Why does my Android music player keep stopping?

Music stopping unexpectedly on Android devices is a frustrating problem that many users experience. When listening to music through an app or built-in music player, the audio may start buffering, pause randomly, or stop playing altogether. This issue prevents enjoying uninterrupted music playback and disrupts daily phone use.

There are several potential causes for an Android music player stopping unexpectedly. Problems can arise from software glitches, hardware faults, connectivity issues, storage limitations, account restrictions, overheating, and more. Troubleshooting the exact source of the problem is key to resolving music cutouts and interruptions.

This article provides an overview of the common reasons an Android music player may stop unexpectedly and actionable solutions to address them. Diagnosing why music keeps stopping on your particular device will help restore seamless audio playback.

Software Issues

One of the most common reasons an Android music player app may stop or crash frequently is software-related problems. This includes things like buggy app updates, an outdated OS version, or compatibility issues between apps.

App crashes can often occur after updating to a new version of the music player app or after a major Android OS update. New updates can introduce bugs and glitches that cause instability and freezing (Source). Trying uninstalling app updates or rolling back to a previous OS version as a temporary fix. Developers usually issue patches to address major crashing issues.

Incompatible or poorly optimized apps may also conflict with each other and lead to freezing or music cutoff. If you recently installed a new app, check if uninstalling it stops the music player crashes. Alternatively, check the app permissions and disable unnecessary access to storage, microphone, or network connections.

An outdated OS can also cause compatibility issues leading to crashes. Make sure your Android OS and core system apps are fully updated. If not, update to the latest OS version available for your device.

Hardware Issues

Hardware problems with your Android device can also cause interruptions when playing music. Issues with components involved in playing audio out loud such as the headphone jack, USB port, and speakers can lead to music stopping randomly.

A faulty headphone jack is one potential hardware culprit. If the headphone jack connection is loose or damaged, it may cut in and out intermittently and stop music playback. This problem can arise from consistent use over time or damage from dropping your device. You can test if the headphone jack is the issue by plugging headphones in and trying to move or wiggle the connector. If sound cuts out when moving the plug, the headphone jack likely needs to be repaired or replaced.

Problems with the USB port used for charging, data transfer, or connecting to external speakers can also interrupt music playback. Like the headphone jack, the USB port contains delicate pins and connections that can get worn down or damaged over time. If music stops when connected to external powered speakers via USB, inspect the port for damage or debris and try a different cable. Faulty USB connections may need professional cleaning or component-level repair.

Lastly, damaged or blown speakers can definitely cause music to stop playing properly. Speaker issues tend to surface as distorted, fuzzy sounds or no audio at all. Testing different music apps can help determine if it is an isolated software problem or rooted in hardware. Visually inspecting speakers for damage and running diagnostic tests can confirm speaker failure before attempting repair or replacement.

If you suspect a hardware problem like those covered is stopping your music, take your device to a repair shop for proper inspection and service. Component-level hardware fixes require soldering and technical expertise to correct.

Source: https://www.tenorshare.com/fix-android/why-does-my-music-keep-stopping-on-my-android.html

Battery and Power Problems

One of the most common causes of an Android music player stopping repeatedly is battery or charging issues. If your battery is low, the phone may automatically restrict background apps like music players to conserve power. Similarly, if the phone is not charging properly or is discharging faster than it should, the battery level can drop suddenly and disrupt music playback.

To troubleshoot, first check your battery usage under Settings > Battery to identify any apps draining excessive power in the background. Try closing these apps when listening to music. You can also enable Battery Saver mode under Settings > Battery > Battery Saver to restrict background app activity and prioritize power for the foreground app.

If your Android is prone to quick battery drain even when fully charged, the battery itself may be worn out and need replacing. Use the original charger and cable that came with your device, as lower quality accessories can disrupt charging. Check that the charger/cable connectors are clean and fitted properly in the ports. Let the phone charge uninterrupted for at least 2-3 hours. If the issues persist, consider replacing the battery.

Power Saver or Battery Optimization for individual apps may also cause interruptions. Under Settings > Apps > Choose App > Battery, check if Battery Optimization is enabled and switch it off for your music player app. This will prevent your Android from limiting resources to the app for power saving.

Finally, check that your music player app permissions allow it to run in the background under Settings > Apps > Choose App > Advanced > Battery. Enable all permissions like “Run in Background” and “Unrestricted Data Usage” so playback persists unaffected. With the right settings and optimized battery usage, music should play smoothly.

Memory and Storage Problems

Music stopping on an Android device can often be caused by memory and storage issues. If your device is running low on storage space, it may not have enough room to continue playing music files smoothly. Android requires a certain amount of free space to function properly. If your storage is nearly full, your music player may pause frequently or stop altogether as the system struggles to manage files and memory.

