Hot topics

Android Nougat problems and their solutions

AndroidPIT Android N Nougat 2485
© nextpit

The Android Nougat update has already arrived on many devices, and whether it's Android 7.0 or 7.1, a number of users are having issues. If the Nougat update has caused problems on your device, we've got the solutions for the most common ones here.

Jump to section:

Nougat installation problems

Having problems installing the Android Nougat update on your phone? First, you should make sure your phone is fully charged and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before you try to download it. Next, you'll have to patiently wait for the update to install. The first time the phone tries to reboot after the installation, it might be exceptionally slow. This usually is nothing to worry about, but if it just hangs there for a long time, you may want to try wiping the system cache in Recovery mode.

Reboot into recovery mode by holding down the power, volume up and home buttons at once. You'll see your manufacturer's logo pop up and then from the recovery menu you can use the volume up or down button to select Wipe cache partition and press the power button to execute the command. Then you can restart the phone and try to install the update again. If you're still having problems, you might have to resort to a factory reset - just don't forget to back up your data first.

samsung experience update nougat
Has the update to Nougat gone smoothly? / © NextPit; SamMobile

Nougat battery drain

If your battery life has been suffering since you updated to Android Nougat, you're not alone. It may seem counter-intuitive for an update which is meant to optimize battery usage to actually cause it to drain faster, but it can sometimes be the case. Don't worry: There's a solution!

Once you've updated to Nougat, go to the Google Play Store and update all the apps on your phone so they are compatible with the new version of Android you've just installed. Then, clear the app caches and the system cache (as described in the previous tip) to get rid of old data. This little spring cleaning should do the trick to fixing Nougat battery life issues.

Here's the fastest way to clear the caches of all your apps at once: Go to Settings > Storage and USB > Cached data, then tap OK to clear the cache of all your apps. If the problem persists, factory reset your phone (after you've backed up your data of course). 

S7 Nougat COM 2
Is your battery draining faster than usual? / © ANDROIDPIT

Nougat Wi-Fi connectivity problems

If your Wi-Fi connectivity has gotten noticeably spottier since installing Android Nougat, you can try turning Wi-Fi off and back on again. If that doesn't work, turn off Wi-Fi, then reboot your phone and try to check it again. If that still doesn't work, 'forget' the Wi-Fi network in question, then try reconnecting. If you must, you can reset your network settings in Settings > Backup and reset > Network settings reset.

S7 Nougat COM 5
Try turning Wi-Fi off and on, or forgetting the network in the Settings menu. / © ANDROIDPIT

Nougat Bluetooth connectivity problems

Bluetooth problems are pesky, and sometimes it's hard to pin down the cause. The first thing you should try is turning Bluetooth off then on again. If that doesn't work, 'forget' the connection that's causing you trouble and try to connect it again. If that still doesn't work, boot into Safe Mode so third party apps can't interfere with the connection - this will help you figure out if a particular app is causing the problem, rather than the updated OS itself.

Nougat cellular data issues

If you're having Nougat mobile data connectivity problems, try to switch your cellular data off then on again. If that doesn't work, restart your phone and re-enter your SIM pin code (if you have one). If your phone comes with a SIM card, you can also try removing it from the tray and re-inserting it. If all else fails, contact your carrier to see if it's a widespread issue with the Nougat update on devices sharing the same network.

Nougat random rebooting problem

If you're experiencing random reboots after the Nougat update, you're not alone. A number of users have experienced boot loop and random rebooting issues with Nougat. The Nexus 5X, in particular, seems to have a hardware issue with a small number of devices which causes boot looping. For other devices, though, it's purely a software issue which can be fixed without having to send it out for repair. Funnily enough, restarting your device may fix the random restarting problem. If the issue persists after that, try clearing your app caches and data.

Nougat GPS issues

Nougat users have been complaining about GPS issues since the updates began to roll out. To fix the problem, turn off GPS, then turn it back on to get a fresh connection. If that doesn't work, try restarting your phone. Also, you can also try recalibrating your GPS, or clearing the cache of Google Maps (or whichever mapping app you use). 

androidpit google maps gps 1
If your GPS is misbehaving, there are many solutions. / © ANDROIDPIT

Nougat black screen issues

Some Nougat users, particularly those with Galaxy S7 devices, have been getting a black screen on their phones. This bug was also present with Android Marshmallow, and leads to an unresponsive blank display. The first thing to do is turn off the phone using the power button, then turn it back on. If the screen still doesn't work, there's still hope.

