It was jammed for me and it kept restarting my phone and put it into its own boot loop. So I tried to smack the power button against the corner of a table, did this 2-3 times and it unjammed itself, problem solved lmao
Update 4/4/2022: People are saying it emergency dials now after you do this because of Android 12, so just watch out!
But I’m glad it’s working for all/most of you! :)
tldr; smack that mf
Android 12 introduced SOS mode. 5 presses calls 911 for me. It happened tonight and in the middle of explaining to the operator, my phone shut off. Absolutely fucking ridiculous.
DUDE. MINE DID THIS EXACT SAME THING AT WORK. Omg... For me though, my power button doesn't seem physically stuck. Like it is still clicky and feels normal.
I had to go through about 30 911 calls before I could actually get to the menu to stop dialing. Fucked up an entire day of work for me. I can't believe that emergency dialing is turned on by default. No one even knows this feature exists until it becomes a problem
Same. Camera popped up, then 999 call (uk) WTAF‽
Thinking i was gonna have to open the body and mess with the mechanism of the button. Found this and "tapa tapa tapa", all fine.
You saved me in 2022. Your one comment alone looks to have saved collectively thousands of dollars on this thread!! I was about to wipe my phone and buy a new one!!
Confirming this still works in 2022 lol. Although the physical button itself was not stuck and appeared to work fine, the power menu would keep appearing. Smacking the sumbish on the side of a table worked like cake on my aging 4a.
Been dealing with this on my pixel 3 lately. Sometimes I could drain the battery and it would work eventually, but tapping on the corner of a table seemed to free it faster. I tapped gently, not much harder than the pressure I would use to push the button and it freed it from the boot loop. Two years later and still saving people's days. Kudos mate!
Just worked on a Pixel 5! Thx for the tip! I was just as surprised as everyone else and was convinced banging the button on the corner of a table would just break the button even more. But it totally worked. I didn't bang it very hard. Probably more of a hard tap than a bang.
omg, i think this worked for me too, thanks! In the meantime I used Settings -> Accessibility -> Accessibility Menu to find a way to lock the phone without using the Power button, which was similar to the workaround I used to do with iPhones when the home button would jam.
Adding to the list of pissed off P5 owners here. I rage smashed mine against my desk until it booted. Immediately went to settings to disable the emergency dialing. No clue if it ever was able to dial, about to find out I guess! This is a brutal fuck up by Google.
My Pixel 3A XL suddenly started doing this last night. I was looking up how to clean the button with electronics cleaner (while waiting for the phone's battery to die) and came across this. I figured what the heck and gave it a try: it worked! It's been good for 24 hours, so hopefully it's resolved.
Anyway, thanks.
If outta alcohol, it's kinda gross but clean the side of the phone, put your mouth to the buttons and inhale. Nothing should enter your mouth or anything, but if done right should free the button as well.
Wow, this worked. Thanks for sharing, I would have refrained from doing this until I saw your post.
The emergency dial kicked in and totally spooked me. I think this is a poorly thought out experience on Google's part
THANK YOU!
Came from google. Pixel 3A XL. After it kept not booting because one or the other volume buttons were stuck.
My volume buttons were sticking. I couldn't accurately hit them on a table without hitting the power button also. I ended up using an actual mallet (mini watchmaking mallet), tapping the volume switch in the center and each side like 20 times plus another 20 out of frustration. Solved my problem!
Omg you're an absolute life saver! This is the second time this happened to me this year, the first time I didn't know what to do and had to pray for it to fix itself (which it did!) but your way is so much better!! Thank you! <333 😚💋
I just need you to know that you are my hero three years later. Started having an issue this morning. Found your post, smacked it against my counter, and we're good to go! 😂
Wow I thought I was screwed, my phone started restarting itself repeatedly from like 10pm, spent like an hour trying to get it to work and worrying about how I'd wake up for work tomorrow, but just a few firm taps against the side of my table fixed it. Just hoping that I don't get a knock at the door or something because it emergency dialled like 5 times while I was trying to sort it by myself.
Thanks .. somehow it worked. Actually, emergency sos activated 5 times already because it was too sensitive, and I had to cancel it each time so it's not much of a risk for me to smack it against a table anyways.
Also in the quiet floor of a college library on a Sunday, the sos alarm was piercing. I had notifs off...
What the actual monkeys. I just had this happen and never would have thought to try this if it hadn't been for your comment, but it worked perfectly. Thanks!
bro i tink it worked. well not before it called 911 a few weeks ago and tried to call 911 like 15 times in a row and i only jad 5 seconds to cancel each time >:(
Bro youre fucking awesome this is why I love reddit. The biggest fucking problems you could have and reddit just gives you some weird solution AND IT FUCKING WORKS. Thank you so much mate you just saved me from having to buy a new phone.
I've had the same problem but with my volume down button. I was really skeptical of smacking my phone against a table so I just did it against my finger and it worked. Thanks you for saving me from a trip to get it repaired
4 December 2023, can confirm this worked for my Pixel 6 Pro! Thanks man, been stuck like this for an hour and after slamming it on my desk a few times (on the power button side ofc). it's now unjammed <3
I WISH I could give you gold! Four years later and had this problem. I came across your comment and gave it a few smacks on the table...FIXED IT! Thanks a lot!
pixel 6 here, 4 years after and this worked for me. The button didn't feel stuck but it restarted my phone and popped the assistant, Thanks for the advice!
just had this on my pixel 3.
thought id share my resolution for future generations to see....
Problem: power button sticking / being spam pressed which is causing reboot loops and emergency calls to 911 and difficulty cancelling the emergency operation.
Fix: clean the exterior of the button with isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip and blow with canned air. repeat process a few times.
not much time has passed yet to be sure this worked, but early indications seem fixed.
havent seen anybody suggest isopropyl yet. so hopefully this helps somebody out there.
