Spotify is a fantastic music streaming service, providing millions of tracks at your fingertips. However, like any technology, it sometimes runs into issues. One common problem that many users encounter is the dreaded “Spotify can’t play this right now” error. If you’ve seen this message pop up, you’re not alone.
In this article, we’ll go through what causes the issue and further proceed with in-detail solutions to get your music back up and running in no time.
Understanding the “Spotify Can’t Play This Right Now” Error
What is This Error?
The error message “Spotify can’t play this right now” is an error message that pops up when the Spotify app has some issue and cannot play a selected track. This error could be alarming, especially if it comes between your listening time through wireless headphones. Luckily, this issue is easily fixed with a little troubleshooting.
Why Does This Error Occur?
This error can occur because of a variety of reasons, from network issues to app bugs. Some common causes include:
- Connectivity Problems: Any weak or unstable internet connection will hold back Spotify from streaming music.
- App or device issues: Some bugs in the Spotify app or your device could interfere with the playback.
- Account-related problems: issues like an expired subscription to your Spotify account, or logging-in problems, can also cause this error.
- File corruption: Corrupted music files or cache data can keep the tracks from being played.
- Geographic Restrictions: Certain tracks or albums may not be available in your country or region, and this can lead to play errors.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the Error
Let’s check out some working solutions to get rid of the “Spotify can’t play this right now” error.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is required for you to be able to stream music through Spotify. Here are some steps to ensure that the problem is not with your connection:
- Restart Your Router: The act of restarting a router often resolves connectivity issues.
- Switch Networks: If possible, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network and/or use mobile data to see whether the issue is with the current network.
- Test Your Connection Speed: Use an online speed test service and check if your speed is good enough to stream music.
2. Restart the Spotify App and Your Device
Usually, restarting the app or device resolves temporary glitches. Here’s what you can do:
- Close out of the Spotify application fully and then reopen it to refresh its processes.
- Turn your device off, then turn it back on to clear it from any temporary problems.
3. Clear Spotify Cache
Clearing the cache can resolve issues caused by corrupted data. Here’s how to do it:
- On Mobile:
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Tap on Storage.
- Select Clear Cache.
- On Desktop:
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to the Offline storage location.
- Go to the specified location and delete the Storage folder.
4. Update Spotify
Using an outdated version of the app can lead to errors. Ensure you have the latest version installed:
- On Mobile:
- Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Search for Spotify.
- If an update is available, tap Update.
- On Desktop:
- Open Spotify.
- Click on Menu (three dots in the upper-left corner).
- Select Help > About Spotify.
- If an update is available, you’ll see an option to download and install it.
5. Reinstall Spotify
Reinstalling the app can fix deeper issues that other troubleshooting steps can’t. Follow these steps:
- On Mobile:
- Uninstall Spotify from your device.
- Restart your device.
- Reinstall Spotify from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- On Desktop:
- Uninstall Spotify through your computer’s control panel or settings.
- Restart your computer.
- Download and reinstall Spotify from the official website.
6. Check for Account Issues
Ensure your account is in good standing and that your subscription hasn’t expired:
- Verify Subscription: Make sure your Spotify Premium subscription is active. You can check this by logging into your account on the Spotify website.
- Log Out and Back In: Sometimes, logging out and back into your account can resolve playback issues.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If the basic steps don’t work, here are some advanced troubleshooting methods:
1. Change Playback Settings
Adjusting the playback settings within Spotify can sometimes fix the issue:
- Disable Hardware Acceleration:
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Show Advanced Settings.
- Under Playback, turn off Enable Hardware Acceleration.
- Change Streaming Quality:
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Music Quality.
- Try lowering the streaming quality and see if it resolves the issue.
2. Use Spotify Web Player
If the app continues to give you trouble, try using the Spotify Web Player as an alternative:
- Open your web browser and go to the Spotify Web Player.
- Log in with your account credentials and try playing the problematic tracks.
3. Check for System Updates
Ensure your device’s operating system is up to date, as system updates can resolve compatibility issues:
- On Mobile:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Software Update.
- Download and install any available updates.
- On Desktop:
- Check your computer’s settings for system updates.
- Download and install any available updates.
4. Disable VPN or Proxy
Using a VPN or proxy can sometimes interfere with Spotify playback. Try disabling them to see if it resolves the issue:
- Disable VPN: Turn off any VPN service you might be using.
- Disable Proxy:
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Show Advanced Settings.
- Under Proxy, set it to No Proxy.
Also Read: How to Resolve ‘Your IP has been temporarily blocked’
When to Contact Spotify Support
If none of these work, it might be time to turn to Spotify Support. They can provide more specific assistance and investigate any account-related issues. You can contact them through the Spotify app or website.
Preventing Future Issues
To minimize the chances of encountering the “Spotify can’t play this right now” error in the future, consider the following tips:
- Regularly update the Spotify app to benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
- Maintain a Stable Internet Connection
- Regularly clear the Spotify cache to avoid data corruption issues.
- Keep your device’s software and hardware in good condition to prevent compatibility issues.
Conclusion
The “Spotify Can’t Play This Right Now” error is very annoying, especially when it pops up during music. With the help of the troubleshooting tips and suggestions provided on this blog, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue.
Always keep in mind that, with most tech problems, the solution lies in having patience and enough determination. Happy listening!
