How to Fix Audible Playback Errors (Try Again in a Few Minutes)

By Adam Gorden Updated on June 18, 2025
Sorry, an error was encountered. Please try again in a few minutes. I just can't get my book to play back. It's been fine and I'm about 7 hours through and now it's saying this. I've tried clearing the cache and rebooting my phone - it only does it for my current book. All the others in my library play fine. Anyone know what it could be?

- From Reddit

For audiobook lovers, listening to audiobooks is part of everyday life and Audible is the first name that comes to mind when thinking of audiobook platforms. With over 200,000 audiobooks across different genres, easy compatibility, Whispersync for Voice, and more features, Audible gains global popularity.

Despite its popularity, there can be problems that level down the experience and put a damper on your listening. Among them, Audible playback error occurs most frequently, which also makes users like you guys frustrated. Luckily, almost every problem has a solution. Here we got some simple solutions. Now, let's kick off!

fix audible playback error

Part 1. Common Audible Issues with Playback

1. Missing Chapters

Have you ever started listening to your favorite audiobook only to find that some chapters are missing? It's definitely a letdown!

  • Example: This often happens if the download didn't complete properly or if the audiobook has been removed from the library.

Potential Fixes: Try redownloading the audiobook. If that doesn't work, make sure your internet connection is stable and that you have enough storage space on your device. Sometimes, a quick check of your settings can help sync everything back into place.

Read More: How to Fix Audible Audiobook Missing/Not Showing Chapters

2. Audiobook Stops Abruptly or Skips

Nothing is more frustrating than when your audiobook just stops or skips a whole section right in the middle of an exciting part.

  • Example: This usually occurs when you're streaming over a shaky Wi-Fi connection. If your internet is unstable, it can cause playback issues.

Potential Fixes: Double-check your Wi-Fi signal, or switch to mobile data if that's more reliable. If the problem keeps happening, try restarting the Audible app or your device to clear any glitches.

3. Playback Skips to the Next Chapter

It can be super annoying when your audiobook unexpectedly jumps to the next chapter or starts from the beginning.

  • Example: This can happen due to a bug in the app or if the audiobook file got corrupted during download.

Potential Fixes: Make sure you have the latest version of the Audible app by checking for updates in your app store. If that doesn't do the trick, uninstalling and reinstalling the app can help reset any pesky issues.

Read More: How to Fix Audible Skipping

4. Audible Not Playing

Sometimes, even if you press the "play" button, Audible won't play your audiobook at all. This playback issue can happen with both streaming and downloaded titles.

  • Example: You might open the Audible app and tap on a book cover to play it, but nothing happens, there's no sound, and no progress.

Potential Fixes: Try force-closing the Audible app and open it again. If online streaming fails, check your network connection. If it's playing offline, try deleting the book title and re-downloading it with a stable connection.

Read More: Audible Book Not Playing? Solved!

5. Audiobook Keeps Pausing When the Screen Locks

Have you noticed your audiobook pausing every time your screen locks? It's like the app has a mind of its own!

  • Example: This usually points to a setting issue where the app isn't allowed to run in the background.

Potential Fixes: Head to your device settings and check app permissions. Make sure Audible is allowed to keep running even when your screen is off. This way, you can keep listening without interruptions!

Read More: How to Fix Audible Stopping When Screen Locks

6. Audible Keeps Playing but No Sound

Imagine your audiobook is playing, but there's absolutely no sound. Talk about frustrating!

  • Example: This issue can arise from a bug in the app or if your audio settings are off.

Potential Fixes: First, check your device's volume level and ensure that it isn't muted. If everything seems fine, a quick restart of the app can often work wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a little refresh!

Read More: How to Fix Audible Book Playing but No Sound

7. Downloaded Audiobooks Are Not in the Library

Have you ever downloaded an audiobook only for it to vanish from your library? It's confusing and annoying!

  • Example: This can happen if your app didn't sync correctly or if your device is running low on storage space.

Potential Fixes: Make sure there's enough room on your device for Audible to function properly. If your downloads are still missing, try syncing your library again or checking your download settings to ensure everything is set up right.

Read More: Why My Audible Book Not Showing up in Library

Part 2. How to Fix Audible Playback Errors

Once you've identified why you're facing Audible playback errors, it's time to resolve them. Follow these step-by-step solutions to get back to enjoying your audiobooks smoothly.

Fix 1: Check Audible's Status

Before troubleshooting on your device, verify if Audible is experiencing any outages or technical issues. You can check this by visiting Audible's status page, their official social media channels, or the website that tells you if Audible is down with real-time information. Here's how to check Audible's status on IsItDownRight.com:

  1. Open your browser and visit isitdownrightnow.com.
  2. Type "audible.com" in the search bar and click "CHECK".
  3. Wait a few seconds and the site will give you a server status check report.
  4. If the site shows that Audible is up and reachable, then Audible is running properly.

is audible down report

Fix 2: Reconnect the Network

A shaky internet connection is often the main reason for playback issues. Here's how to reconnect:

  1. Look at your device's screen. If it shows a weak signal, it's time to reconnect.
  2. Swipe down from the top of the screen (Android) or open the Control Center (iPhone). Tap the Wi-Fi icon to disconnect, then tap again to reconnect.
  3. If reconnecting doesn't help, try another Wi-Fi network or switch to mobile data for a stronger connection.

