In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with Pixel devices and watches. Pixel has slowly but surely managed to create quite an impressive ecosystem of sorts with its smartphones, smartwatches, and audio buds being the noteworthy remembers of the same. However, as of now, a bug seems to have crept in which has created quite a havoc of sorts in this ecosystem.
Numerous users have voiced their concern about the audio cut and drop-off issues with the Pixel Buds A series when connected to a Pixel device which in turn also has a Pixel Watch connected to it. However, the same issue is also reproducible in case of other smartwatches, including the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and TicWatch. So while the presence of a smartwatch is a major factor behind this issue, it necessarily doesn’t have to be the one from Google.
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The reason behind Pixel Buds A Series audio drop-off with Pixel Devices
One plausible reason for the periodic audio cutoffs when pairing your Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds is that you can have multiple Bluetooth devices paired, but only one can be an active audio output source at a time. This is because Bluetooth uses a shared channel for audio transmission, and when two devices are trying to output audio at the same time, the signal can become corrupted.
So it seems that when the Pixel Buds and Watch both are connected, they’re all seen as active audio outputs. Since there is no way to tell the phone it should use the buds as the only active audio output, it ends up in a conflicting situation and is unable to select the correct audio source.
Fix Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with Pixel Device and Watch
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Unpair Watch
The aforementioned explanation might have already given you a hint that this fix is around the corner. Just to repeat, you should consider disconnecting your watch from the device so that there is only a single audio source for the device to pick up which in turn will make sure that no conflicting situations or discrepancies arise.
FIX 2: Leave One Earbuds in Case
As obscure as it may sound, leaving one earbud in the case also seems to fix the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with the Pixel device and watch. So do give it a try and check if it works in your favor.
FIX 3: Disable Adaptive Sound
The Adaptive Sound feature uses the microphone to asses the acoustics near you and then adjusts the sound equalizer settings accordingly. However, in cases where multiple devices are involved, it might end up doing more harm than good. Therefore, you should consider disabling this feature by heading over to Settings > Sounds and Vibrations > Disabling the toggle next to Adaptive Sound and then check out the result.
FIX 4: Delete Pixel Buds Data
If the Pixel Buds app data gets corrupted, then the issues like the one that we are currently dealing with are on the cards. Therefore, you should consider deleting its data and then letting the app repopulate a fresh instance of the same from scratch. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to Settings > Apps > All Apps > Pixel Buds.
- Then go to its Storage and Cache section.
- Now tap on Delete Data > OK in the confirmation prompt.
- Check if it fixes the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with the Pixel device and watch.
FIX 5: Disable Bluetooth A2DP
Your next course of action should be to disable the Bluetooth A2DP Hardware Offload. Here’s how it could be done:
- Head over to Settings > System > Tap on Build Number 7 times.
- Then go to System > Developer Options and enable the toggle next to
Disable Bluetooth A2DP Hardware Offload
- Check if it fixes the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with the Pixel device and watch.
FIX 6: Reset Pixel Buds
Next up, you should consider setting the Pixel Buds back to its factory default state. Here’s how it could be done [Source: Google Support page]
- Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings and forget Google Pixel Buds.
- Plug the charging case into a power source using the included USB-A to USB-C® cable.
- Ensure the Pixel Buds are seated within the charging case and leave the charging case open.
- Press and hold the pairing button on the back of the case for 30 seconds.
- When the earbuds’ status light (for Google Pixel Buds, this is the light inside the opened case) stops bouncing, let go of the pairing button.
- The earbuds’ status light will blink white and orange until the reset is complete, and then start bouncing white.
- Your Google Pixel Buds will be reset and should be ready to pair immediately.
- So pair your buds once again and check if it fixes the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with the Pixel device and watch.
FIX 7: Reset Bluetooth
If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then your last course of action should be to reset the Bluetooth to its factory default state [however, this will also reset the WiFi and remove all the saved WiFi passwords as well as Bluetooth paired device, so make sure to sync them with your Google account beforehand].
- Head over to Settings > System > Reset Options.
- Then tap on Reset Bluetooth and WiFi > Reset.
- Now check whether it rectifies the underlying issue.
That’s it. These were the various methods that should help you fix the Pixel Buds A Series audio issue with Pixel devices and watches. As far as the official stance on this matter is concerned, the developers are yet to acknowledge this issue, let alone give out any ETA for the rollout of a fix. As and when any of these two things happen, we will update this guide accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.
