Apple Music is a popular music streaming service that allows you to access over 90 million songs. However, like any technology, sometimes errors can occur that prevent you from streaming your favorite tracks. If you see an error message in Apple Music saying something like “an error occurred” or “could not connect,” there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to hopefully resolve the issue.
Quick Fixes to Try First
If you get an error message in Apple Music, here are some quick things to try before diving into more complex troubleshooting:
- Restart your device – Fully power off your iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc. and then turn it back on. This resets things and can clear up temporary glitches.
- Check your internet connection – Make sure you have a stable WiFi or cellular data connection. Try toggling Airplane mode off and on to reset the connection.
- Update iOS or macOS – If either operating system is out of date, updating it may fix compatibility issues causing errors.
- Reinstall the Apple Music app – Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can clear out bugs or corrupted files.
- Sign out and back in – Sign out of Apple Music, restart your device, and sign back in. This refreshes your authentication.
If attempting those basic troubleshooting steps does not resolve the Apple Music error, it’s time to dig a little deeper…
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
Many Apple Music errors stem from having a poor internet connection. Here are some ways to troubleshoot connectivity problems:
Restart Your Router and Modem
If you’re on a WiFi connection, simply cycling the power on your router and modem can sometimes fix temporary glitches. Unplug both devices from power for 1 minute, then plug them back in and let them fully reboot.
Try Different Connection Types
Attempt to stream Apple Music on different connections like WiFi, cellular data, hotspot, etc. If one works but another doesn’t, that helps narrow down the issue.
Check Service Status Pages
Service outages for your ISP, cell provider, Apple services, etc. can cause Apple Music problems. Check status pages for any services involved to see if there are any known outages.
Disable VPNs and Proxy Connections
VPN connections and proxy servers can sometimes interfere with streaming services. Temporarily turn off any active VPNs or proxies to see if that fixes it.
Reset Network Settings
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Reset Network Settings.” This will erase all network info and refresh the connections.
Updating Software
As mentioned before, keeping your operating system and apps fully up-to-date is key to avoiding Apple Music problems. Here are some specific tips for updates:
Update iOS or iPadOS
On your iPhone or iPad, install the latest iOS/iPadOS update: Settings > General > Software Update. Having an outdated OS can cause Apple Music glitches.
Update macOS
On a Mac, install the newest macOS update: System Preferences > Software Update. Again, running an outdated operating system version often creates compatibility issues.
Update Apps
Make sure apps related to Apple Music are up-to-date, like the Apple Music app itself, iOS/iPadOS, iTunes, etc. Old app versions may not work properly.
Check Beta Software
If you’re running iOS/iPadOS/macOS beta software, it may contain bugs affecting Apple Music. Try downgrading back to the public release version.
Signing Out and Back In
One simple fix that often resolves Apple Music problems is signing out of the service and then signing back in. This refreshes your authentication and reconnects the app.
Sign Out Procedure
Here is how to sign out of Apple Music on common devices:
- iPhone/iPad – Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > Sign Out
- Mac – iTunes > Account > Sign Out
- PC – iTunes > Account > Sign Out
- Android – Tap your profile pic > Sign Out
- Alexa – Say “Alexa, sign out of Apple Music”
Sign Back In
Once signed out, restart your device if possible and then sign back in with your Apple ID. This often resolves temporary glitches.
Reinstalling Apps
If Apple Music still isn’t working, uninstalling and reinstalling associated apps can clear out bugs, glitches, and corrupt files.
Uninstall Apple Music App
Completely delete and remove the Apple Music app from your device. On iPhone/iPad, hold down the app icon until it jiggles and tap the X. On Mac, drag the app to Trash.
Reinstall Apple Music App
After deleting the Apple Music app, reinstall it from the App Store. Search for “Apple Music” and tap Get or Install.
Sign In Again
Once the freshly installed Apple Music app is open, sign in again with your Apple ID. A clean install often fixes issues.
Force Quit and Clear Cache
Forcing apps to quit and clearing cached data can help resolve Apple Music problems on Mac/PC. Here’s how:
Force Quit Apple Music App
On Mac, click Apple Music in the Dock and select Force Quit. On Windows, open Task Manager and select Apple Music to end task.
