Installation on Pixel 9a fails: first /e/os boot ends with: "Setup Wizard keeps stopping"

/e/OS Devices Google
1

Hi there,

I tried to install /e/os on a pixel 9a. I used the documentation provided here.

The only thing that is not as documented is an error message on the screen that says: ERROR: recovery: Open failed: /metadata/ota: No such file or directory

And other than in the documentation it says “Install completed with status 0” instead of “Script succeeded result was [1.000000]”

See screenshot below.

During the first boot the error message shows up that says “Setup Wizzard keeps stopping”.

No matter what I do the screen turns pretty black after that, and nothing else happens.

I tried all three provided versions: e-3.7.1, e-3.7 and also e-3.6 Same result every time.

What should I do?

Thanks!

Bert

IMG_20260501_175808569
IMG_20260501_1758085691920×3413 643 KB

2

Have you tried to reset /data ?
(by a factory-reset applied in recovery mode)

3

Yes, I followed the whole set of instructions as described here. i.e. I selected Format data / Factory reset every time as required.

4

I mean after install…

5

oh. Sorry. No, I will try that later.

6

Were you sure to include this?

Tip: Before installing /e/OS on the Google Pixel 9a tegu for the first time, install the latest stock OS version 16 build on the device

No problems at this stage?


fastboot flash boot <boot>.img
fastboot flash dtbo <dtbo>.img
fastboot flash vendor_kernel_boot <vendor_kernel_boot.img>.img
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7

Before I installed /e/OS it was an original Google Android with the latest version being installed. I had no Problems with that.

The three steps with flashing boot, dtbo and vendor kernel boot did work. It sayed it was transferred correctly. I did this with every of the three versions.

8

@piero I just did the format data / factory reset and rebooted. This ends up in the same situation: Setup Wizard keeps stopping. App info or Close App.

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9
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10

oh. Yes, that could be the reason. I didn’t remove that… may I ask how I can fix that? Now im lost. :woozy_face:

11

To fix one must go back to the original Stock ROM where the Google account, passwords and PINs existed.

Rollback is made very easy on Pixel. This page can seem complex but just be careful to focus on your situation.

Introduced there is Android Flash Tool which has its own help page https://source.android.com/docs/setup/test/flash.

Once back in Google Android be sure to make full contact with the account then remove it along with any passwords and PINs. Other threads have hashtag frp .

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12

exactly what i did. used android flash tool to go back to stock android, then went back to /e/ boom worked.

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13

It worked. Thanks a lot. It was a clear layer 8 problem.

On the other hand I have to say: There are a lot steps to follow which still prevents these kind of alternatives from becoming a mainstream solution. I happen to be somebody who knows enough IT to figure out how to get it working and getting help if it does not work. … This is not true for instance for my mother in law, or my cousins, and so on. Just some thoughts that came up while I was waiting for the OS to be installed.

Anyway! Thanks a lot! It is working now!

1 Like