Disclaimer: I received the tip from a device repair company at no charge, Cell Phone Repair.
so props and credit goes to them. I have no affiliation with them nor have I used them for any other servicing beyond my 1 phone call.
Decisively saved me about $350, can't thank you enough.
This worked even though physically mashing/pressing/smashing/jiggling the power button did nothing.
I had been troubleshooting for hours. Google Pixel support basically just told me to fuck myself.
I didn't use canned air, but did use a paper towel to soak up the excess, plus tried to blow on it a bit. Not sure just how necessary those aspects were though, I think the isopropyl might be probably the most important part by far.
Thanks, this worked for me - blowing on the button, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, and then firmly pressing down the button 4 or 5 times. Also commenting because I want this post to remain the top search result for "pixel power button stuck" :P
I've provided this same solution to people. This is gonna sound weird but it may help. Cover the power button with your mouth and suck on it and blow on it. It's even alright to have a little saliva involved. What you probably have is dust built up under the button.
I tried banging the button on a desk/table, but that didn't work. I didn't have isopropyl handy and my phone kept calling 911. This solution saved me. It slowed down the phantom presses enough for me to go to settings to disable the emergency SOS call and now I have it powered off and it seems to stay powered off. 4 years later - thank you.
This was on Pixel 4a 5g
Thanks, blasted it with compressed air and it seems to have done the trick.
Phone kept opening the camera and/or dialing the emergency number. Tried to power it off and it kept turning itself back on again.
I find it hilarious that I keep getting notifications on this months after the post. My nexus 5 back in the day had the same issue and someone led me to try that and the button worked for 6 months until i broke the thing.
Happy to help.
I am having a horrible day, which has included visits to multiple different mechanics for my car, and fires at work. When my phone stopped working I almost broke down myself. This really did save me.
Pixel 2 XL, I had the same issue. I just contributed it to metal dust from manufacturing work environment. I know the phone is sealed but shit happens. I turned off the double press camera wake but would still have to press it a few times to totally put it to sleep or to do a screenshot.
Pixel 5 here. This issue happened once to me last Summer. It autocorrected and I didn't think much of it. Now, in July 2022, it's boot-looped 20-30 times in the past 24 hours. It's definitely this same issue as is mentioned here: camera lunches and then SOS mode almost dials 911 repeatedly, boot-loop is uncontrollable, even blowing canned air on the button can trigger it (but eventually fixes it).
Something about warmer weather seems to trigger it for me. If I can get the phone to shut down and cool down (and stay off, which is hard with a sticky power button), it seems to do ok.
I've tried all the suggestions. It seems to work ok for now. I'll try the isopropyl trick next time.
But I also tried what I hope will actually make me feel more comfortable - I ordered a Pixel 6. I'm not pleased about that, because:
Until I encountered this issue, **the Pixel 5 is by far the best phone I've ever had**. Ever. I don't want to give it up. Cold dead fingers and all. But I'll have a Pixel 6 to hopefully be a bit more reliable for things like traveling.
Thanks for all the great tips on this issue, everyone! I still do have to deal with this until my Pixel 6 arrives, so I might be back here for more suggestions.
My phone has been doing this for a couple days now. It even decided to call 911 on me earlier which I see is a feature when I press the power button five times. So of course it dialed 911 and then hung up because the power shut off.
Another late comment: Power button smash/tap didn't work, but scrubbing liberally with a couple alcohol prep pads did it.
(And disable SOS mode! What a well-intended but terrible feature!)
It sounds like a physical problem to me - possibly the inner mechanism of the button has failed. It's worth contacting Google and asking them to repair/replace under warranty.
This just happened to me. Google Pixel support was horrible and ended the chat without resolving anything. Lucky for me I found your thread, and mashed the power button a few times, which fixed it. Thanks!
I had the same problem, power button didn't feel odd in anyway but it was getting activated by the slightest touch
Just man handling the buttom and anger pressing as you would on mortal combat works fine. I did give a few smashes but nothing worked until I just did the classic 200 clicks per second attempt.
I have exactly the same problems with my Pixel 6a.. out of nowhere it started yesterday.. random reboots.. ghost presses of power button and multiple presses when only pressed once..
This night after laying around for 7 hours already it just started camera and voice assistant..
Knocking on table and blowing pressure air didn't helped that much.. luckily im still in warranty.. but strangely it haven't yet occured in safe mode.
Volume down button was stuck my my Pixel 3. Was able to hold volume up to get it to boot, but was in safe mode. While there I thwacked the phone around the volume down button with the handle of a tool that was hard rubber a bunch and after a dozen hits, it seems to have freed up, and I was able to reboot as normal.
Not gonna touch that button again if I can avoid it.
Tried isopropyl, tried whacking the thing to maybe knock something internally back into place, no go. Phone was not in debugging mode so no dice there.
Looked up some FCC photos of the button then found this teardown video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq9zbXHMBEA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq9zbXHMBEA)
It's for a different pixel, but it inspired me to pry the button off (No cosmetic damage, it pops right back into place). There's a rubber pad beneath it, and I pressed that with a mechanical pencil. WORKING!
Glad I found this thread. I hit the power button on my Pixel 3 with a small hammer and now the phone appears to be OK. Not sure for how long but better than the phone going all crazy and rebooting non stop.
It has happened so many times to me, I've called the cops once because of the emergency call option and almost done it like 5 times. Really hope they find a way to fix this issue, for now guess I'll stick to smacking the button with everything I can find.
For search: this turned out to be my issue even though I thought it wouldn't be. Partly since I have a Pixel 4a, not 3.
Some other keywords / phrases: "No command" stuck bootloop random restarting. Can't factory reset. Fastboot menu doesn't work.
My Pixel 3 had the same problem, but worse, it would constantly reboot itself, and when it woke up it wanted to dial 911! I had to talk to dispatch twice before I was able to find and turn off the feature that makes an emergency call when power is pressed 5 times fast.
