Posted on by pbeens

Using AI Chatbots to Solve my Pixel 7 Pro Charging Problem

A Pixel 7 Pro smartphone is displayed on a wireless charging pad, not charging, indicated by a visible red cross or question mark on the screen. In the background, various AI chatbot icons are depicted in speech bubbles, each providing different pieces of advice or troubleshooting steps. The setting is tech-focused, with a lighthearted yet informative tone, highlighting the diversity of AI assistance in solving technical issues.

My Pixel 7 Pro phone decided to stop charging wirelessly. I think I’ve exhausted any logical troubleshooting ideas I have so decided to turn the problem over to some AI chatbots before I bring the phone back to Telus while it’s still under warranty.

Following is a comparison of the different AI chatbots I used. As part of my troubleshooting prompt, it was important that the solution cite any sources that is uses. My prompt was….

I am experiencing an issue with my Pixel 7 Pro where it has stopped charging wirelessly. I have tried using different wireless chargers to no avail. Can you provide a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to identify and resolve this issue? Please include cited sources from reputable tech support forums, official Google support documentation, or any technical articles that offer solutions for wireless charging problems with the Pixel 7 Pro.

All responses below are copied and pasted directly from the chatbots. The ability to copy and reuse chatbot content is important to me, so I felt it was important to demonstrate those differences here.

Response from Google Gemini (Paid Account)

Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot your Pixel 7 Pro’s wireless charging issue:

Before Diving In

  • Double-check Compatibility: Ensure your wireless charger is Qi-certified. While the Pixel 7 Pro is designed for this standard, compatibility problems can still occur.

Basic Troubleshooting

  1. Restart: Begin with the simplest solutions. Often, a basic restart can fix temporary software glitches.
  2. Inspect Charger:
    • Verify that your wireless charger is plugged in and has power.
    • Test the charger with another compatible device to ensure it’s functioning.
  3. Reposition Your Phone:
    • Careful alignment with the wireless charger’s coil is crucial. The coil is usually in the center of your phone’s back. Try slightly adjusting the position for optimal charging.
    • Remove any thick cases, as these can hinder charging.
  4. Check Battery Settings:
    • Adaptive Charging: Temporarily disable this to rule out interference (Google Pixel Help – Adaptive Charging: [[[invalid URL removed]]([invalid URL removed])]).
    • Battery Share: Make sure it is turned off, as it might conflict with wireless charging (Google Pixel Help – Charge Accessories with Your Phone: [[[invalid URL removed]]([invalid URL removed])]).

Advanced Troubleshooting

  1. Boot into Safe Mode: This will identify third-party app interference.
    • Press and hold the power button.
    • Tap and hold the “Power off” option.
    • Hit “OK” to enter Safe Mode.
    • If wireless charging works here, an app is likely the culprit. Uninstall recently added apps one by one until the issue is resolved (Google Pixel Help – Turn Safe Mode On/Off: [https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139?hl=en]).
  2. Check for Updates: A new software update may be available containing fixes. Go to Settings > System > System update.
  3. Clean Device and Charger: Gently remove dust or debris from your phone’s charging port and the charger with a can of compressed air or a soft, dry brush.
  4. Factory Reset: Consider this a last resort, but back up data first. (Google Pixel Help – Reset to Factory Settings: [https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4596836?hl=en]).

Still Not Working?

  • Hardware Fault: A defect in the wireless charging coil, charging port, or motherboard may exist. Contact Google Support or seek a professional repair service.
  • Faulty Charger: While you’ve tested others, your original issue could be charger-specific. If another phone successfully charges on your wireless base, suspect your phone. If another phone also fails to charge, consider your charger is at fault.

Sources

Let me know if you have any further questions as you work through these steps!

