How to Fix Spotify Not Working on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Edited 1 day ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services available on multiple platforms. However, sometimes Spotify may stop working on your Windows, Mac, or Linux device. There are several reasons why this may happen, as well as several solutions. In this guide, we'll go over the different solutions you can try when Spotify isn't working on your device, so you can enjoy your music again.

Common reasons why Spotify isn’t working

Understanding the reasons behind Spotify not working can help you troubleshoot. Here are some common reasons:

• Network problems: Problems with your internet connection may prevent Spotify from working correctly.
• Operating system glitches: Sometimes the operating system may experience temporary problems that affect apps.
• Corrupted cache: Like other apps, Spotify uses a cache to store temporary data which can become corrupted.
• Unsupported version: Using an older version of Spotify can cause compatibility issues.
• Firewall restrictions: A firewall may prevent Spotify from properly accessing the Internet.
• Malware: Malware can affect the performance and functionality of the application.

General troubleshooting steps

1. Check your internet connection

Make sure you have a working internet connection. Visit other websites or use other apps that require an internet connection to confirm your network is up and running. If there is a problem, you may need to restart your router or contact your internet service provider.

2. Restart your device

Often, restarting your computer can solve a variety of problems. Restart your Windows, Mac, or Linux device to refresh the operating system and clear minor glitches that may be causing Spotify to malfunction.

3. Update Spotify

Keeping Spotify updated is crucial to its performance. Developers release updates to fix bugs, enhance security, and add new features. Here's how you can update Spotify:

• Windows and Mac: Open Spotify and click the drop-down arrow next to your username in the upper right corner. Select "Update available. Restart now" if the option appears.
• Linux: Open your terminal and use the package manager to update Spotify. For example, if you are using Ubuntu, enter the following command:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade spotify-client

4. Reinstall Spotify

If updating didn't help, reinstalling the app may resolve corrupted files and other installation issues.

• Windows: Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Uninstall. After uninstalling, download the latest version from Spotify's official website and install it.
• Mac: Open Finder and go to the Applications folder. Drag Spotify to the Trash. Then, download and install the latest app from Spotify's website.
• Linux: Use the terminal to remove Spotify and then reinstall it using the package manager command. For example, in Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get remove spotify-client sudo apt-get install spotify-client

Advanced troubleshooting steps

1. Clear the Spotify cache

Clearing the cache can solve many problems by removing corrupted temporary files. Here's how you can do it:

• Windows: Open the Run box (Windows + R), type: %appdata%/Spotify/Storage, and press Enter. Delete all files in this folder.
• Mac: Go to Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, then type: ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify/PersistentCache/Storage. Delete all files in this folder.
• Linux: Clear the cache via the terminal such as:

rm -rf ~/.cache/spotify/Storage/*

2. Disable firewall and antivirus software

Firewalls and antivirus software can sometimes block Spotify. Disable these temporarily to see if they are causing problems. Remember to enable them again after checking, so your system is protected.

3. Flush the DNS cache

Flushing the DNS cache can help resolve network-related issues. Here's how to do it:

• Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and type:

ipconfig /flushdns

• Mac: Open Terminal and type:

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

• Linux: This varies depending on your distribution, but you can try:

sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

4. Check for system updates

Your operating system also receives updates that can improve performance and compatibility with third-party applications such as Spotify. Make sure your system is up to date by checking for updates through the Control Panel or System Preferences.

5. Check for malware

To make sure no malicious software is interfering with Spotify or any other application on your computer, run a full system scan using an up-to-date antivirus or anti-malware tool.

Spotify settings and account problems

1. Log out and log back in

Sometimes Spotify's performance can be affected by an account error. Simply logging out and logging in again may refresh your session.

• Click on the profile icon in the top right corner.
• Select 'Log out'.
• Re-enter your credentials to log in again.

2. Check account status

Make sure your Spotify account is in good standing, especially if you're using Spotify Premium. Sometimes, payment issues can cause problems accessing the account.

3. Adjust the quality settings

If Spotify is slow or skipping, try lowering the streaming quality:

• Go to Settings by clicking the down arrow next to your profile.
• Scroll down to 'Music Quality.'
• Select 'Automatic' or a lower quality setting.

Linux specific solution

1. Install Spotify using Snap

If you’re having difficulty using traditional package managers, you can install Spotify using Snap, which is distro-independent.

sudo snap install spotify

2. Check sound compatibility

Make sure your ALSA and PulseAudio settings are configured properly, as they are the sound systems in Linux. Incorrectly configured sound settings can also cause playback problems.

Mac specific solution

1. Reset Spotify preferences

If you suspect a problem with the configuration, you can reset Spotify preferences:

• Go to Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, then type:

~/Library/Preferences/com.spotify.client.plist

Delete this file and then restart Spotify.

Windows specific solution

1. Set compatibility mode

If you're using an older version of Windows, try running Spotify in compatibility mode:

• Right-click on the Spotify shortcut.
• Select 'Properties'.
• Go to the 'Compatibility' tab.
• Check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' and select the Windows version.

2. Use the Windows troubleshooter

Microsoft provides a troubleshooting tool that can help with the following:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Select 'Advanced troubleshooters'.
• Run the 'Program Compatibility Troubleshooter' for Spotify.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will be able to resolve issues that are causing Spotify not to work on your Windows, Mac or Linux device. Keep your system updated, maintain a stable internet connection and ensure Spotify is the latest available version. If none of these solutions work, consider contacting Spotify support, as there may be underlying issues specific to your account or device.

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