Google’s
Nexus 6
is the current flagship Nexus smartphone and one of the top Android
smartphones on the market. It’s not without its flaws though. Nexus 6
users have been detailing Android 5.0 Lollipop problems for a number of
weeks now and today, we want to take a look at those problems and offer
some potential fixes.
At the tail end of last year, after a ton of back and forth, Google
announced a brand new Nexus phone in the form of the Nexus 6. The Nexus
6, a flagship successor to the Nexus 5, features a number of big time
features including a massive high-resolution display, solid design, good
camera, excellent processor, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The Nexus 6 was
one of the first devices with Google’s new operating system on board.
In the days after its release, we started to hear about some initial
Android 5.0 Lollipop problems. Nexus 6 users joined other Nexus users in
a chorus of complaints directed at Google. Several weeks after the
release of the Nexus 6 and Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google responded with a
bug fixer aimed at tackling some of the initial problems.
That update was, and is, Android 5.0.1 Lollipop. Android 5.0.1 Lollipop is a bug fix update
available to Nexus 6 users all over the world
and one that squashes some of the bigger problems with Google’s update.
Unfortunately, Google’s brand new update failed to tackle all of the
Nexus 6 problems plaguing owners in the U.S. and in other countries
where the device is sold.
We continue to see complaints about Nexus 6 issues and today we want
to run down some of the most common problems and offer some possible
fixes for Nexus 6 users looking for help ahead of the device’s next
update. Be it Android 5.0.2 Lollipop or the elusive but official Android
5.1 Lollipop update from Google. Both could feature bug fixes for
Android 5.0 problems.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Battery Life Problems
Nexus 6 users have complained about bad Nexus 6 battery life for a number of months now.
The issues first emerged in the days after its initial release and they
continue to plague users who have moved to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop.
Battery life problems are among the most common smartphone issues so
this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. There isn’t a fix that’s
guaranteed to solve Nexus 6 battery life problems but there are a few
solutions to try if the device’s battery starts acting up.
First, we recommend restarting the Nexus 6. This will clear the cache
and kill services that might be eating away at the Nexus 6’s battery.
If a simple restart doesn’t work, now it’s time to start taking a look
at habits.
We recommend disabling services like GPS, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC, and
Bluetooth when they’re not in use. We’ve noticed that poor cellular
coverage is often to blame for bad battery life. When the Nexus 6 needs
to search hard for a signal, it runs the battery down faster, so keep
that in mind when in spotty areas. Users may need to turn on Airplane
mode when there isn’t a strong 4G or LTE signal close by.
If none of that works, now it’s time to start investigating the apps
on board. Applications have been responsible for abnormal battery drain
in the past and that’s why they’re worth checking out if things on the
Nexus 6 start going south.
First, head into the device’s settings to take a look at the effect
that applications are having on the Nexus 6’s. If there is anything out
of the ordinary, it’s time to get proactive. Try reinstalling it to see
if that corrects the issue. If the problem persists, try uninstalling
the app to see if that has a positive effect. If that doesn’t work,
Nexus 6 users should boot the device into Safe Mode in an effort to
single out potential troublemakers.
Booting the Nexus 6 into Safe Mode disables third-party apps and
allows users to isolate apps that could be causing the problems. Here’s
how to boot it into Safe Mode:
- Make sure your device’s screen is on, then press & hold the Power button.
- In the box that opens, touch & hold Power off.
- You’ll see a “Reboot to safe mode” box. Touch OK.
- Your device will start up in safe mode.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Wi-Fi Problems
Wi-Fi problems are a common Android 5.0 Lollipop issue and some Nexus 6 users are complaining about broken connections
or general instability. There is no guaranteed fix for Wi-Fi problems
either though there are a few things that Nexus 6 users can try should
the device’s Wi-Fi connectivity start acting up.
Nexus 6 users should first try rebooting the phone. If that doesn’t
work, try rebooting the local router, especially if that hasn’t been
done in a long time. We recommend unplugging the router for a good 30
seconds and then plugging it back in. Users can do the same for your
modem as well.
It’s also worth it to update the router’s firmware. Instructions for
that will vary based on make and model. If those simple fixes do not
work, it’s time to head into the Nexus 6’s software settings.
Once there, force the Nexus 6 to forget the Wi-Fi network that’s
causing the problems. Head to the desired connection in Settings and
select the
Forget Network option. Users will then need to reconnect the Nexus 6 to the Wi-Fi network so make sure that the password is readily available.
If that doesn’t work, try changing the frequency. To do that, click the
vertical dots in the top right corner to bring up the
Advanced menu. Go to
Wi-Fi frequency band and try 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
If none of those fixes dislodge the Nexus 6 Wi-Fi problems, we
recommend updating applications. If apps aren’t causing the problem then
it’s probably worth trying another router to see if it’s a hardware
problem. Older routers misbehave sometimes misbehave. If none of that
works, it’s worth heading to the bottom of this page for instructions on
how to factory reset.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Bluetooth Issues
Nexus 6 users are complaining about Bluetooth issues.
Some are unable to pair their device with headsets and speakers, others
are having trouble connecting the device to their car. Bluetooth issues
are a common Android problem and over the years, we’ve discovered
several possible fixes, some of which could work for the Nexus 6.
