Google’s Pixel 6A catches fire again, update installed, charger blamed, damage unavoidable

Another Google Pixel 6A has burst into flames, despite the user having installed the very battery update designed to prevent such incidents. The terrifying episode unfolded as the phone charged overnight — a matter of mere centimetres from the user’s head.

Posting under the username u/footymanageraddict on Reddit, the Australian Pixel 6A owner described being jolted awake by a “horrible smell and a loud noise.” They quickly realised the noise had come from their phone, now engulfed in flames on the nightstand.

The device had been plugged into a 45W Steam Deck charger, a setup not uncommon among users of multiple USB-C devices. Yet the result was catastrophic: the Pixel’s screen melted, its casing warped, and the surrounding environment suffered. “Sheets caught on fire,” they wrote. “My AC unit had burn damage. My throat hurt the whole day from the fumes I inhaled.”

Images posted alongside the Reddit entry show the aftermath — a disfigured handset, scorched linen, and visible damage to other bedroom fixtures.

Google, which previously acknowledged overheating issues in Pixel 6A units, had released a mandatory software update aimed at throttling performance after 400 charge cycles. The idea was to reduce thermal risk by dialling back battery output. The affected user claims to have installed the update but did not replace the battery, citing a lack of walk-in repair options in their region. Only mail-in support was available, which they declined to use.

This is not an isolated incident. Several Pixel 6A devices have suffered spontaneous combustion since early 2025. The issue reached a point that triggered a formal warning from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) just last week.

In its statement, the ACCC cautioned that Pixel 6A batteries may overheat, posing a “risk of fire and/or burns to a user.” It confirmed that “incidents have occurred resulting in serious burn injuries.”

While Google previously launched a free battery replacement programme, this only applied to select regions — with coverage gaps in several countries. That limitation has left many users, including the one in this case, vulnerable to the very malfunction Google aimed to solve.

Tech outlet Android Authority first spotted the Reddit post and noted that this case is among the most dangerous yet, given its proximity to the user’s sleeping area. Had the fire spread further, the outcome could have been far worse.

Google has not yet commented on the latest incident.

The debate surrounding third-party chargers also resurfaces here. While the charger in question — a 45W Steam Deck brick — exceeds the Pixel 6A’s official rated capacity, the device is supposed to regulate input and charge within safe parameters. The incident has reignited concerns about USB-C charging safety standards, particularly for older phones nearing the end of their battery lifespan.

Consumers have begun calling for a wider recall of Pixel 6A units and a formal investigation into the effectiveness of Google’s software patch. Some have also demanded compensation for property damage and health risks resulting from these malfunctions.

With trust already fragile, this latest fire could spark further backlash against Google’s hardware division — especially if the company remains silent.