Google Pixel 3 Bluetooth connection to headphones keeps dropping

Many Google Pixel 3 owners contact us for help regarding their device having problems with Bluetooth connectivity. In this post, we show you the troubleshooting steps that you can do when your Pixel 3 is having a hard time maintaining Bluetooth connection to headphones or Bluetooth speakers.

Problem: Google Pixel 3 Bluetooth connection to headphones keeps dropping

The problem I am seeing is bluetooth connectivity dropping in and out, or glitching. Amazingly, I’ve had no problems in the car, like others. In this case it is multiple different sets of headphones or bluetooth speakers.  Typical situation is at the gym, connected to a pair of bluetooth headphones, and the gyms wifi to stream music.

Second case is on a different pair of headphones, playing from podcast player, no connection to wifi, but wifi searching is still on. The phone is typically in an armband case on my arm, or in my pocket, just below the headphones bluetooth receiver (so very short distance, no blocking).

Originally I thought it was the headphones, but I’ve been having troubles with multiple devices. the only thing that works consistently, is actually my car. Additionally, all of the devices paired perfectly with a 6-year old LG phone, so I don’t think it’s the devices. My second thought was maybe it was the Wifi connection. When I had just the local podcast (no streaming, no wifi, but still wifi “searching”), the sound would just glitch or skip slightly. When I had wifi, and music streaming, the bluetooth would completely drop out for a few seconds, and reconnect after a while. It would make sense too if in the car, it’s a higher power device, so, it can keep the signal strength up a bit better. I should have tested with wifi off, but didn’t think of that at the time. So, that’s the issue I’m seeing. I don’t have a solution (Hopefully it’s one-more data-point if anyone else see’s this issue). Maybe we can solve it as a community.

Solution: Fixing Bluetooth issues is often tricky because there’s a lot of variables involved. In most cases, solving Bluetooth problems may require troubleshooting connected devices as well.

Given the circumstances you mentioned, it’s possible that dropping Bluetooth connections on your device occurs when there are other nearby Bluetooth gadgets. Although modern Bluetooth systems are usually designed to neutralize the effects of interference from other devices operating in the same frequency, problems can still happen.

To check if our suspicion is true, try to use the headphones you’re having trouble with in an open place where there is no possibility of interference from other devices. You can go to a huge open field perhaps and check how Bluetooth works with other headphones. Signals from Bluetooth devices usually goes as far as 30 feet only. If there’s no interference at all and your Pixel 3 Bluetooth works with these headphones, you can bet either your Pixel or headphones has signal problems.

Reset network settings of your Pixel 3

Majority of networking issues including Bluetooth problems are fixed by restoring the default configuration of a device. Resetting the network settings of your Pixel 3 will reset all saved wifi passwords, erase all Bluetooth connections or pairings, and refresh the mobile or cellular settings. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Reset options.
5. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
6. Tap Reset settings

Install software updates

Some network issues, including problems related to Bluetooth may be fixed by installing updates. Android is constantly a work in progress so coding changes may be required from time to time. As an end user, there’s often no way to be sure if a problem needs coding changes but it’s still highly recommended that you install updates as they come.

Reset app preferences

For every network problem such as this one, you need to at least see what happens when you clear a device’s network settings. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Reset options.
5. Choose from the following:
6. Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
   • Reset app preferences
   • Erase all data (factory reset)
   • Tap Reset settings.
7. Enter the PIN, password or pattern if prompted.
8. Tap Reset settings to confirm.

Restore software defaults

Knowing the exact cause of a particular Bluetooth issue is often impossible. As an end user, the most that you can do is to wipe the device and revert its software settings to their factory state. If the reason for the problem is software related, factory reset will most likely help.

To factory reset your Pixel 3:

1. Create a backup of your personal data.
2. Make sure to know the username and password for Google account in the phone.
3. Open Settings app.
4. Tap System.
5. Tap Advanced.
6. Tap Reset options.
7. Tap Erase all data (factory reset) and then Reset phone. If needed, enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
8. To erase all data from your phone’s internal storage, tap Erase everything.
9. When your phone has finished erasing, pick the option to restart.
10. Set up your phone and restore your backed-up data.

Work with headphone makers

Your Google Pixel 3 works when connected to your car’s Bluetooth system so from that, we know that it’s capable of connecting to a compatible device. If you have the same problem after performing a factory reset on your Pixel 3, consider getting help from the makers of your headphones.

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