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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSome Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners continued to report Bluetooth and Android Auto connection problems after the November 2022 Pixel update. Google was still investigating reports of Android Auto connection failures and random disconnections later that month. Subsequent updates addressed several distinct Bluetooth problems, but the November patch was not a universal fix—and the reports do not prove it caused every failure.
What “the November update” means
This article concerns the November 2022 Pixel monthly update, not a November update from another year. It is also useful to distinguish that monthly system update from the Android 13 operating-system version, Google Play system updates, Android Auto updates, and firmware updates for a car, headphones, or watch. A failure noticed after an update may involve any of those components.
Which Bluetooth problems were reported?
Pairing and reconnecting
- An accessory appears in the saved-device list but will not pair or reconnect.
- Pairing succeeds, then drops immediately or repeatedly.
- A previously paired device disappears and reappears in Bluetooth settings.
Cars and Android Auto
- The Pixel 7 or 7 Pro fails to connect to Android Auto, or the connection drops unexpectedly.
- Calls route through the phone speaker rather than the car.
- Calls work but media does not, or media works while call audio or the car microphone fails.
These are not necessarily the same failure. November reporting described Android Auto connection and disconnection complaints separately from a call-audio routing problem. 9to5Google reported on Google’s investigation and the call-routing issue.
Connected, but no audio
A Bluetooth status of “connected” does not guarantee that media and phone-call audio are both enabled or working. Possible symptoms include silence in headphones, sound coming from the phone, or audio failing after a call. A January 2023 update addressed audio playback through certain headphones or accessories under particular conditions.
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Accessories silently unpair
An accessory may vanish from the saved-device list or Bluetooth controls, then reconnect only after the user opens settings. Google’s April 2023 update addressed occasional silent unpairing.
What later Pixel updates addressed
Google’s later update notes described separate fixes for distinct Bluetooth symptoms. The timeline does not establish one patch that resolved every Pixel 7 Bluetooth problem.
| Update | Reported or addressed issue | Source |
|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | Google was still investigating Pixel 7 and 7 Pro Android Auto connection and random-disconnection reports. | 9to5Google, November 21, 2022 |
| January 2023 | Fixes for some Bluetooth Low Energy devices that failed to pair or reconnect, and for audio failing through certain headphones or accessories. | 9to5Google, January 3, 2023 |
| February 2023 | A fix for intermittent connection failures with certain Bluetooth devices or accessories. | 9to5Google, February 6, 2023 |
| April 2023 | A fix for connected Bluetooth devices or accessories silently unpairing. | 9to5Google, April 10, 2023 |
These fixes are evidence that specific Bluetooth failure modes were addressed in later updates; they are not proof that every user had the same bug or received the same remedy. Reports that a problem began after November establish timing, not a single confirmed root cause for every phone, accessory, and car.
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- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Troubleshoot a Pixel 7 Bluetooth problem in order
1. Check whether the problem follows the phone
If possible, try the accessory with another phone, and try another known-good accessory with the Pixel. A problem isolated to one accessory points toward that accessory or its firmware; several unrelated devices failing only with the Pixel points more toward the phone or its settings. For a car problem, test ordinary Bluetooth outside Android Auto as well.
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- Turn Bluetooth off and back on on the Pixel.
- Restart the phone.
- Power-cycle the accessory or car head unit, if possible.
- Check that the accessory is charged and in pairing mode.
This is an isolation step, not a guaranteed software fix.
3. Forget old pairings on both sides
- On the Pixel, open Settings → Connected devices, open the saved-device list, tap the affected device’s settings icon, and choose Forget. The wording may vary by Android version.
- In the car’s Bluetooth menu, delete the Pixel and remove unused phones. Google recommends clearing old phone entries before pairing again.
- Restart the car infotainment system if its manual provides a full power-cycle procedure.
Follow the vehicle manual’s instructions about whether to start pairing from the phone or the car. Google’s Pixel Bluetooth guidance covers clearing car pairings and reconnecting.
