Spotify Not Working? Fixes for Phone, Desktop and Web

Spotify going quiet in the middle of a client call, a workout or a long drive is annoying, and if you use music in your business (a shop, a salon, a studio, a podcast intro), it can throw the whole day off. The good news is that Spotify's help centre has a clear order of checks, and most problems get sorted in the first few.

I've followed what Spotify's own support pages say, and I've kept to the fixes it names. I haven't added any tricks it doesn't mention. Menu names can shift between app versions, so if something looks slightly different on your screen, look for the closest match.

Working out what kind of Spotify problem you have

The wording of the problem points you to the right fix. Here's how I'd sort it before you start:

What you see	Where to look first
A 'Page not available' or 'Something went wrong' message	Restart, update, then reinstall the app
The app opens but nothing plays	Internet connection, device checks and offline mode
Songs show but look faded	Offline mode and network, or the song isn't available in your market
Playing, but no sound	Your device's sound settings and where the audio is being sent
Only the web player misbehaves	Browser update, private window and network

Quick fixes when Spotify isn't working

Spotify's help centre says that if you're getting technical issues while playing something, or you see a 'Page not available' or 'Something went wrong' error, you should try these first, in this order:

1. Restart the Spotify app.
2. Update the app to the latest version.
3. Reinstall the app if it's still playing up.

One warning from Spotify: after you reinstall, you need to re-download any downloaded music and podcasts. If you rely on downloads for a commute or a venue with patchy signal, do the other steps first.

Other Spotify checks worth a minute

Spotify also suggests these, and they take a minute each:

• Make sure your internet connection is stable.
• Update your device's operating system.
• Close any other apps you aren't using.
• Clear the Spotify cache on your device.

If you haven't cleared the cache before, my guide to clearing the Spotify cache on phone and computer walks through it. Spotify says clearing the cache removes the stored pieces of music it keeps for smooth playback and doesn't touch your downloads, so it's a low-risk step.

If you're travelling when it breaks, Spotify says you may need to change your country or region account settings to get playback going.

Checking whether Spotify's offline mode is the culprit

Offline mode is an easy one to miss. Spotify's help for this says to check the setting on each device:

• Phone or tablet: tap your profile picture, then Settings and privacy, then Data-saving and offline, and switch Offline mode off if it's on.
• Mac: use the Spotify entry in the Apple menu bar and turn Offline mode off.
• Windows: open File from the three-dot menu and turn Offline mode off.

If you can't log in to check, Spotify notes that Facebook and Apple login don't work in offline mode, so use your email address and password instead.

Checking your connection when Spotify won't connect

Spotify suggests seeing whether other apps or websites work. If nothing else connects either, your internet connection is the likely problem. For wifi, its advice is to turn wifi off in your settings, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on, and to restart your router if it's home wifi. Shared networks at schools and offices can restrict some services, so the IT team may be the people to ask. It also suggests trying a different wifi or a mobile data connection, and checking you have enough data allowance.

On a computer, check that your firewall (if you use one) has Spotify set as an exception.

Is it your device or Spotify itself?

Spotify's help centre suggests trying the problem on another device, or in the web player. If it only happens on one device, the cause is probably specific to that device. In that case, Spotify says to make sure:

• Your device is supported for Spotify and up to date.
• Your device has at least 250MB of available memory.
• Your firewall isn't blocking Spotify (desktop only).
• Your device's battery is sufficiently charged.
• Your SD card isn't causing problems, so try removing it (Android only).

If none of that helps, Spotify says you may need to troubleshoot further with the device's manufacturer.

Fixing the Spotify web player when it stops working

The web player has its own checklist. Spotify says to update your browser through its Help section, open the web player in a private or incognito window, and check your network, since school, work and other shared networks may block the service. If it still won't run, use the Spotify desktop app instead.

You may also see a message saying playback of protected content is not enabled. Spotify says that means you need to switch on the Widevine plugin or install a media pack. In Chrome it points you to the protected content setting for open.spotify.com. In Firefox you click Enable DRM in the yellow bar. On N editions of Windows 10, Edge needs the Media Feature Pack from Microsoft.

Spotify not working because of a known issue

Sometimes the fault isn't at your end. Spotify says to check its status account on X (@SpotifyStatus) and its Community Ongoing Issues board, where reports of specific app problems are collected. If you find your issue and its status is Under Investigation, hit +VOTE to join it. That helps Spotify's developers see how many people are affected.

If you've been logging in on lots of devices (a studio PC, a spare phone, a speaker), it can also help to start fresh. My walkthrough on logging out of Spotify on all devices covers that, then you can log back in on just the one you need.

When to contact Spotify about the app not working

If you've done the checks above and the problem is still there, use Spotify's help centre to ask for help. It's worth having the details ready: which device, which app version, what the message says and what you've already tried. If the problem looks like a hacked account (songs you didn't play, settings changed), Spotify's help centre has a separate article for that, and I'd use it straight away.

A quick routine for Spotify at work or on the move

If music is part of how you work, a short routine keeps small problems from becoming big ones:

• Keep the app and your phone updated when you have wifi.
• Keep enough free memory on your phone so Spotify isn't squeezed.
• Test your playlist before an event or class, not in the middle of it.
• Keep a second way to play, such as the web player or another device.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spotify not working on my phone?

Spotify says to restart the app, update it, and reinstall it if needed. Then check your internet connection, update your phone's software, close other apps and clear the cache.

Will I lose my downloads if I reinstall Spotify?

Yes. Spotify says you need to re-download any downloaded music and podcasts after reinstalling the app.

How can I tell if Spotify is down for everyone?

Spotify points you to its status account on X, @SpotifyStatus, and the Ongoing Issues board in its Community, where specific app issues are reported.

Why does Spotify say I'm offline?

Offline mode may be switched on. On a phone, check Settings and privacy, then Data-saving and offline. Otherwise, check your internet connection.

Does the Spotify web player work differently?

Yes. Spotify suggests updating your browser, trying a private window, checking whether your network blocks it, and using the desktop app if it still won't work.