I’ve owned multiple Android smartphones and I can say that none of my devices were free from bugs and software glitches. That being said, I still love the Android operating system and these minor bugs are in no way a deal breaker for me. The Nexus 5 is one of the most popular Android smartphones and I’m sure many of you thought that the device was bug free before you went out and purchased it. From camera problems to weak WiFi signals, users have been facing multiple problems on the device. There’s a solution for almost every problem on Android smartphones and if you’re facing some software glitches and bugs on your Nexus 5, then continue reading to find out how you can fix some of the most common problems on the device.
1. Problem Connecting to WiFi
The Nexus 5 WiFi problem is probably one of the most common issues faced by users. You might be facing different issues related to WiFi connection. Your Nexus 5 might not be connecting to WiFi at all or it might be dropping signals after establishing a connection. If you’ve been having problems connecting to a WiFi network or browsing the internet on WiFi, then try out the following solutions.
Solution 1
Enable Airplane mode on your Nexus 5. Wait for a few seconds and then disable it. Try connecting to your WiFi network now. This might solve the issue.
Solution 2
If you’re having problems connecting to a particular WiFi network, then select that network and Forget it. Reconnect to the network. You’ll need to enter the password again if the network uses one.
Solution 3
Turn off your router and modem for about 10 seconds and switch them back on. This might also fix the issue.
Solution 4
Try installing Wifi apps listed here – 5 Best WiFi App for Android to Connect Constantly
2. Weak Network Signals
If your Nexus 5 is suddenly getting weak signals from your mobile network, then this might be a software issue. Consider the following solutions.
Solution 1
Check if there are any software updates available for your phone. An OTA update might fix this issue.
Solution 2
Try restarting your Nexus 5.
Solution 3
Try performing a factory reset on your Nexus 5 in order to fix the issue.
Solution 4
Try using another SIM card on your phone to check if there’s an issue with the SIM. You can also use your current SIM card on another phone to check if the signals are weak.
3. Weak and Loud Vibration
Some users have been facing a vibration issue and there might be some faulty units with weak and loud vibration. If you feel that the vibration is really weak or it’s really loud, then you probably have a faulty phone.
Solution
Get your faulty phone replaced under warranty.
4. Weak and Poor Audio from Speakers
The Nexus 5 speaker problem is also quite common. Some users feel that the audio level is really low. Some users are also getting poor audio quality from the phone’s speaker. If you feel that you’re facing an audio issue on your Nexus 5, then try out the following solutions.
Solution 1
Try playing a song in multiple apps. If the audio quality is poor or weak only in the phone’s stock music player, then this is a basic software issue. You can use any other music player from the Google Play Store in order to get good audio quality on your phone.
Solution 2
If the sound quality is poor in your Google Play Music app, turn on the equalizer from the app’s settings menu. This should improve the audio quality significantly.
Solution 3
Update your Nexus 5 if there’s an OTA update available. This can fix the issue as well.
5. Poor Battery Life
Another common problem faced by users is the Nexus 5 battery drain issue. Many Android devices run out of battery juice quickly, but if you’re getting a very low battery time on your Nexus 5 without any heavy usage, then there might be a problem with your phone. If you’re getting a weak battery life when playing HD games or watching videos all day, then this is normal.
Solution 1
Your charger might be faulty. Try using a different charger.
Solution 2
After fully charging your Nexus 5, switch it off and turn it back on. This might fix the issue.
Solution 3
Try wiping your cache. Switch off your Nexus 5. Press and hold the Volume Down, Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until your phone boots up. Using the Volume keys, highlight Recovery and press the Power button to boot into recovery mode. If you see an Android robot on the screen, hold the Power key and press the Volume Up button once. Go to the Wipe cache partition option using the Volume keys and select it using the Power key.
Solution 4
A third party app might be causing the issue. If the battery life reduced after you installed a third party app, then uninstall it. This might fix the issue.
