At any given moment, Spotify stands out as one of the most popular music streaming platforms in the world, attracting millions of listeners who indulge in a diverse array of content, from songs and stand-up comedy to podcasts and audiobooks. With its innovative features like an AI-driven DJ and user-friendly apps available for iOS, Android, and PC, it's no wonder Spotify has become a go-to source for entertainment. However, along with its vast offerings, users can sometimes encounter issues that hinder their listening experience. These can range from minor glitches to more pervasive problems involving your smartphone or headphones.
To enhance your enjoyment and minimize downtime spent troubleshooting, we've compiled a comprehensive guide filled with expert tips and tricks to address the most common Spotify problems. Whether you're dealing with the app crashing unexpectedly, experiencing playback issues, or encountering difficulties connecting to your headphones, we’ve got you covered.
If you find that your Spotify isn't functioning as it should, try these effective solutions to rectify the issues quickly and effectively. By following these steps, you can get back to enjoying your favorite music and podcasts without hassle. Let's dive into the potential fixes and restore your seamless streaming experience!
Is Spotify down? Check Downdetector
Spotify’s platform is generally stable, but it can occasionally crash. If you think the issue may be with their servers, it’s wise to visit Downdetector to check for any recent spikes in user reports. If the problem is indeed on Spotify’s end, the best course of action is to simply wait for the service to be restored.
There's no Spotify sound
So, you hit play expecting to hear that opening riff of Back in Black and got nothing. Boo. This could happen for a number of reasons. Start with the basics!
Step 1: Check the volume sliders on both Spotify and your device to make sure that the volume is turned up and not muted.
Step 2: Check your speaker or headphone connections, too. Check your device settings and Spotify's settings to make sure that you're connected to the right audio outputs, like your Sonos, headphones, or Bluetooth speaker.
Step 3: On your mobile devices, check your device's sound settings to make sure that you don't have the media volume turned down if there are different sliders for, for example, phone calls and music or video.
Step 4: If nothing is obviously wrong, double-check the Spotify app to make sure it hasn’t frozen up. Try logging out of the app and logging back in to see if this fixes things.
Spotify sounds crackly or just bad
Sometimes Spotify has issues with crackly or stuttering playback. Here's how to remedy that.
Step 1: First check to see if your internet connection could be struggling — areas with poor Wi-Fi, for example, could create patchy playback.
Step 2: If your internet is fine, head into the Spotify app. Choose More > View, then check to see that Hardware Acceleration is turned on. This can often fix sound issues you may be having.
Step 3: Finally, try rebooting the device you are using and start up again to see if this fixes the problem. If Hardware Acceleration is already on, try turning it off instead — it can cause issues on computers that don’t need it.
I accidentally deleted a Spotify playlist
Don’t worry, your playlists aren't that easy to erase. Here's how to restore them.
Step 1: Go to Spotify’s website, log into your account, and from the dropdown menu select Account to access your account overview.
Step 2: Select the menu option that says Recover Playlists.
Step 3: Here you'll see a list of recently deleted playlists. Find the one(s) you want and select Restore.
Can't download songs on Spotify Premium
With Spotify Premium you get the option to download songs for listening later even when you are offline, which is great for flights or when you're off the grid. Spotify only lets you download up to 10,000 songs at a time, so if you've gone over that, this could be your answer and you'll have to delete some stuff.
Barring that, if you still can't download, try these fixes.
Step 1: Try rebooting your device first and see if that clears things up. On an Android device, go to Settings > Apps > Spotify. Here, select options to Clear Cache and Clear Data.
Step 2: On an iPhone or iOS device, go to Settings and Storage and then Clear cache. On the desktop apps, it's more or less the sam — go to Spotify's Settings and scroll down to find the Clear cache selection.
Step 3: If you have any monitoring or housekeeping apps running in the background, they may be preventing the download process, too. Disable them before downloading to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Step 4: Finally, try deleting the Spotify app entirely and reinstalling it on your device. This can act as a sort of soft reboot that can fix problems, including issues with downloading.
Spotify features like Daily Mixes don’t show up
Features like Daily Mixes are great for finding new recommendations or playing an assortment of music, but they don’t always show up like they’re supposed to. If you notice that they’re missing, log out of your Spotify account and then log back in. This usually fixes the issue. If features still aren’t appearing, try deleting the Spotify app and reinstalling it.
Windows reports an Error Code 17
This was an infamous error code Windows users got several years ago, accompanied by a message that stated Spotify could not be started. This problem isn’t as common these days, but it can still happen, especially for those running older versions of Windows. The issue could be because of your computer's firewall blocking it, the app might not have downloaded properly, or Spotify might not be available in your region.
