Many Google Pixel users are experiencing a frustrating and potentially disruptive issue with their devices. A growing number of reports indicate that scheduled alarms are mysteriously deactivating themselves overnight, causing people to oversleep and arrive late to work, school, and important appointments. This problem appears to be affecting various Pixel models but is particularly prevalent among Pixel 9 series owners.
The Alarm Issue
The problem manifests in a particularly troubling way - users are setting multiple alarms before going to bed, only to discover that these alarms have been silently deactivated by morning. In some cases, volume settings are mysteriously reduced to zero, effectively silencing any alarms that might still be active. What makes this issue especially concerning is that these aren't simply alarms being dismissed when they go off; they're being completely deactivated without any user intervention, even when marked as recurring alarms.
Affected Devices
While the majority of complaints come from Pixel 9 series owners, the issue isn't limited to Google's latest flagship devices. Reports have emerged from users with older models including the Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 6, suggesting this is a widespread problem across the Pixel ecosystem. Many users note that these are alarms that had been working for years until now, highlighting the sudden nature of the malfunction.
Affected Pixel Models:
- Pixel 9 series (most commonly reported)
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 4a
Potential Causes:
- March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop
- Gemini AI interactions
- Unknown system bugs
Temporary Solutions:
- Toggle alarms off and on
- Install Volume Lock app from Google Play Store
- Factory reset (with backup)
- Use a traditional alarm clock as backup
Potential Causes
The timing of these reports has led to speculation about potential causes. Many users believe the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, distributed earlier this month, might be responsible. This wouldn't be surprising, as the update has already been linked to other issues including brightness problems, audio glitches, and inconsistent vibrations across Pixel 7 through Pixel 9 series devices.
The Gemini Connection
Another intriguing theory points to Google's Gemini AI as a possible culprit. Some users have noticed that asking Gemini to turn off a timer or alarm can result in all future alarms and timers being deactivated. This unexpected behavior could explain why alarms that were properly set are mysteriously turned off by morning, particularly if users interact with Gemini for other purposes before bed.
Temporary Solutions
While Google has yet to officially acknowledge or address the issue, Pixel users have discovered some temporary workarounds. One approach involves toggling alarms off and on, which seems to restore functionality temporarily, though the problem often returns within a day or two. Another recommendation comes from a Pixel user who suggests installing an app called Volume Lock from the Google Play Store, which prevents accidental volume changes.
Previous Alarm Issues
This isn't the first time Pixel devices have experienced alarm-related problems. In 2022, Pixel users reported alarms, ringtones, and notification sounds changing on their own, an issue that was eventually resolved through a software update. A similar bug appeared on the Pixel Fold in 2023. The recurring nature of these problems suggests Google may have ongoing challenges with alarm reliability in its Pixel ecosystem.
More Drastic Measures
For those severely affected by the issue, more drastic solutions include performing a factory reset (after backing up data) or simply purchasing an inexpensive traditional alarm clock as a backup. While these options might seem extreme, they highlight the critical nature of alarm functionality for many users who depend on their phones to wake them for work and other important commitments.
Waiting for an Official Fix
As of now, Google hasn't issued an official statement regarding the alarm failures. Given the company's history of addressing similar issues through software updates, affected users are likely hoping for a patch in the near future. Until then, Pixel owners would be wise to double-check their alarm settings before bed or implement one of the suggested workarounds to avoid oversleeping.
