Touchscreen bug following the Android 17 update
Updates don’t always go off without a hitch. This has now become apparent from reports by Google Pixel users who have installed the update to Android 17. This update was rolled out earlier this month, alongside a host of improvements and the Pixel Drop. According to various reports on platforms including the official Google forum and Reddit, the top part of the screen no longer responds to taps when a Pixel device is held horizontally. As a result, certain features in apps can be difficult to use or may not work at all. The issue is most noticeable when watching videos, but it also occurs in other apps.
The bug was first noticed in apps such as YouTube. Users report that buttons at the top of the screen no longer respond when a video is being watched in full-screen mode. These include settings, subtitles, casting options and the autoplay function. Interestingly, the centre of the screen usually still works normally. The problem isn’t limited to YouTube. According to users, the same issue occurs in other apps used in landscape mode. Streaming services, web browsers and even system apps may be affected.
It appears that the bug is also visible in the Android settings. Buttons at the top of the screen sometimes stop responding there, making navigation more difficult.
An interesting side note is that the screen does not appear to be completely unresponsive. Although tapping at the top has no effect, a swipe gesture from the same spot sometimes does work. This can, for example, partially open the notification panel.
Other issues
This new report follows shortly after earlier complaints about touchscreen issues in Android 17. Some Pixel users had previously reported that swipe and scroll gestures were not always registered correctly. No official solution is currently available for either of these issues. Google appears to be aware of previous reports, but has not yet announced an update to fix the bugs.
What can you do?
For the time being, there seems to be little else you can do other than report the issue to Google and keep an eye out for future updates. Not every Pixel user appears to be affected by the bug, but reports have been increasing since the widespread roll-out of Android 17.
Are you using a Pixel with Android 17 and have you noticed that the buttons at the top of the screen don’t respond in landscape mode? If so, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing the same bug. For now, patience is probably the only solution until Google releases a software update.
