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System UI isn’t responding in Pixel 5/6 after Android 12 [Fixed]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update. The latest offerings from the Search engine giants could probably boast of an unwanted record- being the most buggy smartphone to date (though the OnePlus flagships are doing their level best to snatch this award). Right after the sixth iteration made its way, a slew of complaints was lined up regarding the excessive battery drain and fingerprint sensor issues.

However, Google decided that it wasn’t enough and hence rolled out the December OTA update. Once you got hold of that update, a truckload of issues were are lined up waiting for a permanent abode on your devices. These include the likes of device crashing to recovery mode, Bluetooth not working, inconsistent network, screen timeout not working, Call Screen being disabled, and a plethora of others.

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And at the time of writing, there has been another unwanted entry to this list. Various users have voiced their concern that they are constantly getting bugged with the System UI isn’t responding prompt on their Pixel devices. This time around, the problem seems to have also encapsulated the earlier Pixel devices as well, apart from the latest flagships.

Moreover, for some, this issue came to light after the December OTA. whereas for others, it was present right after they installed the Android 12 update. So if you are also currently facing this issue, then this tutorial shall come in handy. In this guide, we will show you various methods that shall help you fix the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update. Follow along.

Fix: System UI isn’t responding in Pixel 5/6 after Android 12 Update

fix System UI isn't responding pixel android 12

Do note that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then check out which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Restart the Device

The most obvious one but also the one that comes with the maximum success rate, this fix requires rebooting your device to rectify the underlying issue. However, there’s a string attached. This is a temporary workaround and the issue will re-appear after a certain time interval, which could be hours, days, or even weeks.

fix System UI isn't responding pixel android 12

So if that’s well and good, then press the Power key and select Reboot from the menu that appears. Wait for the device to reboot, once that happens, verify if the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update is fixed or not.

FIX 2: Restart System UI

System UI is an OS-level process that continuously runs in the background and is responsible for managing all system-related user interfaces. However, if there’s an issue with this process, then its repercussions are bound to be faced across the operating system.

As a result of which, the system will warn you of the same via the constant prompts. So to rectify this, you should consider restarting this process, which will then restart all its related services as well. So proceed with the below steps to try it out:

  1. Head over to the Settings menu on your device.
  2. Then go to Apps > See all apps and tap on the overflow icon situated at the top right.
  3. Now select Show System and this shall bring up a list of all the system apps.
    fix system ui isn't responding pixel android 12
  4. Scroll to the System UI app and then tap on Force Stop.
  5. Then tap OK in the confirmation dialog box that appears.
  6. Now check if the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update is fixed or not.

FIX 3: Delete System UI Cache

If a lot of temporary app data gets accrued over to the due course of time, then it could conflict with the proper functioning of that app. And if the app in question is a system one, then the problem would be much more concerning. Therefore, it is recommended to delete these cached data at regular intervals, and now could be the best time to do so, atleast for the System UI app. So follow along with the below instructions steps:

  1. To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
  2. Then go to Apps > See all apps and tap on the overflow icon situated at the top right.
  3. Now select Show System and this shall bring up a list of all the system apps.
    fix system ui isn't responding pixel android 12
  4. Scroll to the System UI app and then go to its Storage and Cache section.
  5. After that, tap on the Clear Cache button.
  6. Once done, check whether the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update has been fixed or not.

FIX 4: Identify and Remove the Third-Party culprit

In some instances, a third-party app could prove to be a hindrance to the normal functioning of the OS and to the device as a whole. The best way to verify the same is to disable all the third-party apps and if that ends up rectifying the issue, then the issue is indeed linked with a third-party app that needs to be u installed at the earliest. Here’s how all of this could be carried out.

  1. Long press the Power button to bring the Power menu. Then long tap on the Restart option.
  2. This shall bring up the Safe Mode dialog box, tap on OK. Your device will now boot to Safe Mode.
    fix System UI isn't responding pixel android 12
  3. Now see if the issue has been rectified or not. If it has been fixed, then reboot your device back to normal mode.
  4. Now uninstall the recently installed apps (one at a time) after which you started getting this error message.

The last uninstalled app that fixes the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update is your culprit. So it’s better to keep a safe distance from it and look out for its alternatives if needed.

FIX 5: Downgrade to Earlier Security Patch

If none of the above tweaks managed to work out in your favor, then your last course of action should be to downgrade the device’s security patch to an earlier build number. However, only do so if you are sure that the said update was the root cause behind this issue. For instance, many users have confirmed that the December 2021 OTA update leads to this error on their Pixel 6/Pro devices. So in such cases, you could opt for the Android Flash Tool to downgrade to an earlier security patch.

fix System UI isn't responding pixel android 12

Other devices may use the Fastboot Commands to perform the said task. But do keep in mind that doing so will require a factory reset and most probably an unlocked bootloader as well. So if that’s well and good, then you may refer to our linked guides. However, if that is asking for way too much effort, then your next course of action should be to wait for the next OTA update to land on your device, which could take anywhere between days to weeks, but at least your device wouldn’t undergo a reset.

So with that, we round off the guide on how you could fix the System UI isn’t responding error in Pixel 5/6 after the Android 12 update. We have listed five different methods for the same. Do let us know in the comments section which one spelled out success for you. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments section.

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