Having too many apps running in the background can also use up RAM and bog down resources needed for music playback. Apps like Facebook, Instagram and email syncing can gradually eat up memory over time. Try closing unused apps to free up RAM that the music player requires. You can also check running services and processes in Settings > Apps to disable unnecessary background processes.

Another common culprit is cached or downloaded songs taking up space. Streaming apps like Spotify save songs locally for offline listening. Over time, these cached songs can accumulate and take up significant storage. Try clearing the app data and cache for music and streaming apps, which will wipe any temporarily stored songs. Also delete any downloaded music you no longer need. This should open up valuable storage capacity.

If your Android device consistently has low storage warnings or your music library is large, upgrading to a model with more onboard memory may be the ultimate solution. Using cloud storage or streaming rather than saving songs locally can also help minimize the storage burden.

Connectivity Issues

Problems with connectivity like poor internet connection or Bluetooth instability can cause an Android music player to pause or stop unexpectedly. If you are streaming music from an app like Spotify or Pandora, an unreliable internet connection may disrupt the stream and cause playback to halt.

Likewise, many Android devices use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to headphones, speakers or your car stereo. If the Bluetooth connection is spotty or gets suddenly disconnected, the music playback will stop. This commonly happens when Bluetooth headphones lose pairing or get out of range of your phone.

As explained on Reddit, “It should stop automatically when a Bluetooth device is disconnected. It stops for me when I remove or disconnect my headphones or stop the car.”[1]

One workaround is to ensure your phone and headphones stay within Bluetooth range, or manually restart media apps after disconnecting Bluetooth to resume playback.

Account and Permissions Issues

Sometimes the issue may be related to the permissions or account settings for the music app itself. If you have an active subscription for a music streaming service that has expired, this can cause the app to stop playing songs. Check the subscription status in the app’s settings or your account page on their website to ensure it is still valid and renew it if needed.

The music app may also not have the proper permissions to run in the background, access storage or network data, etc. Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps and find the music player app. Tap into its permissions and make sure options like “Run in Background”, “Storage Access”, etc. are enabled. Granting these permissions allows the app to properly play audio even when your phone is locked or using other apps.

Cite: https://www.tenorshare.com/fix-android/why-does-my-music-keep-stopping-on-my-android.html

Corrupt Files

Corrupted or damaged music files can sometimes cause an Android music player to repeatedly stop or crash. If a music file has errors or inconsistencies in its data, the music app may struggle to properly read and play it, resulting in interruptions or freezing.

Try re-downloading any problematic music tracks that cause frequent stopping, as the original file transfer may have become corrupted. You can also try playing the file on a different device or music app, to determine if the file itself is damaged.

Corrupt app data or cached information can also lead to music playback issues. Over time, the app may accumulate invalid data that confuses the program. Try clearing the app’s cache and data through your Android device’s Settings > Apps menu. This will wipe temporary files and reset the app. Also uninstall and re-install the latest version of the music app, in case existing data problems are causing conflicts.

As a guide from Tenorshare mentions, corrupted information is a common source of Android music app crashes and freezing. Take steps to refresh corrupted files and refresh the app data, which may resolve music stopping problems.

Overheating

One of the most common reasons an Android music player may stop playing music is overheating. As the phone’s processor works hard to play music files and run other apps, it generates heat. If the phone gets too hot, Android will automatically stop music playback to prevent damage to the hardware 1. This automatic shutdown can manifest as music abruptly stopping.

There are several ways to combat overheating on an Android phone:

  • Close any intensive apps like games or video streaming that may be contributing to overheating.
  • Turn down screen brightness to reduce energy usage.
  • Clean out dust buildup in phone ports which prevents heat dissipation.
  • Avoid exposing phone to direct sunlight for extended periods.
  • Turn off background app refresh and syncing temporarily.
  • Use a phone cooling fan accessory to enhance heat dissipation.

If overheating seems to be an ongoing issue, it may require servicing the phone to replace old thermal paste or pads. A phone case designed to dissipate heat can also help manage the problem. Keeping the Android OS and apps updated provides optimizations that reduce overheating. With some adjustments, overheating can often be prevented from interrupting music playback.

Troubleshooting Steps

If you’re still experiencing issues with your music player app stopping or pausing unexpectedly, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the problem:

First, make sure to close any background apps that could be interfering with your music player app. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to access the recent apps menu and close out any apps you aren’t currently using.

Next, try clearing the app cache for your music player app. Open Settings > Apps > Select your music app > Storage > Clear Cache. This will delete any temporary files that could be causing issues.

If the problems persist, you may need to reinstall the app altogether. Uninstall the app from your device, restart your phone, then redownload the app from the Play Store. This will give you a fresh install which could fix any corrupt files.

As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset on your Android device to erase any system-level problems. Make sure to backup your data first. Then go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

Following these troubleshooting steps can often resolve music playback issues on Android. If the problems continue even after a factory reset, it’s likely a hardware-related problem requiring service.

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