Response from Microsoft Copilot (Free Version)

I’m sorry to hear about the issue you’re experiencing with your Pixel 7 Pro. Here’s a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to help you identify and resolve the issue:

  1. Perform a Soft Reset: This allows your smartphone to take a fresh start to cope with particular issues1.
  2. Boot into Safe Mode: This prevents third-party apps from running and only allows the built-in apps to be served in that particular mode1.
  3. Clear System Cache: Sometimes, the ambiguous data stored in the cache memory of the phone might cause unexpected issues1.
  4. Check the Power Source: Make sure the power source to your wireless charger is stable23.
  5. Use the Official Charging Adapter: If you’re using a third-party adapter, try switching to the official one that came with your phone23.
  6. Remove Any Case: Some phone cases can interfere with wireless charging. Try removing the case from your phone and see if that helps23.
  7. Factory Reset Your Pixel: If none of the above steps work, you might need to factory reset your Pixel23. Please remember to back up your data before doing this as it will erase everything on your phone.
  8. Check the Warranty and Get the Battery/Coil Replaced: If your phone is still under warranty, you might want to consider getting the battery or the wireless charging coil replaced23.

Please follow these steps carefully and see if they help resolve your issue. If the problem persists, I recommend contacting Google’s customer support or visiting a professional repair service. Good luck!

NOTE: Interestingly when I pasted the Copilot output here it did not list the citations, but they are all linked directly in the text. When I pasted the same content into a text editor (VS Code) it did list the citations as a bulleted list.

Response from ChatGPT (GPT-4, Paid Account)

To troubleshoot the wireless charging issue with your Pixel 7 Pro, follow this systematic approach. Each step aims to narrow down the possible causes and find a solution. Since I cannot directly access current sources such as official Google support documentation or tech forums in real-time, the steps provided are based on general best practices for troubleshooting wireless charging issues on smartphones. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to Google’s official support website or forums dedicated to Pixel devices.

Step 1: Verify Charger Compatibility

  • Ensure the wireless charger is Qi-certified. The Pixel 7 Pro uses Qi standard for wireless charging, and not all wireless chargers may be compatible.
  • Check if the charger supports the required power output for your device. The Pixel 7 Pro supports fast wireless charging, but not all chargers may offer the necessary power.

Step 2: Inspect Physical Connections

  • Examine the wireless charger for any physical damage or debris that might obstruct the charging process.
  • Ensure the power source to the wireless charger is stable and correctly connected.

Step 3: Check for Software Issues

  • Restart your Pixel 7 Pro to resolve any temporary software glitches that may be interfering with wireless charging.
  • Update your device to the latest version of Android, as software updates can often fix bugs related to charging.

Step 4: Test with Different Accessories

  • Try using a different wireless charger to rule out an issue with the charger itself.
  • Use a different power adapter or cable with the wireless charger to ensure the issue isn’t with the power supply.

Step 5: Examine the Phone Case

  • Remove any case or accessories from your Pixel 7 Pro. Some cases might be too thick or have metal components that interfere with wireless charging.

Step 6: Safe Mode Testing

  • Boot your Pixel 7 Pro into Safe Mode to see if third-party apps are causing the issue. If it charges in Safe Mode, a third-party app might be the culprit.
  • To enter Safe Mode: Press and hold the power button, then press and hold the power off option on the screen until the Safe Mode prompt appears.

Step 7: Factory Reset

  • Consider a factory reset as a last resort if none of the above steps work. This will erase all data on your device, so back up your data first.
  • To perform a factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

Step 8: Seek Professional Support

  • If the issue persists, contact Google support or visit an authorized service center. There may be a hardware problem with the wireless charging coil or other related components.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and potentially resolve the wireless charging issue with your Pixel 7 Pro. If the problem continues, professional support will be necessary to address any hardware failures.

Response from Claude (Free Account)

Here is a step-by-step troubleshooting guide for fixing wireless charging issues on the Pixel 7 Pro, with sources from Google support and tech forums:

  1. Make sure the wireless charger is plugged in and works with other phones

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/172019743/pixel-7-pro-not-charging-wirelessly?hl=en

  1. Check if a case or cover is preventing proper contact with the wireless charger

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/172019743/pixel-7-pro-not-charging-wirelessly?hl=en

  1. Toggle battery saver mode on and off

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/172019743/pixel-7-pro-not-charging-wirelessly?hl=en

