Google’s Pixel devices are revered by many for their simple and clean software experience. The fact that they often come with the best smartphone cameras doesn’t hurt either.

The Google Pixel 3a brought the best that Google had to offer to a much more affordable price point, all while not watering down the core values of a Google phone.

pixel-3a
The Google Pixel 3a

Pixel 3a, along with all the eligible Pixel devices, already run the latest Android version, Android 11. Sadly though, even Google’s own devices aren’t spared from the usual hiccups that afflict such big software updates.

A section of Google Pixel 3a users are noting with concern that their devices won’t charge following the update to Android 11.

pixel 3a charging issue
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Updated to Android 11 this morning and now my phone won’t display a percentage higher than 30%. Two different chargers and both keep flashing between ‘charging’ and ‘plugged in, can’t charge at the moment’ within the battery settings screen.

Neither charging cable is plugged into a computer. One is into a power board and one is into a rapid wall charger. I have also restarted my phone and it’s still the same.
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Since I got android 11 update this morning, Pixel 3a is not charging, immediately disconnecting and connection for 1 sec and keep doing this all the time. I have tried different charger and cable as well but no luck.
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Understandably, this can be a very traumatizing issue for Pixel 3a users as a device not charging means it is only a matter of time before you’re rudely disconnected from your device and friends and family.

Luckily, some users have managed to find solace. A section of users have been able to get their devices to charge by rebooting into Safe Mode.

I updated a few days ago and now my Pixel 3a refuses to charge when it’s plugged in unless my phone is turned off or in Safe Mode.
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Others were lucky enough in that, their devices seemingly ‘fixed’ themselves after some time, much to the relief of affected users.

pixel 3a charging issue resolved after a few days
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about a week later, it started charging just perfectly off all my chargers, so now I have no idea what was going wrong. I had already tried blowing clean the USB C port on the phone a couple times, using canned air… the same USB C to C cables I’ve been using worked fine charging my other devices, so that wasn’t it.

This issue has been reported for previous Pixel devices including the Pixel 2 XL when it got updated to Android 10.

Other affected devices include the Pixel 3 XL which according to users, won’t charge past 30%.

We shall continue to keep an eye on this Pixel 3a charging issue and update as and when we get more info. In the meantime, let’s hope your issue resolves itself after a few days.

You might want to check out our dedicated Android 11 bug tracker for more issues afflicting Android 11.

NOTE: We have these and many more Google stories in our dedicated Google section.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Clinton Madegwa
1110 Posts

A cybernaut grasping at all things tech. Lover of Android, Linux, and custom ROMS. A nerd, a writer, an avid reader.

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