6. Poor Camera Quality
The Nexus 5 camera problem is also faced by many users. The camera might be taking poor and blurry photos. This is probably a software issue and the problem might go away after a software update.
Solution 1
If there’s a software update available for your Nexus 5, install it. This might fix the camera issue.
Solution 2
Try a third party camera app. There are many great camera apps available on the Google Play Store and you might get better results using a third party camera app.
7. Loose Power Button
The Power button on the Nexus 5 appears to be weak for many users. If the button moves slightly, then this might be normal but if it is too loose, then it’s definitely an issue.
Solution 1
Get your phone repaired or replaced under warranty.
Solution 2
Use a case on your Nexus 5. A case will not only protect your phone, but you’ll forget about the loose power button. Feel free to read our list of the best cases for the Nexus 5.
Solution 3
If you’re looking for an alternative, try downloading an app from the Google Play Store that locks the screen with a single tap. One such app is Screen Off.
There’s also another app called Gravity Screen and the way this works is that your phone will automatically lock when you put it in your pocket and it turns on automatically when you take it out from your pocket.
8. Dead Pixels
The Nexus 5 dead pixel problem is also quite common and many users are reporting that their screens have dead pixels. If there’s a spot or an area on the screen that is stuck and it doesn’t change, then there are probably dead pixels on your Nexus 5.
Solution
Check if you have dead pixels. You can use the Dead Pixel Test app from the Google Play Store to find out if your Nexus 5 has dead pixels. If it does have dead pixels, then you’ll need to replace your phone
9. GPS Problem
If you’re having problems with GPS on your Nexus 5, then try the following solutions.
Solution 1
Go to Location in Settings on your Nexus 5 and make sure that High accuracy is selected in Mode.
Solution 2
If the GPS stopped working properly after you installed a third party app, then you should uninstall it. This might fix the issue.
10. Unusual Noise in Recorded Videos
Some users have complained about an unusual noise in the videos they recorded using the Nexus 5. If you’re facing the same problem, use the solution mentioned below.
Solution
This is most likely a software issue and it should go away after updating the phone. If there is any OTA update available for your Nexus 5, then install it. This might solve the problem.
11. Ok Google Not Working
The Ok Google feature is not working for some users on the Nexus 5. I personally don’t use it, but if you use it regularly, then try the solutions mentioned below.
Solution 1
Try rebooting the phone. The problem might go away after a simple reboot.
Solution 2
Make sure that the language in your Google search app is set to English.
Solution 3
Wipe your cache. Turn off your Nexus 5. Press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons simultaneously until your phone boots up. Using the Volume keys, select Recovery and press the Power button to boot into recovery mode. If you see an Android robot on the screen, hold the Power key and press the Volume Up key once. Go to the Wipe cache partition option using the Volume buttons and select it using the Power button.
12. Problem Answering Phone Calls
Another popular Nexus 5 problem is that some users can’t answer phone calls. Either the screen doesn’t display anything for answering the phone calls or nothing happens when you use the options for answering or rejecting calls.
Solution 1
Restarting the phone might fix this issue.
Solution 2
Go to Storage in Settings and tap on Cached data. Tap on OK to clear the cached data. This might solve the issue.
Solution 3
If you’re not using Google Hangouts as your default messaging app, try switching to Hangouts and this might fix the issue.
Solution 4
Update your phone if there’s an OTA update available.
Solution 5
If the problem started after you installed a third party app, try uninstalling the app and check if the problem remains.
13. Camera Not Working
Another problem related to the camera on the Nexus 5 is that it doesn’t work and crashes. If your camera app force closes every time you launch it, try the following solutions.
Solution 1
Go to Apps in Settings and select All. Select Camera and then tap on Clear cache.
Solution 2
Try restarting your Nexus 5.
Solution 3
Download and install a third party camera app from the Google Play Store.
14. Microphone Issue
For some Nexus 5 users, the mic doesn’t work properly. If the person you’re talking to can’t hear you properly, then check out the following solutions.
