How to Fix Pixel Phone Stuck on “Pixel is Starting” Error

Google’s Pixel phones are known for their outstanding performance and capabilities, but like any other electronic device, they are not without flaws. One common issue that some Pixel users have encountered is their phone getting stuck on the “Pixel is starting” screen. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover multiple methods with detailed step-by-step instructions to help you resolve this frustrating issue.

Method 1: Perform a Soft Reset (Force Reboot)

A soft reset or forced reboot can sometimes fix minor software glitches that may be preventing your phone from completing the startup process.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press and hold the Power button for approximately 30 seconds.
2. Release the button when the Google logo appears on the screen.
3. Your phone should now reboot normally.

Method 2: Boot Your Pixel Phone in Safe Mode

Booting your phone in safe mode will disable all third-party apps temporarily. This can help isolate issues caused by problematic apps.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the “Power off” option appears on the screen.
2. Press and hold the “Power off” option until a prompt for “Safe mode” appears.
3. Tap OK to confirm and boot your phone into safe mode.

If your phone starts up successfully in safe mode, move on to Method 3 to identify and fix the app causing problems.

Method 3: Identify and Uninstall Problematic Apps

If your phone works well in safe mode, it is likely that an app you installed has caused these issues. In this case, consider uninstalling any recently installed or updated apps one by one.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
2. Scroll through your list of apps to find the ones you suspect are responsible for the error.
3. Tap on the app and then tap Uninstall.
4. Reboot your Pixel phone and check if the problem is resolved.

Repeat these steps for any other potentially problematic apps.

Method 4: Wipe Cache Partition

Wiping your phone’s cache partition can help resolve any issues caused by corrupted or outdated cache files.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Turn off your Pixel phone.
2. Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons simultaneously until the Fastboot Mode screen appears.
3. Use the Volume buttons to navigate to “Recovery mode” and press the Power button to select it.
4. When the Android robot appears, press and hold the Power button, then press and release the Volume up button.
5. Using the Volume buttons, navigate to “Wipe cache partition,” then use the Power button to select it.
6. Once complete, use the Volume buttons to highlight “Reboot system now” and press the Power button to confirm.

Method 5: Perform a Factory Reset

If none of the previous methods have resolved your issue, you may need to perform a factory reset on your Pixel phone. Please note that this will erase all your data, so ensure that you back up important data before proceeding with this step.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
2. Carefully read through any warning messages and follow any additional instructions provided on the screen.
3. Tap “Erase all data” when prompted to confirm.

After completing this process, your Pixel phone will be restored to its original factory settings, hopefully resolving any issues with it getting stuck on “Pixel is starting.”

If you continue to experience problems with your Pixel phone even after trying all the methods listed above, we recommend contacting Google Support or visiting an authorized service center for further assistance.