Having issues with getting your music to play can be incredibly frustrating. As music lovers, we expect our songs, albums, and playlists to start up instantly with the press of a button. When that doesn’t happen, it’s normal to feel confused and want a quick solution. Fortunately, there are some common reasons why your music may not be playing, along with steps you can take to get it working again.
Is your music app up to date?
One of the most common reasons for music playback issues is having an outdated version of your music app. Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, and others frequently release new versions. If you haven’t updated recently, you may be missing out on bug fixes, compatibility improvements, and other changes needed for smooth music playback.
To update your iOS music apps, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see available updates. For Android apps, open the Play Store, tap the hamburger menu, go to “My apps & games,” and update apps needing a new version. You can also enable auto-updating in your device settings to avoid this issue going forward.
Check for operating system updates too
Along with app updates, be sure your iOS or Android operating system is up to date. System updates include many fixes for media playback bugs and glitches across various apps. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on iOS or Settings > System > Advanced > System Update on Android to check for the latest OS version.
Do you have an internet connection?
Most music streaming services require an internet connection to play songs. If you’re getting playback errors, check if your Wi-Fi or cellular data is connected by looking for the connection icons in your status bar. Troubleshoot your network if needed by turning your device’s Wi-Fi off and back on again, moving closer to your router, or restarting your modem and router if the issue persists.
If you have the songs downloaded for offline playback, verify the app has the proper permissions to access them on your device by going to Settings > [App Name] > Permissions. Look for permission to access media, files, and storage. Re-enable if needed.
Try downloading over Wi-Fi for offline listening
To avoid playback issues due to a spotty internet connection, use Wi-Fi to download your favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts for offline listening when signal strength is low. Most music services allow downloading content to your device for access anytime.
Is your subscription still active?
Music services like Spotify Premium, Apple Music, YouTube Music Premium, Pandora Plus/Premium, and others require an active subscription for playback. If your subscription recently expired, music may fail to play as the service falls back to a restricted free tier. Double check your subscription status in the app or billing management section of your account. Renew it if needed to restore full music capabilities.
Also check if you recently canceled a free trial but now want to re-subscribe. You may need to reactivate the paid plan manually rather than assuming it will auto-renew at the end of the trial.
Consider switching plans or services if needed
If cost is an issue, consider switching to a more affordable music service, a discounted student plan, or a family sharing plan to split the cost across multiple people. You may also be able to access some services like Pandora and Spotify for free if you don’t mind limited skipping and ads.
Restart your device
One quick troubleshooting step to try is simply restarting your phone, tablet, computer, or other device. Completely powering down and restarting can clear any temporary glitches, caches, connections issues, and other software problems that may be preventing music from playing correctly. Hopefully this quick fix gets the tunes flowing again.
For iOS devices, hold the side or top button down until the power off slider appears, then drag to turn off. Press the button again to restart. For Android, hold the power button down, tap Restart when prompted, then confirm by tapping Restart again on the next screen.
Also consider updating other device software
Besides your music apps and operating system, also make sure device drivers, security software, and other components are up to date via Settings or your device manufacturer’s support site. Outdated firmware for peripherals like Bluetooth headphones could also impact music playback.
Are your music files corrupted?
If you’re trying to play music files saved locally on your device, playback failures may indicate the files are corrupted or damaged. This can happen sometimes when syncing music over a glitchy connection, if your device storage is faulty, or if files are edited improperly.
Try deleting the problematic music files and re-adding them from their original clean source, such as re-ripping a CD or re-downloading from a music store. Avoid compressing or editing local music files which could lead to file corruption.
Check third-party music sources and backups
If you downloaded music from outside the typical places like iTunes or Google Play, verify the source files are legitimate, high-quality, and properly formatted for your device. Low-bitrate files or transcodes can cause playback issues.
Additionally, restore music files from a backup if needed to obtain clean copies. Backups like iCloud Music Library, iTunes backups, or file syncing services can provide another music source if your local copies are faulty.
Is the incorrect audio output selected?
Most devices allow switching between different audio outputs for music playback – like wired headphones vs wireless headphones vs external speakers. Make sure the audio output is set to the one you want to hear music from in Settings or your music app.
On an iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom edge to open Control Center, then tap the audio output icon in the upper-right corner to select your headphones, AirPods, speakers, etc. On an Android device, swipe down from the top and tap the media output icon to change audio sources.
