Spotify Not Working? Fix Offline, Playback and Login Problems
If Spotify is not working, the cause is most often offline mode, your internet connection or the app itself, not a Spotify outage. Spotify’s support pages tell you to check whether offline mode is off, test your connection, and then try another device or the web player. Spotify also recommends checking its official status account for ongoing outages.
Our live Spotify status page shows current reports next to your own checks.
Is Spotify down or just me?
Run these checks in about two minutes.
- Open our Spotify status page.
- Try the Spotify web player on a computer. Spotify’s support suggests trying the web player or another device to see whether the issue is the original device.
- Try another app or website on the same connection. If they fail too, the problem is your internet.
- Switch the phone from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or the other way round.
If only one device fails, it is a device problem. If nothing loads anywhere, read internet down at home. The general method is in how to tell if it’s down or just you.
Why does Spotify say it is offline?
Spotify’s article “Spotify is offline” says to confirm offline mode is switched off in settings. On mobile that is under data saving and offline settings, and on desktop it is under the File menu. If offline mode is off, check whether other apps or web pages work. If they do not, your internet connection is the problem. Spotify’s support suggests toggling Wi-Fi off for 30 seconds and restarting the router. It also notes shared networks at schools or workplaces may block Spotify, and a firewall may need Spotify added as an exception.
Menu labels change between app versions, so if you cannot find the setting, search the Spotify support site for “offline mode.”
What if songs won’t play or keep stopping?
Spotify’s “Can’t play Spotify” and “Spotify not playing” articles list these steps, which we have put in a sensible order.
- Restart the app.
- Log out and back in.
- Update the app to the newest version from your official app store.
- Close other apps that use a lot of memory or bandwidth.
- Check that your device is supported, up to date and has enough free memory. Spotify’s page mentions at least 250 MB.
- Reinstall the app as a last step. Spotify warns that this removes downloaded music, so you will need to download it again.
Before reinstalling, make sure you remember your login method, since a reinstall signs you out.
Which symptom points to what?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| “Spotify is offline” banner | Offline mode or no internet | Turn offline mode off, test other apps |
| Works on mobile data, not Wi-Fi | Router, DNS or network filter | Restart router; see this guide |
| Works on web player, not the app | App or cache | Update, log out and in, reinstall |
| Fails on every device and network | Possible Spotify issue | Check status and wait |
| Fails only at school or work | Network block | Ask the administrator |
What about login problems?
If you cannot log in, first confirm your connection with another app. Then use the Spotify login screen’s own password reset. Never enter your Spotify password on a page you reached through an email or text. Never share a one-time code. Scam messages often claim your account is suspended and ask you to sign in through a link, so go to spotify.com directly instead. For general safe behavior during service problems, see what to do during an outage.
What if Spotify is slow only on one network?
Spotify’s support notes that shared networks, such as those at schools or workplaces, may block Spotify, and a firewall may need Spotify added as an exception. On your own router, an old firmware version or a bad DNS entry can have the same effect. Restart the router first, then compare with mobile data. If Spotify works on mobile data every time and fails on one Wi-Fi network, the network is the cause, and our guide to why a site works on mobile data but not Wi-Fi lists the checks in order.
If you use a VPN, turn it off for a test. Some VPN servers are blocked by streaming services or are simply slow. Switch to a different server, or leave the VPN off for Spotify if that is allowed where you are.
Should I use the Spotify status account or a third-party site?
Spotify’s support pages direct you to its own status account for ongoing outages, and that is the source to trust for official acknowledgments. User-report sites, including ours, show what people are experiencing, which can appear before an official post, but they are not confirmations. When the two disagree, wait a short while and test again on a second device. Do not click links in replies to outage posts that offer help. Scammers watch those threads.
Bottom line
Turn offline mode off, test your connection and another device, update the app, and reinstall only as a last step. Check Spotify’s status account and our status page if nothing else explains the problem.
FAQ
Why does Spotify keep saying I’m offline?
Offline mode may be on, or your device cannot reach the internet. Spotify’s support article covers both checks.
Will I lose my downloads if I reinstall Spotify?
Yes. Spotify’s support warns that reinstalling removes downloaded music, so you will have to download it again.
Where does Spotify post outage news?
Spotify’s support pages point to its status account. Our status page also tracks reports.
Does the web player help?
Yes, as a test. If the web player works, the problem is the original device or app.