Spotify Something Went Wrong: 10 Ways to Fix It

Quick Fix

If Spotify shows “Something went wrong” error, try these quick solutions: Clear app cache (Settings > Apps > Spotify > Clear Cache), log out and back in, or reinstall the app. For desktop users, delete the Spotify folder in AppData and reinstall. Most “Something went wrong” errors resolve within 5 minutes using these methods.

Understanding the Spotify “Something Went Wrong” Error

The dreaded “Something went wrong” message in Spotify can appear when you’re trying to play music, access playlists, or log into your account. This vague error message doesn’t tell you much about what actually failed, which makes troubleshooting frustrating. The error can occur on any platform – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or even web browser.

Common triggers for this error include corrupted cache files, authentication issues with your Spotify account, server-side problems, network connectivity issues, or conflicts with VPN software. Understanding the root cause helps you apply the right fix quickly.

Method 1: Clear Spotify Cache

Corrupted cache is the most common cause of this error. Clearing it forces Spotify to download fresh data.

On Windows:

1. Close Spotify completely (check Task Manager)
2. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
3. Type %appdata% and press Enter
4. Find and delete the Spotify folder
5. Also check %localappdata% and delete any Spotify folder there
6. Restart Spotify and log in again

On Mac:

1. Quit Spotify completely
2. Open Finder and press Cmd + Shift + G
3. Navigate to ~/Library/Caches
4. Delete any Spotify-related folders
5. Also check ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify
6. Restart Spotify

On Mobile (iOS/Android):

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify
2. Tap Storage or Storage & Cache
3. Tap Clear Cache (don’t clear data unless necessary)
4. Restart the app

Method 2: Log Out and Log Back In

Authentication tokens can become corrupted or expired, causing the “Something went wrong” error. A fresh login often resolves this.

1. Open Spotify and go to Settings
2. Scroll down and tap Log Out
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Log back in with your credentials
5. If using Facebook/Google login, try using email/password instead

Pro tip: Log out from all devices at spotify.com/account if the issue persists. This invalidates all existing sessions and forces fresh authentication.

Method 3: Check Spotify Server Status

Sometimes the error isn’t on your end. Spotify’s servers occasionally experience outages that affect millions of users simultaneously.

• Visit Downdetector to check current outage reports
• Check Spotify’s official Twitter account @SpotifyStatus
• Try the web player at open.spotify.com to see if it’s app-specific

If servers are down, the only solution is to wait for Spotify to resolve the issue. Outages typically last from a few minutes to a few hours.

Method 4: Disable VPN and Proxy

VPNs and proxy servers can interfere with Spotify’s connection to its servers, especially if the VPN server is in a different region than your account.

1. Temporarily disable your VPN or proxy
2. Close Spotify completely
3. Restart Spotify without the VPN
4. If this fixes the issue, try connecting to a VPN server in your home country

Some VPNs have a “split tunneling” feature that lets Spotify bypass the VPN while other apps remain protected.

Method 5: Update or Reinstall Spotify

Outdated app versions can have bugs that cause the “Something went wrong” error. A clean reinstall ensures you have the latest, bug-free version.

Update Spotify:

• Windows/Mac: Spotify usually auto-updates, but you can check by clicking the menu (three dots) > Help > About Spotify
• iOS: App Store > Profile icon > Check for updates
• Android: Google Play Store > My apps > Update Spotify

Clean Reinstall (Windows):

1. Uninstall Spotify from Settings > Apps
2. Delete %appdata%\Spotify folder
3. Delete %localappdata%\Spotify folder
4. Restart your computer
5. Download fresh installer from spotify.com/download
6. Install and log in

Method 6: Check Your Internet Connection

Unstable or slow internet can cause Spotify to fail with generic error messages. Test your connection:

• Run a speed test at speedtest.net
• Try opening other websites to verify internet works
• Restart your router/modem
• Switch between WiFi and mobile data to identify the issue
• Try a different network if possible

Spotify requires at least 1 Mbps for stable streaming. If your connection is slower or unstable, you’ll encounter playback errors.

Method 7: Disable Hardware Acceleration (Desktop)

Hardware acceleration can cause issues with certain graphics drivers, leading to the error.

1. Open Spotify desktop app
2. Click your profile picture > Settings
3. Scroll down to Compatibility
4. Toggle off Enable hardware acceleration
5. Restart Spotify

Method 8: Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Security software can block Spotify’s connection to its servers, triggering the error.

Windows Firewall:

1. Open Windows Security
2. Go to Firewall & network protection
3. Click Allow an app through firewall
4. Ensure Spotify is checked for both Private and Public networks

Third-party Antivirus:

• Temporarily disable real-time protection
• Add Spotify to the exclusion/whitelist
• Check if the antivirus has a “gaming mode” that reduces interference

Method 9: Reset Spotify App (Mobile)

On mobile devices, you can reset the app to factory settings without uninstalling.

Android:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify
2. Tap Storage
3. Tap Clear Data (this will log you out)
4. Reopen Spotify and log in

iOS:

1. Delete the Spotify app (press and hold, tap Remove)
2. Reinstall from App Store
3. Log in fresh

Method 10: Contact Spotify Support

If none of the above methods work, the issue might be account-specific and require Spotify’s intervention.

• Visit support.spotify.com
• Use the chat feature for faster response
• Provide details: device type, error message, when it started, what you’ve tried
• Check your account status – payment issues can cause access problems

Preventing Future Errors

Once you’ve fixed the error, take these steps to prevent it from happening again:

• Keep Spotify updated to the latest version
• Clear cache monthly to prevent corruption
• Ensure stable internet connection for streaming
• Don’t use unofficial Spotify mods or hacked versions
• Keep your device’s operating system updated

FAQ

Why does Spotify say “Something went wrong” when I try to play a song?

This usually indicates a cache corruption or network issue. Clear your Spotify cache and restart the app. If the error only happens with specific songs, those tracks might be region-restricted or temporarily unavailable.

Why do I get “Something went wrong” when logging into Spotify?

Login errors typically result from incorrect credentials, account security issues, or server problems. Try resetting your password at spotify.com, check if your account is still active, and ensure you’re not using a VPN that might be blocked.

Is “Something went wrong” a Spotify server issue?

It can be. Check Downdetector or @SpotifyStatus on Twitter to verify if there’s an ongoing outage. If many users report the same issue simultaneously, it’s likely a server problem that Spotify needs to fix.

How do I fix Spotify “Something went wrong” on iPhone?

On iPhone, go to Settings > Spotify > and delete the app’s cache. If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall the app from the App Store. Make sure you’re running the latest iOS version as well.

Will clearing Spotify cache delete my downloaded songs?

Yes, clearing cache or reinstalling will remove downloaded songs. You’ll need to re-download them after fixing the error. Your playlists and library remain safe on Spotify’s servers.

Why does Spotify keep showing errors after reinstalling?

If errors persist after reinstalling, the issue might be network-related (try different WiFi/mobile data), account-related (contact Spotify support), or device-related (try on a different device to isolate the problem).