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8 Common Nexus 6 Problems & How to Fix Them

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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.

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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.

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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:

  1. Make sure your device’s screen is on, then press & hold the Power button.
  2. In the box that opens, touch & hold Power off.
  3. You’ll see a “Reboot to safe mode” box. Touch OK.
  4. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Denise

    05/07/2015 at 6:46 am

    My first Nexus 6 micro phone quit working so they replaced it. the second ones battery would not stay charge and I have a 3rd one and it goes black and you cant use the screen. Att want to replace it with a 4th one. I have had enough with their incompetent phones I will go back to samsung.

  2. Ross Gerring

    09/27/2015 at 3:09 am

    When my Nexus 6 can’t find wireless networks, the easiest and quickest fix I’ve found is just to toggle airplane mode on, then off. Then all my wireless networks reappear.

  3. Christian Hoeffel (@choeffel)

    12/28/2015 at 10:19 pm

    I can’t tell you how irritating of is to see so many “restart your nexus” as solutions to problems. Duh!

  4. Jonas

    02/21/2016 at 2:17 pm

    Hi every body my Nexus 6 yesterday till now doesn’t signals for calling or send messages how can I fixed?

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