Users dealing with Bluetooth issues should first try switching
Bluetooth off and on. This is an extremely simple fix but it’s worked
for some Nexus users in the past.
If that doesn’t work, we recommend clearing the cache on Bluetooth Share. To do this, head into
Settings -> Apps -> Scroll over to All -> Select Bluetooth Share -> Clear Cache. After doing this, power down the Nexus 5 and boot it back up to see if the problem is resolved. Nexus users can also try to
Clear Data from the same screen.
Nexus 6 users trying to connect to Bluetooth in a car will want
to consult the car’s manual. There should be a way to reset Bluetooth
though the process is going to be different for each make and model.
Once the car’s connection has been reset and the car’s connection has
been forgotten on the Nexus 6, try reconnecting to see if it works.
If none of that works, we recommend booting into Safe Mode (the
instructions can be found above) which will disable third-party
applications. This will allow users to check and see if apps are causing
the problem.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Cellular Data Problems
Some Nexus 6 users are experiencing trouble with their cellular data.
These problems have impacted Nexus smartphone and tablet users for
years so it’s not surprising to see them pop up for the Nexus 6.
To solve cellular data problems, first try flipping cellular data off. To do that go to
Settings -> More -> Cellular networks.
Turn it back on after 30 seconds or so and see if the connection is
back. If it’s not, try rebooting the Nexus 6. This has worked for us in
the past when cellular data abruptly stops working.
Users might also want to try heading into Access Point Name (APN)
settings and updating them. Lollipop apparently did not properly update
them for some users. To access the Nexus 6’s APN settings,
Settings -> More -> Cellular networks -> Access Point Names. Those unsure about APN settings should contact the device’s carrier before changing the settings.
We’ve also had success popping the Nexus 6 into Airplane Mode. Switch
on Airplane Mode and then switch it off. This has, in the past,
restored cellular data on Nexus smartphones and tablets. If none of that
works, it’s probably time to contact the device’s carrier or Google.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Random Reboots
We continue to see reports about Nexus 6 random reboots.
Users are saying that the device will abruptly restart without warning.
It’s a common smartphone problem and it’s one that comes with some
potential fixes.
The first step to take is to soft reset the device. This has cleared
up reboot issues for us in the past and it’s a simple fix that could
work should the Nexus 6 start rebooting out of nowhere.
We also recommend updating applications to the latest version. Old
apps have been known to cause problems. We also recommend booting into
Safe Mode to disable third-party apps. If apps are the culprit, Nexus 6
users won’t see the random reboots when in Safe Mode because third-party
apps are disabled.
How to Fix Bad Nexus 6 Performance
Android 5.0.1 is running well on our Nexus 6 but it looks like some
users have run into lag and abnormal sluggishness in the weeks after the
Nexus 6 release. The Nexus 6 utilizes some powerful hardware so this
should not be happening.
One fix that’s worked for us is one that involves clearing the cache
partition. This is an in depth process that requires a lot of time and
effort but it has worked wonders for Nexus performance problems in the
past. Here’s how to do it on the Nexus 6:
- Press and hold Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you see something other than Google on the screen.
- You should see a large arrow at the top of the screen.
- Tap Volume Down repeatedly until you see Recovery in the arrow. Then tap the Power button
- You should see an android on his back, chest open with a red triangle and exclamation mark.
- While holding Power button tap Volume Up once then release Power.
- You should now see a list of items at top of screen.
- Tap Volume Down until the item to erase or wipe the cache partition is highlighted. Then tap Power button to initiate.
- Status messages will appear at the bottom of the screen. Be patient
– it can take 10-15 minutes to complete. When done restart the Nexus.
We also recommend halting the use of live wallpapers as they can
negatively impact performance. Nexus 6 users can also try toggling NFC
off if it’s not in use. We also recommend toggling off Daydream,
Android’s screen saver to see if that has a positive impact on the speed
of the smartphone.
How to Fix Nexus 6 App Issues
Nexus 6 users experiencing issues with applications can try a few
things to improve the app’s performance. First, try updating the app.
There’s a good chance that the developer’s rolled out a recent bug fix
that tackles some lingering issues. We also recommend reinstalling the
application. We’ve seen success with this method several times in the
past.
If the problems continue after reinstalling and updating, reach out
to the developer and alert them to the problem. This will help them
identify the problem and potentially fix it in a later update.
How to Fix Nexus 6 Problems If Nothing Else Works
At this point, it’s probably worth factory resetting the Nexus 6.
This will restore the device to the way it was when it was first bought.
Nexus 6 users will want to backup important files because this process
will erase everything. Here’s how to factory reset the Nexus 6.
If none of these fixes work, we suggest looking at a few different resources. First, head on over to Google’s Nexus Help Forum.
There are a ton of knowledgeable people on there that will gladly help
if the Nexus 6 isn’t performing well. Sometimes, unorthodox fixes from
fellow users will work where common fixes fail. We also recommend taking
a look at Android Central’s forums, one of our favorite Android-centric forums.
Those who are still unable to find a fix should get in touch
with their service provider or with Google itself. Often times, the
company will provide possible fixes when contacted directly. Depending
on the severity of the problem, Nexus 6 users might also be able to get
the company to send out a new device. Warranties and customer service
agents are going to be tricky to navigate but it’s worth a shot if no
other solution can be found.
