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9 Common Nexus Lollipop Problems & How to Fix Them

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Google’s new Android 5.0 Lollipop update is now available for its Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4 and it delivers a number of new features including Material Design. It’s also causing some problems for select Nexus smartphone and tablet users. Here, we take a look at how to solve some of the common Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop problems we’ve seen in the weeks after its release.

In October, Google announced a slew of new products including a Nexus 6 smartphone, a Nexus 9 tablet, and an Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 5. It also confirmed Android 5.0 Lollipop for its stable of Google Play Edition devices. While Google detailed its Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus users, it did not go into detail about the update’s release date.

Last month, the Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop update finally arrived for owners of Google’s Nexus clan as the company pushed out updates for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 5. The Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 come stock with Android 5.0 Lollipop on board. Those updates continue to roll out, bringing the operating system’s new features and enhancements to Nexus users around the world.

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The Nexus Android 5.0 Lollipop update has also delivered problems to Nexus users. As we’ve pointed out, Google’s Nexus Help Forums are flooded with complaints about the new operating system and Nexus users have taken to social media and other forums to complain about an assortment of bugs, issues and problems. Many of these Lollipop problems appear to be isolated though that doesn’t mean that Nexus users won’t encounter various issues in the future.

With that in mind, we want to take a look at some of the Nexus Lollipop problems that have popped up and some of the problems that have the potential to pop up for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus 6 users in the future. With no Android 5.0.1 release in sight, Nexus users will need to rely on third-party fixes for Android 5.0 problems.

How to Fix Lollipop Bluetooth Problems

Bluetooth issues often pop up after Android updates and Android 5.0 Lollipop is no different. Nexus users are complaining about broken Bluetooth after installing Google’s new update. Over the years, we’ve discovered a few possible solutions for Bluetooth problems though, like all of these fixes, there’s a chance that they might not work for you.

The first thing you’ll want to do is try switching it off and on. This is a simple fix but it’s worked for some Nexus users in the past. You’ll also want to try 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 your phone or tablet and boot back up.

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You can also try to Clear Data from the same screen. This is going to forget your Bluetooth devices so if you’re going to have problems setting the phone or tablet up with your device, you’ll need to be aware of that.

You’ll also want to try booting into Safe Mode. To do this, follow Google’s instructions:

  1. Ensure your device’s screen is on, then press & hold the Power button.
  2. Touch & hold the Power off option in the dialog box.
  3. Touch OK in the following dialog to start safe mode.

Booting into safe mode will disable third-party applications which will allow you to isolate them as potential troublemakers. Safe Mode is also a possible fix for Wi-Fi and battery life issues which we’ll detail in a second.

How to Fix Lollipop Battery Life Problems

We’ve heard from several Nexus users who are dealing with battery life problems. This comes as no surprise to us given that all Android updates, small and large like the Android 5.0 update, typically bring battery life issues to Nexus users. Fortunately, there are a few things Nexus users can do to try and eliminate any abnormal battery drain that accompanies Google’s new software.

Android updates themselves aren’t supposed to cause battery drain issues and often times, the issues are caused by third-party applications that are behaving badly. So, first, you’ll want to keep an eye on the apps and services taking up your precious battery life. You’ll be able to find that data in the Battery section of Settings.

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Next, you’ll want to update your applications. Apps that haven’t been updated in awhile tend to cause problems. This will also help you identify some troublemakers. If you just updated your apps and you’ve just now run into issues, you’ll want to uninstall those applications to see if battery life improves after they’re gone. Often times, it will.

You might also want to try rebooting your phone or tablet. Often times, this will return things to normal because it will clear the cache and kill off services that might be eating away at your precious battery life.

If none of that works, you might want to think about factory resetting your device. You’ll want to backup your important files before doing this because it’s going to completely wipe the device clean. Nexus users with battery life issues can also take the less drastic approach and simply wait for Google to roll out a bug fix update. However, there’s no guarantee that it will have battery life improvements on board.

How to Fix Lollipop Wi-Fi Problems

Battery life issues aren’t the only problems plaguing Nexus users. Wi-Fi issues are also causing problems for Nexus smartphone and tablet owners and many of them are looking for potential fixes. Not surprising given that the problems range from slow connections to not being able to connect to Wi-Fi at all after installing Android 5.0. Fortunately, there are a few things to try.

First, you’ll want to reboot your phone or tablet. You’ll also want to try rebooting your router if you haven’t done that in awhile. We recommend unplugging the router for a good 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. You can do the same for your modem as well. If those simple fixes do not work, it’s worth heading into your device’s settings.