Try rebooting into recovery mode by holding down the power, volume up and home buttons at once. You'll see your manufacturer's logo pop up and then from the recovery menu you can use the volume up button to select Reboot system and press the power button to reboot the phone.

Nougat audio issues

To fix Nougat sound problems, try restarting the device after an update. Also, don't forget to check if your speaker grilles are clean and clear. If the problem is happening with a specific app, update that app to see if the problem persists. 

AndroidPIT Honor 9 0829
Check the speaker grille for debris. / © NextPit

Nougat not connecting to PC

If you're having USB connectivity issues after the Nougat update, it's most likely because you haven't chosen the correct option in the settings. The default setting is USB charging mode, which means you can't see files when you plug into your PC.

When you connect your phone to your PC via USB, a notification will pop up which says "Connected for charging." Tap this and you'll see a number of options, of which you'll want to select MTP for transferring media files. This will allow you to copy files back and forth from your PC to your phone via USB. 

Nougat app crashing and instability

If apps are misbehaving, unstable or crashing since you update to Nougat, you likely just need to go the the Play Store and update your apps to the newest versions which are compatible with Nougat. If that doesn't solve the problem, clear the app cache and data to get rid of leftover data. If that still doesn't work, try uninstalling the problematic app and reinstalling it to really get a clean slate.

Having any other issues since the Nougat update became available for your device? Have some solutions we didn't mention here? Let us know in the comments!

 The Best Portable Projectors in 2024

  The best choice The best value for money The best for less The all-rounder The challenger The best laser TV
Product
Image Xgimi Halo+ Product Image Dangbei Neo Product Image Technaxx TX-127 Product Image Samsung Freestyle Product Image Nebula Anker Capsule 3 Laser Product Image Formovie Theater Product Image
Offers

To find out more, browse through our comprehensive Portable Projectors buying guide.

Go to comment (6)
Brittany McGhee

Brittany McGhee
Editor androidpit.com

Brittany loves to keep up with the latest technology and innovation, so she is excited to have the opportunity to write about the wonderful world of Android. She thinks spreadsheets and numbers are fun, in addition to reading books and volunteering.

To the author profile
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
6 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 1
    Jacqueline Bronson Nov 27, 2017 Link to comment

    Installed on my Samsung Galaxy J7. I know have issues with viewing a text that is long and turned to an SMS (i believe). I click view all but it doesn't show anything else. I ordered a new phone just before I did this update and it has Nougat pre-installed... worried about it now.


  • Meet Parmar 1
    Meet Parmar Nov 8, 2017 Link to comment

    I have Nokia 6 with Nougat, I found a issue of screen blinking and during that time touch is not working, is it bug or any problem in my phone?


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Jul 6, 2017 Link to comment

    The only issue I have is that BT wifi at my brother's house is not working properly. Iam able to connect ok, and when I run a speed test I'm getting high speed connection. The problem is that YouTube and other Google apps are unable to secure a connection, or will run so slow that the apps think wifi is not available.

    I have tried all of the above mentioned points, and occasionally it will work properly, usually after restarting the BT wifi router.
    I presume that it's a BT router issue as it works great on my home wifi (Talk Talk) & works properly on mobile data and other WiFi hotspots.
    Alas I'm not entirely confident about changing router settings & calling BT call centre is pointless as the agents are outsourced to India, which means it's extremely difficult to have a proper conversation.

    I think it might be related to the router using 2.5ghtz &5ghtz.....

    Any advice would be great

    Peace 🖖


  • Michal Horna 14
    Michal Horna Jul 4, 2017 Link to comment

    Everything OK on Android 7.0 Galaxy S7 EDGE
    But I always do a clean installation


  • 1
    Dilip Vishwakarma Jul 3, 2017 Link to comment

    After installing Nougat in my Moto g4 plus, camera not working properly...


  • Dusan V. 12
    Dusan V. Jul 2, 2017 Link to comment

    I have actually never had any problems with Android Nougat on Samsung S7.

    Dwarfer66

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing