Spotify Not Working. Causes, Solutions, Alternatives

Do you want to know why? Spotify not working? Spotify is a popular music streaming service with millions of active users worldwide. It can be downloaded and installed on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chrome.

You can even set up Spotify on LinuxUnfortunately, Spotify often fails to work and has startup issues on Windows 10 or Mac. On the plus side, this failure is usually a simple problem that can be fixed without much effort.

What to do if Spotify is not working?

Now, we invite you to check out the following simple instructions to fix Spotify on your Windows 10 and Mac if the app refuses to launch.

You may also be interested in reading about: How To Get Free Spotify Accounts. 5 Easy Techniques To Achieve It

Solution 1: Restart your device if Spotify is not working

You may notice that this solution will sound pretty simple, but there is no harm in trying it if your Spotify account is not working. The solution here is very simple: Restart your Windows 10 or Mac computer before trying to launch Spotify.

This may help you when the app is having functionality issues caused by suspended system processes. However, if Spotify is still not working, you can continue with the next solutions in this list.

Solution 2: Run the app with administrator permission if Spotify is not working

The music streaming app may have trouble opening on your computer due to permission errors. To put this theory to the test, make sure you're running the Spotify app with administrator rights, even if you're logged in as a PC administrator.

 There is no need to do this on Mac, as all apps run with administrator rights by default. Here's how to run Spotify as administrator on Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Click the button Home and writes Spotify
• Step 2:: Then, you need to click on Run as administrator

• Step 3:: If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes

Solution 3: Restart the app if Spotify is not working

This is another solution that may seem too easy to use, but it is usually helpful if Spotify is not working and not opening on your Windows or Mac computer. However, before you restart the app, make sure to close all its processes. Let’s see how to restart Spotify on Windows 10 and on Mac properly:

Reset in Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Right click on the taskbar and go to the Task Manager

• Step 2:: In the tab Processes, search for Spotify and make sure to select the entire process tree.
• Step 3:: Click Finish homework.

• Step 4:: Press the key Windows and writes Spotify
• Step 5: Choose Run as administrator

• Step 6:: Click Yes if prompted by UAC

Resetting Spotify on Mac:

• Step 1:: Select the Spotify application window
• Step 2:: Open the Apple menu
• Step 3:: Choose Force exit

NOTE: : You can also press Option + Command + Esc Select Spotify and then select Force exit

• Step 4:: Launch the Spotify app.

Solution 4: Run the App in Compatibility Mode if Spotify is not working

It is possible that your edition of Windows 10 is not fully compatible with the Microsoft Store app for Spotify. However, you should be able to resolve this issue by launching the tool in compatibility mode. Let's see how to run Spotify in compatibility mode on Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Press Win key + E to open File Explorer
• Step 2:: Escribe % Appdata%in the address bar to open this folder.
• Step 3:: Go to Local > Microsoft > WindowsApps
• Step 4: Right click on Spotify.exe and select Properties

• Step 5:: Switch to tab Compatibility
• Step 6:: Enable the option Run this program in compatibility mode to…
• Step 7:: Click the drop-down menu below and select Windows 8.
• Step 8:: Click Apply and exit

• Step 9:: Try to open Spotify Now

Solution 5. Update the app if Spotify is not working on Windows 10

Microsoft Store apps are updated regularly. If the Spotify app isn't working, it may be out of date. But you can easily update it. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Click the Start button, type Microsoft Store and press ENTER

• Step 2:: Click the button More in the upper right corner to open a menu.

• Step 3:: Choose Downloads and updates
• Step 4:: Search the application Spotify in this list and click the button update
• Step 5: You can also click Get updates in the top right corner to update all apps at once

• Step 6:: Try to open Spotify after the update

Solution 6: Check for system updates if Spotify is not working

Whether you are running Windows 10 or macOS, your operating system should be updated at all times to avoid app functionality issues due to lack of support. This could be the reason why Spotify is not working, especially if you have not been using your computer for a long time. Let's see how you can update your operating systems:

With Windows Update:

• Step 1:: Click the button Home, writes Search for updates and press ENTER.

• Step 2:: Click Check for updates. While Windows is busy, you should suspend all computer activities

• Step 3:: If updates are available, click Download

• Step 4:: Wait for Windows to finish all updates. You may need to restart your computer several times.
• Step 5:: Check again if your operating system is updated by clicking on Search for updates again
• Step 6:: Try to open Spotify

Update macOS:

• Step 1:: Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner.
• Step 2:: Click on Software Update
• Step 3:: While your Mac is searching for updates, you should stop using other applications
• Step 4:: If you find updates available for download, click Update Now
• Step 5:: Enter your administrator username and password if you need them for authorization
• Step 6:: Restart macOS and try to open Spotify

Solution 7: Repair Spotify App on Windows 10

Microsoft Store has a repair feature ready for Spotify, which you can access with minimal effort. It's not as efficient as reset mode, but it will save data. Here's what you need to do:

• Step 1:: Press the key Windows, writes Spotify, then click Application settings

• Step 2:: Scroll down and click on the button Repair

• Step 3:: The repairs won't take long. Once the task is complete, try opening Spotify

Solution 8: Reset the Spotify app on Windows 10

If Spotify is not working on your Windows 10 PC, it is a good idea to reset the app. Fortunately, there is a built-in option for this purpose, so you just need to locate it.

Please note that your app data, including preferences and login details, will be deleted. You will therefore need to enter your login details and customize your settings again.

• Step 1:: Click the button Home, type Spotify, then click Application settings

• Step 2:: Scroll down and click on the button Resetting

• Step 3:: Click Resetting again to confirm.
• Step 4:: Try opening Spotify now

Solution 9: Clean, reinstall the App if Spotify is not working

If the reset option doesn't work on Windows 10 or if you're currently on Mac, you can perform a clean reinstall of the Spotify app. It's a bit more complicated compared to the previous solution, but this method has proven to be more efficient. Let's see how to do it on both systems:

Clean and reinstall Spotify on Windows 10

• Step 1:: Right click on the button Home and select Applications and characteristics

• Step 2:: Search and select Spotify
• Step 3:: Click Uninstall and then Uninstall again to confirm.

• Step 4:: Press the key Win + E To start the File Browser
• Step 5: Enter the following address in the address bar to visit this location

 C:\Windows\Prefetch

• Step 6:: Search, select and delete all files SPOTIFY. EXE

• Step 7:: Download Spotify from the official website or enter from this one LINK
• Step 8:: Set up and try to start Spotify

Clean and reinstall Spotify on Mac:

• Step 1:: Click Spotify in the menu bar.
• Step 2:: Choose Exit Spotify
• Step 3: Open the Finder and click on the menu Ir
• Step 4: Go to the section Library. If the option is not visible, press and hold the Alt key
• Step 5: Navigate to the location of Caches
• Step 6: Select and delete the folder spotify.client
• Step 7: Go back and open the Application support
• Step 8: Select and delete the Spotify folder
• Step 9: Download Spotify from the official website.
• Step 10: Install and try to open Spotify

Solution 10: Allow background apps on Windows 10 if Spotify is not working

The Spotify app must be allowed to access background apps on Windows 10. Otherwise, it won't open due to lack of permissions. Here's how to easily enable this setting:

• Step 1:: Click the button Home, writes Spotify, then click Application settings.

• Step 2:: In the app Permissions, configure Background apps en On

• Step 3:: Exit this window and try to open Spotify now

Solution 11: Disable hardware acceleration if Spotify is not working

By default, Spotify uses hardware acceleration to improve the music streaming experience. However, if you have older hardware, the acceleration might put too much strain on it. In some cases, it might even prevent Spotify from opening properly. But you can fix this problem by turning it off. Let’s see how to disable hardware acceleration.

Disable hardware acceleration on Mac:

• Step 1:: Select the Spotify window.
• Step 2:: Open the Spotify menu.
• Step 3:: Click Hardware acceleration to deselect.
• Step 4:: Restart Spotify

Disable hardware acceleration in Windows 10:

It's a little more complicated on Windows because it means going into Spotify's settings section, assuming you can open the app in the first place. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Open the Spotify app.
• Step 2:: Click the arrow button next to your account name in the top right corner to open a menu
• Step 3:: Then, you must go to Configuration
• Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of the window and click Show advanced configuration
• Step 5: scroll down to Compatibility
• Step 6: Deactivate Enable hardware acceleration

• Step 7:: Restart Spotify to apply the changes

Solution 12: Update GPU driver if Spotify is not working

If Spotify is not working on your computer, it may be due to display issues. But you can fix the problem by updating your graphics card to the latest version. To update your GPU driver on Mac, simply run macOS updates.

How to Update Graphics Driver on Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Right click on the button Home and go to Device administrator

• Step 2:: Open the graphics adapters group
• Step 3:: Right click on your graphics device and select Update Driver

• Step 4:: When prompted for two options, click Search automatically for updated driver software

• Step 5:: If you see the message (The best drivers for your device are already installed), click Check for updated drivers en Windows Update

• Step 6:: Restart your PC and try to open Spotify

NOTE: Microsoft often fails to find drivers through Windows Update. In that case, you should check for a newer GPU driver by visiting the manufacturer's website.

But if you don't want to risk installing an incompatible driver, we suggest you use a third-party driver updater app. You can use it to keep all your drivers up to date and automatically check for newer versions.

Solution 13: Disable auto-start if Spotify is not working

Some experts claim that they solved the app's bug by preventing Spotify from running automatically at every system startup. Instead, they manually open the music streaming program. Let's see how you can prevent automation on both systems:

How to prevent Spotify from starting on Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Right click on the taskbar and go to the Task Manager

• Step 2:: Switch to tab
• Step 3: Select Spotify and click Deactivate

• Step 4:: Restart your PC and try to open Spotify

How to prevent Spotify from starting on Mac:

• Step 1:: Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner.
• Step 2:: Go to System preferences.
• Step 3:: Select users and groups.
• Step 4:: Choose your username on the left side.
• Step 4:: Switch to tab Login Items.
• Step 5:: Find and select the entry of Spotify.
• Step 6:: Click the button (- ) to remove it from the list.
• Step 7:: Restart your computer and try using Spotify

Solution 14: Check your firewall settings if Spotify is not working

It is possible that your system firewall is preventing you from opening Spotify due to security issues. You can quickly check this by temporarily disabling your firewall on Windows 10 or Mac. Let's see how to do it in the following steps:

How to disable firewall in Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Log in to Windows 10 with the administrator role
• Step 2:: Press the Windows key, type Check firewall status and press ENTER.

• Step 3:: Click Enable or Disable Firewall Windows Defender on the left

• Step 4:: Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) in the public and private network settings
• Step 5:: Click OK.

Step 6:: Try opening Spotify now.

How to disable firewall on Mac:

• Step 1:: Open the Apple menu.
• Step 2:: Choose System preferences.
• Step 3:: Go to the section of Security
• Step 4:: Choose Firewall.
• Step 5:: Click Disable firewall.
• Step 6:: Try to open the Spotify app

Even if this solution worked, you shouldn't keep your firewall turned off, so be sure to go back through the steps above to turn it back on. A permanent solution is to add an exception for Spotify in your firewall.

How to allow Spotify through firewall on Windows 10:

• Step 1:: Make sure you are logged in as an administrator.
• Step 2:: Click the button Home, writes firewall and open Firewall and network protection

• Step 3:: Click Allow an application through the firewall.

• Step 4:: Click Change settings
• Step 5:: Look for Spotify Music in this list. If it's not there, click Allow another application, then click examiner to search and add Spotify
• Step 6:: Check the box next to Spotify Music
• Step 7:: Also, check the associated private and public boxes

• Step 8:: Click Accept and salt.
• Step 9:: Open the Spotify app

How to allow Spotify through the firewall on Mac:

• Step 1:: Open the Apple menu
• Step 2:: Go to System Preferences.
• Step 3:: Click Security and switch to the section firewalls.
• Step 4:: Press the button blocking

NOTE: : If prompted by Mac, enter your administrator username and password to continue.

• Step 5:: Select the area of Firewall Options
• Step 6: Click Add Application
• Step 7: Select Spotify and click Add
• Step 8: Click on Accept
• Step 9: Launch the Spotify app

Solution 15. Disable your antivirus if Spotify is not working

If you have a third-party antivirus installed, it may flag the audio streaming app as malwareAs a result, you will no longer be able to open and use Spotify. To fix this problem, you need to disable your anti-malware solution.

However, if you want to keep it, you need to whitelist Spotify and report it as a false positive. It will no longer be blocked and you can enjoy your favorite music without any further problems.

Solution 16: Run the Microsoft Store troubleshooter

The Spotify app relies on the Microsoft Store to work properly on Windows 10. So, if there are any issues with the store, you shouldn't be surprised if Spotify isn't working on your PC.

Fortunately, Windows 10 has a troubleshooter ready to fix common Store issues with your Microsoft account, missing or corrupted files, service registration, Temporary files Internet, user account control and others.

How to use the Microsoft Store troubleshooter:

• Step 1:: Right click on the button Home and go to Configuration

• Step 2:: Choose Update and security

• Step 3:: Choose Solve problems On the left side
• Step 4:: Click Additional troubleshooters

• Step 5:: Scroll down to the bottom of the window.
• Step 6:: Choose Windows Store apps and click Run the troubleshooter

• Step 7:: Follow the instructions on the screen.
• Step 8:: Try launching the Spotify app now

Solution 17: Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode

A surefire way to fix Spotify app issues on Windows 10 is to boot Windows 10 into Safe Mode. Disable any non-essential processes, services, and drivers that may affect the Spotify streaming service. Here is the process on how to do it correctly:

• Step 1:: Press the key Windows and click the power button to open a menu.
• Step 2:: Press and hold the Alt key, then click Restart to start Windows in troubleshooting mode.
• Step 3:: Click Solve problems

• Step 4:: Accede to Advanced Options
• Step 5: Choose Startup configuration

• Step 6:: Click Restart.
• Step 7: Press F5 to enable safe mode with networking
• Step 8:: After Windows Boot, try to open the Spotify application

Solution 18: Contact support if Spotify is not working

If all the above solutions on this list did not solve your Spotify functionality issues, we advise you to contact Spotify support for help, you can enter from here LINKIt could very well be a problem on their side that cannot be resolved on your computer.

Spotify not working yet?

To check, if the Spotify app is not working on your Windows 10 or Mac computer, there is no need to panic. You can restart your device, launch the app with administrator rights, restart Spotify, run it in compatibility mode, or update the app to the latest version.

You should also update your operating system to the latest version, repair the Spotify app with a simple command, reset it or perform a clean reinstall, allow background apps in Windows 10, and disable hardware acceleration.

Additionally, it's a good idea to update your graphics driver, prevent Spotify from running automatically at every system startup, check your firewall settings, disable your antivirus, run the Microsoft Store troubleshooter, and start Windows 10 in Safe Mode.

If all else fails, it's time to contact Spotify's support team and ask for guidance. Until you get a response, you can start your Web navigator y Use Spotify Web Player from this LINK.

The 6 best alternatives to listen to free music if Spotify doesn't work

Is Spotify still not working properly on your PC or Mac? Don't worry, you can also use some alternatives that you might like. Either way, these are official apps from well-known brands and you won't find any malware or similar.

1. Last FM

Last.fm It is basically a music application that also aims to be a social network of musical tastes, although it must be said, in the same application You can listen to music online through YouTube or even buy it directly from iTunes. 

Its main feature is the personal profile it will create for you from all the songs you listen to on the app. It is a great option you can use if Spotify is not working. It is also a good app that has a lot to offer and not just listening to music on it.

You can visit the portal from here

2. Soundcloud

With the case from SoundCloud, it should be noted that on this online music distribution platform You won't be able to find (unfortunately) any of the most listened to bands or singers, only the most popular ones of the moment.

SoundCloud is, fundamentally, a website that does not belong to any large company, that is, independent, which promotes many projects that are still in the first steps of their journey, those that do not have a place on the main platforms of streaming music where performances take place and contracts are considerably higher.

From SoundCloud you can upload your own songs and if you do well and you deserve it, Reach the top 50 as if it were the Top 40. Many of the most listened to can find endless opportunities in the music world in the hands of the most famous producers in the world. It is an excellent alternative that you can use if Spotify is not working.

You can visit the portal from here

3. Shark Music

Shark music It is an application in which you don't need to register beforehand. However, if you do, you might be able to avoid too many annoying ads that will pop up asking you to do the typical boring things every time you head to play.

If you've signed up for the app, you'll no longer be interrupted between each song in the same way as with Spotify and its Premium subscription. It's a great option you can use if Spotify isn't working.

You can download it from here

4. Deeezer

If you had to choose one app for the visual part of this article, we would choose Deezer, it is an unbeatable app.

Deezer is an application where you can listen to free music, but it doesn't stop there, but you can also get personalized recommendations based on your musical tastes and favorite artists. With this feature, it is promoting itself as an alternative to Spotify and its weekly recommendation.

In Deezer all the music you listen to It will be played in streaming and in any case you will not be able to download it. We could come and confirm that this list is undoubtedly one of the most complete alternatives.

Obviously, and it must be said, this is a music streaming application that is under the umbrella of a company that is much more consolidated than the rest of the competitors on this list (not in all cases, but almost in most cases).

The application can be downloaded completely free of charge, However, if you want to listen to music without ads, as is the case with many of those on this list, you will have to become a Premium user and pay for your subscription.

In any case, if you just want to try it out to see if you like it as an alternative, You have a 30-day free trial of the that you can get a lot of benefit from and a party to decide whether to go for or not. It's a great option to use if Spotify isn't working.

You can download it from here

5.Youtube Music

Several million users choose YouTube to listen to music online, although it is true that the service has had problems entering the market, but once it did, it established itself as a good alternative.

When Google introduced the ability to create video playlists, we all started to think that He did this to alienate the market and users from music streaming apps like Spotify, And in the end, with effort, he succeeded, but with several drawbacks, it must be said.

This is where YouTube Music was born, where, for example, you can listen to the latest hits on the music market, keep up to date with all the news of your famous artists favorites and discover lots of new music that you can play on all your devices without any problems. It's a great option you can use if Spotify is not working.

You have Two versions of YouTube Music available:

1. A free YouTube Music service with ads, as is the case with Spotify and other alternatives on this list.
2. A subscription-based Premium service called YouTube Music Premium, which will give you benefits like background playback, ad-free music and audio mode.

You can visit the portal from here

6. SongFlip

Song Flip is the only one enforcement It is an excellent option that you can use if Spotify is not working and that you can download from various official stores such as Google Play Store.

One of the downsides of this app is that it only plays copyright-free content, so you should keep in mind that the music catalog you'll find there is quite limited.

Here you can read about: How to Uninstall and Install Spotify on Windows 7

However, the application has very interesting options such as the possibility of creating playlists or classify content by different music styles. You can download it from the official Google store.

You can download it from here

Conclusion

As you can see, these are the alternatives and solutions you can use if Spotify is not working. We recommend that you follow each of the steps we have explained to you or use the alternative options. We also advise you to contact the customer service center if none of the solutions worked. We hope we have helped you.