If Spotify tracks won’t play, check your connection, update the app and OS, clear cache, and confirm offline device limits or account status.
Nothing kills a mood like tapping a track and getting silence. This guide gives you a simple path to get music streaming again on phone, desktop, or the web player. Start with quick checks, then move into targeted fixes for settings, storage, audio devices, and account limits. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do when playback stalls, skips, or refuses to start.
When Spotify Tracks Refuse To Play — Quick Checks
Before deep fixes, rule out the basics. These checks solve many playback hiccups in minutes.
- Restart the app, then your device.
- Toggle Airplane Mode off/on (mobile) to refresh networking.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or to another Wi-Fi network.
- Update the app from your app store or desktop installer.
- Sign out, wait 30 seconds, sign in again.
Common Causes And What You’ll See
The table below maps symptoms to likely causes. Use it to pick the right fix fast.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|
| Play button does nothing | Offline, app glitch, cache overload | Try a different network and clear cache |
| “Can’t play this right now” style errors | Audio output conflict, sample rate mismatch, missing file (local) | Change output device; set 44.1 kHz; test a non-local track |
| Track grays out on desktop | Region, licensing, or account level limitation | Test a known available playlist |
| Downloads won’t play offline | Exceeded offline device/track rules or 30-day check-in | Go online, sync, and confirm device count |
| Playback stutters or skips | Weak connection or low storage | Move to stronger network; free 1 GB+ space |
| Web player won’t start | Out-of-date browser or blocked network | Update browser; try Incognito; try a different network |
Check The Basics: App, OS, And Storage
Playback issues often trace back to an out-of-date app, an OS that’s behind the minimum, or a device that’s out of room.
Update The App
Grab the latest version from your device store or the desktop download page. Fresh builds include bug fixes for playback and audio routing.
Confirm OS And Device Support
Spotify lists minimum versions for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. If your phone or computer sits below those versions, install the newest OS it supports or use the web player until you can upgrade your hardware. See the official supported devices page for current minimums.
Free Storage And Clear Cache
The app needs working room for cache and downloads. Keep at least 1 GB free. If space is tight, clear cache inside the app’s storage settings, then relaunch. Spotify’s own storage information notes the cache role and how to manage it.
Fix Network And Account Roadblocks
When tracks won’t start or stall mid-song, the connection or account state is often the culprit.
Stabilize Your Connection
- Run a quick speed test. You need stable throughput more than raw speed.
- Reboot the router and modem if Wi-Fi has been flaky.
- Turn off low-data modes and VPNs while testing.
Recheck Offline Rules
Premium users can keep downloads on up to five devices, with a large track allowance on each. You must go online at least once every 30 days to keep those downloads active. Details live on Spotify’s official listen offline page.
Test The Web Player
If the desktop or mobile app misbehaves, try the web player. Update your browser, try a private window, and beware of school or work networks that block streaming. The web player help page lists quick browser checks.
Sort Out Audio Device Conflicts On Desktop
Playback can fail if the computer points sound to the wrong device, if exclusive mode grabs your output, or if the sample rate clashes with the app.
Pick The Right Output
- Open your OS sound settings.
- Select the speakers or headphones you’re using.
- Disable any disconnected HDMI or virtual devices.
Match Sample Rate And Turn Off Enhancements
On Windows, set the output format to 44.1 kHz while testing. In the device’s Properties, uncheck any audio “enhancements” to avoid conflicts. Then restart the app.
Toggle Hardware Acceleration (Desktop App)
Open the app settings. Turn hardware acceleration off, then on, to see which state gives stable playback on your GPU/driver combo.
Deal With Local Files And Availability
Local files that won’t play usually come down to format, missing paths, or library permissions. Check that the source folder is still present, that file types you added are supported on your platform, and that the files aren’t stored on a disconnected drive or cloud-only location. For gray, unplayable tracks in playlists, licensing or region rules may hide the specific version you picked; search the artist page for an alternate release.
Targeted Fixes For Mobile
Phones face their own hurdles: battery savers, background limits, and roaming settings can pause or block streaming.
Battery And Background Settings
- Disable battery saver during playback tests.
- Allow background activity for the app in system settings.
- On Android, remove data saver limits for the app.
Reset Network Stack (Mobile)
Toggle Airplane Mode, then reboot. If playback returns, the network stack was the issue. You can also “forget” and rejoin your Wi-Fi.