Solution 1
Enable speaker mode during the call and then switch back. This might fix the problem.
Solution 2
A case might be causing the issue. If you’re using a case, remove it and check if the problem remains.
Solution 3
Blow into the mic to remove any dust.
Solution 4
Update your Nexus 5 if there is an OTA update available.
15. Bluetooth Issue
The Nexus 5 Bluetooth problem is also quite common. You might face problems when searching for other devices or connecting with them.
Solution 1
Try switching off WiFi and check if the Bluetooth problem remains.
Solution 2
Try deleting profiles of other devices from your Bluetooth accessory and then connect your phone.
Solution 3
Try unpairing other devices on your Nexus 5 and then connect to a new device.
Solution 4
Restart both the devices. This might fix the issue.
16. Compass Issue
Some users have reported that the compass on the Nexus 5 is not working properly and is inaccurate and you can follow the solution below to fix this issue.
Solution
You just need to calibrate it. Move your phone like you’re making the figure eight. You can check out this video to see the exact pattern.
17. Performance Issues and High RAM Use
If your Nexus 5 is lagging constantly even when you’re not doing any power heavy stuff, then there’s probably something wrong.
Solution 1
A third party app might be causing the problem. If your phone started lagging after you installed a third party app, then uninstall it.
Solution 2
Wipe your cache. Switch off your Nexus 5. Press and hold the Volume Down, Volume Up and Power keys simultaneously until the phone boots up. Using the Volume keys, highlight Recovery and press the Power button to boot into recovery mode. If you see an Android robot on the screen, hold the Power key and press the Volume Up button once. Go to the Wipe cache partition option using the Volume buttons and select it using the Power key.
18. Silent Mode In Lollipop
If you’re updated to Lollipop and you can’t find silent mode, then consider the following solution.
Solution
Press on the Volume key on your Nexus 5 and select None from the Menu. This will enable No Interruption mode and you can choose whether you want it enabled for a specific time period.
19. Apps Crashing
If your apps are randomly crashing or force closing, then use the following solution to fix the issue.
Solution
Go to Apps in Settings, tap on the App that is crashing and press the Force stop and Clear cache buttons.
20. Flashlight Problem
There’s a problem with the flashlight on the Nexus 5 and you can use the following solution to fix it.
Solution
If the flashlight stays on for a long time, then it might stop working. Also, the camera might stop working. A simple reboot can fix this issue.
21. Overheating
If your phone is constantly overheating after playing games or watching videos, then the solutions below might fix the issue.
Solution 1
After doing something hardcore on your phone, such as playing an HD game, it would be best to reboot your phone to avoid or reduce overheating.
Solution 2
It’s also a good idea to not use heavy apps while your phone is charging.
Solution 3
Avoid leaving your phone phone in a hot area, such as directly under sunlight.
Solution 4
If your phone constantly heats even when you’re not doing anything on it, then this could be due to hardware issue. It would be best to send your phone for repairs under warranty.
22. Boot Loop Issues
If your Nexus 5 is stuck in a boot loop, then use the solution mentioned below.
Solution
Wipe your data. This will delete everything from your phone. Switch off your Nexus 5. Press and hold the Volume Down, Volume Up and Power keys simultaneously until the phone boots up. Using the Volume keys, highlight Recovery and press the Power button to boot into recovery mode. If you see an Android robot on the screen, hold the Power key and press the Volume Up button once. Go to the Wipe data/factory reset option using the Volume buttons and select it using the Power key.
Conclusion
The Nexus 5 is a great Android smartphone right out of the box. Even though it features excellent hardware and software features, you might still get certain problems on the phone. No Android phone is perfect and I believe software glitches and bugs will appear on almost all phones and tablets. If you’re thinking about factory resetting your Nexus 5, then make sure you follow the solutions mentioned above for your problem as you’ll lose all your data after resetting the device. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot them in the comments area below.
