Potential solutions:

• One possible workaround is to disable Adaptive Connectivity and then reboot your device. To disable Adaptive Connectivity on your Google Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > Adaptive connectivity and toggle the switch off. After that, you’ll need to reset Wi-Fi settings. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worth a try.
• If that solution doesn’t work, you’ll likely have to contact Google under warranty for a possible fix or exchange.

Guides: How to factory reset, boot into Safe Mode, wipe cache partition on Pixel 11

Sometimes, all it takes to solve a problem is a reboot. Other times, you might need to wipe the cache or completely restart from scratch. Below are some simple step-by-step guides that will help you troubleshoot your Pixel 11.

How to boot into Safe Mode on the Pixel 11

Software quirks or malfunctioning apps are just minor problems at times. One way to tell if you have a serious issue is to boot into safe mode. This removes certain drivers and disables certain parts of Android. If you find your problem is suddenly gone, that means that deleting the offending app or reinstalling Android should fix the issue.

To boot into Safe Mode, follow these steps:

• If the phone is responsive, press and hold the power button and then long-press the power off icon that pops up. Another message will give you the option to reboot the phone into Safe Mode.
• If the phone is off, press and hold the power button to turn it on. As soon as the Google logo appears, press the volume key and hold it until the animation ends. The phone will automatically reboot into Safe Mode after this.
• To exit Safe Mode, simply press the power button and select Restart.

How to clear an app’s cache on the Pixel 11

If an app isn’t working right, one way to fix the problem is to try clearing its cache. If this doesn’t work, you’ll often have to uninstall and reinstall the offending app. Here’s what you need to do:

• Open Settings.
• Next, go to Apps > See All Apps.
• Tap the app you are trying to fix, and select Storage & Cache.
• Tap Clear Cache. This will delete all temporary files for the app and hopefully solve your issue.

How to wipe the cache partition on the Pixel 11

In some cases, you’ll be instructed to wipe the cache partition on the Pixel 11 in order to resolve a bigger issue. Here’s what you’ll want to do.

• Go to Recovery mode using the volume keys for navigation and tap the power button to select.
• When the Android robot screen appears, press and hold the Power button, then press the Volume up button once, and release both buttons. This will bring up the Recovery menu.
• In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe cache partition. Press the power button to select it.
• Use the Volume buttons to highlight Yes, and press the Power button to confirm.
• Once the cache partition is wiped, the recovery menu will return to the main screen. Select Reboot system now by pressing the power button.

How to Factory Reset the Pixel 11

If all else fails, it’s time to factory reset your device. How you do it depends on whether your phone is on and working, or not.

If the phone is already on

• Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
• Select Erase all data (factory reset) and tap Reset phone.
• Hit Erase all data, then follow the prompts to confirm, such as entering your lock-screen PIN or pattern.

When the phone is off or unresponsive

• Press and hold the power and volume down keys at the same time until Fastboot mode (triangle with an exclamation point) appears.
• Go to Recovery mode using the volume keys for navigation and tap the power button to select.
• Using the volume keys, go to factory data reset.
• Once the phone is reset, hit Reboot system now.

Have you come across any Google Pixel 11 problems we aren’t aware of yet? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to help.