Why is my music app not opening?

Check Your Internet Connection

In order for the music app to function properly, it requires an active internet connection through WiFi or cellular data. The app needs this connection to communicate with the service’s servers to download music tracks, stream content, sync libraries, and load updated information.

If you are having issues launching or using the app, first check that you have a solid WiFi or cellular data connection. Try toggling airplane mode on and off, which will reset the connection and may resolve temporary connection problems.

Also ensure that you have an active data plan if trying to use cellular data. Check for any alerts from your carrier about data restrictions or throttling that could prevent steady access to the internet.

Troubleshooting your basic internet connectivity is often the solution if a music app is not opening or functioning properly. The app relies on that connection to load and stream content, so no access to the internet will lead to issues using the app. [1]

Update the App

One of the most common reasons an app may fail to open is because the app is outdated and no longer compatible with your current operating system or device settings. When new iOS and Android operating system updates are released, they often contain code changes and security patches that can break functionality in older app versions (Velvetech).

To fix this, open the App Store on iOS devices or the Play Store on Android. Search for the app that is not opening and check if there are any pending updates available. The latest version of the app may contain fixes that resolve the launch failure issues. It’s a good practice to routinely check for and install app updates as they become available.

App developers frequently push updates to fix bugs, patch security flaws, optimize performance, and add new features. By keeping your apps up-to-date, you can benefit from the latest improvements (Brainbean Apps). Updating apps also shows developers that their work is actively used and valued by customers.

Restart Your Device

A simple restart can often clear memory and fix many minor software glitches. If your music app seemed to be frozen or unresponsive, restarting your device essentially provides a fresh start, closing all apps and rebooting the operating system.

For iPhones, you can force restart your device by pressing and holding the power button and home button together until the Apple logo appears. This forces the device to restart, which can resolve issues with unresponsive apps.

Android devices can similarly be restarted by holding down the power button for up to 30 seconds, until the device begins restarting. This reboot often fixes app crashing or freezing issues.

As noted in this MakeUseOf article, a restart clears any memory issues and resets app settings, which may allow your music app to open properly after restarting.

Check For Corrupted Data

Corrupted data like song caches can prevent an app from opening properly. One solution is to delete and reinstall the app to clear any corrupted files that may be causing issues. You can uninstall the app through your device’s app manager. After uninstalling, redownload the app from the app store and try opening it again.

Additionally, log out and back into any linked accounts associated with the app, such as music streaming services. Corrupted account data can also lead to problems opening an app. Logging out and back in forces the app to freshly pull your account details and may resolve any corrupted data.

Finally, check online forums or contact the app developer’s support team if the issues persist after reinstalling. They may have tips for identifying and fixing corrupted app data specific to that application. For example, clearing the app cache or clearing app defaults could help.

Free Up Storage Space

One common reason for music apps failing to open is a lack of available storage space on your device. Music streaming and listening apps can take up a considerable amount of storage for cached songs, playlists, album art, and other data. If your device starts running low on storage, apps may start crashing or failing to launch properly.

Try freeing up storage space on your device by removing files and apps you no longer need. Go into your device settings and check the storage usage – look for large apps, videos, or photo folders you can delete. For your music app specifically, you can go into the app settings and remove downloaded playlists or songs you haven’t listened to recently.

According to this Google help article, you can also go into your settings and clear cached app data to free up space. Removing unused apps and clearing app caches are quick ways to open up storage on your device which may get your music app working again.

Update Your Operating System

An outdated operating system can sometimes cause compatibility issues with apps, leading them to not open properly. Apps are designed and optimized for the latest OS, so running an older version may result in conflicts. According to Microsoft Answers, updating to the newest OS can resolve app opening failures.

For mobile devices, it’s important to install the latest iOS or Android OS updates. Major updates often contain bug fixes, security patches, and improvements to app functionality. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS or Settings > System > System Update on Android to check for and install available updates. Keeping your system software up-to-date can help mitigate app issues.

Additionally, verify that your device meets the minimum OS requirements for the app you are trying to open. Developers provide this information in the app store listing or on their website. If your OS version is too old, certain features may not work properly or apps may fail to launch. Upgrading to a supported OS can get things working again.

Reinstall the App

One troubleshooting step to try is deleting and then reinstalling the music app. Reinstalling the app essentially acts as a reset, which can fix issues caused by missing or corrupted files.

Before reinstalling, be sure to backup any important data or information from the app. This includes playlists, favorited songs, settings, etc. Once the app is reinstalled, you can restore this data.

To reinstall the app on an iPhone, go to the App Store, search for the app, and tap ‘Get’ to re-download it. On Android, go to the Play Store, search for the app, and tap ‘Install.’

The reinstallation process will replace any missing or problematic files that could be preventing the app from opening correctly. According to Google Play Help, reinstalling apps is a recommended troubleshooting step for apps that won’t open or function properly.

Check App Permissions

One common reason a music app may fail to open is if it lacks the required permissions to access music files, storage, and other features on your device. Apps need specific permissions in order to function properly. According to Google support, you should go to your device’s settings, tap on Apps, and then select the music app in question. Ensure the app has been granted access to permissions like Storage, Microphone, Contacts, etc. If any required permissions are disabled, enable them.

Also, pay attention to any permission prompts that appear when launching the app. You may need to tap “Allow” to grant the app access when it requests certain permissions. According to Microsoft, on Windows you can manage app permissions by going to Settings > Privacy & Security and selecting which apps can access different resources.

Granting the necessary permissions allows the app to fully function and access music files as intended. If permissions are denied, it can prevent the app from opening or running properly. Check the permissions and ensure your music app is allowed the access it needs.

Contact Developer Support

If troubleshooting steps like updating the app, rebooting your device, and freeing up storage space do not fix the issue, it may be time to reach out to the app developer’s support team for assistance. Developer support sites and forums can provide specialized help for app-specific problems.

When contacting the app developer, be sure to include details like your device model, operating system version, and the exact error message or issue you are experiencing. Providing as many specifics as possible will help the developer properly diagnose the problem.

Developers may also request access to diagnostic logs from your device to pinpoint the cause of the app failure. On iOS, you can find these logs in Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data. Instructions for accessing Android logs can usually be found in the developer’s help documentation.

Some options for contacting app developer support include:

• Apple Developer Support
• Google Play developer contact forms
• The developer’s website or help portal

With the developer’s assistance, you should be able to resolve the app issues and get it launching properly again.

Factory Reset Device

As a last resort, backing up your data and performing a factory reset on your device may resolve the issue if corrupted files are preventing the music app from opening properly. A factory reset will reset your device to its default settings and remove any corrupted files in the process. After resetting your device, you’ll have to sign back into any accounts you have and redownload any apps and music.

According to Google Support, “A factory reset erases all your data from your phone. If you’re resetting to fix an issue, we recommend first trying other solutions.”¹ While a factory reset should be used as a last resort, it can potentially fix any deep issues that are preventing apps like your music app from functioning properly.