Troubleshooting Spotify Web Player Issues: Effective Fixes to Try

As a devoted Spotify user, running into issues with the Spotify web player can be quite annoying. However, most of these problems can be resolved quickly. Below are several solutions to help you resume enjoying your favorite music.

Install the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 “N” Versions

The “N” versions of Windows 10 may function similarly to their counterparts, but they lack essential media components and applications present in standard Windows 10 installations. Consequently, this absence can hinder Spotify’s operation within your web browser.

To resolve this, simply download and install the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 “N” versions. After installation, restart your browser, and the Spotify web player should be functioning properly. Keep in mind this pack is not available for non-“N” editions of Windows 10.

Access the Web Player in a Private or Incognito Window

Sometimes, browser extensions can disrupt Spotify’s functionality. A quick way to determine if this is the case is to open Spotify in a private or incognito window.

To initiate a private or incognito window, click the menu in the upper-right corner and select either New incognito window or New private window.

If you find that the web player operates smoothly in this mode, clear your browser’s cache via the settings, and consider disabling extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

Turn On Protected Content Playback

If you encounter a message stating “Playback of protected content is not enabled” while attempting to access the Spotify web player, you’ll need to enable this option in your browser settings.

For Chrome users, type chrome://settings/content into the address bar, expand Additional content settings, click on Protected content IDs, and select Sites can play protected content. Most browsers follow a similar procedure.

You might also see an option to enable protection by clicking the shield icon next to the URL. Additionally, if prompted to install Widevine for protected content playback, ensure you install this before attempting to use the Spotify web player, particularly in privacy-focused browsers.

Clear Your Cache and Flush DNS

If the web player opens but fails to play any music, consider flushing your DNS cache to facilitate proper domain re-registration.

In Windows, press Win + R, then input ipconfig /flushdns.

Paste the Link into a New Tab or Window

Occasionally, the web player freezes and won’t play content, even if you can still navigate through it.

In this case, select the album, playlist, or track you wish to play, click the three dots beside it, choose Share, and then Copy album/playlist/song link. Paste this link into a new browser tab or window to start playback.

Launch Spotify on Your Mobile Device First

While it may not be the most straightforward solution for a malfunctioning web player, opening the app on your mobile device first can sometimes help.

Log into the Spotify web player on your computer, then open the Spotify app on your smartphone or tablet and start listening as usual. After that, tap the speaker icon located just below the player controls and select the web player from the device list.

If the web player doesn’t show up, try switching to another device in the list before refreshing the web player. This often resolves the issue.

Delete Cookies to Resolve Web Player Issues

If the web player refuses to load completely, clearing your browser’s cookies should be your first step. The process may vary slightly between browsers, but you can generally find the option under Settings, then Privacy or History. After clearing the cookies, restart your browser to check if the issue is resolved.

This solution can also help if Spotify is struggling to refresh recommendations. You can further enhance your recommendations with some tips.

Keep Your Browser Updated

The functionality of the Spotify web player often hinges on having an up-to-date browser that meets specific security and feature requirements. Even if everything worked perfectly last week, Spotify might opt to only support the latest versions of browsers.

Before giving up on the Spotify web player in your favorite browser, check for updates and install any that are available.

Typically, you can check for updates by navigating to the browser menu and selecting About [browser name]. If you don’t locate this option, simply choose Help in browsers like Brave and Chrome, where you’ll find a section for update checks. Update if necessary.

If you run into problems downloading or installing the updates, consider visiting your browser’s website directly to download the most recent version, which will overwrite your current installation.

Keep in mind that Spotify is compatible with most Chromium-based browsers as well, so you might find that the web player performs adequately on these lightweight alternatives.

Temporarily Disable Your Ad Blocker for Spotify

While ad-blocking extensions typically don’t interfere with Spotify, they can occasionally cause issues. In such cases, the simplest remedy is to disable your ad-blocker specifically for the Spotify web player, rather than entirely disabling it across all sites.

For most ad blockers, including those integrated within your browser, look for an icon to the right of the address bar. For instance, in the Brave browser, I can click the icon while on the Spotify web player and disable the shields just for that site.

Most ad-blockers operate similarly in this regard. If you don’t see an icon, check for the extensions icon or open your browser menu and navigate to “extensions,” “plug-ins,” or “add-ons” (the exact terminology differs depending on the browser). Then, manage your ad-blocker extension from there.

Use an Alternative Browser

If all else fails, testing a different browser could be beneficial. Sometimes, compatibility issues can arise between the Spotify web player and your current browser due to various factors such as version discrepancies, extensions, custom settings, or others.

You could consider installing one of the supported browsers to access Spotify. If everything functions without a hitch, you might want to keep that browser dedicated for listening to the Spotify web player.

Additional Common Issues

Apart from the aforementioned solutions, there are a few more potential reasons for the Spotify web player malfunctioning, including:

• Poor Internet Connectivity – A weak connection can hinder the web player’s performance, making it difficult to stream music without interruptions. Check your connection by trying to access another website, preferably one that streams music or video.
• Geographical Restrictions – Similar to many streaming services, Spotify may not be accessible in certain locations. Verify that the location you’re in supports Spotify if you’re trying to use the web player while traveling.
• Active VPN – VPNs can sometimes interfere with the operation of various apps and services, preventing users from accessing them where they shouldn’t. Turning off your VPN may resolve the problem.
• Virus Infections – While a virus won’t specifically target the Spotify web player, unexpected glitches might indicate a potential virus issue. This is especially true if you’re experiencing other performance-related problems with different applications and websites. Running a virus scan could help identify issues.
• Spotify Server Downtime – Although rare, it’s possible that Spotify’s services could be down. You can verify the service status by checking on other devices or by visiting DownDetector.

Once you’ve resolved the issues, take some moments to craft an enjoyable podcast playlist.

In general, I prefer using the Spotify apps over the web player due to their added reliability. Furthermore, I highly appreciate Spotify’s bedtime features. However, if you favor the web interface and continue to face problems, consider exploring Spotify alternatives, or utilize music download applications to maintain local access to your music, especially in areas with poor connectivity.