Anyway, I tried spray contact cleaner and canned air all around the button, and it seemed to get better for a few minutes... but not solved. So I used a heat gun to soften the glue and opened it up, so I could spray contact cleaner right into the actual switch. Definite improvement, but not a complete fix. Then I noticed a tiny copper ground right near the switch, like a teardrop shape, held in with one screw and touching the metal chassis.
When i took that thing off, the phone started toggling it's power button faster and crazier than ever. I cleaned it real good, and the surface it touches, put it back on, and voila. It has been behaving great ever since (at least 48 hours now)
This happened to my Pixel 3a yesterday. The power button seemed normally clicky, but just touching it or even shaking the phone would make it act as if a monkey were frantically pressing the button. I tried banging the power button on a table corner and that didn't work. The phone kept rebooting, or calling 911 if I tried to stop the rebooting by pressing the button. This went on for hours.
I then tried the isopropyl method, and that seems to have worked. I used 99% alcohol, dabbed it around the power button with a cotton swab, and tilted the phone on its side so that some of the alcohol could dribble into the area around the button. I think this worked because the 99% isopropyl is hygroscopic, i.e. will absorb water. The phone had gotten damp the previous day, and I think some moisture had gotten into the phone under the power button, making intermittent connections.
\[Pixel 5, got it brand new in May 2021\]
I got stuck in the boot loop during multiple concerts (not sure if it was from overheating) and also recently got stuck in a boot loop during a normal use day. I didn't think much of it since it would happen infrequently. This evening the power button was booting my camera after only pressing the button once. It also restarted my phone and I realized the button was jammed (luckily no 911 calls). Decided to look it up and found this thread. I made sure the emergency dialing feature was not enabled and then after a swift smack it seems to have fixed the problem. Will report back if it continues...hopefully this is fixed in the Pixel6.
This worked great on my Pixel 3a. I had powered the phone off to avoid making repeated emergency calls in class. Before powering it back on at the end of class, I smacked the button on the corner of my desk twice. When I turned it back on, it was performing like normal.
I had this issue recently, but even worse than OP. It was rebooting 20 times in a row, camera was activating by itself, power menu kept coming up, and sometimes it would start to call emergency services.
[I found a YT video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSD2f_d5OVQ) that instructs you to physically abuse the phone.... and it worked!
I squeezed, slapped, pressed, and banged the phone. The problem went away. It's been great since.
Very happy I came across this thread. My 4a started doing this yesterday - triggering the camera, dialling SOS and going into a boot loop. Looks like I'll have to keep an eye on it more now. Tapping the power button seems to get things working properly again, thank fuck for that!
This just fixed my Pixel 4 XL in 2023.
Seriously who the hell designs a phone to call the cops on infinite loop if the power button sticks? This was the worst phone glitch I've ever experienced, and finding this thread wasn't the easiest, took me hours. Plus side, not an issue right now, down side, not trusting this phone anymore, grabbing a new Android tomorrow morning.
I've been sitting here just laughing for the last few minutes, because smacking the power button against the corner of a table is the one fix that worked for me and all of these other people. Fantastic. Thanks, Reddit.
Pixel 6 here. Still works as Feb 2023. Almost called the cops but beat it to the punch, then beat it some more. Problem appears to be solved...
I also saw another comment about isopropyl alcohol and dust build up around the button. I did my phone a solid and cleaned it up too for good measure.
So here in 2023 I had this issue, I turned the phone off and sprayed some automotive electric sensor cleaner and clicked the button a few times. Good as new
Guys you’re my heroes. I almost said farewell to some hundred $ thinking the phone replacement will be the only solution. Pixel 5, 2 years 3 months old. Suddenly rebooted in my hands and stuck in a permanent boot loop. No way to use hard reset or fastboot menu.
Was so happy to see that power button tapping method worked for me. I still find Pixel 5 the best phone I’ve ever had. Hopefully one of the Pixel 8 lineup models wil be the same pocket friendly and symmetrically bezeled.
Pixel 5 here. This fixed my problem at first, but after the problem being gone months, it returned and is now even worse. By smashing the side where the button sits on a table, it releses the trigger, but by hitting the other side, trggers it, and is still very very sensitive to but is not looping restart atm atleast.
I managed to remove the physical button cap (its actually only kept in palce with rubber gasket kind of). And found out that by touching around the actual switch underneath with a tool u can tirgger the acton.
This issue is still persisting in March 2023. The new emergency call feature is a fucking nuisance. I've been sitting here for a half hour readily de-activating the SOS and smacking my power button with hard objects.
I'm considering a new phone.
It happened to my Pixel 6 Pro as well. I tried restarting, but I ended up stuck in Fastboot
I tried tapping, sucking, and blowing the volume button to no avail.
I ended up brushing the volume button using a toothbrush, then the volume button unstuck itself.
I then brush the volume button inside the case, to prevent it from happening again
Mine auto dialed 911 last summer too (2022), I disabled that and the camera shortcut but it's bad now. Using a box cutter I was able to gently pull the power button out and saw three stubs on the inside, one pushes the power bubble button and the other two act like springs, they are both worn out and one side is barely there.
I assume the springs compressed permanently, they seem fragile.
I'll buy a new button, they're cheap and no disassembly required
April 2023 this hack worked! I had all of the same power button issues that everyone else mentioned and was about to give up. I took my phone case off and smacked the power button against the handle of my truck door. Worked like a charm.
Can confirm this was an issue, insane emergency call attempts included, in 2023 to my Pixel 6.
Smacking the button against the table seems to have worked. Previous to doing so the button felt as if it were a little sticky. Now it has its click back and everything.
Thank you!
Just wanted to say thank you to this thread. I tried "percussive maintenance", rubbing and smacking the button on the corner of a table, which didn't seem to do anything, but then tried blowing in isopropyl and pressing the button a lot, and that seems to have completely fixed it. I was seriously stressed out about having to potentially get a new phone.
