Why doesn t Android Auto play music?
Android Auto is a smartphone projection system developed by Google that allows Android phone users to connect their devices to compatible car infotainment systems. Once connected, Android Auto provides an optimized interface for using apps and services while driving.
One of the key features of Android Auto is its ability to play music and podcasts from apps on your phone through your car’s speakers. You can access your favorite audio apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, and more. Android Auto aims to provide safe, seamless access to music playback so you can listen to tunes without being distracted while driving.
Common Causes of Music Not Playing
There are a few common causes that could prevent music from playing properly in Android Auto:
USB Cable Issues
Problems with the USB cable connecting your phone to your car’s infotainment system are one of the most frequent reasons Android Auto may not play music. The cable could be damaged, improperly inserted, or incompatible with Android Auto. Using the cable that came with your phone is recommended. Check that both ends of the USB cable are fully plugged in to the phone and car USB ports.
As per this Reddit thread, sometimes carefully wiggling or reinserting the USB cable can resolve connection problems and restore music playback in Android Auto.
App Compatibility Problems
Issues with app compatibility can also lead to no music playing in Android Auto. Media apps need to be specially designed and optimized to work with Android Auto. Apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora have official Android Auto integration. However, other apps may have compatibility problems or bugs that prevent music playback.
Fully closing and reopening both the media app and Android Auto app can sometimes resolve app conflicts. Checking for app updates and uninstalling/reinstalling the app may also fix music playback issues, according to this Google support thread.
USB Cable Issues
One of the most common reasons Android Auto may not play music is an issue with the USB cable connecting your phone to your car’s infotainment system. Damaged, faulty, or incompatible cables can prevent Android Auto from properly transferring data and audio signals.
Using the cable that came with your phone is recommended, as third-party cables may not work properly. Over time, the connectors on USB cables can become damaged from frequent plugging and unplugging. A loose connection or frayed/broken wires inside the cable could also cause music playback issues.
Make sure both ends of the USB cable are fully inserted and securely connected. Wiggling or jiggling the cable may momentarily reestablish a connection. However, if problems persist, it’s best to replace the cable. Choosing a high-quality cable designed specifically for Android Auto, rather than a generic charging cable, can help avoid connectivity problems.
According to a Google support thread, swapping out a damaged USB cable for a fully-functional one resolved Android Auto music playback issues for some users (source). So when troubleshooting music problems, the USB cable should be the first thing to check.
App Compatibility Problems
One of the most common reasons Android Auto may not be playing music is that the app you are trying to use is not fully compatible. According to the Android Auto documentation, only certain media apps are supported for playback through Android Auto.
Even if an app seems to connect and appear on your car display, it may not have full functionality enabled for Android Auto. For example, some apps may only display metadata but won’t actually play audio. Other apps may be restricted by geographic region or device compatibility. Trying to use an unsupported media app is a frequent reason that Android Auto fails to play music as expected.
To ensure your apps work properly, stick to popular music and audio apps that are known to have good Android Auto integration, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Audible, Pocket Casts and others. Also check documentation or app store descriptions to confirm compatibility with your specific Android version and device model before relying on it in the car.
Outdated Software
One common reason Android Auto may stop playing music is if you have an outdated version of the Android Auto app or outdated firmware on your device. Android Auto frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve compatibility, so running an old version can lead to problems.
Make sure you have the latest version of the Android Auto app installed on your phone. You can check for updates in the Play Store. Also check for any available firmware updates for your smartphone that may improve performance with Android Auto.
Upgrading to the newest software version can often resolve problems like no audio from music apps. Outdated apps may have compatibility issues or bugs that were addressed in more recent releases. Keeping your software up-to-date is one of the easiest troubleshooting steps to get Android Auto playing your music again.
Incorrect Setup
One common reason Android Auto may not be playing music is if it is not set up correctly. Here are some of the most common incorrect setup issues that can prevent music from playing in Android Auto:
Selecting the wrong audio input – Android Auto needs to be connected to the car’s USB port specifically meant for Android Auto. If it’s plugged into a generic USB port, it may not play audio. Make sure the proper Android Auto USB port is selected as the audio source in the car’s settings.
Volume set too low – The volume within Android Auto may be turned down or muted, preventing music playback. Try raising the volume within the Android Auto interface itself by using the onscreen volume controls or steering wheel buttons if available.
