Updated on November 10, 2026.
If your Google Pixel keeps freezing and the screen is still on, hold the Power button for about 60 seconds to restart it. Once the phone responds again, check whether the freeze happens in one app or affects the Home screen and other apps too. That gives you a starting point for the checks below. See Google’s guide to a frozen Pixel.
On November 4, a Pixel 6 owner reported intermittent screen freezes after Android 17 and said locking and unlocking sometimes restored touch. On November 8, a Pixel 11 owner reported repeated freezes lasting several minutes. See the Pixel 6 report and the Pixel 11 report.
Check whether one app or the whole phone freezes
- Try going to the Home screen. If Home opens and other apps or Settings still work, start with the app that froze.
- Check what still responds. If Home and Quick Settings also stop responding, use the Restart above. If the phone still reacts to buttons or plays sounds but taps do nothing, note that too. It can help narrow down a touch or display problem.
- Test the same action once the phone is back. Open the same app or repeat the action you were taking. Note the time and whether the problem also happens outside that app.
Choose the next check based on what you see
| What you see | What to try next |
|---|---|
| One app freezes, but Home and Settings still respond. | Update the app. If it stays stuck, force-stop it and reopen it. |
| The whole phone stops responding with the screen on. | Restart using the Power button, then check Android updates and free storage. |
| The freeze stops when you test in Safe Mode. | A downloaded app is a likely cause. Restart normally and check recently installed apps one at a time. |
| The phone also freezes in Safe Mode. | Record the Android build and what you were doing when it froze. Contact Pixel Support if it keeps happening. |
Update apps and check Android and storage
- Update the app that freezes. Open Google Play, tap your profile picture, then choose Manage apps & device. Install any update for the app. If it still gets stuck, go to Settings → Apps → See all apps, select the app, and tap Force stop, then OK. Open the app again and repeat the same action.
- Check for an Android update. Open Settings → System and look for Software update. Follow the prompts if an update is available. Test again after the phone restarts.
- Look at your free storage. Open Settings → Storage. Google says a Pixel can have problems when less than 10% of its storage is free. If space is low, follow our guide to freeing up storage safely on Android.
Use Safe Mode to test downloaded apps
Safe Mode temporarily turns off downloaded apps. If you use Home screen widgets, take a screenshot of their layout first. Google says Safe Mode can remove some widgets. For the basics, see what Android Safe Mode does.
- Open the power menu. On a Pixel 6 or newer, hold Power and Volume Up together for a few seconds while the phone is responding.
- Enter Safe Mode. Touch and hold Power off or Restart in the menu, then tap OK. Look for Safe Mode at the bottom of the screen.
- Check for another freeze. Try the built-in screens or actions that usually trigger it. If the problem goes away, restart normally and check recently downloaded apps one at a time. Remove a suspected app, restart, and test again before removing another.
For earlier models or a phone that’s already off, follow Google’s Pixel Safe Mode instructions.
If your Pixel still freezes in Safe Mode
Write down the Pixel model, when the freeze began, what was open, and whether it happens in Safe Mode. Find the Android version and build number under Settings → About phone → Android version. You can then share those details with Pixel Support through Google’s freezing help page. See Google’s guide to finding your Android version and build.
FAQs
How do I exit Safe Mode on a Pixel?
On a Pixel 6 or newer, hold Power and Volume Up together to open the power menu, then tap Restart. Your downloaded apps become available again when the phone starts normally.
Why is Wi-Fi off in Safe Mode?
Google says Airplane mode turns on when a Pixel enters Safe Mode. If your test needs a connection, turn Airplane mode off.
What if the screen has lines or stops responding to touch?
Note whether the phone still responds to buttons and whether the lines appear after a restart. If the display looks wrong, use Google’s Pixel screen troubleshooting guide to check that symptom.
Should I factory reset a Pixel that keeps freezing?
Try the updates, storage check, and Safe Mode test first. A factory reset erases data from the phone. If you decide to reset after those checks, back up the data you want to keep first.