What began as a routine software rollout has turned into a growing concern for several Google Pixel users, as reports of broken wireless connectivity surface days after the January 2026 update reached more devices.
Users say the update has caused Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features to stop working unexpectedly. Complaints shared across online forums highlight that affected phones fail to connect to Wi-Fi networks or even scan for them, while Bluetooth cannot be switched on at all. The issue appears to have emerged gradually as the update expanded to a wider user base.
According to a tech publication, Pixel owners flagged the problems on support forums and community platforms. While not every device is affected, reports span multiple models, including Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 10, and Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Some users have also pointed to additional glitches following the update. These include camera malfunctions, broken search within the Settings app, Network and Internet pages that fail to load, and higher idle battery drain. Several affected users said common fixes such as restarting the device, resetting network settings, booting into safe mode, or performing a factory reset did not solve the problem.
A small number of users claimed success after manually reinstalling the latest public software build. However, this process involves sideloading software using a computer, making it impractical for most users.
Google has acknowledged the complaints on X and advised impacted users to reach out to customer support. So far, the company has not confirmed the cause of the issue or shared a timeline for a fix. Users who have not yet installed the January update are being advised to delay it until a patch is released.
The January 2026 Pixel update was intended to focus on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than new features. The official changelog mentions fixes for noisy audio during Webex calls, abnormal battery drain in certain conditions, and intermittent touchscreen responsiveness issues.
It also addresses display-related bugs, including always-on display flickering and flashing noise lines while editing HDR photos in Adobe Lightroom. Google also notes general GPU performance improvements and a fix for a bug that caused the Wallpaper and Style app to crash after deleting a Live Universe wallpaper.
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