[Pixel 8 Pro] Wi-Fi Driver Deadlock: Turns off randomly, toggle won’t stick, only Reboot fixes it

We are addressing a critical and persistent Wi-Fi stability issue affecting Pixel 8 Pro devices running Android 16 Beta, specifically the bugreport-husky-BP4A.260105.00 4.E1-2026-01-27-18-10-54.zip build. Users report that the Wi-Fi radio crashes randomly, rendering the toggle unresponsive and forcing a full device restart as the only recovery method. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the symptoms, potential root causes, and all available troubleshooting steps to help users mitigate this disruptive behavior.

Understanding the Wi-Fi Driver Deadlock Issue

The issue manifests in a predictable sequence:

1. Initial Stability: Wi-Fi operates normally immediately after a fresh reboot, delivering stable throughput and reliable connectivity.
2. Random Crash: After an unpredictable duration—ranging from minutes to an hour—the Wi-Fi radio turns itself off without user intervention.
3. Unresponsive Toggle: Attempts to re-enable Wi-Fi fail. The toggle briefly animates to “On,” fails to detect any networks, and reverts to “Off.” In some cases, the toggle is greyed out or completely unresponsive.
4. Forced Reboot Required: Standard fixes like toggling Airplane Mode or resetting network settings are ineffective. Only a full device restart restores functionality.

This behavior strongly suggests a kernel-level driver crash or memory leak that the Android system cannot recover from without a power cycle.

Detailed Troubleshooting Steps

Despite multiple attempted fixes, the issue persists. Below, we outline every troubleshooting step attempted, along with their outcomes, to provide a comprehensive reference for affected users.

1. Reset Network Settings

Action: Resetting network settings forces a re-initialization of all network components, including Wi-Fi.

Outcome: Temporarily resolves the issue by reinitializing the Wi-Fi driver, but the crash recurs after a random period.

Note: This is not a permanent fix, as it only delays the inevitable recurrence of the deadlock.

2. Adaptive Connectivity

Action: Adaptive Connectivity, a feature designed to seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data based on signal strength, was toggled off.

Outcome: Disabling this feature did not prevent the Wi-Fi driver from crashing.

3. Wi-Fi Scan Throttling

Action: Wi-Fi Scan Throttling, which limits the frequency of Wi-Fi scans to conserve battery, was tested in both enabled and disabled states.

Outcome: Neither configuration prevented the deadlock.

4. Randomized MAC Address

Action: Randomized MAC address, a privacy feature that rotates the device’s MAC address to prevent tracking, was disabled.

Outcome: Disabling this feature had no impact on the stability of the Wi-Fi connection.

5. Safe Mode

Action: Safe Mode was used to determine if third-party apps were contributing to the issue. The device was booted with only pre-installed system apps active.

Outcome: The behavior remained inconsistent, and the crash still occurred eventually, indicating that the issue is likely rooted in the system or kernel level rather than third-party software.

Potential Root Causes

Based on the symptoms and troubleshooting results, we can infer several potential root causes for this Wi-Fi driver deadlock:

1. Kernel-Level Driver Crash

The most likely cause is a kernel-level Wi-Fi driver crash. This type of crash is severe because it prevents the system from recovering the driver without a full reboot. Kernel-level crashes often result from:

• Memory Leaks: The driver may be allocating memory without properly releasing it, eventually exhausting available resources.
• Race Conditions: Simultaneous access to shared resources by multiple processes can lead to unpredictable behavior.
• Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Issues: Problems in the HAL, which bridges the hardware and software, can cause the driver to fail.

2. Firmware Bugs

The Wi-Fi firmware itself may contain bugs that trigger crashes under specific conditions, such as prolonged use or certain network configurations.

3. Power Management Conflicts

Android’s power management system may be interfering with the Wi-Fi driver, especially if aggressive power-saving measures are in place.

4. Network Configuration Issues

Although less likely, certain network configurations or router settings could trigger the crash, particularly if they involve advanced features like 802.11r (fast roaming) or WPA3.

Workarounds and Mitigation Strategies

While a permanent fix requires a system update from Google, several workarounds may help reduce the frequency or impact of the crashes:

1. Manual Wi-Fi Toggle Workaround

Some users report that quickly toggling the Wi-Fi switch multiple times immediately after it crashes can sometimes re-enable it without a reboot. This is not a reliable fix but may be worth trying in urgent situations.

2. Scheduled Reboots

If the crashes occur at predictable intervals, scheduling automatic reboots using third-party apps or built-in device features can minimize downtime.

3. Use Mobile Data as Backup

For critical tasks, consider using mobile data when Wi-Fi becomes unresponsive. This ensures uninterrupted connectivity until the Wi-Fi can be restored.

4. Monitor for System Updates

Google frequently releases updates to address bugs in beta builds. Regularly check for system updates and install them as soon as they become available.

Community Insights and Developer Feedback

The issue has been widely discussed in online forums, with many users confirming similar experiences. Some key insights from the community include:

• Carrier-Specific Issues: Users on certain carriers, such as HOT Mobile (Israel), report higher frequency of crashes, suggesting potential carrier-specific configurations or network settings may play a role.
• Beta Build Instability: As this occurs on an Android 16 Beta build, instability is expected. Beta software often contains unresolved bugs that are addressed in later stable releases.
• Kernel Panic Logs: Advanced users have attempted to capture kernel panic logs using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to provide more detailed information to developers. This can help in diagnosing the exact cause of the crash.

Reporting the Issue to Google

To ensure this issue is addressed in future updates, users are encouraged to report it directly to Google:

1. Use the Android Issue Tracker: Submit a detailed report on the Android Issue Tracker with the bug report number bugreport-husky-BP4A.260105.00 4.E1-2026-01-27-18-10-54.zip.
2. Include Detailed Logs: If possible, capture and attach logcat and dmesg logs immediately after the crash occurs. These logs provide valuable insights into the system state at the time of the failure.
3. Describe Reproduction Steps: Clearly outline the steps to reproduce the issue, including device model, OS version, carrier, and any specific network conditions.

Conclusion

The Pixel 8 Pro Wi-Fi driver deadlock is a severe and disruptive issue affecting users on Android 16 Beta. While temporary workarounds exist, a permanent fix requires intervention from Google’s development team. By understanding the symptoms, potential causes, and available troubleshooting steps, users can better manage the impact of this issue until an official resolution is provided.

For ongoing support and community discussions, users are encouraged to visit forums such as Reddit’s r/GooglePixel or the Pixel User Community. Staying informed and actively reporting issues will help accelerate the development of stable and reliable software updates.

Note: This article is based on user reports and community insights. For the latest updates and official fixes, always refer to Google’s support channels and Android Beta Program communications.