A mysterious error is bricking this popular Android phone
When you get a new phone, you naturally want to explore every function and see what it can do. It doesn’t matter if it’s an Android or iOS device, as the models are constantly updated with new features. Tap or click here for five new phone security settings that feel like secrets.
The last thing you expect is for the phone to stop working after only a few months. It might be a possibility with unknown or smaller device makers. But when you get a phone from Apple, Samsung or Google, you have a reasonable expectation that it will work for years to come.
Unfortunately, owners of these devices recently learned the hard way that it isn’t always the case. Not only did their phone stop working, but there seems to be very little to fix the problem.
Here’s the backstory
Through various message boards, online forums and Google support pages, some report a huge problem with certain models of Pixel phones.
Users have reported that Google’s Pixel 3 and 3 XL mobile devices have stopped working for no apparent reason. It seems that there is nothing the users can do either, as the device refuses to reboot. They are instead only shown a Qualcomm recovery setting called Emergency Download (EDL) mode.
Since they can’t get their phones to load properly, they can’t submit diagnostic reports to Google. “We cannot produce a bug report because the device is fully bricked. I saw some message of ‘your device is corrupted’ and after that, I never could turn it back on. It’s stuck in EDL mode,” wrote a user to Google support staff.
What you can do about your bricked phone
The short answer: unfortunately, not much. As some phones have been completely “bricked,” they will only be an expensive paperweight. Several outlets tried to recover functionality by attempting software updates, with no results.
If the issues are related to hardware components failing, there’s nothing you can do on your own. Our suggestion would be to contact Google directly or take your device back to the store where you bought it.
There are several official channels where you can inform Google that you are experiencing these problems. One of the options is to file a report on Google’s Issue Tracker. Another is to create a support ticket on the Pixel Phone Help forums.
This isn’t the first time that Google has had problems with Pixel phones and their hardware. The company recently extended the warranty for the Pixel 4 to 3 years due to hardware issues.
Make sure you’re giving your tech these checkups if you want it to last
You get regular oil changes, and you remember — even if it’s late — to swap out your AC filters from time to time. Life is full of maintenance, and our tech shouldn’t be any different.
When you invest hundreds or, more likely thousands, of dollars into a gadget, you want it to last. That means some easy upkeep for your phone to keep your ports clear, your screen protected, and your phone’s hardware running strong. Tap or click here for my guide to making your smartphone run like new, inside and out.
This Windows 10 problem could shut down your system – here’s how to fix it
Saying Microsoft has had problems with updates recently is no exaggeration. One Windows 10 update late last year was so full of bugs it was causing some users to see the dreaded Blue Screen of Death.
Problems didn’t end there. An update from just a couple of weeks ago also came packed with flaws, some of which could lead to the deletion of some of your most important information. Tap or click here for ways to avoid those issues.