  1. In Settings > Battery > Battery health, toggle “Adaptive charging” and “Adaptive battery” on and off

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/172019743/pixel-7-pro-not-charging-wirelessly?hl=en

  1. Try cleaning the wireless charging coil at the back of your phone
  • This can be accessed by gently lifting the bottom edge cover of the phone
  • Clean the coil area with compressed air
  • Ensure no damage to the coil wires

Sources:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Google+Pixel+7+Pro+Wireless+Charging+Coil+Replacement/155570
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/172019743/pixel-7-pro-not-charging-wirelessly?hl=en

  1. Factory reset the Pixel 7 Pro

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4596836#zippy=%2Cstep-back-up-your-stuff%2Cstep-erase-your-phone

I hope these detailed troubleshooting steps help resolve your Pixel 7 Pro wireless charging issues! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Response from Perplexity (Free Account)

Based on the provided information, here is a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to identify and resolve the wireless charging issue with the Pixel 7 Pro:

  1. Check for Software Updates:
  • Ensure that your Pixel 7 Pro is running the latest software version. Google has released software updates that include general enhancements to the performance of wireless charging[3].
  1. Restart and Perform Soft Reset:
  • Restart your Pixel 7 Pro and check if it resolves the issue. If not, perform a soft reset by holding the power button for 30 seconds, then release it. After a few seconds, press and hold the power button again until the device restarts[5].
  1. Check for App Interference:
  • Boot your phone into safe mode to check if any third-party apps are causing the issue. Safe mode prevents third-party apps from running, allowing you to determine if the problem is app-related[5].
  1. Clear System Cache:
  • Clearing the system cache may help resolve the issue. To do this, boot your phone into recovery mode and select “Wipe Cache partition”[5].
  1. Forget Pixel Stand and Set it Again:
  • If you are using a Pixel Stand, try forgetting the Pixel Stand in your phone settings and then set it up again[5].
  1. Perform Factory Reset:
  • If the issue persists, consider performing a factory reset as a last resort. This will restore your phone to its default settings and may help resolve any persistent issues[5].
  1. Contact Google Support:
  • If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s recommended to contact Google Support for further assistance. They may provide additional troubleshooting steps or arrange for a repair or replacement if the issue is hardware-related[1].

It’s important to note that some users have reported specific software and app-related fixes, such as disabling the “Pixel Stand” app or updating it[4]. However, these steps may not be applicable to all cases and should be approached with caution.

Always ensure that you are following official guidelines and recommendations when troubleshooting your device. If in doubt, seek assistance from authorized support channels to avoid any potential damage to your device.

Please let me know if you need further assistance!

Citations:
[1] https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/192063801/pixel-7-pro-wireless-charging-stopped-working?hl=en
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/12zh96w/7_pro_no_longer_wirelessly_charging_what_are_my/
[3] https://piunikaweb.com/2023/03/14/google-pixel-7-wireless-charging-not-working-or-stops-mid-way/
[4] https://pocketables.com/2023/01/pixel-stops-charging-quickly-on-wireless-charger.html
[5] https://thecelldesk.com/google-pixel-7-wireless-charging-not-working/

Conclusion

All technical responses were quite good, hitting on the usual troubleshooting steps that I was already aware of, with the exception of the cache tip mentioned by Copilot and Perplexity.

It’s interesting to see how the different chatbots format their text. If you look at the Perplexity list each item starts with “1”, but when I pasted the same content into a Markdown file in VS Code it formatted correctly. Some used bold to highlight sections, some used proper headings. Which better? It honestly depends on the content! Sometimes I prefer one style over the other.

With the exception of ChatGPT, all sources were provided. It’s surprising that ChatGPT, the dominant chatbot on the market, did not follow the directions accurately. I’m starting to think that ChatGPT may not be providing sources on purpose, perhaps due to copyright issues. This is something I’ll keep in mind as I continue testing these platforms.

As for whether the paid chatbots offered better answers, the answer is no.

Is it worth paying for an AI tool to assist you? I’m currently undecided. I’m paying for ChatGPT and using Google Gemini as part of its 2-month free trial. Each platform has its benefits and faults, making it challenging to decide which one, if any, is worth the investment.

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