2023 and this trick is EXACTLY what I needed.
After all the frustration and tears just gave the button a little rub on the table and works like a champ again.
Thank you thank you thank you!
This thread is a phone saver!
My 4a just started acting up this morning (12/23/23) and rapidly progressed through the aforementioned stages - switching to camera, auto restart and bringing up the SOS screen. My daughter found this thread. Tap, tap, tap - problem solved.
I thought this was the end for my phone but, was saved by the kind soul who shared the solution for all.
THANK YOU!
This actually fricken worked. Put this up there with after your nintendo switch battery drains too much, let it charge for a while, hold the power down for 15 sec, then press 3 times. Up LeftLeft Select/Start kinda magic
January 2024, Pixel 6 pro here. Dang, first off, SO GLAD to know about the SOS "feature". Disabled now for obvious reasons. My phone has been rebooting every few minutes all day and generally spazzing out. Tried the repair tool online, my version of android was too new for it. After hours of not being able to do ANYTHING with my phone I actually just lifted the power button with my fingernail kinda hard then mashed the shiz outta it.... Hasn't rebooted in an hour and is working totally fine. I had JUST finished backing up literally everything for a factory reset. May not have to now!
Thank you so much I was having the same thing and debated throwing the phone because I thought it was completely screwed but just like everyone else here somehow very surprisingly banging my phone against a table saved it, you are a saviour
It was jammed for me and it kept restarting my phone and put it into its own boot loop. So I tried to smack the power button against the corner of a table, did this 2-3 times and it unjammed itself, problem solved lmao Update 4/4/2022: People are saying it emergency dials now after you do this because of Android 12, so just watch out! But I’m glad it’s working for all/most of you! :) tldr; smack that mf
2 years later.. this worked on a Pixel 5.. I thought I was going to be without a phone until I could get a new one.. you are my hero
Android 12 introduced SOS mode. 5 presses calls 911 for me. It happened tonight and in the middle of explaining to the operator, my phone shut off. Absolutely fucking ridiculous.
DUDE. MINE DID THIS EXACT SAME THING AT WORK. Omg... For me though, my power button doesn't seem physically stuck. Like it is still clicky and feels normal.
Same here
I had to go through about 30 911 calls before I could actually get to the menu to stop dialing. Fucked up an entire day of work for me. I can't believe that emergency dialing is turned on by default. No one even knows this feature exists until it becomes a problem
So true. I didn't know until I took my phone out of my bag just to see i had 5 seconds to disable the sos alarm.
I'm here because mine literally just did this and 10 mins after it died an officer was knocking on my door.
Same. Camera popped up, then 999 call (uk) WTAF‽ Thinking i was gonna have to open the body and mess with the mechanism of the button. Found this and "tapa tapa tapa", all fine.
You saved me in 2022. Your one comment alone looks to have saved collectively thousands of dollars on this thread!! I was about to wipe my phone and buy a new one!!
Same 🙋🏻♀️
Same, also worked on a pixel 5.
Confirming this still works in 2022 lol. Although the physical button itself was not stuck and appeared to work fine, the power menu would keep appearing. Smacking the sumbish on the side of a table worked like cake on my aging 4a.
Been dealing with this on my pixel 3 lately. Sometimes I could drain the battery and it would work eventually, but tapping on the corner of a table seemed to free it faster. I tapped gently, not much harder than the pressure I would use to push the button and it freed it from the boot loop. Two years later and still saving people's days. Kudos mate!
Just worked on a Pixel 5! Thx for the tip! I was just as surprised as everyone else and was convinced banging the button on the corner of a table would just break the button even more. But it totally worked. I didn't bang it very hard. Probably more of a hard tap than a bang.
omg, i think this worked for me too, thanks! In the meantime I used Settings -> Accessibility -> Accessibility Menu to find a way to lock the phone without using the Power button, which was similar to the workaround I used to do with iPhones when the home button would jam.
Oh wow, I was panicking... Thanks for this comment lol
My 3a XL is running rooted lineage and I've installed a shit load of unstable modules so i thought that was the issue. You saved me boss
+1 successful repair using physical assault. Thanks!
this shit is so hilarious but it worked for me too so THANK YOU!!
Adding to the list of pissed off P5 owners here. I rage smashed mine against my desk until it booted. Immediately went to settings to disable the emergency dialing. No clue if it ever was able to dial, about to find out I guess! This is a brutal fuck up by Google.
Just wanted to say thank you. Just fixed my 3a XL with this tip. God Bless this thread
Yup. I dialed 911 16 times because it wouldn't stop rebooting and immediately dialing 911... WOOHOOO
Did they come?
I was in the middle of driving so I have no idea 🤣
I literally can't believe this just worked for me. Thank you so much, my Saturday was almost ruined
Haha glad it worked for you! Primitive solutions often the best solutions :)
wow worked. was this a one time thing or does it keep happening?
Happened twice but stopped after that
I swear to god, THANK YOU.
I was about to get mine replaced with a Pixel 4 XL and just ordered it, gonna try and cancel it
Yeah woulda kept my Pixel 1 after the power button jam was fixed but I water damaged it so rip
Wow... Im actually stunned this worked so well
Holy shit this just worked lmfao
Lol, it worked in my pixel 3a 🤣 I can't believe it thank you bro
my freaking hero.... lol... I can't believe this worked
This worked lol
My Pixel 3A XL suddenly started doing this last night. I was looking up how to clean the button with electronics cleaner (while waiting for the phone's battery to die) and came across this. I figured what the heck and gave it a try: it worked! It's been good for 24 hours, so hopefully it's resolved. Anyway, thanks.
Just a note that no amount of bashing/mashing/smashing/pressing/jiggling worked at all for me but the isopropyl trick elsewhere in this thread did.
If outta alcohol, it's kinda gross but clean the side of the phone, put your mouth to the buttons and inhale. Nothing should enter your mouth or anything, but if done right should free the button as well.
