Why is my phone connected but not playing music?

Connecting vs Streaming

There’s a difference between a device being connected via Bluetooth and actually streaming audio. Just because your phone shows as connected to a Bluetooth device in the settings does not guarantee that streaming will work properly. A connection enables the two devices to communicate, but additional factors come into play for streaming media like music or podcasts to function.

Streaming refers to the continuous flow of data or audio from one device to another. So you could be connected through Bluetooth but if the music app isn’t configured properly or you have software/hardware issues, it may prevent a continuous audio stream.

Some key differences:

Connecting verifies the two devices can find each other and establish a communication channel. Streaming relies on that channel to actually transfer media files.
You may see a “Connected” status even if issues arise later in the streaming process. So troubleshoot beyond just the connection itself.
Streaming requires sufficient bandwidth, software configurations, storage space, compatible media codecs and more. A connection does not guarantee those elements are set up properly.

Checking both the connection status and actively trying to play media is important when troubleshooting. Don’t assume a connected device will successfully stream audio or video files.

Common Causes

There are several common reasons why music may not play on your phone even when it shows as connected:

App issues: The music app itself may be experiencing problems, preventing playback. Try force closing and reopening the app or reinstalling the app to resolve any software glitches.

Connectivity problems: Even though the device shows as connected, there could be interference or weak signal strength impacting the ability to stream music. Move closer to the connected device or remove obstructions.
Expired subscription: For music and audio apps that rely on a premium subscription, an expired subscription will block access to playback features.
Insufficient storage space: If your phone’s storage is full or nearly full, there may not be enough space to buffer and play songs smoothly.

Corrupt files: Corrupted music files or app data could lead to the inability to play songs as expected.
Outdated software: Having outdated firmware or operating system software can sometime disrupt connectivity and playback functions.

App Issues

Several issues with the music streaming app itself can prevent music from playing properly even when your device is connected.

For instance, the wrong app may be open – double check you have opened the intended music streaming app like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc. Trying closing the app completely and reopening it (1).

Another common culprit is the app requires an update. Go to your device’s app store and check for any available updates. Installing the latest version can fix software bugs preventing music from streaming. Similarly, the app may be crashing or freezing when trying to play songs. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can potentially resolve these operational issues (2).

If you subscribe to a paid music streaming service, there may be an authentication error with your account that interrupts streaming. Logging out and back into the app sometimes straightens out account access problems.

Connectivity Problems

One of the most common causes of a phone being connected but unable to stream music is connectivity problems. There can be several technical issues here (see):

Weak WiFi signal or switching between WiFi and cellular networks can disrupt connectivity and impact streaming.
Outdated network settings like incorrect proxy configurations or inconsistent DHCP addressing.

Congested networks with too many users or overly restrictive firewalls/filters.
Hardware issues like faulty network cards, routers and modems.

Ideally, try streaming with your phone in the same room as the WiFi router and see if that resolves the problem. You can also reboot the phone, reset network settings and update router firmware. These will resolve the majority of common connectivity issues related to streaming problems.

Account or Subscription

One common reason your phone may appear connected but not play music is an issue with your streaming music subscription service. For example, your YouTube Music or Apple Music subscription could expire if a payment fails.

Problems could also arise with parental control or age restriction settings on the account. For example, if your account belongs to a parent, underaged users may have limits or restrictions. Similarly, explicit content filters or geographic restrictions could affect what you can play.

Steps to troubleshoot account or subscription problems depend on the music streaming service.

For YouTube Music, check your billing and payment history in your Google Account for issues.
For Apple Music, visit Apple Support and check account details under settings.
Consider contacting customer support via chat or email for help with account-specific problems.

Correcting any account or subscription issues should restore full access to your streaming music library.

Storage Space

Lack of storage space on your phone can prevent downloading and caching songs for streaming. According to this Apple forum discussion, streaming music uses device storage to cache songs, but will delete the cache as needed. If storage space runs low, there may not be enough room to download the song caches required for streaming.

Switching to a cloud-based music streaming service instead of storing songs locally can help. As noted in this article, some services like Media Leap offer 1TB of cloud storage for streaming music. This frees up local device storage.

In general, at least 64GB of device storage is recommended for most users according to this phone storage guide. But users who stream most content can get by with less.

Corrupt Files

Damaged or corrupt music files may not play properly. This can happen if the file transfer to your device was interrupted or errors occurred during download. Over time, files can also become corrupted from issues like water damage or software bugs. According to a Reddit user, transferring music files to Android can sometimes result in corruption or quality loss [1].

To fix, first try re-downloading the corrupt files and transferring them again. Use a USB cable rather than wireless transfer. You can also attempt to repair the files using Audacity or other audio editing software on a computer [2]. Check that your phone storage is not full or nearing capacity, as this can lead to file errors. As a last resort, you may need to factory reset your phone to eliminate any system-wide corruption.

Software Updates

Keeping your phone and apps updated to the latest versions can often resolve music streaming issues. Software updates include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features that may address problems interfering with music playback. To update, open your phone’s Settings app and check for any available operating system, firmware, or app updates from the device manufacturer or third-party app developers like Spotify.

For example, Android 13 introduced improvements to Bluetooth connectivity that can prevent music dropout issues when connected to speakers or headphones, according to reports. Meanwhile, the iOS 17 update released by Apple in December 2023 contained fixes for CarPlay and music playback bugs according to the iOS 17 release notes.

Keeping your streaming music apps like Spotify updated is also recommended. As noted on the Spotify Google Play page, regular app updates often address issues, improve performance, and add new features.

Reset Phone

Restarting or resetting your phone to factory settings can often resolve issues with music connectivity and streaming. Here are the detailed steps for resetting an Android phone to factory settings:

How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone [1]

1. Open your Settings app and select System > Reset options.

2. Select Erase all data (factory reset). This will delete all data from your phone storage including music files.

3. Tap Reset phone and confirm you want to erase everything.

4. If you have a screen lock set, enter your PIN, pattern or password to confirm the reset.

5. Wait for your phone to reboot and go through the setup process again.

Resetting your phone will remove any corrupted files or software issues causing connectivity problems. However, you will need to re-download any music files afterwards.

For iPhones, go to Settings > General > Reset and select “Erase All Content and Settings” to fully reset the device.

When to Get Help

Sometimes troubleshooting on your own doesn’t resolve the issue. In that case, it’s time to reach out for assistance. Here are some good times to contact customer support:

You’ve tried all the basic troubleshooting steps and your phone still won’t play music.
The music app is crashing, freezing, or displaying error messages.

You’re having issues with your music subscription or account.
You suspect the problem lies with the service provider or app itself.
Resetting and updating your phone and apps hasn’t helped.

Most major music streaming services offer customer support options to help troubleshoot problems. For example, you can contact Spotify support by phone, chat, or email (https://support.spotify.com/us/article/contact-us/). Tidal also has phone, email, and online chat support (https://tidal.com/contact). Reaching out for assistance can help identify any underlying issues and get your music working again.