Check external speaker and headphone connections
If trying to play music through external wired speakers or headphones, make sure they are properly plugged into the headphone jack. Try unplugging and re-inserting the connector. Inspect headphones for damage to the plug or cable. Try alternate headphones to isolate the issue.
For wireless Bluetooth speakers and headphones,power them on, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your device, and re-pair them if needed. Check their battery level as well and charge if low.
Do you have volume restrictions enabled?
Many devices have options to limit max volume or disable media playback sounds. Check if these are inadvertently enabled under Settings > Sound/Music or a similar location. Features like “Volume Limit,” “Do Not Disturb,” and “Mute” should be disabled for proper music playback.
On an iPhone or iPad, ensure the side volume buttons are not stuck depressed. Try using on-screen volume controls instead to increase sound levels.
For streaming music services, also look for a volume limiter option within the app itself, typically under Settings. Slide it to max or disable any restrictions.
Beware of covering speakers or sensors
Note that covering your device’s speakers or ambient light sensors can inadvertently trigger volume restrictions as well. Avoid blocking these components during music playback.
Could permission settings be blocking playback?
Your device’s permission settings dictate which apps can access key components needed for music playback, like storage, microphones, and media files. If certain access permissions were disabled, it could prevent your music app from working properly.
Go to Settings > [App Name] > Permissions and ensure the app is allowed access to Storage, Media, Microphone, Contacts, and other relevant categories. Tap each permission and select “Allow” if prompted. Restart the app and try playing again.
Check any app battery optimization settings too
In the name of battery life, some devices can aggressively optimize or restrict apps running in the background. This could disrupt music playback. Under Settings > Battery, look for options like “Battery Optimization,” “Background App Limits,” or “Standby Apps” and disable optimization or restrictions for your music apps.
Does the app need to be force closed or cleared from memory?
If an app is “stuck” after an update or other glitch, force closing and clearing it from memory could help refresh things. On an iPhone or iPad, double tap the Home button to bring up the app switcher, then swipe up on the app to close it. On Android, open the app switcher, then swipe the app away to close.
Also try manually clearing the app cache under your device Settings to completely clear temporary files. Power your device off and back on again afterwards for a clean slate.
Consider uninstalling and reinstalling the app
For stubborn music playback problems, a more nuclear option is fully uninstalling then reinstalling the app. This wipes its data completely and could resolve any deeply embedded glitches. Backup your offline music downloads first, then re-download them after reinstalling.
Is the music only for specific regions or countries?
Streaming services sometimes have licensing restrictions that limit certain songs, albums, and playlists to specific geographic regions. If you recently changed locations or countries, the music may no longer be authorized for playback in the new region.
Switch your music service region back to your home country under Account Settings or via a VPN service to regain access. Downloading for offline playback also bypasses regional restrictions.
Beware of virtual location and ad blocking apps
Using certain apps that fake your virtual location or block ads can inadvertently cause issues with music licensing and playback. Try disabling these to see if it restores your access.
Do you need to reset network settings?
As a last resort for connectivity issues, try resetting your device’s network settings entirely to factory defaults. This wipes any problematic settings and starts fresh. Just be sure to reconfigure your Wi-Fi networks afterwards.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Confirm to wipe clean. On Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth. You may need to enter your passcode to proceed.
Contact customer support if needed
If you still can’t get your music to play after trying these troubleshooting tips, reach out to your music app or device manufacturer’s customer support team. They can offer individual guidance tailored to your specific situation and hardware. Music playback issues are usually solvable with a few simple steps!
Conclusion
From app and system updates to subscription status to connectivity issues and permission settings, there are a variety of reasons your music may not be playing properly on your device. Following the tips above to check for common problems and try resetting different components can typically get your tunes flowing again.
Stay diligent keeping your apps, operating system, and device drivers current to avoid version mismatch issues. Monitor your music service subscriptions and renew promptly after free trial periods. Enable offline downloads for uninterrupted playback when connections are spotty. And don’t hesitate to contact customer support if problems persist – they can usually help quickly diagnose and resolve even the trickiest music playback failures.
With the right troubleshooting techniques, you’ll be jamming to your favorite playlists and albums again in no time. Here’s to smooth, glitch-free music listening!