When the wallpaper on your OnePlus 15 refuses to change, the phone can feel stuck and unresponsive, even though everything else works fine. You may select a new image, tap Apply, and then see the old wallpaper return instantly. This issue is usually caused by system restrictions, theme conflicts, or background processes that block the change, and most of the time it can be fixed in just a few minutes.
Why Your OnePlus 15 Wallpaper Is Not Changing
- The system launcher is not refreshing properly.
- A theme or live wallpaper is overriding your selection.
- Battery optimization is restricting the Photos or Wallpaper app.
- Cached data is causing the wallpaper service to freeze.
- A recent system update in 2025 introduced a temporary bug.
Restart the Phone to Refresh the System
Wallpaper changes rely on system services that can stall in the background. Restarting clears temporary glitches and forces the phone to reload visual settings.
Swipe down from the top of the screen, and then tap the Power icon.
Tap Restart, and wait for the OnePlus 15 to boot back up.
Once it turns on, try setting the wallpaper again.
Set the Wallpaper Directly From Settings
Changing wallpapers from third party apps can fail if permissions are limited. Using the built in settings ensures the system applies the image correctly.
Open Settings, and then tap Wallpaper and style.
Tap Wallpapers, and choose an image from the system gallery.
Select Apply, and confirm whether you want it for the Home screen, Lock screen, or both.
Disable Live Wallpapers Temporarily
Live wallpapers can block static images from applying correctly. Turning them off helps confirm whether the issue comes from animation conflicts.
Open Settings, and then tap Wallpaper and style.
Tap Wallpapers, and select a static image instead of a live one.
Apply the wallpaper and check if it stays in place.
Check Battery Optimization for Gallery Apps
Aggressive battery management can stop the wallpaper service from completing changes. Allowing the app to run freely prevents interruptions.
Open Settings, and then tap Battery.
Tap App battery management, and find Photos or Gallery.
Set it to Unrestricted, then try changing the wallpaper again.
Clear Cache of the System Launcher
The launcher controls how wallpapers appear on your Home screen. Clearing its cache forces it to reload visuals without affecting your data.
Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
Tap App management, and select the system launcher.
Tap Storage usage, and then tap Clear cache.
Update the System Software
Wallpaper bugs are often addressed in software patches. Keeping the phone updated ensures visual features work as intended.
Open Settings, and then tap About device.
Tap Software update, and install any available update.
Restart the phone after the update finishes.
Wallpaper issues on the OnePlus 15 are rarely permanent. Once you refresh the system, remove conflicts, or apply updates, the wallpaper should change normally and stay in place across both the Home and Lock screens.
FAQs
Why does my OnePlus 15 revert to the old wallpaper after locking the screen?
This usually happens when a live wallpaper or theme overrides your selection. Switching to a static wallpaper often fixes it immediately.
Can third party launchers cause wallpaper problems?
Yes. Some launchers manage wallpapers differently and may fail to apply them correctly. Switching back to the default launcher helps test this.
Does changing the wallpaper affect performance or battery life?
Static wallpapers have no noticeable impact. Live wallpapers can slightly increase battery usage, especially if they include animations or motion effects.
