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Home / General / Tips and Tricks

How to Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue

Dec 3, 2018 • by Dhananjay Bhardwaj

Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue

Facing issues with the speakers on your Google Pixel phone? Here’s how you can easily fix Google Pixel 2 XL speaker distortion issue.

The Google Pixel 2 phones released in 2017 have gained a strong fan base, majorly due to the features that it offers and being branded by “Google” has a thing of its own. But the phone has also faced a fair share of problems ever since the release. Some of the most widely-faced issues include blue-shift and burn-in display, slowed down fingerprint scanner, and a few more to count.

There’s yet another issue that was added to the list back in December 2017. According to SlashGear, several Pixel 2 XL owners reported of speaker distortion problems with the bottom speaker. If you have a similar problem, then there’s a pretty simple way to fix Google Pixel 2 XL speaker distortion problem.

Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue
How to Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue
  • How to Change Active Edge Squeeze Action on Google Pixel 2 XL
  • Set Custom Saturation Level on Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (Root)

Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue

The Google Pixel 2 series was launched back in 2017 with a powerful order of hardware specs. The device has managed to rule the high-end smartphone market with several unique features like unlimited Photos storage, Active Edge, Always On Display, Google Lens, and much more. The phone also highly appreciated for its improved design over the original Pixel series launched back in 2016. Even though the phone came up with such good features and specifications, it lacks in some issues which Google is still trying to resolve.

Before we get to the steps to fix Google Pixel 2 XL speaker distortion issue, let us do a quick sweep of the exact problem. According to users at Google Product Forums, XDA-Developers, and various other online communities, the hiccup persists with the bottom one of the two front facing speakers on the phone. To describe, the distortion could be observed as a rattling, low-quality sound when the volume level is pushed far beyond 70-75%. For some, the distortion is faced with both the speakers, but the majority have reported for the bottom one.

Previously several users have reported the hissing sound from the earpiece, which Google has fixed last month. Even though the speaker distortion issues continue to arise. Google is still looking into it. While several users have already opted for a replacement, there are still some who have managed to overlook the problem and still using their device. A crafty user named RealCaracas over at the XDA Forums has come up with a neat little fix to help fix speaker distortion issue on Google Pixel 2 XL.

Steps to Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Problem

  1. Go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘Apps & notifications’.
  2. Tap on ‘See all apps’.
  3. Press the menu icon (3 dots) on top-right.
  4. Select ‘Show system’.
    Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue - Step 1
  5. Find ‘MusicFX’ and disable it.
  6. Install Equalizer FX from Google Play.
  7. Open ‘Equalizer FX’ from the app drawer.
  8. Finally, set ‘910Hz’ frequency to ‘-7 db’ to fix Google Pixel 2 XL speaker distortion issue.
    Fix Google Pixel 2 XL Speaker Distortion Issue - Step 2

Once done, you can try playing some music and see if the issue has been fixed on higher volumes. We are highly thankful to XDA member RealCaracas for find this quick workaround for the problem. We hope Google will now looking into it and provide a fix in upcoming software updates. Ever since the launch, the Pixel 2 XL has been surrounded by such troubles. At least now we have a neat little trick overcome at least one of such problems.

Did the above instructions give you a quick and easy way to fix Google Pixel 2 XL speaker distortion issue? If not, let us know through the comments.

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Comments

  1. Gille Zack

    Dec 6, 2019

    I had a question related to pixel 2 xl loud speaker problem, once the phone is face to the high pressure steam into the button speaker. Then, it starts to have some weird sound from it. And I tried put my pixel in the uncooked rice to dry it off for 2 days, but it didn’t work and still had that hiccup. So, what should I do?

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Dec 6, 2019

      Hi Gille. Then you must get your phone to Google for RMA.

  2. Szilard Pop

    Apr 19, 2019

    Unfortunately it didn’t work in my case, however, thank you for your post.

    Reply
  3. Pearl

    Mar 21, 2019

    Try turning off active edge in system option.
    This really fixed the rattling sound in my pixel 2 xl

    Reply
  4. smallberry

    Feb 5, 2019

    This seems to have helped me quite a bit. I was on the verge of selling the phone (the distortion comes in from the main earpiece, rendering its usefulness as an actual phone um….useless). While having a 3rd party app running at all times to make my phone work the way it should out of the box is quite silly…I’ll take what I can get. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Feb 5, 2019

      Thanks for commenting! I understand how embarrassing it is.

      If the phone’s still in the warranty period, I think you should take it to RMA. If they are not able to fix it, they’ll probably offer you a new unit.

  5. Ashleigh Fosbinder

    Sep 15, 2018

    This didn’t fix my issue unfortunately… I’m experiencing an issue with regulating the volume coming out of the speakers… It will play at normal volume for a while then gets really quiet for a little bit, and then goes back to normal. This just started yesterday but it’s really annoying. It just goes back and forth continuously like this.

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Sep 16, 2018

      Hi, this won’t exactly FIX the issue. But minimize its effect. If your phone is covered under the warranty, then please submit it for RMA.

  6. BM

    Sep 6, 2018

    This actually worked for me! I really do appreciate this fix! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Sep 6, 2018

      Glad it did! Although, If your phone is still in the warranty period, I would suggest you get a replacement instead. This is just a workaround that doesn’t actually completely resolves the issue but minimizes its effect.

  7. Aaaaa

    Sep 3, 2018

    Sorry, no change to my phone, even after restarting.

    Reply
  8. Robertas

    Sep 2, 2018

    Well i have tried everything, nothing fixed my pixel, someone has something new to try? I really like this phone and I don’t actually need speakers so much but when I do, I can’t understand anything

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Sep 2, 2018

      Hi Robertas, I am sorry but I couldn’t really find any permanent fix for the issue. I would personally recommend you to take the Pixel to the RMA and get a replacement as soon as possible.

  9. Shrey

    Jul 26, 2018

    Can I delete Equalizer FX after doing this?

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      Jul 26, 2018

      No. You will need to keep it installed.

  10. Ashish Thomas

    May 20, 2018

    brilliant fix. Thank you

    Reply
    • Dhananjay

      May 20, 2018

      You’re welcome, Ashish.

    • Milan Manojlović

      Jul 22, 2018

      You just put volume down. Its not fix XD

    • Sumair Patel

      May 30, 2019

      Hello
      After this solution I am getting the voice of the caller perfectly
      But for the media there is still a distortion
      Please advise how to fix
      Also while on call to someone when I turn on the speaker it’s a same low volume with lots of distortion

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