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Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Problems: 5 Things to Know

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The Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update has been rolling out for several weeks now and many owners of the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 have installed Google’s new update. The update brings bug fixes though it appears that it’s causing problems for some users. With that in mind, we take a look at these Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 problems.

Last month, Google confirmed its Android 5.1.1 update, a follow-up to the Android 5.1 Lollipop update that it started rolling out back in March. Android 5.1.1 isn’t as big as Android 5.1 but it comes with some essential bug fixes for owners of the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, and others.

The Android 5.1.1 Lollipop release started with two popular tablets, the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 (Wi-Fi models) and those updates have been rolling out for a few weeks now. That means that most, if not all, owners of the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi should have access to Android 5.1.1 and its bug fixes.

Small updates like Android 5.1.1 Lollipop always have the potential to have a huge impact on performance. In some cases, they have a positive impact on performance. In others, negative. While the Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update is still new, we’re already hearing about some of the negatives.

With Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 problems swirling, we want to take a look at everything you need to know about these Android 5.1.1 issues. This roundup offers a look at the issues themselves and some steps to take if you do happen to run into Android 5.1.1 problems on your tablet.

Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Problems Plague Users

Android Lollipop problems have plagued Nexus 7 users since the original Android 5.0 release back in November. Over time, Google’s worked to correct bugs and problems with a series of Lollipop updates including Android 5.0.1, Android 5.0.2, Android 5.1, and now Android 5.1.1. Each brought its own set of fixes and each brought its own collection of problems.

The Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update has rolled out to most users and we’re finally starting to see Nexus 7 owners post their feedback about Google’s latest update. And while Android 5.1.1 brings bug fixes for Nexus 7 problems, some owners have run into issues after installing.

Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 users are complaining about a myriad of Android 5.1.1 problems including charging issuesapp performance issues, problems with the rear camera and the camera application, lag and sluggishness that wasn’t there on Android 5.1 and below (Nexus 7 2012 users have been complaining about this for weeks), connectivity problems, the usual array of installation errors, boot issues, Wi-Fi problems, and more. This is just a small sample and Google’s forums are full of other complaints about Android 5.1.1.

It’s important to point out that most of these Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 problems are isolated in nature, at least for the time being. There are a few, lag on the Nexus 7 2012 in particular, that seem to be affecting more than a few people.

We point these Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 problems out for a few reasons. One, we want to generate discussion because discussion always leads to potential fixes. And two, as a reminder.

Nexus 7 users need to be cautious when it comes to Android updates, even small ones like Android 5.1.1. That’s why we always recommend preparing for these Android releases. You may not be able to completely stop all of the bugs from surfacing but you can lower the risk with a little preparation.

Not Everyone Though

We’ve been using the Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 update on the Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 7 2013 and after spending several weeks with the software, we haven’t run into any major problems. Both updates are performing well and the Nexus 7 2013 update feels especially stable. We’re not alone.

We’ve spoken to several Nexus 7 users who say that Android 5.1.1 has worked wonders for their slate. Comments on Google’s Nexus Help Forum echo this sentiment. There are certainly problems but not everyone is dealing with them.

If you haven’t installed Android 5.1.1 yet, you’re going to still want to dig into user feedback before going one way (skipping Android 5.1.1 for now) or the other (installing right now). Our impressions (linked above) are a good start.

It’s also worth mentioning that Android 5.1.1 could potentially fix some Lollipop problems that aren’t listed in the software’s change log. For instance, the Android 5.1.1 update appears to have fixed Android Device Management issues on the Nexus 5. This issue wasn’t called out in the software’s change log.

You Can Downgrade

Those experiencing Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 problems have a few options. The first option is a downgrade back to Android 5.1, Android 5.0.2 or even Android 4.4 KitKat if Lollipop isn’t performing.

We’ve put together a handy guide that will take you through the downgrade process for the Nexus 7. The guide is for Android KitKat but if you can find the appropriate files, it will also help with a downgrade back to an older version of Google’s Lollipop update.

Fixes for Nexus 7 Android 5.1.1 Problems

We’ve also put together a list of common Android 5.1.1 problems and fixes that will help Nexus 7 users struggling on Android 5.1.1. These fixes cover battery drain issues, problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, even slow charging issues. There are a great starting point for those that need immediate help.

What’s Next

Finally, know that you’re probably going to have to be pretty proactive if you’re dealing with Android 5.1.1 problems, especially if you own a Nexus 7 2012. Here’s why.

