When your Google Pixel 8's predictive text stops working, it can really slow you down. You might notice word suggestions disappearing, autocorrect making bizarre changes, or the whole keyboard feeling less intelligent. The good news is this is usually a software hiccup you can fix yourself.
Restart Your Pixel 8
This is the quickest thing to try and often solves temporary glitches. Just press and hold the Power button for a few seconds, then tap "Restart" on your screen. If your screen is unresponsive, you can force a restart by holding the Power button for about 30 seconds until the device vibrates and reboots.
Check Your Gboard Settings
The Pixel 8 uses Gboard by default. First, make sure the core features are actually turned on. Open any app that uses the keyboard, like Messages or Chrome, and tap to bring it up. Look for the gear icon in the top row of the keyboard to open Gboard settings directly.
Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard. Tap on "Text correction" here. You'll want to ensure "Show suggestion strip" and "Next-word suggestions" are both toggled on.
Clear Gboard's Cache and Data
If the settings look right but it's still not working, the app's temporary files might be corrupted. Clearing the cache is safe and won't delete your personal dictionary or settings. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
Find and tap on "Gboard" in the list. Then go to Storage & cache. Tap "Clear cache" first. If that doesn't help, you can try "Clear storage" or "Clear data". Just be aware this will reset Gboard to its default state, so you'll lose any custom dictionary words or theme settings.
Update Gboard and Android
Google frequently updates Gboard through the Play Store to fix bugs and improve predictions. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, and go to Manage apps & device. Under "Updates available," see if Gboard is listed and update it.
It's also a good idea to check for a full system update, as these can include important fixes. Go to Settings > System > System update to check for and install any available Android updates.
Reinstall or Update Your Language
Predictive text needs the correct language pack installed and active. In Gboard settings (under Languages), check that your primary language, like English (US), is listed and downloaded. Sometimes removing it and adding it back can refresh the language model.
Tap on your language, then "Remove". Go back and tap "Add keyboard" to re-add it, making sure to download the latest version when prompted.
Try a Different Keyboard Temporarily
To rule out a deeper system issue, you can test with another keyboard. Install a simple keyboard like OpenBoard from the Play Store. Then, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard and toggle it on.
When you go to type somewhere, you'll see a keyboard icon in your navigation bar. Tap it to switch to the new keyboard and see if predictive text works there. If it does, the problem is specific to Gboard's installation on your device.