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If Spotify is not working on your Windows PC, start by restarting and updating the app, then check Offline Mode and your internet connection. If Spotify alone cannot connect, check firewall access; if basic fixes fail, compare the desktop app with Spotify on another device or in a browser before reinstalling.
1. Restart and update Spotify
Begin with the simplest fix. Spotify’s “Spotify not playing” guidance recommends: “Restart the Spotify app”. Close Spotify, open it again, and try playback. Then check whether an update is available and install it. If Spotify still fails, continue to the connection checks rather than repeatedly restarting.
2. Turn off Offline Mode and check your connection
Spotify can appear unable to connect when Offline Mode is enabled. In the desktop app, open the File menu from the three-dot menu at the top of the app and turn off Offline Mode if it is on. See Spotify’s Offline Mode instructions.
Next, check whether other websites and internet-connected apps work on the same PC. If they do not, the problem may be with the connection rather than Spotify. For Wi-Fi, Spotify suggests turning Wi-Fi off, waiting 30 seconds, then turning it back on. You can also restart your existing router, check whether a shared or public network restricts Spotify, or try another network if one is available.
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3. Check firewall access and compare another way to play
If other internet services work but Spotify does not, check whether your firewall is allowing Spotify to connect. Follow the firewall’s own instructions to review its allowed apps or rules; the exact controls depend on the firewall software and your Windows setup. Spotify also lists firewall access among its connection troubleshooting steps.
Then compare the Windows app with Spotify on another device or in the web player. If Spotify works elsewhere, that points toward an issue specific to the Windows app or PC, but does not by itself identify the cause. Spotify’s web player troubleshooting recommends using an up-to-date browser and trying a private or incognito window. A shared or public network may restrict the web player too, so a failure there is not conclusive evidence that the desktop app is at fault.
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4. Clear the app cache or reinstall Spotify
Spotify includes clearing the app cache and reinstalling among its further troubleshooting options. Try the app’s cache-clearing option if available. If the problem continues, reinstall Spotify using the steps Spotify lists for Windows 10 and newer:
- Close Spotify.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps, select Spotify, and choose the uninstall option.
- Install Spotify again from the Microsoft Store or download it from Spotify, following the route you originally used where practical. Spotify’s reinstallation instructions list both options.
App labels and screens can vary by Windows version and by how Spotify was installed. Reinstalling removes downloaded music and podcasts from the device; you will need to download them again.
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If none of these fixes work
Use Spotify’s troubleshooting guidance and known-issues channels for next steps. Some playback problems are not Windows-app faults: tracks may be unavailable in a particular market, and being abroad for an extended period can affect playback under Spotify’s account rules. For those cases, consult Spotify Support about account or availability restrictions rather than repeating local Windows fixes.
Quick Recap
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