How to Fix Connection Problems With Your Pixel 6
There’s a lot to love about the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but there are some serious headaches too. The last time we talked about devices, we talked about how to fix the Pixel 6’s slow fingerprint sensor . Today, there seems to be a new headache, with many users complaining that their Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro won’t connect to their cellular networks .
These signal issues have been reported by many frustrated Reddit users; Some say their phones drop the connection only to re-establish the connection with some stability for a few minutes, while others need to take troubleshooting steps to restore cellular connectivity. According to 9to5Google , some see their Pixel showing a No SIM card warning, while others see the SIM connected without being able to use the connection at all. With over 100 replies to this Pixel Phone Help page , it’s clear that a lot of Pixel users are unhappy with this issue.
A new phone may not help
Some users have managed to get their hands on the new Pixel 6 or 6 Pro from Google. While you can certainly contact Google and see if your model can be replaced, it can be more of a hassle than a good thing. If the problem turns out to be related to specific faulty units, then, of course, a replacement might work. However, for several reasons, this may not be the case. Even the original poster of the aforementioned Pixel Phone help page says the issue has been fixed without replacement (more on that later).
According to Android Police , we may be looking at a broader issue with the modem that Google has used with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The Exynos 5123b modem used in the Pixel 6 series is already known to be less functional and reliable than the Qualcomm X60 modem that Samsung uses in its Galaxy S21 lineup, although the company owns Exynos.
This issue can also be related to Android 12.
However, the Pixel 6 modem can’t be entirely at fault here. While most of the buzz surrounding this issue comes from Pixel 6 users, other Pixel users are experiencing similar connection issues as well. Since the Pixel 4, 4a, and other devices don’t use the same modem as the Pixel 6 series, the other important denominator here is Android 12.
If the problem is with Android 12, that’s actually good news. Once Google finds a problem, it can release a software update or even fix something on the server side. This would be a much easier solution than if the hardware was to blame, as it would be if the Exynos modem failed.
In any case, replacing your current Pixel will not solve the problem if one of these two situations turns out to be causing the problem. For now, you’re better off taking a less drastic approach.
How to fix signal loss on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
Since the situation is so new (many of these complaints have come in over the past few days), we need to wait for an official Google response before we know more. In the meantime, users have found workarounds to solve the problem.
Update your service provider
Remember the OP who wrote the first Pixel Phone Help post? They claim that their issue has been resolved with the Carrier Services update. Go to your updates in the Play Store to see if you have any pending updates for Carrier Services . Perhaps this update will help fix the problem.
Reboot your device
Some Pixel users have temporarily resolved the connection issue with a simple reboot. It’s not a guarantee, but hopefully it helps you get your money back.
Disable “Adaptive Connection”
Adaptive Connectivity is a Google feature that tries to save battery power by automatically switching from 5G to 4G when it thinks you won’t benefit from faster network speeds. However, this feature seems to play a role in the Pixel 6’s connectivity issues. Disabling adaptive connectivity might cost you a few percent of your battery life, but it’s worth it for a stable cellular connection.
Get a new SIM card
Some users have found a solution to the problem in replacing the SIM card with their operator. If the other options don’t work for you, it’s worth trying to return your Pixel to the provider of your connection and ask for a new SIM.