There, you’ll want to try forgetting your Wi-Fi network. Simply press down on the desired network and a white menu will pop up. At the top, you’ll see an option that says Forget network. Select that and then reenter your password to connect again. 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 play around with the settings. It should be set to Automatic by default.

If none of that works, we recommend updating your applications. If apps aren’t causing the problem then it’s probably worth trying another router to see if it’s your other hardware causing the issue. Older routers misbehave more than others. If none of that works, we recommend performing a factory reset.

How to Fix Lollipop Cellular Data Issues

Nexus users are also complaining about issues with cellular data also known as 3G, HSPA+, and LTE. There aren’t any guaranteed fixes but there are a few things that Nexus users can try in an attempt to iron out these troublesome issues.

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 device. This has worked for us in the past when cellular data isn’t working. You can have it turned on, or off, prior to rebooting. It shouldn’t matter.

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You might also want to try heading into your Access Point Name (APN) settings and updating them. Lollipop apparently did not properly update them for some users. To access your APN settings, Settings -> More -> Cellular networks -> Access Point Names. If you’re unsure about APN settings, contact your carrier.

We’ve also had success popping the phone or tablet 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.

How to Fix Lollipop Performance Problems

Nexus 7 2012 users in particular have been complaining about poor performance after the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. We’ve heard about sluggishness, abnormal slowdown and various crashes. Fortunately, it looks like there is a fix for these massive issues and it’s one that we’ve passed the fix along several times in the past. Here’s how to potentially fix performance issues on the Nexus 7 2012:

  • 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.

This fix should work across Nexus devices and it’s worth a try if you’re seeing crashes, lag or general instability after the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. If this fix doesn’t work, we suggest performing a factory reset, especially if your phone or tablet is an aging device like the Nexus 7 2012 or the Nexus 4. Factory resets are a pain but they work wonders for older devices.

How to Fix Lollipop App Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with applications after Lollipop, there are a few things you can try. First, try updating the app. If it comes with support for Android 5.0 Lollipop or its been recently updated with bug fixes and enhancements, there’s a good chance that the update will restore its performance to what it was prior to Android 5.0 Lollipop. You can also try reinstalling the application. We’ve seen success with this method several times in the past.

If you continue to run into issues with apps after installing Android 5.0 Lollipop, we highly recommend getting in touch with the developer bringing their attention to the issue.

How to Fix Video Playback Issues

Video playback issues are evidently affecting several Nexus 7 users. This is a huge bug because the Nexus 7 is a device that’s geared toward users who love watching movies and other content on a large screen. While there is no cure-all fix for the playback issues, Nexus users will want to try clearing the cache on individual apps like YouTube. To do that, head into Settings -> Apps -> Select appropriate app -> Clear Cache.

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Gizmodo is reporting that enabling or disabling NuPlayer through developer settings is apparently working for some Nexus 7 users. We’d be cautious with this approach if you’re a novice Nexus user but it’s another potential fix that you’ll want to take a look at if video playback isn’t working properly on your Nexus 7 Wi-Fi only.

How to Fix Start Up Issues

Nexus 4 users, and various other Nexus users, are apparently getting stuck on the start up screen. That is to say that these phones got stuck on the animation with the color dots. This is a problem that’s popped up in the past for Nexus users so it’s not surprising to see it emerge again for owners of Nexus smartphone and tablets.

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Some users say that they simply waited for awhile, some waited for a few hours, before the issue fixed itself. Others are saying that a factory reset did the trick. We highly recommend avoiding a factory reset if you can, you’ll lose all of your data if it’s not backed up, and simply wait it out. If you aren’t seeing any results, you may need to reset your phone or tablet.

How to Fix Lollipop Problems If Nothing Else Works

If none of these fixes work, we suggest looking at a few different things. First, we recommend heading to Google’s Nexus Help Forum. There are a ton of knowledgeable people on Google’s forums that will gladly help if you run into problems. Sometimes, unorthodox fixes will work where common fixes fail. We also recommend taking a look at Android Central’s forums, one of our favorite Android-centric forums.

If you’re still unable to find a fix, we suggest getting in touch with your service provider or with Google itself. Often times, the company will provide possible fixes when contacted directly. Depending on the severity of the problem, you might also be able to get the company to send you a new device. Warranties and customer service agents are going to be tricky but it’s worth a shot if you’re experiencing noticeable issues after Android 5.0.

20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. vivek

    12/02/2014 at 1:24 am

    Yup…en usefull pieces of information..helped to fix the unstability in the os…by clearing the cache ..thanks

  2. C Britton

    12/02/2014 at 8:37 am

    Replacing the router isn’t going to fix the Wi-Fi. This is a software bug again (just like in 4.3) which Google needs to sort out…and fast!! Rebooting things is only a short term fix, if it works at all. This is just another example of Google not testing properly before releasing.