Google hasn’t announced a new Android 5.1.2 update and we haven’t seen any Android 5.1.2 rumors emerge. That doesn’t mean that an update isn’t coming but does mean that we could be weeks, even months away from a release. And it could be that Android M will be the next release for the Nexus 7.

Android M

Today at Google I/O 2015, Google announced Android M, a follow-up to Android Lollipop. While the public Android M release won’t happen today, Google did release a Android M beta for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, and Nexus 9 ahead of a public release in Q3 2015.

Now here’s where things get interesting. Rumor has it, the Nexus 7 2013 will get Android M while the Nexus 7 2012 won’t. Android M is expected to be huge performance boosts and bug fixes to Nexus devices which means that Nexus 7 2013 users have a safety net while Nexus 7 2012 users may not.

Either way, if you do run into a problem, don’t expect Google to fix it right away. Android M isn’t supposed to arrive until August, at the earliest.

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Ian Bromley

    05/29/2015 at 4:24 am

    Since the start of Lollipop using my Nexus 7 has been awful. And the improvements with each update have been minimal. The nub of the issue is that I am now seriously interested in Windows 10. Google has lost my devotion to Android and Chrome because of lousy customer service. I anxiously await the arrival of W10 and the phones, laptops & tablets that I can buy to replace Google Intolality.

  2. Garry Knight

    05/29/2015 at 6:17 am

    My Nexus 2013 LTE tablet has had touchscreen issues since its first OTA update, or thereabouts. After being on for one to two days, the screen starts to lose sensitivity. I thought it might be an app hitting the CPU hard and causing touches to be polled less frequently, but then I noticed that if the tablet is lying on a desk, it won’t respond to touch but if I hold it almost upright, it does respond.

    Touchscreen problems have been reported for a long time now and it seems that Google either won’t or can’t fix them.

    • Ian Bromley

      05/29/2015 at 6:39 am

      I have not had that issue. For me the critical issue is that if you buy a Google or use an Android device from any OEM you simply have no support from Google. They have no concept of the value of person to person interaction.

      I live in northern Thailand, but Microsoft do have a service centre where you can interact with another human. If Win 10 is in any way as good as is suggested this will ensure that I leave Google in totality. I am so sick of being subjected to the Google style of avoiding service contact

  3. Josiah Dumitrescu (@JDumitre)

    05/29/2015 at 10:10 am

    So it looks like google failed hard once again. Over 6 months to fix lollipop but it’s still a buggy piece of sh*t. Maybe android 5.2.8 will finally be as stable as 4.4.4

  4. Rojarch

    05/30/2015 at 5:20 pm

    Nexus 7 2012 user. Horrible lag problems with 5.1.1. Took about 8 minutes to load this article. Had to go to my cell phone to read it.

  5. Karan Sachdev (@karansachdev)

    06/01/2015 at 11:10 am

    My Nexus(2012) got really sluggish after the initial lollipop update. It almost rendered my tablet useless. With the following update, it instantly fixed the sluggishness but with 5.1 it introduced a new problem of Restart-on-idle. The moment I leave my tablet idle for about 60 secs, It would restart. It would work perfectly if I watch a video, browse the web, update apps etc. Even the 5.1.1 update didn’t fix the issue. I tried searching for users with similar issues but could only find threads dating back more than a year, long before lollipop came in the scene. I finally unlocked my bootloader and installed a custom ROM thinking it might fix the issue, but I was wrong. I guess I now have to resort to downgrading to either 5.0.2 or 4.4.

    • Paula

      07/26/2015 at 2:37 pm

      I am having the same issues since the latest update on my Nexus (2012). It freezes up, and then goes into restart. I came to the web hoping to find something to fix it. I loved it when I first purchased it; was having no problems. I wish I had done no updates to it.