Clear Cache and Data
On Mac, hold Option while clicking the Apple Music app icon in Finder and select Relaunch. On Windows, open app settings and clear cache/data.
Restart Computer
Fully restart your Mac or PC after force quitting and clearing cache. This completes the refresh process.
Contact Apple Support
If you still see the Apple Music error after trying all the troubleshooting steps, it’s time to contact Apple support for additional help.
Apple Support Options
You can reach out to Apple support in a few ways:
- Call 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273) – This connects you to Apple’s support line
- Twitter – Tweet @AppleSupport for help from their Twitter team
- Apple Support app – Provides chat and phone options
- Getsupport.apple.com – Request support via email
Describe the Issue
When contacting Apple Support, be ready to clearly describe the issue you’re seeing. Specify the error message, what troubleshooting you’ve tried, which devices/OS are affected, and relevant details.
Run Diagnostics
Apple support may have you run diagnostics so they can pinpoint the problem. This may include an Apple Diagnostics test, analytics data, crash logs, etc.
Common Apple Music Errors and Fixes
Here are some specific common Apple Music errors and quick fixes for them:
“Cannot Connect to Apple Music” Error
- Check internet connection and restart devices/router
- Sign out and sign back into Apple Music
- Update iOS/iPadOS or macOS if outdated
“Apple Music Operation Timed Out” Error
- Toggle Airplane mode off and on to reset connection
- Force close and clear cache of Music app
- Delete and reinstall latest Apple Music app
“Playback Error” When Streaming Songs
- Restart iPhone/iPad/Mac/PC
- Check for WiFi interference or dead zones
- Pause song, wait 10-15 seconds, then resume
“Cannot Find Apple Music Library” Error
- Sign out then sign back into Apple Music
- Check Apple Music subscription and renewal status
- Update iCloud Music Library on devices
“Apple Music Song Limit Reached” Error
- Downloaded too many songs – delete some downloads
- WaitForIt process using too much storage – restart device
- Corrupt files – reinstall Apple Music app
Preventing Apple Music Errors
While occasional Apple Music issues are inevitable, you can take some proactive steps to help avoid them:
Keep Software Updated
Frequently update iOS/iPadOS, macOS, apps, etc. Staying current helps prevent compatibility issues.
Clean Up Storage
Delete old files and downloads to free up storage space. Low storage can cause Apple Music glitches.
Back Up Your Device
Regularly back up your iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc. Backups let you quickly restore if needed.
Use Stable WiFi and Cellular
When streaming Apple Music, use a strong, stable internet connection for best performance.
Contact Apple Proactively
If you notice minor Apple Music issues, contact Apple right away before they become major problems.
Apple Music FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about troubleshooting Apple Music errors and issues:
Why does Apple Music keep stopping?
Frequent Apple Music stoppages or interruptions are often caused by network connectivity problems. Try switching WiFi networks, disabling VPNs, resetting network settings, or contacting your ISP.
Why won’t my Apple Music play?
Tracks getting stuck buffering or not playing could be from outdated software, storage space issues, network problems, or DRM restrictions. Update software, check storage, reset network settings, deactivate and reactivate computer, and try deleting and re-downloading problem tracks.
Why can’t I download Apple Music songs?
If Apple Music downloads are failing, it typically points to an internet connectivity issue, low storage space, or software bug. Check network connections, free up storage, update iOS/macOS, reinstall Apple Music app, and contact Apple support if needed.
How do I fix Apple Music sync problems?
If Apple Music is not properly syncing between devices, sign out and sign back in, enable iCloud Music Library, confirm devices are on same WiFi network, restart devices, reinstall apps, and check for outdated software.
Why is Apple Music so slow?
Sluggish Apple Music performance is often due to connectivity issues, software bugs, high storage usage, or an underpowered device. Troubleshoot network connections, close background apps, update software, free up storage space, and consider upgrading device if needed.
Conclusion
Experiencing Apple Music errors can certainly be frustrating. However, there are many troubleshooting tips you can now use to identify and resolve the most common issues. Start with quick fixes like restarting and reinstalling apps. For persistent problems, dig into network and software diagnostics. Reset settings, update software, uninstall/reinstall apps, and contact Apple support if needed. With the right troubleshooting approach, you’ll have the issue fixed and be back to enjoying your Apple Music library.
