A fresh Android update can feel like an oil change that somehow made the engine louder. After installing Pixel Android 16, some Google Pixel owners see new glitches that were not there yesterday.
This guide is for Google Pixel 6 and newer in the UK and USA, running Android 16 (stable or beta). It focuses on safe, common fixes in the right order, starting with the fastest checks.
It covers four problems that occur most frequently after major Android updates: Wi-Fi issues, battery drain and overheating, app crashes, and Bluetooth problems. These are usually normal post-update hiccups, not permanent damage, and they rarely need risky “hacks.”
Here’s a quick triage table to pick the right first move.
| Problem | Likely cause | Try first | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi keeps disconnecting | Router hiccup, saved network glitch | Restart phone and router | Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth |
| WiFi connected but no internet | DNS or time sync issue, ISP outage | Toggle Airplane mode, forget/rejoin WiFi | Test another network, contact ISP |
| Battery draining fast | Post-update background work, one rogue app | Check Battery usage, update top app | Restrict background, Adaptive Battery |
| Bluetooth not pairing/dropping | Old pairing, multipoint conflict | Forget device, re-pair clean | Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth |
| Apps crashing/freezing | App update mismatch, corrupted cache | Update apps, clear cache | Safe Mode test, reinstall app |
| Phone overheating/lag | Indexing, poor signal, heavy apps | Reboot, reduce screen brightness | Check signal, update Play system |
Pixel Android 16 WiFi not working: drops, slow speeds, or connected but no internet
WiFi problems after an Android version change often come down to one of two things: a saved network profile that no longer behaves, or a router that needs a reset. “Connected but no internet” can also be a time, DNS, or ISP issue.
Try this first
- Toggle WiFi off and on (Settings > Network & internet > Internet).
- Restart the phone. A simple reboot clears stuck network services.
- Restart the router or modem. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Turn off any VPN (Settings > Network & internet > VPN). VPNs can break sign-in pages.
- Toggle Airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This resets radios quickly.
- Forget and rejoin the network: Settings > Network & internet > Internet > select your WiFi > Forget, then reconnect and re-enter the password.
Next
If Pixel WiFi connected but no internet Android 16 shows up, test one more thing: open a browser and try a plain site (example: a news site) instead of an app. Some apps cache “offline” states.
If that didn’t work
Move to the advanced checks below. They help separate a phone problem from a router or ISP issue.
Last resort
Reset network settings (steps below). It is safe, but it deletes saved WiFi and Bluetooth pairings.
Try this first: quick WiFi resets that take under 2 minutes
Start with the simplest resets, as they resolve most “WiFi keeps disconnecting” cases.
- Toggle WiFi off, wait 5 seconds, toggle it back on.
- Restart the Pixel, then retry the network once it fully boots.
- Power-cycle the router or modem, as it may be holding a stale lease.
- Disable VPN temporarily, then test again on the same network.
- Toggle Airplane mode, then reconnect to WiFi.
- Forget the Wi-Fi network, then rejoin it, then type the password again.
If it still fails: advanced WiFi checks (bands, hotspot test, and network reset)
Band and interference issues are common, especially in apartments and older routers.
First, try switching bands. Connect to 5 GHz if it’s available. If you only have 2.4 GHz, temporarily turn off Bluetooth and test again, because 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth can interfere.
Next, isolate the source:
- Test a different WiFi network (work, coffee shop, or a friend’s router).
- Test a friend’s hotspot. If your Pixel works fine there, the home router or ISP is the likely culprit.
Also check time sync. Wrong time can block internet sign-in.
- Settings > System > Date & time > turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
If nothing changes, reset network settings:
- Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
This removes saved WiFi networks and Bluetooth pairings. After the reset, reconnect and test again.
Hotspot note: if the Pixel hotspot is not working on Android 16, restart the phone, then toggle hotspot off and on (Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering). If other devices still cannot join, test the hotspot in a different location. Some carriers limit hotspot or require an enabled plan.
