The Spotify Application Is Not Responding - How to Fix

Q:"I'm a fan of Spotify and don't want to change to another streaming service. But the Spotify application is not responding again on my computer. I just realized this when I clicked the Play button after logging onto my computer."

Suddenly being faced with issue that the Spotify application can't work is a disheartening concern that needs fixing. Many Spotify users go through such issues, with nowhere to turn to for a quick fix. So, when you have tried booting and Spotify can't still play music then this article is out to get you off the hook.

The best part is that you don't need to run out for help. This is a 'Do It Yourself' solution to solve issues related to launching, the Firewall restrictions, installation, or simply a refresh of your device and you are set to go. You can also opt to download Spotify music for offline listening. Let's get started.

the spotify application is not responding

Part 1. How to End and Relaunch the Spotify Process

You could be wondering why is the Spotify application not responding; not knowing the problem started during the launching process. To close and relaunch Spotify, follow these steps.

on Windows:

end spotify process on windows

Step 1: Press the 'Ctrl+Shift+Esc' buttons on the Windows version;

Step 2: Check out the opened 'Windows Task Manager' for the running apps. These run in the background and are accessed from the 'Processes' tab;

Step 3: Finally, end the Spotify process by clicking the 'End task' button.

on Mac:

end spotify process on mac

Step 1: Press the 'Command+Option+Escape' buttons. This should open the 'Quit Applications' Window;

Step 2: Then choose the 'Spotify' option and hit the 'Force Quit' button;

Step 3: When you have successfully closed Spotify, restart your computer and then launch the Spotify app once more. If still the application Spotify is not responding, please try out the next solution.

Part 2. Restart Computer for the Spotify Application Is Not Responding

Restarting your computer or other devices is another quick therapy that fixes Spotify not responding issues. This will refresh the memory of your device, awakening it up once more. So, if the Spotify app suddenly refuses to respond, there is little you can do to turn the application off as it causes your computer to freeze.

You have to restart it while the Spotify app is on. Remember you can't open the task manager to end some tasks or perform any other operations. So, to restart your device; On your device, force-shut it down by pressing the power button until the screen goes blank. Likewise, press the power button once more to power it on.

restart computer for spotify not responding issue

Part 3. Check Firewall to Fix the Spotify Application Is Not Responding

Have you forgotten to enlist Spotify on your Firewall white list? It could be the Firewall that is preventing Spotify from responding. To clear the doubts, do the following.

check firewall for the spotify application is not responding

Step 1. Go to 'Windows Defender Security Center' > 'Virus & Threat Protection' > 'Settings' > 'Exclusions';

Step 2. Next, click the 'Add an exclusion' option;

Step 3. Then select the 'Folder' option and add the 'Spotify Folder Exclusion'. This will add Spotify to Firewall white list and probably fix the Spotify application is not responding problem.

Part 4. How to Uninstall and Re-install the Spotify App

A bug may be hindering the Spotify app from correctly functioning. Uninstall the app from your device and then reinstall a clean version on your Mac/Windows/Android/or iOS device.

on Windows:

uninstall spotify on windows

Step 1: Go to the bottom-right of your screen and click the 'Start' button > 'Control Panel' > 'Programs' > 'Programs & Features';

Step 2: Search for the 'Spotify application', right-click it and choose the 'Uninstaller' option;

Step 3: Finally, go to Search Engines and select the 'Spotify Download' page. Click the 'Download' option and let the app start downloading to your computer;

Step 4: Then look for the 'Setup' icon from the list of downloads. Right-click on the icon and choose the 'Install' option. The Spotify application will then be installed on your Windows.

on Mac:

uninstall spotify on mac

Step 1: To reinstall the Spotify app on Mac, drag the 'Spotify application' to the 'Trash' to remove it from the installed programs;

Step 2: Then search for the 'Spotify' application once more from the 'Apple App Store' and reinstall it onto your Mac device.

on Android:

uninstall spotify on android

Step 1: To uninstall and reinstall Spotify on your Android device, click the 'Settings' > 'Apps & Notifications' > 'Manage Applications' options. Then select the Spotify app. You'll be redirected to the 'App Info' page. Choose the 'Uninstall' option to remove Spotify from the device.

Step 2: Next, head on to the 'Google Play Store' and search for 'Spotify application' and click the 'Install' button to install it.

on iOS:

uninstall spotify on ios

Step 1: To remove the app, go to the Spotify app, long press it until the '-' sign emerges then press the '-'. There will pop up a dialog box, from which choose "Delete". The app will be uninstalled;

Step 2: To reinstall, go to the 'App Store', search for 'Spotify app' and then click the 'Install' button to reinstall it.

Part 5. More Solutions to the Spotify Application Is Not Responding

Other tones of possible solutions are also available to help out when the Spotify application can not respond. Here are some of them.

i. It may be that Spotify is in offline mode. Remember this may only work if you have converted Spotify to playable formats. However, if you haven't, ensure you are online while streaming from Spotify.

ii. Another possible cause is when some apps are running in the background. Make a quick check and close other interfering background apps.

iii. Sometimes, the data connection is slower. Switch to a WiFi connection instead and see if it fixes the problem.

iv. More so, if your Spotify account is logged in to other devices, further operations will be paused on your current device. So, log out on other numerous devices and check out if Spotify now operates.

Part 6. Play Spotify Music Offline on Other Players

It is said that a change is as good as a rest. Perhaps, you just need to switch to other music players, and boom! the Spotify application is not responding issue will be solved. But again, you can't play Spotify songs on other platforms apart from its Web browser or devices.

The possible way out is to convert Spotify playlist to playable formats like MP3 to enable you to enjoy them on other players such as Windows Media Player. The renowned tool – AudFree Spotify Music Converter – works perfectly to enable this action. It lets you download over 60 million playlists, podcasts, songs, etc, from Spotify for offline listening on other players.

The innovative recording and decoding technology ensure that this app performs at a super 5X faster speed. More so, it will preserve the original ID3 tags and metadata information.

To Fix the Spotify applcation is not responding by AudFree Spotify Music Converter:

Step 1 Add Spotify playlist to AudFree
add spotify music to audfree
Open the AudFree Spotify Music Converter on desktop. It will automatically launch the Spotify application. Then, head on to your Spotify account and browse songs from your library to download. Drag them to the main window of AudFree. Also, copy the Spotify playlist link and paste it in the search bar and click '+' icon to load your Spotify playlists.
Step 2 Customize Spotify songs output
customize spotify music output
Once you have added the Spotify songs, next click the 'Menu bar' > 'Preferences' > 'Convert' to select the output format and customize corresponding output parameters. Here, you can change the sample rate, channel, audio bit rate, and more.
Step 3Download Spotify for offline playback
download spotify music
Confirm your selection then hit the 'Convert' button. Your Spotify songs will be converted and saved to local computer. Locate them from the 'History' icon in the 'Converted' folder.
Step 4Play Spotify song on other players
You are now free to play Spotify playlist on other players like Windows Media Player without further challenges. You can also enjoy them offline; no online restrictions anymore.

In Conclusion

You now know what to do when the Spotify application is not responding. Try any of the above 6 solutions and enjoy every bit of the Spotify application. You can also use the best Spotify Music Converter to open avenues for offline listening and keeping it rocking on other media player devices.

Feb 9, 2021 10:43 AM

Posted by Charles Davis to Spotify Tips