If you have a brand new computer, people have had good results by deleting their current login account and starting over with another Windows account, then reinstalling Spotify there.
If you have any disk cleanup apps, run them and use Windows’ own clean-up method to see if that helps. Check drivers to see if any need updates, too. You can also use the web app version of Spotify, which won’t suffer from the same problem.
Windows reports an Error Code 18
This is another common Windows error that users come across. It means you can’t use Spotify because it’s already running as a background app (or at least Windows thinks it is). Here's how to resolve the issue.
Step 1: First, if you are able to open the Spotify app, go to Settings > Advanced Settings, and then look for the option that says Startup and Window Behavior.
Step 2: Make sure that Spotify is turned off as a Startup app by selecting No. You can also manage startup/background apps in the Apps section of Settings on Windows 10.
Step 3: Now, delete the Spotify app, reboot your computer, and install it again.
Spotify mobile app keeps crashing
You pop in some wireless earbuds, pull out your smartphone and launch Spotify for some tunes, only to find Spotify not responding after a few seconds. And again. And again. Here's what to do.
Step 1: First, try logging off and then signing back in to see if this fixes the problem.
Step 2: Next, try force quitting the app and relaunching. Or, reboot your phone altogether.
Step 3: Make sure that your phone's operating system and the Spotify app are both fully updated.
Step 4: Clear your device's cache. If you have an Android device, head to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage and Cache. Here, you will be able to select Clear Cache, which can solve a variety of problems on this platform.
If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Storage and then Clear cache.
Step 5: Uninstall and reinstall Spotify.
Step 6: Check Downdetector for a Spotify outage.
Step 7: If that doesn't work, you can also try resetting your device's network settings. This is a last resort, though, as it will reset your Wi-Fi names and passwords, Bluetooth devices you've connected to, VPN profiles, and cellular network settings.
If you decide to do go for it, on an iPhone, go to Settings > General and scroll down to the very bottom to find Transfer or Reset iPhone. Then select Reset and choose Reset Network Settings.
On an Android device, open the app drawer and select Settings > System and then Reset options. Next, select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, & Bluetooth.
Step 8: You can also try disabling hardware acceleration if the problem is happening on a Mac or PC.
Spotify keeps logging me out while playing songs
If Spotify seems to be working but often stops your music or logs you out unexpectedly, a common reason could be that you are using a shared account. If you have shared your Spotify login information with someone else, it's important to note that individual Spotify accounts are meant for a single user.
This means that if you are listening to music and the person you shared your account with starts using Spotify on their device, you will be logged out, and vice versa. Currently, Spotify does not allow simultaneous streaming on shared accounts.
To resolve this issue, you have a couple of options. First, you could follow another person's profile on Spotify, which allows you to listen to their playlists without any account conflicts. Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Family Plan, which permits multiple users to listen to Spotify at the same time. You can also choose to get Spotify Premium or share individual playlists with others whenever you like.
Spotify is only playing downloaded music and podcasts
If you've read out guide on how to download music from Spotify, then you've probably run into this issue. The good news is, there's a likely cause and it's easy to fix.
Step 1: First, though, the issue could be that you're not connected to the internet or there's an issue with your connection. Check that first.
Step 2: Internet all good? OK, then the problem might be that your Spotify app is in offline mode, which only lets you play content you've downloaded.
Step 3: To revert back to online mode, go to Settings and turn Offline mode off.
Spotify Wrapped isn't showing up
Spotify Wrapped is an annual campaign by Spotify that provides users with a personalized and interactive summary of their listening habits from the past year. It typically includes details such as your top artists, songs, genres, podcasts, and total minutes listened. This information is presented in a visually engaging format, often featuring shareable cards and personalized playlists. Spotify Wrapped has become a social media phenomenon, with users eagerly anticipating and sharing their results with friends and followers. It’s a fun way to reflect on your year in music and gain new insights into your listening preferences. However, there are times when it may not display correctly.
If this happens to you, follow these steps:
Step 1: First, ensure you have the* latest version* of the Spotify app installed.
Step 2: If that doesn’t work, log out of your Spotify account and log in again.
Step 3: If still not visible, try searching for "Made For You" in the Search bar, as Wrapped is usually found within this section.
Has my account been hacked?
If you suspect that your Spotify account has been compromised, there are several steps you can take to secure it by updating your credentials.
Step 1: First, if you observe any suspicious activity, change your Spotify password immediately. If your account is linked to Facebook, make sure to change your Facebook password as well.
Step 2: Next, go to "Account" on the Spotify website and select "Sign Out Everywhere." This will log you out of all devices connected to your account.
Step 3: If you have lost access to your account, please contact Spotify directly through their online form, official X account, or Facebook page.