  6. Debra

    06/08/2015 at 10:01 am

    I have had a lot of problems! My home screen has wallpaper, but it doesn’t scroll anymore? I have a black screen and I hate it! I am having problems with Google! This tablet was perfect until all this mess started! I am very disappointed and I keep reading articles to get it working fast like it use to! I bought a iPad because I was having problems with the tablet! I have taken care of my Nexus 7 2013, and I can’t figure this stuff out! I think Google should help more! I can’t get a person to talk to concerning all these problems’ just articles that confuses me more! I paid approximately $240 for my tablet, and I loved it! It was perfect! Well, I have no clue who to call! I want my tablet working like it use to, not this mess!
    Thank you,
    A dissatisfied customer,
    Debi

  7. Daniel

    06/10/2015 at 2:37 am

    I have upgraded my Nexus 7 to 5.1.1, and it is a disaster.
    Overall performance is getting worse and worse with every Android update.
    Immediately after upgrade, it shows a warning “storage space is running out”, and indeed, sync is not working anymore. If I go to settings / storage, I can see that 7.7 GB out of 13.3 GB are free. So I use less than 50% of the disk space and that is already too much for Android ??
    Then there is another warning “Google Play services is not compatible with this device”. Are you kidding me ? A device sold by Google is not compatible with their own service ?

  8. George

    06/21/2015 at 9:50 pm

    Lag time is ridiculous. It’s like it just freezes for minutes. My 75 year old mother gets faster results with her dial up!

  9. Wayne

    07/22/2015 at 4:52 pm

    \i too have updated my 2012 Nexus 7 to 5.1.1 and what a disaster. Lagging and virtually useless. |Im about to reboot to factory settings ….wish me luck

  10. K David

    08/10/2015 at 1:30 pm

    Ken,
    Since updating to 5.1.1 I can no longer receive or send emails to and from my POP server, (my only email address).
    I receive message pop-up.
    All internet connections are ON and running OK.
    Device Asus Nexus 7 tablet.
    Help!!!!!!!!!!

  11. K DAVID

    08/10/2015 at 1:36 pm

    Pop-Up Message reads .

  12. Jill

    08/30/2015 at 12:07 pm

    Ever since the 5.1.1 update my nexus 7 (2013) has been heating up, on the upper back near the camera, during use of apps/games.

  13. bloviator2000

    08/31/2015 at 1:39 pm

    I have had all the problems that everyone is complaining about on my Nexus 7 (2012). Because of Google’s neglect of Nexus 7 (2012) users (no updates to the future M, I am finally switching to an Ipad which also offers more apps than Android. “Don’t be Evil” ha ha.

  14. sanjay shivani

    09/23/2015 at 5:27 am

    Isn’t Google bothered about its reputation?

  15. Phoebe

    10/22/2015 at 1:23 am

    Worst…I can’t charge 100%….big problem in charging…when is the next update…pls pls pls..

  16. ChrisC

    11/02/2015 at 3:47 pm

    I have a Nexus 7 (2012) and mine has become almost unusable..it has terrible lag..unresponsive most of the time. I am doing a factory reset and if it does not get better I am throwing it away and finding a replacement.

  17. Elaine Williamson

    11/03/2015 at 8:49 pm

    Same here. Daily Launcher and UI problems. End up having to shut down and restart. What a joke!

  18. YASH J

    12/15/2015 at 11:10 pm

    What a bunch of crock who ever wrote this BS article must be still waiting for their check from Google…
    Good luck with that, Google = Bad business!

    I bought my 2012 N7 the very first week it was out, was completely happy until updated past 4.4.4!!! What a disaster!! The tablet that I so loved has turned in to an absolute Junk! Even my kid brothers crap RCA tablet eats it!

    I realize now what Google is all about and I will NEVER buy another google product again because I know they’re going to leave their customers out to dry!

    Really!?!?! You’re not making enough Billions that you conduct this BS short term business, to gain what?!!

    Apple atleast backs their customers…
    And they gratefully sent their regards as I purchased my beautiful new ipad….

    Thanks.

  19. mr Duggan

    12/17/2015 at 3:17 pm

    As usual after installing this so called update 5.1.1 my nexus 7 is rendered useless after contacting customer service i was passed to Asus who where as much use as a chocolate fireguard maybe google and asus have marketing reasons for disabling the nexus 7 making it inoperable maybe i should have purchased for it with monoply money instead of hard earned cash ahhh well lesson learnt i know one thing though these conmen will not be getting any more cash from me and the thousands of disgruntled clients i have spoken with and will continue to publicise the way they mug customers

  20. Winks

    01/16/2016 at 5:12 am

    I had the same problems found a program on the Internet ( nexus root toolkit ) and reverted back to kit kat 4.4.4 no more problems.

  21. Bob

    02/03/2016 at 8:11 pm

    Was good, now good or bad/slow/unresponsive/reboots, partial reboots, good again and on and on.

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