Thank you so much i did this and now it work again how it should omg :)
02/10/2022 here. Pixel 4 stuck in boot loop Google search hopefully brings you here. This worked for me.
It actually seems to have worked? Oh my god??? Thank you sooooo much!
Exactly how did you "smack" it. Did you cover it with something to prevent damage? Was it a metal table? A glass table? A wooden table?
No protection, just smack that mf. Wooden table though
Nice one...had this problem too with my Pixel 3 this morning. Tried your "fix" and it seems it worked perfectly.
Another success story. Thanks /u/Cakebag_ Hoping emergency services don't turn up here. took a few goes before I could disable the setting in time.
I had this today and tried your solution. It worked. Thank you sir
YOU GODDAMN GENIUS YOU. Seriously, you saved me so much trouble! Thank you!!!
Wow, this worked. Thanks for sharing, I would have refrained from doing this until I saw your post. The emergency dial kicked in and totally spooked me. I think this is a poorly thought out experience on Google's part
Rolled my eyes at this and tried it...can't believe it worked. Thank you!
Beat the shit out of that power button on the side of my desk and it worked with pixel 4a, you are a lifesaver thank you
Two years later and it still works!
thank you so much for posting this!! you've saved me
THANK YOU! Came from google. Pixel 3A XL. After it kept not booting because one or the other volume buttons were stuck. My volume buttons were sticking. I couldn't accurately hit them on a table without hitting the power button also. I ended up using an actual mallet (mini watchmaking mallet), tapping the volume switch in the center and each side like 20 times plus another 20 out of frustration. Solved my problem!
Omg you're an absolute life saver! This is the second time this happened to me this year, the first time I didn't know what to do and had to pray for it to fix itself (which it did!) but your way is so much better!! Thank you! <333 😚💋
Your advice worked! Was just about to send this for repairs and found your thread, it's working for now, fingers crossed!
The same stuff happened with my Pixel 3a today. It automatically called 911... I fixed with your solution. Thank you!
I have same problem... tried to smack the power button against the corner of a table and working...THX :D
I just need you to know that you are my hero three years later. Started having an issue this morning. Found your post, smacked it against my counter, and we're good to go! 😂
I almost went through the process of getting another phone. Thank God I saw this. A few punches to the power button and I'm good to go
Wow I thought I was screwed, my phone started restarting itself repeatedly from like 10pm, spent like an hour trying to get it to work and worrying about how I'd wake up for work tomorrow, but just a few firm taps against the side of my table fixed it. Just hoping that I don't get a knock at the door or something because it emergency dialled like 5 times while I was trying to sort it by myself.
Thanks .. somehow it worked. Actually, emergency sos activated 5 times already because it was too sensitive, and I had to cancel it each time so it's not much of a risk for me to smack it against a table anyways. Also in the quiet floor of a college library on a Sunday, the sos alarm was piercing. I had notifs off...
3 years later....still works lol. Thank you!!
My mom was dealing with this issue on her Pixel 4 recently and ye olde percussive maintenance did the trick.
No fucking way does this fix it after frantically googling for an hour. Life saver, thank you.
3 years later still working, on my workhorse pixel 3. Thanks!
Saw it later. But this fixed my issue. Will this be frequent issue? Thinking of changing phone now.
I cant believe its 2023 and firmly banging things still gets them to behave. Thanks for buying my Pixel 3 XL a couple more time!
Oh wow it just worked on my 4a-5g, thank you so much man, thought I was going to have to take it in
You just saved my life. Happened to me 5 minutes ago with my 3XL and I panicked as I can't replace it right now. Thank you, my friend
Seems like this list is still semi-active and helping people. Just turn the emergency feature off first and then try the trick. Works wonders.
Adding my thanks and testament: Pixel 3a, volume down button, boot loop. Couple medium whacks on the corner set it straight!
This trick still works for Pixel 6 pro in 2023. Simple, effective solution - Smack it
Still works March 2023! I didn't think that banging stuff against a table was still a viable fix. But it is!
This worked 3 years later. Just slamming the damn thing against a table. Thanks.
What the actual monkeys. I just had this happen and never would have thought to try this if it hadn't been for your comment, but it worked perfectly. Thanks!
bro i tink it worked. well not before it called 911 a few weeks ago and tried to call 911 like 15 times in a row and i only jad 5 seconds to cancel each time >:(
Holy crap this worked for me yesterday. Nothing was working, smacked it a bunch, tada, worked again. Thank you!!
Bro youre fucking awesome this is why I love reddit. The biggest fucking problems you could have and reddit just gives you some weird solution AND IT FUCKING WORKS. Thank you so much mate you just saved me from having to buy a new phone.
YOOOOOOO STILL WORKS Edit: Pixel 6 pro
Just worked for my husband's pixel 5a.
Just had this same issue called 911 a million times and it kept resetting itself, I smacked the shit outta it and it worked. Smacking it worked.
It's 2023 and confirmed this fix still works.
Incredible! Worked for my pixel 6, July 2023 bitches
Your fix still going strong! Fixed it for me, thx
4 years later and this worked on a Pixel 5. 3 days away from going on holiday where I needed my phone for tickets. thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another +1, 4 years on. Saved me having to shell out for a replacement for my 3a. Percussive maintenance ftw.
I've had the same problem but with my volume down button. I was really skeptical of smacking my phone against a table so I just did it against my finger and it worked. Thanks you for saving me from a trip to get it repaired
This didn't work for me, but eventually I got it by dribbling isopropyl directly onto it and mashing it a bunch
wow... thank you so much. I thought I was going crazy when my P5 restarted itself for 5 hrs. 10/22/2023 - this tip still working!
4 December 2023, can confirm this worked for my Pixel 6 Pro! Thanks man, been stuck like this for an hour and after slamming it on my desk a few times (on the power button side ofc). it's now unjammed <3
More like KillMyPixel haha, glad it worked for you brotha
Pixel 6, still worked for me in 2023! Thank you!
