How to Fix the Pixel Buds' Audio-Pausing Bug

Google is finally patching an annoying bug that has haunted Pixel Buds users for weeks: Every minute and fifty seconds, the wireless headphones would suddenly pause during playback. Every. Single. Time.

The bug isn’t universal, but it’s widespread. Luckily, if you’re one of the many who have been dealing with this issue, a new firmware update is available that should alleviate the annoyance.

How Do I Connect AirPods to a Windows PC? Read More

Pixel Bud firmware updates are usually downloaded automatically, so you may already have the patch applied. If you’ve disabled automatic updates, you’ll receive a notification on your phone when the new update is available. You can also go to Settings > More > Firmware Update in the Pixel Buds app to manually check for updates.

To install the update, pair your Pixel Buds and your Android phone via Bluetooth. With the devices synced, your phone will download any necessary updates and transfer them over to the Pixel Buds. According to Google Support, the transfer can take up to ten minutes, but you can keep using the headphones while the files are in transit.

Once the update is on your Pixel Buds, you then need to give the earbuds a few minutes in the charging case to install the files. The good news is, removing the Pixel Buds from the case before the update is finished simply pauses the process—it’ll resume when you pop ‘em back in. So if you’re still getting the sudden pauses during playback, give your Pixel Buds a few more minutes in the charging case just to ensure the installation finished.

The pause bug is the only issue patched in this new update, but there are plenty more that need fixing like widespread reports of disruptive white noise and frequent dropouts. Hopefully, those will be patched in future updates, but at least you can now listen to your tunes without the Pixel Buds routinely cutting out every minute and fifty seconds.