Pixel Buds users report wonky touch controls and erratic sound balance after December Pixel update

Update 13/01/25: A few users on Reddit say installing the latest January 2025 security patch fixed their Pixel Buds issues, so you might want to download the update if not already.

Original article follows:

The December Pixel Feature Drop may have brought some nifty updates to Google’s ecosystem, but for some Pixel Buds users, it has been anything but music to their ears. Reports have surfaced across forums and Reddit that the latest Android 15 update is causing significant issues with touch controls, sound balance, and overall functionality on multiple Pixel Buds models.

For users who love the convenience of their Pixel Buds’ touch controls, the update has turned that feature into a hit-or-miss affair. Users have found that essential commands like play, pause, and skip are either inconsistent or outright unresponsive. Strangely enough, volume adjustment through swipes often remains functional, but other touch interactions seem to have taken an extended vacation. Some users have noted that pressing and holding for noise cancellation or transparency mode still works, but taps don’t.

Another common complaint involves volume adjustments messing with the balance between earbuds. Adjusting the volume using the phone’s controls has been reported to cause one earbud to dominate while the other fades into near silence. Even more bizarre, the imbalance seems to flip depending on whether you’re raising or lowering the volume. However, using touch gestures on the earbuds themselves appears to maintain proper balance for some.

But before you chuck your Pixel Buds out of frustration, try these steps — they’ve helped a few users, though results vary:

1. Restart everything: Restarting both your phone and the earbuds might temporarily fix the issue. Some users have reported a smooth connection after rebooting their devices.

2. Forget and re-pair: Disconnect the Pixel Buds from your phone, reset the earbuds, and then re-pair them. While this doesn’t always fix touch controls, it has resolved sound balance problems for some.

3. Clear cache and storage: Head to your phone’s settings, locate the Pixel Buds app, and clear its cache and storage. This workaround has resolved issues for a few lucky users.

4. Firmware and app updates: Double-check that your Pixel Buds’ firmware and the Pixel Buds app are up to date. Even if this doesn’t fix current issues, staying updated prepares you for the next patch.

5. Use touch controls for volume: If sound balance is driving you nuts, stick to adjusting the volume directly via the Buds’ touch controls. This method seems to bypass the imbalance issue entirely.

The overwhelming consensus among users is that these issues are rooted in the Android 15 December update rather than the earbuds themselves. Multiple reports confirm that the same Pixel Buds work flawlessly on other devices, including laptops and even Google TVs. This suggests a software glitch in how the latest Pixel update communicates with the earbuds.

Unfortunately, Google has yet to officially acknowledge the problem, but if history is any indication, a software patch could be on the horizon. Until then, the above workarounds might provide temporary relief. If all else fails, reaching out to Google Support may yield additional troubleshooting steps or even a replacement if hardware is suspected.