Beta users should expect more bugs. If you’re on a beta build, review the latest fixes listed in reports such as the Android 16 QPR3 Beta updates.
What worked for most people
Most success comes from forgetting and rejoining WiFi and doing Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Those two steps fix the saved-profile problems that often show up after updates.
Pixel Android 16 battery drain and overheating: stop the fast drain without killing your favorite features
Battery issues after a major update are common because the phone performs extensive background “housekeeping”. Think photo indexing, app optimization, and resyncing data. For many people, Pixel Android 16 battery drain improves within 24 to 48 hours.
If the phone feels hot, treat that as a signal. Phone overheating after an Android 16 update often stems from a single resource-intensive app, poor cellular signal, or heavy background activity while charging.
Try this first: check what’s draining your battery, then fix the top 1 to 2 apps
- Charge to 100% once, then reboot. This helps reset battery reporting.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage and look at the top app.
- Update that app in the Play Store. Many crashes and drains get fixed quickly.
- Restrict background use for obvious offenders: Settings > Apps > (app) > Battery > select Restricted (or turn off “Allow background usage,” depending on model).
- Reduce “always-on” extras for one day: the always-on display, hotspot, and any constant-listening features you do not need.
- Turn off unneeded notifications for the draining app. Notifications can keep apps awake.
A helpful optional feature: Adaptive connectivity can reduce network power use in some cases. The idea is simple: the phone tries to pick more efficient connections when possible. See the explainer on Android’s Adaptive Connectivity and battery impact.
If it keeps draining overnight, deeper fixes that still keep your data safe
An overnight drain usually indicates one of three things: background app activity, a weak signal, or a system process that got stuck after the update.
- Turn on Adaptive Battery: Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery.
- Review scanning toggles: Settings > Location > Location services (or search “scanning”) and turn off WiFi scanning or Bluetooth scanning if you do not need them.
- Lower screen power: reduce brightness, shorten Screen timeout (Settings > Display).
- Check signal strength. Poor reception makes the phone work harder. If the drain is worst at home, test WiFi calling (carrier feature) or place the phone near a window.
- Remove and re-add widgets that update frequently (e.g., weather, stocks). A bad widget can loop.
- Test in Safe Mode to confirm a third-party app is the cause:
- Hold the power button, then press and hold Power off, then tap Safe Mode.
- Use the phone for a bit. If the drain stops, uninstall recent apps after rebooting normally.
- Install pending updates:
- Settings > System > Software update
- Settings > Security & privacy > Updates > Google Play system update
Heat warning: if the phone gets hot while charging, remove the case, stop using it, and charge with an official or certified charger and cable. Heat plus fast charging can stack up quickly.
What worked for most people
Battery drain often improves after 24 to 48 hours, plus fixing one top draining app in Battery usage. Turning on Adaptive Battery also helps many Pixels.
Apps crashing after Android 16 update: get your apps stable again (without losing logins)
Most app crashes after a major update come from mismatched app versions or messy cached files. The goal is to fix stability without wiping your logins first.
Try this first
- Restart the phone. This clears stuck app processes.
- Update the crashing app, then update everything: Play Store > profile icon > Manage apps & device > Update all.
- Force stop the app: Settings > Apps > See all apps > (app) > Force stop.
- Clear cache (not data): Settings > Apps > See all apps > (app) > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
- Check storage space. When storage is nearly full, apps crash more frequently. Settings > Storage.
If the app requires background processing (messaging, ridesharing, fitness tracking), avoid overrestricting it. Overly strict battery settings can make it crash or miss alerts.
For beta testers, app instability can be a real issue. Reports like Pixel testers seeing Android 16 beta app crashes suggest some issues depend on the app developer catching up.
Try this first: quick app cleanup that fixes most crashes
- Restart the Pixel, then open the app once.
- Update that app in the Play Store.
- Update all apps, because shared components can matter.
- Force stop, then relaunch.
- Clear cache only. Save “Clear storage” for later since it can sign you out.
- Free up a few gigabytes of storage if the phone is close to full.
