Why is my Spotify playing but no sound?
Check Your Device’s Audio Settings
The first step when troubleshooting Spotify with no sound is to check your device’s audio settings. Confirm that the volume on your device is turned up and not muted. On mobile devices, make sure the mute switch is not enabled. Try using different audio output options like switching from Bluetooth speakers to wired headphones or built-in speakers.
As suggested in the HP support article (https://support.hp.com/id-en/document/ish_4407429-3338330-16), run an audio check in your device’s diagnostic software if available. On Windows, try running the built-in audio troubleshooting tool.
Testing different audio sources like external speakers or headphones can help narrow down where the issue originates. If the problem persists across different outputs, it likely points to a system-wide audio issue rather than just Spotify.
Check the Spotify App
One common reason for Spotify playing with no sound is an issue with the Spotify app itself. First, open the Spotify app and confirm the in-app volume slider is turned up and not muted. Spotify has independent volume controls from your device’s system volume. Check that options like “Normalize volume” or “Limit loud sounds” are disabled under Settings > Audio Quality. These features can sometimes inadvertently mute your audio.
You can also try toggling Spotify’s Offline Mode on and off under Settings. This resets the cache and audio drivers which could potentially fix no sound issues. If the problem persists, try logging out and back into your Spotify account within the app. This will clear any corrupted app data that could be interfering with audio output.
As a last resort within the Spotify app, go to Settings and choose “Restore Defaults” which will reset all app settings and preferences. After resetting defaults, restart the Spotify app and test if audio playback is restored. If you still don’t hear audio after trying these troubleshooting steps, the issue likely lies outside the Spotify app itself.
Update Your Audio Drivers
Outdated audio drivers can sometimes cause no sound issues in Spotify. Audio drivers act as the interface between your operating system and your audio hardware. As Spotify and Windows update, older audio drivers can become incompatible, resulting in no audio output.
To update your audio drivers, first visit the manufacturer’s website for your specific audio device or motherboard model. For example, if you have a Realtek audio chipset, go to the Realtek website. Here you can download the latest audio drivers for your hardware.
Before installing new audio drivers, it’s best to uninstall the old drivers first. Go to Device Manager, expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section, right-click your audio device and select “Uninstall device.” After uninstalling, restart your computer and then install the latest audio drivers you downloaded.
With updated, compatible audio drivers, Spotify and other applications should be able to properly interface with your hardware for sound output again.[1]
Restart Spotify and Your Device
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Restarting Spotify and your device can help fix temporary software glitches that are preventing sound from playing properly in the app.
Start by force closing the Spotify app on your device – whether it’s a phone, tablet, or computer. Completely shut down the app so it is no longer running in the background. Then reopen Spotify and see if sounds plays as expected. Force closing the app resets it and clears any software errors that may have occurred.
If force closing Spotify doesn’t work, try restarting your entire device next. According to a Microsoft forum thread, restarting a laptop can resolve issues like sound adapters disappearing after sleep. Restarting your phone, tablet, or computer essentially performs a hard reset on all software, including Spotify. This forces the app to reload properly when the device boots back up.
After the restart, open Spotify again and check if sounds plays correctly without issues. Many temporary glitches can be fixed with a simple restart of the app and/or device.
Check Spotify Account Settings
Sometimes the issue may lie in your Spotify account settings rather than the app itself. Log into the Spotify web player at open.spotify.com to check your account settings there.
Make sure you don’t have any restrictions set for explicit content, as this could prevent certain songs or albums from playing audio. You can disable content filtering in the account settings.
Also confirm your Spotify subscription status and payment details. If your subscription has ended or there are issues processing payments, Spotify may restrict audio playback until the payment details are updated.
Checking these account settings through the web player can help identify and resolve any problems that may be interfering with audio playback in the Spotify app. If the web player has no audio issues, the mobile app problems likely stem from device settings, app settings or app interference.