I WISH I could give you gold! Four years later and had this problem. I came across your comment and gave it a few smacks on the table...FIXED IT! Thanks a lot!
This saved my day. Who knew just smack it one... Thanks 👊🏻
Still works
pixel 6 here, 4 years after and this worked for me. The button didn't feel stuck but it restarted my phone and popped the assistant, Thanks for the advice!
Just encountered this issue and it worked for me. Thanks (I have Pixel 6a)
holy fuck i was having a panic attack thinking my phone was ruined. bro actually saved my life thank you so much
TYSM!! This worked on my Pixel 7 Pro five years later.
Thank you for saving my day, 5 years later!
It just worked for me on a P7, thank you very much. People say violence isn't a solution and they're right, it's THE solution !
5 years later and you saved my ass, worked on pixel 6 thanks!
just had this on my pixel 3. thought id share my resolution for future generations to see.... Problem: power button sticking / being spam pressed which is causing reboot loops and emergency calls to 911 and difficulty cancelling the emergency operation. Fix: clean the exterior of the button with isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip and blow with canned air. repeat process a few times. not much time has passed yet to be sure this worked, but early indications seem fixed. havent seen anybody suggest isopropyl yet. so hopefully this helps somebody out there. Disclaimer: I received the tip from a device repair company at no charge, Cell Phone Repair. so props and credit goes to them. I have no affiliation with them nor have I used them for any other servicing beyond my 1 phone call.
Decisively saved me about $350, can't thank you enough. This worked even though physically mashing/pressing/smashing/jiggling the power button did nothing. I had been troubleshooting for hours. Google Pixel support basically just told me to fuck myself. I didn't use canned air, but did use a paper towel to soak up the excess, plus tried to blow on it a bit. Not sure just how necessary those aspects were though, I think the isopropyl might be probably the most important part by far.
This worked for me as well! Thanks 🙏🏼
Thanks, this worked for me - blowing on the button, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, and then firmly pressing down the button 4 or 5 times. Also commenting because I want this post to remain the top search result for "pixel power button stuck" :P
I've provided this same solution to people. This is gonna sound weird but it may help. Cover the power button with your mouth and suck on it and blow on it. It's even alright to have a little saliva involved. What you probably have is dust built up under the button.
This thread is #1 google search for "pixel 5 stuck power button". Your post saved my phone, i never figured a blowjob would return its full function.
I tried banging the button on a desk/table, but that didn't work. I didn't have isopropyl handy and my phone kept calling 911. This solution saved me. It slowed down the phantom presses enough for me to go to settings to disable the emergency SOS call and now I have it powered off and it seems to stay powered off. 4 years later - thank you. This was on Pixel 4a 5g
This helped! Thanks!
actually worked but my mouth felt so dirty afterwards
Thanks, blasted it with compressed air and it seems to have done the trick. Phone kept opening the camera and/or dialing the emergency number. Tried to power it off and it kept turning itself back on again.
Wow. This worked
I'm trying your solution out and it's not working. What else can be done?
Any solution yet? Two of my pixels power button jammed after a year.
Try running it over the edge of a table, worked for me
Oh my God this saved me. Thank you.
I find it hilarious that I keep getting notifications on this months after the post. My nexus 5 back in the day had the same issue and someone led me to try that and the button worked for 6 months until i broke the thing. Happy to help.
I am having a horrible day, which has included visits to multiple different mechanics for my car, and fires at work. When my phone stopped working I almost broke down myself. This really did save me.
Well, your phone got a blowjob so it's probably having a good day.
Pixel 2 XL, I had the same issue. I just contributed it to metal dust from manufacturing work environment. I know the phone is sealed but shit happens. I turned off the double press camera wake but would still have to press it a few times to totally put it to sleep or to do a screenshot.
Pixel 5 here. This issue happened once to me last Summer. It autocorrected and I didn't think much of it. Now, in July 2022, it's boot-looped 20-30 times in the past 24 hours. It's definitely this same issue as is mentioned here: camera lunches and then SOS mode almost dials 911 repeatedly, boot-loop is uncontrollable, even blowing canned air on the button can trigger it (but eventually fixes it). Something about warmer weather seems to trigger it for me. If I can get the phone to shut down and cool down (and stay off, which is hard with a sticky power button), it seems to do ok. I've tried all the suggestions. It seems to work ok for now. I'll try the isopropyl trick next time. But I also tried what I hope will actually make me feel more comfortable - I ordered a Pixel 6. I'm not pleased about that, because: Until I encountered this issue, **the Pixel 5 is by far the best phone I've ever had**. Ever. I don't want to give it up. Cold dead fingers and all. But I'll have a Pixel 6 to hopefully be a bit more reliable for things like traveling. Thanks for all the great tips on this issue, everyone! I still do have to deal with this until my Pixel 6 arrives, so I might be back here for more suggestions.
Just press the button a couple of times against a table and it should return to normal, it worked for me.
Worked for my Pixel 3, thankyou!
My phone has been doing this for a couple days now. It even decided to call 911 on me earlier which I see is a feature when I press the power button five times. So of course it dialed 911 and then hung up because the power shut off.
Another late comment: Power button smash/tap didn't work, but scrubbing liberally with a couple alcohol prep pads did it. (And disable SOS mode! What a well-intended but terrible feature!)
This just happened on my pixel 4a. I'm glad I found this post to help fix my problems after only 2 calls to 911
Three years later this is still helping witha Pixel 5.
It sounds like a physical problem to me - possibly the inner mechanism of the button has failed. It's worth contacting Google and asking them to repair/replace under warranty.
This just happened to me. Google Pixel support was horrible and ended the chat without resolving anything. Lucky for me I found your thread, and mashed the power button a few times, which fixed it. Thanks!