  3. CHOPPERGIRL

    12/02/2014 at 4:31 pm

    I’m experiencing zero Lollipop issues on my Nexus 7 2013… because I did not upgrade to Lolipop. My Nexus 7 is running smmooth as butter like rhe day I bought it. (With the exception I have a zillion power user apps installed). The brst solution to . Issues is to simply not install lollipop.

    If its not broke don’t fix it, and be more careful what koolaid you drink.

    • William Scott

      12/03/2014 at 6:22 am

      I agree. I have had zero on mine as well.

    • Pill

      01/21/2015 at 8:44 pm

      Is there any way to remove the update notification?

      • PreachJohn

        03/19/2015 at 9:33 am

        Settings/Apps/Google Play Services/Uncheck Notifications.

    • Elizabeth

      01/22/2015 at 3:11 pm

      I wish I hadn’t installed the 5.0.2 update; I had no issues with my Nexus 2013 before but now I do. For instance: it lags while playing apps; I have to go through more motions to see the battery percentage that’s left; the swiping motion to close a window has been changed from downward to sideways; who knows what else has been “fixed.”

      I hate the change of symbols for the Back button, Home button, and Switch Screens button. It’s so stupid to have them as shapes (triangle, circle, square) that don’t mean anything at all! The previous symbols (arrow, stacked windows) are perfectly understandable – don’t fix what isn’t broken!

      Any way to undo/uninstall this update?

  4. S. Kirk

    12/02/2014 at 7:52 pm

    Thank you! Next time I will think twice before I upgrade.

  5. Ray

    12/02/2014 at 11:08 pm

    I guess I’m lucky.
    I have nothing but good things to say about the update. I have a nexus 5.
    Battery life is better than before as well as performance and aesthetics.
    I hope those with troubles can resolve them soon.

  6. kamlesh

    12/07/2014 at 11:24 pm

    camera problem and also motherboard problem after lollipop update on nexus 5

  7. Manekas

    12/16/2014 at 5:37 am

    There’s no setting for key 1 for Voicemail number in lollipop upgrade.

  8. Antonio

    12/21/2014 at 6:13 am

    As Nexus 7 tablet user I experienced ,after the upgrade to the awful lollipop version,the worst performance in software history .For one month my speedy tablet was behaving like garbage hardware! WHAT A SHAME FOR GOOGLE! Nobody from GOOGLE was willing to quickly fix all the troubles they caused to customers from all over the world. I’m simply astonished about such ashamed behaviour from Google’s customer care policy. SHAME ON YOU!

  9. Ryan Ritenour

    12/26/2014 at 2:54 am

    How about if u never get it? I have 2 nexus 2013s and one got it. And a 2012 model and no upgrade.

  10. gaurav singh

    12/26/2014 at 9:46 am

    i am suffering from big problem. In my nexus 5 the application is always crashing i am frustrated about that please resolve that or tell me about how i go back to kitkat because it’s good as per my point of view its best in comparison to lollipop..

  11. Mathieu Dargis

    01/09/2015 at 1:23 pm

    If you have the new volume options, this is for you : I created a small widget that stays in the notification bar that lets you adjust the volume of the phone quickly.

    Feel free to check it out and give me a review if you liked it :)

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.gomobile.lollipopvolumebutton

  12. kimekomidoll

    01/24/2015 at 3:21 am

    Ever since the update, my SoundCloud apps keeps freezing when I’m listening to music while it’s on sleep mode. When I take it off sleep mode to play a new song the app is frozen and when I close it the music keeps playing. Also, the google app where you can say “OK Google” keeps popping up with the microphone thing saying “Listening…” But I never opened it in the first place. It just constantly does it from time to time.

  13. sara

    02/01/2015 at 6:41 am

    Really, I have to trouble shoot my own phone when you guys send me this stupid update. I did love my nexus 4, I was telling everyone to buy a phone like mine. Now am telling everyone NOT to do the update on they phone. My phone has so many issues now its not funny. If I could buy a new phone I would, that’s have bad this stupid lollipop is

  14. pcsup.de

    02/10/2015 at 5:19 am

    Fix for Batteriy doesn’t work !

  15. chirag

    03/30/2015 at 8:50 am

    I am unable to activate WhatsApp calling in nexus4….how can I activate plz help me out….

  16. Sukarm Kumar Marwah

    08/25/2016 at 6:44 am

    Recently I am facing problem to play videos on whats ape. It does not work by touching screen. I have to go main menu and tap the screen to play. It is Nexus 5.

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