It seems unfortunate that Google’s attempt at creating second-gen Pixel phones, phones which have snagged the number one spot at DxOMark for its camera, is facing quite a bit of quality issues, like the screen’s oleophobic coating wearing off faster than expected, shipping without an operating system, and so on.Usually one expects these problems to subside as the phones get more mature and production has sorted out whatever kinks there are, but it looks like this list of problems is actually growing. According to new user reports posted on the Google Product Forums (via Android Police), the latest problem seems to have to do with the microphone of the Pixel 2 suddenly becoming muted.
Users are complaining that when they make calls the person on the other line cannot hear them, and this applies to other voice activities such as using Google Assistant or just recording audio in general. User Adam Zeird seems to have found a temporary fix, which is to blow into the microphone like you would a gaming cartridge from back in the day.
However like we said, this appears to only be a temporary fix. “I was able to replicate the issue by blowing into the bottom speaker. Yes… Blowing into the speaker like you would an old NES cartridge. Doing this made my microphone work again and it continues to work when it goes out. Blowing into the speaker when the microphone is working causes it to fail.”
Once again we can’t be sure of how widespread the problem is, but for now if you are experiencing it then perhaps taking it back for a replacement is the best solution.