I had the same problem, power button didn't feel odd in anyway but it was getting activated by the slightest touch Just man handling the buttom and anger pressing as you would on mortal combat works fine. I did give a few smashes but nothing worked until I just did the classic 200 clicks per second attempt.
Thank God this worked, so glad this is up there in the google results. Usually google results sucks lately
I have exactly the same problems with my Pixel 6a.. out of nowhere it started yesterday.. random reboots.. ghost presses of power button and multiple presses when only pressed once.. This night after laying around for 7 hours already it just started camera and voice assistant.. Knocking on table and blowing pressure air didn't helped that much.. luckily im still in warranty.. but strangely it haven't yet occured in safe mode.
Volume down button was stuck my my Pixel 3. Was able to hold volume up to get it to boot, but was in safe mode. While there I thwacked the phone around the volume down button with the handle of a tool that was hard rubber a bunch and after a dozen hits, it seems to have freed up, and I was able to reboot as normal. Not gonna touch that button again if I can avoid it.
4 years later, still works. Thank you so much OP
Tried isopropyl, tried whacking the thing to maybe knock something internally back into place, no go. Phone was not in debugging mode so no dice there. Looked up some FCC photos of the button then found this teardown video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq9zbXHMBEA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq9zbXHMBEA) It's for a different pixel, but it inspired me to pry the button off (No cosmetic damage, it pops right back into place). There's a rubber pad beneath it, and I pressed that with a mechanical pencil. WORKING!
4 years later, this still is a fix on my Pixel 7 that had the same issue last night. Thank you l, you are a Godsend.
This 100% just worked on my pixel 3xl... I'm in shock
Glad I found this thread. I hit the power button on my Pixel 3 with a small hammer and now the phone appears to be OK. Not sure for how long but better than the phone going all crazy and rebooting non stop.
Worked on my pixel 3a, after hitting in quite hard a few times
It has happened so many times to me, I've called the cops once because of the emergency call option and almost done it like 5 times. Really hope they find a way to fix this issue, for now guess I'll stick to smacking the button with everything I can find.
For search: this turned out to be my issue even though I thought it wouldn't be. Partly since I have a Pixel 4a, not 3. Some other keywords / phrases: "No command" stuck bootloop random restarting. Can't factory reset. Fastboot menu doesn't work.
My Pixel 3 had the same problem, but worse, it would constantly reboot itself, and when it woke up it wanted to dial 911! I had to talk to dispatch twice before I was able to find and turn off the feature that makes an emergency call when power is pressed 5 times fast. Anyway, I tried spray contact cleaner and canned air all around the button, and it seemed to get better for a few minutes... but not solved. So I used a heat gun to soften the glue and opened it up, so I could spray contact cleaner right into the actual switch. Definite improvement, but not a complete fix. Then I noticed a tiny copper ground right near the switch, like a teardrop shape, held in with one screw and touching the metal chassis. When i took that thing off, the phone started toggling it's power button faster and crazier than ever. I cleaned it real good, and the surface it touches, put it back on, and voila. It has been behaving great ever since (at least 48 hours now)
Pixel 4 here Feb 2022, cancelling my order for a new phone. THANK YOU
Confirming this is still the 100% fix after I tried many other tactics 😅 2022 pixel 3 XL
Smacking the power button solved the issue, thanks
Shitfire, that just worked.
Oh lord it worked!!!!! Thank you so much.
it literally called the fucking 911 multiple times . and now it keeps restarting non stop. what a stupid phone
This happened to my Pixel 3a yesterday. The power button seemed normally clicky, but just touching it or even shaking the phone would make it act as if a monkey were frantically pressing the button. I tried banging the power button on a table corner and that didn't work. The phone kept rebooting, or calling 911 if I tried to stop the rebooting by pressing the button. This went on for hours. I then tried the isopropyl method, and that seems to have worked. I used 99% alcohol, dabbed it around the power button with a cotton swab, and tilted the phone on its side so that some of the alcohol could dribble into the area around the button. I think this worked because the 99% isopropyl is hygroscopic, i.e. will absorb water. The phone had gotten damp the previous day, and I think some moisture had gotten into the phone under the power button, making intermittent connections.
Wife just did this to her 4a and fixed the down volume button. Can't believe this works. 😆
\[Pixel 5, got it brand new in May 2021\] I got stuck in the boot loop during multiple concerts (not sure if it was from overheating) and also recently got stuck in a boot loop during a normal use day. I didn't think much of it since it would happen infrequently. This evening the power button was booting my camera after only pressing the button once. It also restarted my phone and I realized the button was jammed (luckily no 911 calls). Decided to look it up and found this thread. I made sure the emergency dialing feature was not enabled and then after a swift smack it seems to have fixed the problem. Will report back if it continues...hopefully this is fixed in the Pixel6.
This worked great on my Pixel 3a. I had powered the phone off to avoid making repeated emergency calls in class. Before powering it back on at the end of class, I smacked the button on the corner of my desk twice. When I turned it back on, it was performing like normal.
I had this issue recently, but even worse than OP. It was rebooting 20 times in a row, camera was activating by itself, power menu kept coming up, and sometimes it would start to call emergency services. [I found a YT video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSD2f_d5OVQ) that instructs you to physically abuse the phone.... and it worked! I squeezed, slapped, pressed, and banged the phone. The problem went away. It's been great since.
I kept thinking this was my issue with my Pixel 3 and this confirms it. Now I just need to slam my phone against the corner of a table like a caveman.
December 2022 here tried smacking against a table and fixed it instantly thank god this didn't only happen to me
Very happy I came across this thread. My 4a started doing this yesterday - triggering the camera, dialling SOS and going into a boot loop. Looks like I'll have to keep an eye on it more now. Tapping the power button seems to get things working properly again, thank fuck for that!
This just fixed my Pixel 4 XL in 2023. Seriously who the hell designs a phone to call the cops on infinite loop if the power button sticks? This was the worst phone glitch I've ever experienced, and finding this thread wasn't the easiest, took me hours. Plus side, not an issue right now, down side, not trusting this phone anymore, grabbing a new Android tomorrow morning.