Restrictions enabled – Some Android phones have features like parental controls or app limiting that can block access to music apps when Android Auto is connected. Check that no restrictions are enabled on the phone that could prevent music apps from loading in Android Auto.
According to redditors on r/AndroidAuto, sometimes it just takes going through all the settings and inputs to find the right configuration to get music playing properly in Android Auto. Making sure everything is set up correctly usually resolves playback issues.
System Glitches
Android Auto is reliant on a complex software system involving your phone, car display, and compatible apps interacting seamlessly. Sometimes glitches can occur that prevent music from playing properly. Software bugs that cause conflicts between apps or issues with music caching can disrupt the playback of music in Android Auto. For example, some users have reported on forums (https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidAuto/comments/xpty76/audio_no_longer_working_in_android_auto_music/) that after an Android OS update, music stopped working in Android Auto until they restarted their phones. This indicates a software conflict that a reboot helped resolve. Caching issues may also cause already-played songs to restart from the beginning or become stuck in a loop. These system glitches are usually temporary, but rebooting the phone and deleting the cache for media apps like Spotify may be required to fully fix music playback. Overall, while inconvenient, these types of intermittent technical bugs are common with complex software and not indicative of permanent issues.
Connectivity Issues
An unstable Bluetooth connection between your phone and car can cause music playback issues in Android Auto. If the Bluetooth connection is spotty, it may cause the audio stream to cut in and out or skip randomly (Source). Weak cellular data coverage in your area can also disrupt streaming music apps and cause choppy playback. Apps may buffer endlessly if they can’t maintain a stable data connection to download the audio stream.
Additionally, backend server outages on the app or service side can temporarily interrupt music streaming in Android Auto. If Spotify or another music app is experiencing server issues, it may result in playback failures even if your device has a strong data connection. Checking the service status pages for your streaming apps can help determine if a temporary outage is the culprit.
Account Restrictions
One potential cause of music not playing on Android Auto is restrictions related to the music streaming account being used. Music services often have licensing agreements that restrict playback in certain regions or contexts. This means that even if a song is available on an account, it may not be playable through Android Auto.
For example, some users have reported issues with songs being restricted when YouTube Music’s Restricted Mode is enabled (1). This feature filters out songs marked as potentially objectionable, which can prevent them from playing on Android Auto. Turning off Restricted Mode may resolve this.
Amazon Music has also been reported to give “streaming restriction error” messages that block playback in Android Auto (2). This is likely due to licensing limitations imposed by record labels or copyright holders that restrict streaming outside of the main Amazon Music app.
Checking account settings to disable any filtering or restrictions can help troubleshoot playback issues. Though options are limited due to rights management, turning off applicable filters may allow more songs to be accessible on Android Auto.
There is also a chance that music purchased or uploaded to a streaming account is region locked, so it can only be played in certain countries or regions. This would prevent it from being playable on Android Auto if you are traveling outside of the approved locations.
In summary, reviewing music app account settings and checking for any regional, filtering or device restrictions can uncover potential roadblocks to playing content on Android Auto. While licensing agreements limit solutions, adjusting account settings may restore access in some cases.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are unable to get Android Auto to play music, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try to diagnose and resolve the issue:
First, check that your USB cable is high-quality and undamaged. Many connectivity issues stem from a faulty or low-quality USB cable that cannot transmit enough data. Use the cable that came with your phone if possible. Refer to Google’s guide on recommended cables.
Next, make sure you have the latest version of the Android Auto app installed on your phone. Outdated versions can cause compatibility issues. Open the Play Store app to check for and install updates.
Also try fully rebooting or restarting your car’s infotainment system. This resets any software glitches that may be preventing music playback. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to restart the system.
Check that you have set up Android Auto correctly on your phone, with the proper permissions enabled for media playback. Re-install the app if needed and walk through the setup again.
Toggle your phone’s Bluetooth off and on again to refresh the connection. Try switching from Bluetooth to wired USB and vice versa to see if that fixes it.
Make sure that streaming music services or media apps are not restricted by parental controls or other account limitations when using Android Auto.
As a last resort, you can reset app preferences for Android Auto which will clear stored app data and settings. This may resolve stubborn music issues.
If problems persist after trying these troubleshooting tips, contact your car manufacturer or smartphone provider for further support.