Rebuild The App (Clean Reinstall)
- Delete the app.
- Reboot the phone.
- Reinstall from the store, then sign in.
This wipes stale settings and cache that a basic reinstall can leave behind.
Desktop Troubleshooting Flow
Use this simple path on Windows and macOS to isolate the cause without guesswork.
- Quit the app. End lingering processes from Task Manager or Activity Monitor.
- Launch the app and test a known-good playlist.
- Switch output device to your active headphones or speakers.
- Set 44.1 kHz sample rate; disable “enhancements,” then test again.
- Turn off hardware acceleration; relaunch and test.
- Log out and back in; then clear cache through app settings.
- If issues persist, perform a clean reinstall.
Web Player: Quick Resets That Work
- Update the browser to the latest version.
- Open a private/incognito window to bypass extensions.
- Test another browser to spot a vendor-specific quirk.
- Try a different network if you’re on a restricted connection.
Playback Still Fails? Use These Focused Fixes
At this stage you’ve ruled out the big stuff. Here are precise fixes tied to specific signals.
Error Text Mentions “Current Song” Or Similar
- Toggle “crossfade” off, then on, and test again.
- Remove the song from your queue and re-add it.
- Play a different album by the same artist to confirm availability.
Downloads Look Fine But Don’t Start Offline
- Go online, press play on a downloaded track, and let the app sync.
- Count your offline devices. If you’ve hit the limit, remove downloads on a device you no longer use, then try again.
Bluetooth Or AirPlay Redirects Sound
- Open the in-app device picker and pick your phone or your speakers directly.
- Unpair stale Bluetooth gear and pair again.
Platform Fixes At A Glance
Keep this compact table handy. It lists quick actions by platform.
| Platform | Fast Actions | Where |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Update app; clear cache; allow background refresh; reset network | Settings → General / App settings → Storage |
| Android | Update app; clear cache; disable battery/data saver; reset network | Settings → Apps → Storage / Battery & network menus |
| Windows | Select correct output; set 44.1 kHz; turn off enhancements; toggle hardware acceleration | Sound Settings → Device Properties / App settings |
| macOS | Choose output in Sound; quit audio apps; toggle hardware acceleration; clean reinstall | System Settings → Sound / App settings |
| Web Player | Update browser; Incognito; switch browser; switch network | Browser Help / Private window |
Prevent Playback Problems Next Time
A few small habits keep listening smooth across devices.
- Keep at least 1 GB free so the app can cache and download without choking.
- Update the app and OS every few weeks.
- Limit background audio tools that hook into your output.
- Go online monthly to keep downloads active on each device.
- Prune old devices from use by removing their downloads when you change phones or laptops.
Step-By-Step: Clean Reinstall (All Platforms)
If you’ve tried everything and playback still stalls, rebuild the app from scratch to clear out corrupt cache or leftover settings.
- Back up downloads if needed; you’ll redownload later.
- Uninstall the app.
- Reboot the device to flush temp files.
- Install the newest version from the store or desktop installer.
- Sign in, then let the app sit on Wi-Fi for a minute to resync.
Why These Steps Work
Streaming hinges on three pillars: a stable connection, a healthy app, and clear audio routing. Free storage gives the app room to buffer. Updates fix playback bugs. Correct output and sample rate prevent “silent” errors where the song timeline moves but you hear nothing. Staying within the offline rules keeps downloads valid. Linking these to the symptoms you see lets you skip guesswork and fix playback fast.
Helpful Official Pages
Bookmark these pages for quick reference during fixes: Spotify’s not playing checklist covers core steps across devices, and the listen offline rules clarify device limits and 30-day check-ins. Each page stays current with app and policy changes.
Still Stuck? A Short Triage Plan
- Test another account on the same device. If it works, your account state needs attention; contact support.
- Test your account on another device. If it works there, the original device needs the clean reinstall and audio checks.
- If both fail, try the web player on a different network. That isolates network blocks from app issues.
Bottom Line Fix Kit
Keep this mini checklist:
- Update app and OS, then restart.
- Free 1 GB+ and clear cache.
- Pick the right output and set 44.1 kHz (desktop).
- Turn off audio “enhancements.”
- Go online to renew downloads, keep within device limits.
- Try web player; switch networks; clean reinstall if needed.