- If the app must run in the background, set App battery to Optimized instead of Restricted.
If crashes keep happening: Safe Mode test, reinstall, and system updates
Safe Mode is a clean test. It temporarily disables third-party apps. If crashes stop in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is likely causing trouble.
- Enter Safe Mode (same steps as above), then try the crashing app again.
- If it works in Safe Mode, reboot normally and remove recent installs first. Pay extra attention to launchers, accessibility tools, screen filters, and antivirus apps.
- Reinstall the crashing app as the last app-focused step. This often fixes corrupted files.
- Update the system components:
- Settings > System > Software update
- Settings > Security & privacy > Updates > Google Play system update
If the crash is tied to Android 16 beta, the best short-term move may be to wait for the next beta release or switch back to stable on a spare device.
What worked for most people
Updating all apps, then clearing cache for the one crashing app solves a lot of cases. When that fails, a Safe Mode test usually points to the real cause.
Pixel Android 16 Bluetooth issues: pairing failures, dropouts, and audio glitches
Bluetooth problems are usually due to pairing history, a low accessory battery, or multipoint conflicts (one headset connected to two devices). Cars add another layer because infotainment systems vary widely.
Try this first
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on (Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth).
- Restart the Pixel.
- Charge the headset, speaker, watch, or car adapter. A low battery causes dropouts.
- Turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices that might auto-connect.
- Forget and re-pair clean: Settings > Connected devices > Previously connected devices > choose the device > Forget, then pair again.
Next
Test another accessory. If a second headset works fine, the issue is likely the first accessory, not the phone. If nothing pairs, focus on the Pixel settings.
If that didn’t work
Reset connections:
- Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
This wipes Bluetooth pairings, so plan a few minutes to re-pair devices.
Last resort
For cars, delete the pairing on both the Pixel and the car, then re-add it. If the car has a firmware update option, apply it.
Try this first: re-pair the right way and rule out the accessory
- Toggle Bluetooth, then restart the phone.
- Fully charge the accessory, then put it into pairing mode again.
- Disable Bluetooth on any nearby phones or tablets for a minute.
- Forget the device in Previously connected devices, then pair from scratch.
- Pair a second accessory to confirm whether Pixel Bluetooth not pairing Android 16 is device-specific.
If it keeps dropping: fix conflicts, reset connections, and check car audio settings
- Turn off multipoint on the accessory if it supports it. Multipoint is convenient, but it can cause switching loops.
- Keep it simple with audio settings. If your Pixel shows an easy toggle for LE Audio on your model, try turning it off once to test.
- Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth (path above), then re-pair only one audio device at first.
- For cars, remove any old pairings, then verify that the car’s Bluetooth profile is set to “Phone + Media Audio.”
Beta users should also submit feedback in the Android Beta Feedback app. It helps fix land faster.
What worked for most people
A clean re-pair, plus charging the accessory, fixes most dropouts. When pairing is stuck, Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth has the highest success rate.
Results you can expect, plus mistakes that make Android 16 issues worse
Most common fix outcomes
- Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth often stops WiFi drops and Bluetooth pairing loops.
- “Connected but no internet” often clears after router reboot plus forgetting and rejoining WiFi.
- Battery drain often improves after 24 to 48 hours and limiting 1 or 2 top apps.
- Overheating often improves after reducing screen brightness and stopping heavy background apps.
- App crashes often stop after app updates plus clearing cache, without needing a full reset.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Factory resetting too early, because it wipes data and often isn’t needed.
- Skipping app updates after updating Android, which leaves compatibility gaps.
- Restoring a bad backup right away, which can bring back the same problem.
- Changing many settings at once, which makes it hard to tell what helped.
- Ignoring router or ISP issues when WiFi is the real culprit.
When to update again vs wait: in February 2026, Pixel updates can be security-focused, not bug-fix heavy. Some issues may only improve with a later patch or a QPR release. If you’re on beta and the phone is unstable, waiting for the next beta can help, but it also carries risk. Coverage of recent beta fixes, including battery changes, appears in write-ups like reports on Android 16 beta battery drain fixes.