Reinstall the Spotify App
One of the most common fixes for Spotify playing with no sound is to uninstall and then reinstall the Spotify app. This will remove any corrupted files or settings that could be causing the audio issues. To uninstall Spotify on your device, locate the app and select “Uninstall.” You can then visit the app store for your device (App Store, Google Play, etc) to redownload and reinstall Spotify.
Be sure to log back into your Spotify account after reinstalling the app. Logging in will resync your settings and library. If you continue to have audio issues after reinstalling and logging back in, you may need to contact Spotify support for further troubleshooting.
Sources:
[1] https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2668665?hl=en
[2] https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113410?hl=en-CA
Check for App Interference
Other apps may interfere with Spotify audio. Try closing other audio apps like Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, etc. while using Spotify. Apps that access your microphone could also potentially cause interference. Disable any unnecessary plugins, extensions or software that may impact audio output.
On Windows, other applications accessing audio devices can sometimes cause static, popping noises, or audio cutouts. Try closing programs like Discord, Zoom, Skype, etc. that may be interfering while you listen to Spotify. According to discussions on Microsoft’s forums, communication apps can disrupt audio from media players.
On iPhone/iPad, swiping out of an app while audio is playing can also introduce unwanted noise. Users on Apple’s forums note interference when exiting apps like Amazon while Spotify music is playing. Force close or disable unnecessary apps to prevent potential conflicts with Spotify.
On Android, audio focus limitations can lead to Spotify cutting out when other apps play sounds. Try disabling unnecessary media apps and limiting how many are running simultaneously to avoid potential interference issues.
Contact Spotify Support
If you have gone through all the troubleshooting steps like checking your device settings, app settings, updating drivers, etc. and Spotify is still not playing any audio, it’s time to reach out to Spotify’s customer support team for specialized help.
When you contact Spotify support, be prepared to provide details about your issue and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already attempted based on their online guides. Clearly explain that you are unable to get any audio from the Spotify app on your device (include device details). Mention you have checked for compatibility, updated drivers, reinstalled the app, etc. but the issue persists.
Before contacting support, you can also browse Spotify’s known issues page to see if your problem is a recognized bug they are already working on. If not, you will likely need to engage in direct troubleshooting with a Spotify technician to pinpoint what is preventing your device from playing audio.
Spotify provides customer support contact options like live chat, email tickets, virtual assistants, and phone numbers depending on your location. Check their Contact Support page to find the best option to get specialized help resolving your no audio issue.
Reset Spotify
As a last resort, resetting your Spotify account and app can help resolve sound issues. First, log out of Spotify on all of your devices by going to your account settings and selecting “Log out everywhere.” This will end any existing Spotify sessions that could be causing issues.
Next, clear the cache and data for the Spotify app on your device by going to your phone or computer’s app settings. According to Android Police 1, clearing the cache can help fix Spotify problems.
Finally, you can try removing and re-adding your Spotify account on your device. Delete the app, reboot your device, re-download Spotify, and log back in. Re-linking your Spotify account forces the app to re-initialize which can resolve technical glitches.
If the problem persists after fully resetting Spotify, you likely need more direct troubleshooting assistance from Spotify’s support team. However, resetting the app and your account is a helpful way to eliminate any account or app issues before seeking external help.
Summary
If you are encountering no sound issues with Spotify, there are a few potential causes and fixes to try. Start by checking your device’s audio settings, as well as the Spotify app settings, to make sure nothing is muted or set too low. Updating your audio drivers, restarting Spotify and your device, and reinstalling Spotify can also help resolve sound problems.
It’s important to troubleshoot this issue step-by-step, starting with simple solutions like app and device settings. Try testing different devices as well to determine if the problem is specific to one device or more widespread. If you still can’t get Spotify to play sound after trying the common troubleshooting steps, your best bet is to contact Spotify support for personalized help resolving the no sound issue.
With some patience and by methodically working through potential audio fixes, you should be able to get Spotify playing properly again. Don’t forget to check for app interference too from other media players running in the background. If the problem persists across devices and troubleshooting steps, Spotify support can lend a hand to fix your no sound frustration.