Google Responds to Pixel Microphone Issues with Official Replacement Program

Smooth and Successful Launch

The Pixel has enjoyed a smooth, successful launch but has yet to be without problems. First, an audio issue affected playback at high volumes, followed by a Bluetooth problem that caused random disabling of connected devices. Software updates fixed the audio and Bluetooth issues. A new situation might have a challenging fix. First uncovered by Android Police, Google took to the Pixel one Help board to address the problems regarding malfunctioning microphones. In the original Oct. 2016 post, a user says he received the Pixel. And after a few hours of use and set up, the microphone stopped working entirely, except when recording video. Upon which it would record audio fine as if nothing was wrong. He factory reset the phone, and the issue persists apart from the camera app. And it was followed by hundreds of comments from users experiencing similar problems.

Google Responds

Google employee Brian Rakowski responded by saying the company was aware of the issue and that a software update would not fix it, as it pertains to a flaw in the manufacturing. He explained, The most common problem is a hairline crack in a solder connection on the audio codec. This problem will affect all three microphones and may result in other issues with audio processing. This problem tends to be transient because of the nature of the crack. How the user holds or temperature changes may temporarily restore the phone, and the issues may go away. It can become frustrating for users, who think it’s fixed, but the problem still randomly returns.

Google says the problem occurs in less than 1% of phones. And often happens after a few months of use. And could be triggered by dropping the phone but may not cause external damage. More important is that help is on the way. Rakowski says that Google will replace any Pixels exhibiting this problem. And are taking additional steps to qualify the refurbished phones to ensure they don’t have this microphone problem. He says Pixel phones manufactured within the past month shouldn’t exhibit the microphone flaw. He recommended returning the phone to where you purchased the phone to request a warranty replacement.

Now Hear This

The Pixel is a new project for Google. With all new ventures, problems will arise. And Google is handling them the right way. Google employees have detailed what was happening and how the other issues were fixed with updates. With this one, Google is doing right by exchanging defective units for new ones. Even if the problem was caused by a drop. This will only strengthen the Pixel brand.