Spotify Not Working on Mac? Fixes From Spotify's Own Help (2026)

When Spotify stops working on a Mac it tends to happen at the worst moment: a client call is about to start, or you've got a playlist queued for a workday of writing and editing. I know how annoying that is, so I've gone through Spotify's help pages and put the fixes in the order Spotify itself suggests, quickest first.

Spotify's help centre doesn't have one article just for Macs. Its advice for problems on the desktop app is spread across a few pages, so I've pulled the Mac-relevant steps together here. Menu names can shift between app versions, so if something looks slightly different on your screen, follow the closest match.

Quick checks when Spotify is not working on your Mac

Spotify's help lists three quick fixes to try first when the app misbehaves, including a 'Something went wrong' message:

• Restart the Spotify app.
• Update the app.
• Reinstall the app, which comes later on this page because it removes your downloads.

Spotify also says to make sure your internet connection is stable, update your Mac's operating system and close any other apps you aren't using. It's dull advice, but a half-asleep Wi-Fi connection or a Mac short on memory causes more trouble than most people expect.

Updating the Spotify desktop app on a Mac

According to Spotify's help pages, a blue dot appears next to your profile picture at the top of the app when an update is waiting.

1. Open Spotify on your Mac.
2. Click your profile picture at the top.
3. Select Update Spotify now.
4. Let the app restart, then try playing something.

If you can't see a blue dot, you're probably on the latest version. Reinstalling also gets you the newest version, according to Spotify.

Switching off Offline mode in the Spotify Mac app

If songs look greyed out and nothing will play, the Mac app may be in Offline mode. Spotify's help says anything you haven't downloaded is greyed out and unavailable while it's on.

1. Open Spotify.
2. In the menu at the top of the screen, click Spotify (Spotify's help describes this as the Apple menu at the top of the screen).
3. If Offline mode is switched on, switch it off.

Offline mode has its own page in my library: downloading songs on Spotify for offline listening explains what you can still play when you're not connected.

Checking your internet connection and firewall for Spotify

The help pages suggest testing whether other apps and web pages work on your Mac. If they don't, the problem is probably your connection, not Spotify. Its help page suggests these steps:

• Switch Wi-Fi off, wait 30 seconds, then switch it back on.
• Restart your router if you're on home Wi-Fi.
• Try a different Wi-Fi network or a mobile data connection.
• Remember that shared or public networks, such as schools and offices, can restrict some services. The IT team can tell you more.

For desktop problems, Spotify also lists a firewall blocking the app as a possible cause. If you use a firewall, check Spotify is set as an exception. The firm that makes your firewall can help with that.

Clearing the Spotify cache on your Mac

Spotify stores parts of songs and podcasts on your Mac so it can play without lagging. Clearing that cache is one of the fixes Spotify names for common problems.

1. Click your profile picture at the top of Spotify and select Settings.
2. Scroll down to Storage.
3. Click Clear cache.

Spotify recommends at least 1GB of free memory on your device, and says a device needs at least 250MB of available memory. If your Mac is nearly full, free up space before anything else. My guide to clearing the Spotify cache on phone and computer covers the same job on other devices.

Reinstalling Spotify on a Mac, quick and clean

Spotify's reinstall page gives two versions for Mac. Remember that you'll need to re-download any downloaded music and podcasts afterwards.

Quick reinstall on a Mac

1. Open Finder and go to Applications in the sidebar.
2. Find Spotify and drag it to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash to delete the app.
4. Download and install Spotify again.

Clean reinstall on a Mac

If a quick reinstall doesn't help, Spotify suggests this longer route:

1. Quit Spotify.
2. Open Finder, click Go in the menu at the top, then hold the Option key and select Library.
3. Open Caches and delete the com.spotify.client and com.spotify.client.helper folders.
4. Click the back arrow, open Application Support and delete the Spotify folder.
5. Restart your Mac.
6. Download and install Spotify again.

Take your time in those folders and delete only the Spotify items named above. Everything else belongs to other apps.

Using the Spotify web player when the Mac app fails

While you sort the app out, you can keep working with Spotify in a browser. Spotify's help lists Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Safari as supported. If the web player misbehaves too, it says to update your browser and try a private window.

There's a practical benefit here for creators and small business owners: if background music runs through Spotify in your studio or shop, a browser tab gets you playing again while you troubleshoot.

Checking whether Spotify is down for everyone

Spotify says to look at its status account and at the Ongoing Issues board in its Community to see whether a problem is already known. If you find yours marked as under investigation, Spotify asks you to add your vote. That way you know it's not just your Mac, and you can stop changing settings.

When Spotify still won't work on your Mac

If you've done all of the above, Spotify's help suggests troubleshooting further with the device's manufacturer. You can also contact Spotify through its support site. If your account has odd behaviour as well, such as being logged out unexpectedly, my guide to logging out of Spotify on all devices is a sensible next step.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spotify not working on my Mac?

Spotify's help pages point to a few usual causes: an out-of-date app, Offline mode being switched on, an unstable internet connection, a firewall blocking the app, a full cache or low memory.

How do I update Spotify on a Mac?

Click your profile picture at the top of the app and select Update Spotify now. Spotify says a blue dot appears next to your profile picture when an update is available.

How do I clear the Spotify cache on a Mac?

Click your profile picture, select Settings, scroll to Storage and click Clear cache.

Will I lose my downloads if I reinstall Spotify?

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

Can I use Spotify on my Mac without the app?

Yes. Spotify's web player works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Safari, and it's a handy stopgap while you fix the app.

What if Spotify is down for everyone?

Spotify points to its status account and the Ongoing Issues board in its Community, so you can see whether a problem has already been reported.