I finally fixed my Pixel’s missed call problem with these simple settings tweaks

It’s always reassuring to find out you’re not the one causing a technical problem.

Over the last few weeks, I noticed that I was regularly missing calls on my Pixel phone; I put the problem down to my general lack of awareness.

However, after missing a call while I was looking at the phone, I realized I was one of many people with a similar issue.

But after tweaking some settings, I’ve not missed a call since.

Pixel users started missing calls with a recent update

But this isn’t the first time it’s happened

I was fortunate in that I only experienced intermittent issues with receiving calls. Some users were unable to make calls, while others never received notifications.

The problem seems to be tied to Android 17 and Google’s Spam Detection features.

I turned down the intensity of these features and adjusted other settings related to notification volume.

Since I made these changes, my phone has rung as expected.

More importantly, I haven’t received an increase in spam calls, so if you’re worried that tweaking these settings will deluge you with junk, you should be fine.

There’s no report of Google acknowledging this problem, but as always, keep your phone updated to the latest version of Android to apply any official fixes.

Adjust the ring vibration

A quick reset may fix it

A few months ago, users reported a similar problem that wasn’t related to Spam Detection Settings. Resetting the ring vibration settings solved it.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Sound and vibration.
3. Tap Vibration and haptics.
4. Slide the Ring vibration slider all the way off (to the left).
5. Slide the Ring vibration slider all the way on (to the right).
   

   

Some users also reported that they had to receive and miss a call between steps 4 and 5 to fix this issue.

Turn off Adaptive Battery

‘Smart’ features don’t always live up to the name

Adaptive Battery is a “smart” feature that learns from your phone activity to optimize battery life.

It runs in the background of Pixel phones, optimizing apps to use less power.

However, as the feature warns, it may reduce performance and delay notifications; phone calls can be affected by Adaptive Battery.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Battery.
3. Tap Battery Saver.
4. Tap Adaptive Battery at the bottom of your screen.
5. Toggle the Use Adaptive Battery switch off.
   

   

Check your Phone app’s notification settings

Notifications may be turned off at the app level

Due to the intermittent nature of my problem, I couldn’t be certain which fix solved it.

However, while investigating, I noticed that my Phone app’s incoming call notifications were set to silent. Re-enabling them might have fixed the problem.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap See all apps.
4. Find and select the Phone app.
5. Tap Notifications.
6. Toggle the Notification organizer switch off.
7. Scroll down and tap Incoming calls under the Notification categories heading.
   

   
8. Check Default is selected, not Silent.
9. Toggle the Override Do Not Disturb switch on. This is an optional step.
10. Toggle the Vibration switch on.
    

    

You can toggle Override Do Not Disturb on, but this will do exactly what it says on the tin.

However, it gives you the best chance of never missing a call. I kept this setting disabled, and didn’t notice any problems.

Disable Scam Detection and adjust Call Screen settings

These changes can let unwanted calls through

The above fixes are preferred because they won’t interfere much with your Pixel experience.

However, adjusting Scam Detection and Call Screen settings may lead to an increase in spam calls.

Nevertheless, some Pixel users have reported that changing these settings fixed the most recent missed calls bug.

Disable Scam Detection

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three-line button in the upper-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Scam Detection.
5. Toggle the Scam Detection switch off.
   

   

Lower Call Screen’s threshold

1. Open the Phone app
2. Tap the three-line button in the upper-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Call Screen.
5. Select Medium protection or Basic protection under the Automatic Call Screen toggle. Basic protection lets the most calls through.
6. Alternatively, toggle Automatic Call Screen off.
   

   

An official fix is likely on the way

This isn’t the first time Pixel users have experienced problems with missed calls, and it probably won’t be the last.

Google usually fixes these major bugs over time, so if none of these fixes work for you, regularly check for updates.

However, since making all these changes, I haven’t missed a call in a week. Here’s to hoping it’s a permanent fix.