Why does my music keep stopping by itself?
Having your music stop playing unexpectedly can be frustrating. This issue seems to commonly occur when listening to music on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. There are a number of potential causes for why music may suddenly stop on Apple devices.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the various reasons your music may be stopping unexpectedly. We will also offer troubleshooting tips to help resolve this problem so you can get back to enjoying your music without interruptions.
Software Issues
One of the most common causes of music stopping randomly is a software glitch or bug in the music player application. This can happen on phones, computers, smart speakers, and other devices. A corrupted music file or playlist can also cause the music to cut out unexpectedly. On Windows PCs, users have reported the native Groove Music app suffering from bugs that interrupt playback for no reason (Source: Microsoft Forums). The Audirvana music player for Mac has also exhibited “serious bugs” that prevent smooth playback of tracks (Source: Audirvana Forum).
Troubleshooting steps for software issues include checking for available updates to the music app, reinstalling the app, clearing its cache/data, deleting and re-adding problematic music files, or trying an alternate player app. If the problems persist across different apps, it likely points to an underlying operating system bug causing conflicts with audio drivers. Switching playback from the default music app to a third-party option may provide a workaround in such cases.
Connectivity Problems
Issues with Bluetooth, WiFi, cables, or ports can prevent music from playing properly on your device. Here are some potential connectivity problems and fixes:
With Bluetooth, ensure your device is paired and connected to the Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Bluetooth range is usually 30 feet, so make sure you’re within range. Interference from other devices can disrupt Bluetooth connections – try moving the device closer. Restarting Bluetooth on both devices often resolves issues. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled in Settings on your iPhone (SOURCE).
For WiFi issues, reduce congestion by turning off any unneeded connected devices, or moving closer to your router. Restart your router and device, check for router firmware updates, or use a WiFi analyzer app to change to a better channel. Streaming music requires a stable, high-speed WiFi connection (SOURCE).
With cables and ports, examine cables for damage and try a different cable. Clean out lint or debris from charging ports. Make sure the cable is properly inserted all the way. Try connecting to a different USB port or audio jack. Faulty ports can prevent proper music playback.
Power or Battery Problems
Sometimes the reason your music keeps stopping by itself is due to power or battery related issues with your phone. As batteries degrade over time, they may no longer be able to hold a charge as long and your phone can suddenly shut off if the battery runs out [1]. Listening to music can drain your battery faster than other tasks, so an older battery may not last as long during music playback [2]. If your battery percentage drops below 5-10%, your phone may automatically shut off features like music playback to conserve the remaining power.
Another battery related issue is if your phone’s battery contacts get dirty or obstructed, it may stop charging properly and suddenly shut down when the battery runs out sooner than expected. Make sure to clean the charging port and battery contacts if you suspect this issue.
Power outages or your phone becoming unplugged from its charger can also cause your music to stop abruptly. Make sure power and charging are consistent when listening to music for long periods. Consider getting a battery case or portable charger to provide backup power if needed.
Storage Space
One common reason for music stopping unexpectedly is if your device runs out of storage space. According to an Apple Support article, “Save storage space when syncing on Mac,” having too little free space can disrupt media playback and syncing (source).
Apple Music in particular can take up a large amount of storage space by caching songs you’ve listened to. A Reddit user explained that Apple Music saves each streamed song locally to provide a smooth listening experience, but this can quickly eat up storage (source).
To fix the issue, try deleting unused apps and files to free up space. Also check your Apple Music settings and turn off “Download in Dolby Atmos” or “Lossless” to save storage. Using the “Optimize Storage” option can automatically remove played Apple Music tracks while keeping your favorites.
Background Apps
One common cause of music stopping unexpectedly is background apps interrupting or pausing the music playback. This can happen on both iOS and Android devices when certain apps are opened or running in the background.
For example, some Reddit users report music pausing when using apps like Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat on Android devices (source). The music stops even though it was never manually paused.
Similarly, iPhone users have complained about audio from Spotify or Apple Music pausing when apps like Messages, Safari or Mail are opened (source). The music playback resumes only after closing the interrupting app.
This annoying problem appears tied to how certain apps are programmed to handle background audio on mobile devices. When opened, they may automatically pause any music/audio without a specific option to disable this behavior. Users must close the offending app to allow music playback to resume.
Device Overheating
Excessive heat buildup within the device can cause the music playback to stop suddenly. As the internal temperature rises, the system may throttle performance to try to cool the device down. If the temperature continues to climb to unsafe levels, the system will shut down music and other non-essential processes to prevent damage.
This overheating can be caused by intensive processing required for music playback, especially with high-quality audio files or visually demanding apps. The speaker generating sound for extended periods can also contribute to heat buildup. Using a case or covering the device can restrict airflow and cooling.
As one Reddit user described, playing music through their laptop caused overheating issues after about an hour of use (source). The system had to throttle down performance, stopping playback to avoid damage. Improving ventilation and cooling can help manage heat.
Overheating while playing music through the speaker specifically is a common problem, with the speaker generating excess heat within the confined space inside the device. As noted in an Apple support thread, iPhone users have experienced overheating and music cutting out from using the built-in speaker for extended periods (source). Using a headset may help avoid overtaxing the built-in speaker.
Device Damage
One potential cause of music stopping randomly is physical or water damage to the device. If the device has been dropped, subjected to extreme heat or cold, or gotten wet, components like the audio jack, speakers, or internal circuitry may be damaged.
According to discussions on the Apple forums, it’s possible to damage the speaker drivers by playing music too loud over time [1]. The vibration from high volumes can damage the delicate components. Water damage in particular can cause corrosion of electrical contacts, preventing proper audio signal transmission.
If the device has any visible external damage like cracks or dents near the headphone jack or speakers, this could be interrupting the music playback. Opening up the device to inspect internal hardware can confirm any issues. Overall, physical or liquid damage are common causes of intermittent music cutouts.
Interference
Sometimes a wireless audio signal can be interfered with by other signals nearby. This signal interference can disrupt or halt playback as the wireless device struggles to communicate properly with its audio source. According to the Federal Communications Commission website (https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/interference-radio-tv-and-telephone-signals), interference occurs when unwanted radio frequency signals disrupt your use of your device.
Nearby devices like wireless routers, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth speakers can all potentially cause interference if they operate on a similar frequency. Having too many wireless devices in one place can overcrowd the airwaves. Try moving the interfering device further away or turning it off to see if that fixes the music disruption. You may be able to change wireless channels on the devices to reduce conflicts. Use wired connections when possible to avoid wireless interference entirely.
Conclusion
Music randomly stopping on your device can be frustrating, but the issue typically has a fix. A few common causes include software glitches, connectivity problems, low storage space, too many background apps running, device overheating, and hardware damage. Interference from other devices can also disrupt playback.
To prevent music from cutting out, keep your device operating system, apps, and music player updated to the latest versions. Restart your device periodically, limit background apps not in use, and delete unused files to free up storage space. Avoid exposing your device to excessive heat. Replace damaged headphones, connectors, or speakers if needed. Toggle Airplane Mode on/off to refresh connectivity. Consider moving electronics emitting radio frequencies farther away.
With some targeted troubleshooting and maintenance, you should be able to get smooth, uninterrupted playback once again. Test different music player apps as well. For hardware-related issues, device repair or replacement may be necessary. At the end of the day, being able to listen to your music without annoying interruptions comes down to having a healthy, well-functioning device.