Google pixel woes
 

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Google pixel woes

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Last October I bought a pixel 7a which for the last 5 months has been fine. But lately it's protesting about liquid in the port, not charging etc. I've rebooted, tried many combinations of chargers and proven usb cables but patchy success. Tried the same combination that worked fine for my 4a for 3 years.
Last night on a chat with Google they offered a refurb phone or repair some 100 Kms away.
Can't I just return to retailer and get it replaced?


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 11:13 am
 ham
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I've noticed that recent Pixels (6 & 8, I'm a fanboi) can be touchy about cables in a way other phones aren't, so a "proven" cable may not be as good as you think. As a suggestion, try clearing the bottom of the port using a fine wire, it collects dust and the like, and it probably won't harm to try IPA (the alcohol not the beer) to flush.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 11:21 am
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I had the same issues on a samsung s20 until I changed all cables to Anker.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 11:57 am
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Can’t I just return to retailer and get it replaced?

That's not up to us mate, though I'd let you do that if I could.

Is the refurb option worth considering though?


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:06 pm
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Probably just pocket fluff in the charging port. Stick a wee pointy thing in there and see what you can extract. Might take a few attempts.

You should be able to feel a slight click when attaching the cable into the port.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:11 pm
convert, Del, Del and 1 people reacted
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I've a 7 pro and its been moaning about the charger/cable might not be right for months now but it still charges. Same cable and charger ive always used with it and other phones dont complain about it so who knows.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:18 pm
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Ooh, compressed air blown in the charging port cab help btw


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:24 pm
convert and convert reacted
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Tried all of that and using a Anker cable too - tested my old 4a with several cables and no issues. Blown the USB quite a few times.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:38 pm
gecko76 and gecko76 reacted
 pk13
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I've pooped the screen off a pixel by blowing compressed air in the charger point.

60 psi will do it .


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 12:46 pm
doris5000, StirlingCrispin, doris5000 and 1 people reacted
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I use a magnetic cable so the magnet stays in the port all the time so no wear and tear from pulling a cable in and out. Pixel 4a that's around 4 years old with no charging issues. Plenty of screen cracks though!


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 1:37 pm
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I use a magnetic cable so the magnet stays in the port all the time so no wear and tear from pulling a cable in and out.

I had no idea that they existed. Good idea!


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 1:40 pm
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Charge it wirelessly?

That's what I do with my 6.... Charges overnight by the bed and acts a clock.

Works great and no port to mess around with .


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 1:48 pm
StuF and StuF reacted
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@simondbarnes something like this

https://amzn.eu/d/fnJDkNu


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 2:56 pm
 StuF
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Wireless charging here on my 7a, went with that as my old phone's usb port died and wouldn't charge/felt very wobbly so I figured less moving parts the better


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 3:04 pm
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Ok for those avidly following this thread, my phone was replaced with no questions asked. Very pleased. But I'm sure it's wear and tear on the usb port that is an issue. So got a Bluetooth wireless thing for the car and will get a wireless or magnetic thing for home charging.
Thanks.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 3:16 pm
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I’ve pooped the screen off a pixel by blowing compressed air in the charger point.

60 psi will do it .

60psi of poo?

Agree with everyone else though, my 6 kept getting pocket fluff in the charge port. Just got an 8 but as yet it's managed to be fluff free.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 3:17 pm
pk13 and pk13 reacted
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I had this issue on a 4a. I hoped they'd solved it by now but I've not had it on my 7a.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 3:58 pm
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I put a little rubber  bung in my charge port just in case.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 4:05 pm
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My issue is lack of Miracast. WTAF?

Wondering how much of a compromise Lineage is...


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 5:24 pm
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I would get a magnifying glass, decent lighting and some plastic picks - and give the USBC port a real good cleaning. A long time ago I had problems with charging my phone and after picking out all the dust and pocket lint suddenly it all worked again. The other recommendation I have is never buy the "a" version of a Google pixel as it lacks wireless charging. The only time I ever plug my phone in is into the car for sat nav - with most phones it is the USB port which is the Achilles heel


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 8:09 pm
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I have a 7a, no problem with the charging or battery but it's the touchscreen . Press a digit and it often duplicates, not always but just plays up from time to time and so annoying


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 8:44 pm
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The other recommendation I have is never buy the “a” version of a Google pixel as it lacks wireless charging.

The 7a has wireless charging


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 8:50 pm
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The other recommendation I have is never buy the “a” version of a Google pixel as it lacks wireless charging

Pixel 7a can charge wirelessly. Also has the best camera in the 7 series.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 9:00 pm
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Wireless charging is more stressful to the battery.

Apparently


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 9:37 pm
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It's OK, I light some scented candles and play a mindfulness track when I do it.


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 10:08 pm
doris5000, funkmasterp, anorak and 5 people reacted
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Oops I stand corrected! The a versions always used to lack wireless charging - I may look at the a version for my next pixel upgrade


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 10:16 pm
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Loving the magnetic charger thing!!!


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 10:32 pm
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Don't use anything metal to clean the USB port, I damaged something in mine and it wouldn't do anything but charge, including breaking Android Auto.   When the screen later broke, I replaced the USBC port as well but it still didn't fix it.

Use plastic!


 
Posted : 17/02/2024 10:36 pm
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Pixel 7a can charge wirelessly. Also has the best camera in the 7 series.

More megapixels doesn't equal a better camera. Smaller sensor in the 7a for a start.

https://www.reviews.org/au/mobile/google-pixel-7a-vs-pixel-7-vs-pixel-7-pro/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20the%20Pixel%207a,Bayer%20sensor%20and%20smaller%20aperture.


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 11:53 am
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Yeah charge port on 6a needs regular de fluffing, I broke my last one using a metal pick thankfully Google replaced free of charge after Ismash in Manchester (Google certified repairs) quoted £350 to fix my £279 phone.


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 12:46 pm
 K
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Ooh, compressed air blown in the charging port cab help btw

Don't recommend doing this unless it's set very low otherwise you can "inflate" the phone potentially breaking the seals, buggering the screen or general not doing ot much good.


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 7:06 pm
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Take it to one of those phone repair shops and have the charge port cleaned. (Or DIY).


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 8:05 pm
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Why would you use a metal pick to clean a charge/data port?

Also why would you blast air so close you can blow your phone apart?

Get a can of compressed air, that's literally what it's for.


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 8:18 pm
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Why would you use a metal pick to clean a charge/data port?

Also why would you blast air so close you can blow your phone apart?

Get a can of compressed air, that’s literally what it’s for.

Don't do any of that!

1. cheap canned air will not clear out compacted pocket lint, in fact I never reccomend canned air, as it's either too high pressure, or so low it's pointless.

2. High preasure air will probably damage something.

3. A metal 'pick' could do more damage than it fixes.

If you have compacted pocket dust in the USB-c Socket, it's better to fasion your own pick from plastic, with a pair of scissors, say from a yoghurt pot or similar, so it's flexible.

USB-c sockets on phones are dust/pocket lint magnets, so I'd suggest buying a rubber bung as preventetive maintenence, something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085PZ7H22/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheaper ones are available, but looking at the reviews the cheaper ones tend to fall out after too many uses.


 
Posted : 18/02/2024 8:42 pm

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