Some Pixel 3a owners are experiencing random shut downs

By Jason England
published

Pixel 3a XL standing on a table
Pixel 3a XL standing on a table (Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Some users are experiencing random shut downs on both the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL.
  • Running in safe mode doesn't appear to fix it and it could be related to using Wi-Fi.
  • At the moment, there has been no official statement from Google on the matter.

It wouldn't be a Pixel launch if users weren't already having problems, and unfortunately, it only took a couple of weeks for users to encounter their first issue with the Pixel 3a series.

Some users on Reddit are now reporting that their Pixel 3a and 3a XL are randomly shutting down. So far, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to why the phones are shutting down. The issue appears to be completely random and happens when the phone is not in use.

When a shutdown does occur, the screen refuses to turn on with a press of the power button. Instead, you'll have to hold down the power button for 30 seconds in order to make the phone boot back up. The issue appears to be with the software or hardware of the device itself, and this revelation came after a user tried running his phone in safe mode which would negate any effects from third-party apps.

There is a theory the bug could be related to using Wi-Fi on the device, but it hasn't been confirmed. In the meantime, users are returning their phones and hoping to get one without the issue.

While there have been a fair share of issues with previous Pixel phones in the past, at this point you'd think Google would have worked out the kinks. It was just last week Google settled a class action lawsuit for the original Pixel for a defect with the microphone. There is also another class action lawsuit awaiting settlement for the issues that occurred with the Nexus 6P.

Let's hope the new issue with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL get resolved soon and it doesn't lead to more litigation.

Jason England
Jason England
10 Comments
  • So just like on the 3XL.
  • Had this issue for the first time today on my 2XL had to hold power button 30 seconds to turn it on and it had 83 percent battery left. The phone is only 6 months old.
  • My 3XL has done this a few times, including when I was trying to get directions in Germany last week. That was fun.
  • Pixel Life. Just one of those quirks.
  • Really? Show me a trouble free phone and I'll buy it for you
  • I'm calling BS on this right now. How many users and show me proof! Mine is solid and works great. I smell a iPhone or Samsung troll spreading lies.
  • So it must be fake news because you haven't experienced it yourself?
  • Considering the lack of post at reddit I'm not alone. So yea, I'm calling it a complete BS story.
    And just like most stories on the internet no one does any type of source verification. It was posted by 1 idiot so it must be most phones.
  • Seven different users on the Reddit thread, and reports on over twenty major websites, including a video of it happening on YouTube. Sounds like some legit problem is going on, even if it does not affect the majority of users.
  • That's no good.