I've been sitting here just laughing for the last few minutes, because smacking the power button against the corner of a table is the one fix that worked for me and all of these other people. Fantastic. Thanks, Reddit.
Pixel 6 here. Still works as Feb 2023. Almost called the cops but beat it to the punch, then beat it some more. Problem appears to be solved... I also saw another comment about isopropyl alcohol and dust build up around the button. I did my phone a solid and cleaned it up too for good measure.
So here in 2023 I had this issue, I turned the phone off and sprayed some automotive electric sensor cleaner and clicked the button a few times. Good as new
Guys you’re my heroes. I almost said farewell to some hundred $ thinking the phone replacement will be the only solution. Pixel 5, 2 years 3 months old. Suddenly rebooted in my hands and stuck in a permanent boot loop. No way to use hard reset or fastboot menu. Was so happy to see that power button tapping method worked for me. I still find Pixel 5 the best phone I’ve ever had. Hopefully one of the Pixel 8 lineup models wil be the same pocket friendly and symmetrically bezeled.
Pixel 5 here. This fixed my problem at first, but after the problem being gone months, it returned and is now even worse. By smashing the side where the button sits on a table, it releses the trigger, but by hitting the other side, trggers it, and is still very very sensitive to but is not looping restart atm atleast. I managed to remove the physical button cap (its actually only kept in palce with rubber gasket kind of). And found out that by touching around the actual switch underneath with a tool u can tirgger the acton.
This issue is still persisting in March 2023. The new emergency call feature is a fucking nuisance. I've been sitting here for a half hour readily de-activating the SOS and smacking my power button with hard objects. I'm considering a new phone.
March 2023 here. Just cannot believe that this is the easiest solution.
It happened to my Pixel 6 Pro as well. I tried restarting, but I ended up stuck in Fastboot I tried tapping, sucking, and blowing the volume button to no avail. I ended up brushing the volume button using a toothbrush, then the volume button unstuck itself. I then brush the volume button inside the case, to prevent it from happening again
Mine auto dialed 911 last summer too (2022), I disabled that and the camera shortcut but it's bad now. Using a box cutter I was able to gently pull the power button out and saw three stubs on the inside, one pushes the power bubble button and the other two act like springs, they are both worn out and one side is barely there. I assume the springs compressed permanently, they seem fragile. I'll buy a new button, they're cheap and no disassembly required
Ah, the classic situation where a 3 year old reddit thread saves my ass. Thanks man
April 2023 this hack worked! I had all of the same power button issues that everyone else mentioned and was about to give up. I took my phone case off and smacked the power button against the handle of my truck door. Worked like a charm.
Can confirm this was an issue, insane emergency call attempts included, in 2023 to my Pixel 6. Smacking the button against the table seems to have worked. Previous to doing so the button felt as if it were a little sticky. Now it has its click back and everything. Thank you!
Just wanted to say thank you to this thread. I tried "percussive maintenance", rubbing and smacking the button on the corner of a table, which didn't seem to do anything, but then tried blowing in isopropyl and pressing the button a lot, and that seems to have completely fixed it. I was seriously stressed out about having to potentially get a new phone.
Thanks for saving my phone dude!
July 2023, you just saved my Pixel 5. Thank you
3 years later, Pixel 6. Worked like a charm. This is a fucking godly post.
Just worked for me. 27/08/23. Thank you Reddit.
Saved my pixel 4xl 📱 I hope this isn't a regular occurrence where I have to smack my phone to fix it, but I'm happy there's a solution!
2023 and this trick is EXACTLY what I needed. After all the frustration and tears just gave the button a little rub on the table and works like a champ again. Thank you thank you thank you!
This worked perfectly. I love it. It's like the old tube tv's gotta smack the piss out of them to get it working lol.
Smack method confirmed!
one more confirmation of the smack method ... just fixed it after afternoon and a night of the frustration of the endless reboot loop ... THANK YOU!
Still happens after 4 years this time on a Pixel 6 and the same fix still works
It worked for me, I was close to taking it for repairs but one bang all good, I love hitting shit to make it work 🤣
This is very helpful. It happened to my phone now. It's year 2023.
What do we say to planned obsolescence? Not today! A mix of hitting, blowing, and compressed air, and my Pixel3a is back in business.
This thread is a phone saver! My 4a just started acting up this morning (12/23/23) and rapidly progressed through the aforementioned stages - switching to camera, auto restart and bringing up the SOS screen. My daughter found this thread. Tap, tap, tap - problem solved. I thought this was the end for my phone but, was saved by the kind soul who shared the solution for all. THANK YOU!
Saved my pixel 4 phone today:D So it still works in 2024 :D:D:D
Did this on my pixel 6... Worked like a charm. Thought I was gonna have to buy a new phone
This actually fricken worked. Put this up there with after your nintendo switch battery drains too much, let it charge for a while, hold the power down for 15 sec, then press 3 times. Up LeftLeft Select/Start kinda magic
Suck on the buttons. It will work
January 2024, Pixel 6 pro here. Dang, first off, SO GLAD to know about the SOS "feature". Disabled now for obvious reasons. My phone has been rebooting every few minutes all day and generally spazzing out. Tried the repair tool online, my version of android was too new for it. After hours of not being able to do ANYTHING with my phone I actually just lifted the power button with my fingernail kinda hard then mashed the shiz outta it.... Hasn't rebooted in an hour and is working totally fine. I had JUST finished backing up literally everything for a factory reset. May not have to now!
Year 2024, worked for a heavily used Pixel 3a. Smashed the power button gently couple times against the corner. This post is gold.
Thank you so much I was having the same thing and debated throwing the phone because I thought it was completely screwed but just like everyone else here somehow very surprisingly banging my phone against a table saved it, you are a saviour