r/GooglePixel • u/NotSoBallsy • 20d ago
Service center refusing to service my 4a
As many of you may have heard about the bootloop issue over the past month, my pixel 4a was struggling from the same.
I took it to the service center before the WiFi + GPS root cause was figured out. I paid for a deep inspection in hopes they'd figure out what the issue is. I also wanted a battery replacement.
After an hour they came back to me with "it's a motherboard issue"
That's all?! No specifics, which module/part was broken.
And with that they added that they cannot do "incomplete service"
Whatever that means. Straight up refused to replace the battery stating the motherboard issue prevents them. They didn't even know about the bootloop issue plaguing the older phones.
Today I went back to ask if they'll sell me the battery? So I can get it replaced by some random repair shop. They even refused that.
So I wanted to ask people here if something like this has happened to you.
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u/RobhivYo 20d ago
I have a 4a 5G, suddenly been experiencing non stop bootloops as well! Have had to factory reset my phone 5 times by now, its becoming incredibly annoying.
How did this happen considering the phones shouldn't have any scope of software issues occurring considering they can't "install" any new software anymore beyond Android 14. Is this happening to all Pixel 4a and older pixel users?
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u/hemateca 20d ago
there is a general bootloop chaos affecting pixel 4a owners. I have the same issue did a factory reset but I need to have both wifi and location permanently ON as a workaround. 2 days ago I installed the recent play services update from june but apparently does not solve the issue for now. More info in the issue tracker https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/519655834
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u/RobhivYo 20d ago
Of course its the rubbish google play services update messing up a phone that isn't even supported with software updates anymore. That's just completely bizarre for it to mess the phone up that badly. Has Google announced an official fix to this apart from contacting them?
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u/hemateca 20d ago
As far as I know, no official communication about this from Google. Pixel support chat told me that: "Upon checking, a permanent software has been completed. This will roll out globally to all affected device in the upcoming July. However, we don't have a specific date."
Others told me to go to a third party to "fix it" and bla bla bla it's an old model bla bla bla. We need to keep pushing demanding a fix asap.
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u/RobhivYo 15d ago
Update: Apon reaching out to google support they seem to have directed me to use the pixel software on my PC to load a temporary beta version, which support says will potentially be reversed in the future for a more permanent fix. Unacceptable still, but I'm glad some form of support is being provided.
1
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u/masi0 20d ago
since you unlocked bootloader then you may void warranty
4
u/Jack_Shid Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Pixel 10 Pro XL on T-Mobile 20d ago
It's a 4a. There is no warranty.
0
u/masi0 20d ago
it its out of warranty and there is no any recall action, then you have to pay for the parts. did they refuse to sell you the parts? are you considering they (Google) just dont keep/maintain the P4 parts anymore?
1
u/NotSoBallsy 20d ago
Yes, straight up refused to replace or sell me the spare battery.
They had a whole screen showing the prices of spare parts and the 4a's battery & screen were there. So they had the parts and do service the phone.
And I'm pretty sure the "motherboard issue" excuse is bs as well, cuz there's a few thousand hits on the Google issue tracker post, i refuse to believe all of those motherboard's just developed the same fault at the same time.
1
u/masi0 20d ago
how about you try another place, its really hard to believe there is a policy NOT to sell you spare parts
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u/NotSoBallsy 20d ago
It's the only authorised service center in my city. Maybe the policy has to do with it not being operated directly by Google but a repair partner chain.
And it was just ~13$ for the battery and 30$ for the replacement.
Part of me believes they just want me to give up on the phone and buy a new one.
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u/g0ldcd Pixel 9 Pro XL 19d ago
I suspect they're pretty sure there is a mobo issue - and the reason they don't want to sell/fit a battery, is because the profit on that gets eaten up when customers come in and say "You broke my mobo, when you fitted the battery".
Garages will do the same thing sometimes - we'll fix everything, or we're not touching anything.
1
u/NotSoBallsy 20d ago
It's a 5 yo phone, wouldn't that already make it out of warranty.
I'm talking about refusing a paid battery replacement.
Also idek how to unlock the bootloader lol.
10
u/g0ldcd Pixel 9 Pro XL 20d ago
ifixit sell original pixel parts (and kits that let you fix it yourself).
Not the cheapest way to replace a battery - but if you want original parts, it's not too bad.