Escalate when basics fail. If WiFi fails on all networks, Bluetooth will not pair with any device, or heat is severe even at idle, contact Google support or your carrier (especially if mobile signal looks abnormal).
Android 16 Stable vs Android 16 Beta (QPR): Which is better for troubleshooting?
| Category | Android 16 Stable | Android 16 Beta (QPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Higher for most users | Varies by build |
| Bug risk | Lower | Higher |
| New features timing | Later | Earlier |
| Who should use it | Most people, primary phone | Testers, spare phone users |
| Best for troubleshooting | Best baseline for diagnosis | Useful for testing upcoming fixes |
People Also Ask: quick answers for Pixel Android 16 update issues
Is Android 16 stable on Pixel?
Android 16 stable is usually reliable, but stability still depends on the Pixel model and installed apps. Beta builds can run well, yet bugs show up more often and fixes may arrive in the next beta patch.
- Check Settings > System > System update for the latest patch.
- Update all apps in the Play Store.
- Reboot once after updates finish.
- If you’re on beta, expect more app compatibility issues.
- Test a problem in Safe Mode to separate apps from the system.
Why is my Pixel battery draining after Android 16?
Right after an update, the phone runs extra background tasks, which can drain battery for a day or two. If Pixel battery draining overnight Android 16 continues past 48 hours, a single app or weak signal is often the reason.
- Settings > Battery > Battery usage, find the top app.
- Restrict background for obvious offenders (Settings > Apps > App battery).
- Check mobile signal, poor reception drains power fast.
- Reduce brightness and shorten screen timeout.
- If it heats while charging, remove the case and use a certified charger.
How do I fix Wi-Fi issues on a Pixel running Android 16?
Start by ruling out the router, then reset the phone’s saved network profile. Most Wi-Fi issues after updates are caused by stale settings, not by broken hardware.
- Restart the router or modem (unplug for 30 seconds).
- Forget and rejoin the WiFi network.
- Disable VPN and retry.
- Try another WiFi network or a friend’s hotspot.
- Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth if it keeps failing.
Why are apps crashing after the Android 16 update?
Apps may need updates to match the new Android version, and cached data can clash with new app code. In most cases, the fix is an update plus cache cleanup, not a factory reset.
- Update the crashing app, then update all apps.
- Force stop the app, then reopen it.
- Clear cache (Settings > Apps > Storage & cache).
- Free storage space if it’s nearly full.
- Use Safe Mode to confirm whether another app is causing trouble.
How do I fix Bluetooth issues on the Pixel after an Android update?
Bluetooth problems often come from old pairings, low accessory battery, or device conflicts. A clean re-pair solves most cases, and a connection reset helps when pairing gets stuck.
- Toggle Bluetooth and restart the phone.
- Charge the accessory, then try pairing again.
- Forget the device and re-pair from scratch.
- Turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices to avoid auto-connect fights.
- Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth if nothing pairs.
Should I factory reset my Pixel after updating to Android 16?
Usually no. Targeted fixes (updates, cache clears, network reset, Safe Mode) solve most problems without wiping data. A factory reset makes sense only after backups, and only when issues are severe and repeatable.
- Consider it if Safe Mode is stable but normal mode is not.
- Back up photos, messages, and authenticator apps first.
- Write down important logins and 2-factor methods.
- After resetting, set up fresh first, then restore carefully.
- Avoid restoring everything at once if you suspect a bad app caused the issue.
Conclusion
Most post-update glitches clear with a calm, basic routine: restart the phone, update apps, and reset connections when needed. For WiFi and Bluetooth, Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth is often the turning point. For battery and heat, give it 24 to 48 hours, then fix the top draining app in Battery usage. If problems continue on Pixel Android 16, check for new patches, contact Google support or your carrier, and treat a factory reset as the final step after a full backup. Share your Pixel model, stable or beta, the exact issue, and what you already tried.
SEE ALSO: Mobile Data Not Working After Update Android? Fix in 5 Min