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- Camera Description: Rear
4. Pair again and check the audio profiles
- Put the car or accessory into discoverable or pairing mode.
- On the Pixel, open Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device and select it.
- Confirm the PIN matches on both devices, then accept the pairing. Allow contact or call-history access only if appropriate for the device and your preferences.
- For a paired device, return to Settings → Connected devices, tap its settings icon, and check Media audio for music and Phone audio for calls.
Media and phone audio are separate controls; a working call connection does not establish that music playback is enabled, or vice versa. Google lists the pairing and profile checks in its Bluetooth troubleshooting instructions.
5. Update the components involved
Install the newest Pixel system update available for your model and carrier, and check for Google Play system, Android Auto, accessory firmware, and vehicle infotainment updates. A car or accessory update may matter even when the Pixel is current. Do not downgrade or sideload firmware as a routine troubleshooting step.
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- Open Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth diagnostics.
- Select the accessory or problem category and follow the prompts.
- Share the report with Google Support if requested.
Google says Bluetooth diagnostics is available on Pixel 6 and newer, including Pixel 7. A submitted report may include device, software-version, Bluetooth-state, accessory and, where applicable, Android Auto information. See Google’s Bluetooth support page.
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- Camera description: Rear
- At a Glance shows you useful info that you need at the right time, like weather alerts, a package delivery or baggage claim info when your flight lands
- Wireless network technology : CDMA
- Connectivity technology : Bluetooth
7. Reset network connections if multiple devices fail
Search Settings for reset options, reset Bluetooth, or reset Wi-Fi; labels and available choices vary. A Bluetooth or network reset removes saved pairings, and a combined Wi-Fi reset removes saved Wi-Fi networks. Have your Wi-Fi passwords available and expect to pair accessories again.
8. Reduce variables, then contact support
- Test one accessory at a time, away from other devices that might take the connection.
- Temporarily disable third-party Bluetooth-management, automation, battery-saver, or audio-routing apps.
- Contact Google Pixel Support if Bluetooth cannot be enabled, several known-good accessories fail after re-pairing and a reset, diagnostics report a fault, or the phone has physical or liquid damage.
How to tell whether the phone, accessory, or car is the likely source
| What you observe | What it suggests | Useful next check |
|---|---|---|
| Several unrelated accessories fail only with the Pixel. | A phone-side software or settings issue is more plausible. | Update, run Bluetooth diagnostics, and try a network reset. |
| One accessory also fails with another phone. | The accessory, its firmware, or its battery is a stronger suspect. | Check the maker’s update and reset instructions. |
| Only one older car head unit fails. | The car’s pairing memory or compatibility may be involved. | Clear unused car pairings and check vehicle firmware guidance. |
| Only calls, only media, or only Android Auto fails. | A particular Bluetooth profile or Android Auto path may be involved rather than all Bluetooth. | Check Phone audio and Media audio separately; test Android Auto on its own. |
These checks narrow the possibilities; they do not diagnose hardware on their own. A failure that began after an update can also involve stale pairing records, accessory firmware, a car limitation, or an unrelated fault.
Why Android Auto needs a separate test
Android Auto can depend on Bluetooth pairing, USB or wireless projection, the Android Auto app or system component, the car’s compatibility, phone-call routing, and vehicle firmware. A successful ordinary Bluetooth connection does not prove that Android Auto is working correctly. If calls use the phone speaker, check the car’s call-audio connection separately from music playback and Android Auto projection. For vehicle-specific guidance, use Android Auto Help.
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In November 2022, Google was still investigating Pixel 7 and 7 Pro Android Auto connection and random-disconnection reports; the same coverage also described call audio routing through the phone speaker. That reporting does not establish that every Android Auto or call-routing issue had the same cause.
When to stop troubleshooting
Seek Google support or an authorized repair assessment when multiple known-good accessories fail after updates, a clean re-pair and network reset; Bluetooth cannot be turned on; diagnostics indicate a system or hardware fault; or the phone has been damaged. If the problem is confined to one car or accessory, investigate that device before replacing the phone or buying another accessory.
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