Key Tip: If you frequently experience network issues, consider resetting your router or contacting your internet service provider.

iphone wifi check

Fix 3: Restart the Audible App

Sometimes, the issue lies within the app itself. A quick restart can often clear up annoying bugs.

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or tap the square button (Android) to view open apps.
  2. Find the Audible app and swipe it up to close it. On Android, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Audible and select Force Stop.
  3. Tap the Audible app icon to open it again and see if the playback error is resolved.

ios close audible

Fix 4: Clear Cache (Android Only)

If you're experiencing issues on a mobile device, clearing the app cache can help. Since there isn't a direct cache clearing option, you may need to reinstall the app.

  1. Go to Settings on your device.
  2. Tap on Apps and then select Audible.
  3. Tap Storage and select Clear Cache.

clear audible cache

Fix 5: Change the Download Settings

Adjusting your download settings might help fix playback errors, especially if your device is low on space.

  1. Launch Audible and tap on your Profile at the bottom.
  2. Tap the gear icon to access Settings.
  3. Select Data & Storage, and scroll down to Download Quality.
  4. Choose either Standard or High for download quality. If space is tight, opt for Standard.
  5. Enable the Download by Parts option and switch to Single-part to ensure audiobooks download completely, which helps avoid missing chapters.

ios audible settings data storage download quality

Fix 6: Remove and Redownload the Title

This might seem simple, but deleting and redownloading the audiobook can work wonders.

  1. Open the Library tab and select Downloaded.
  2. Tap All to see your downloaded titles.
  3. Swipe left (iOS) or tap the three dots (Android) next to the title causing issues, then select Remove from device.
  4. Return to the Library, then tap All.
  5. Browse your collection and tap the cover of the audiobook you just deleted to start downloading it again.

ios audible remove downloaded title from device

Fix 7: Update or Reinstall the Audible App

Keeping your app updated can resolve many issues, as developers fix bugs in newer versions.

  1. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for Audible. If an update is available, tap Update.
  2. If updating doesn't help, you might need to uninstall and reinstall the app. Note that this will delete any downloaded audiobooks, so be sure you want to proceed:
    • Uninstall: Press and hold the Audible app icon on your home screen, then select Uninstall (Android) or Remove App (iOS).
    • Reinstall: Open the App Store or Google Play Store, search for Audible, and tap Install.

Key Tip: Enable automatic updates on your device to avoid missing crucial app updates in the future.

update audible app ios

Fix 8: Try Another Device

If none of the above fixes work, the problem may lie with your device.

  1. Open a web browser and go to Audible's website to use the Cloud Player. Log in and try playing your audiobook there.
  2. If possible, access your audiobook on another device, like a tablet or an Audible-ready speaker. This can help determine if the issue is device-specific.

Key Tip: Testing your audiobooks on multiple devices can help identify whether the issue is with the app or the device itself.

Part 3. A Better Way to Fix Audible Playback Errors [100% Effective]

If none of the above fixes have worked for you, we recommend you use ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter to download Audible books and then stream them free of Audible playback error whether it is caused by the Audible app or the device. Basically, the Audible error message appears within the Audible player and is sent by Audible. So listening to Audible books without the Audible app is the key to dealing with the issues.

Hence, ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter is here to help you achieve that goal. It removes DRM from Audible and converts all audiobooks to MP3, M4A, M4B, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and more. With the purpose of letting you get full control over the audiobooks, ViWizard also enables you to change the narration volume and speed, or split the audiobook by chapters, segments, or time. By applying innovative technology, this audiobook converter is able to work alone at a 100x faster speed.

audible audiobook converter
Audible Audiobook Converter

A unique and innovative Audible audiobook converter to convert any protected Audible audio book from AA or AAX formats to universal formats, including lossless audio, MP3, AAC, FLAC, M4A, M4B, 2AV, AC3, and more in an easiest yet fastest way ever and with up to 100× super faster speed.

Step 1Import Audible AudioBooks to ViWizard

Launch ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter after you've installed it on your Windows or Mac computer. To add your Audible files to ViWizard, click the upper-left icon Add Files where you can add several files at once. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the files into the ViWizard software. To make Audible louder or speed up Audible narration, please click the blue Edit icon next to each title.

add audible audiobooks

Step 2Configure the Output Parameters

Click the bottom left Format panel and it will open a new window. From here, you can choose a format you like and adjust the codec, channel, sample rate, and bit rate as you like. After that, hit on the OK button to save your changes.

choose output format

Step 3Convert Audible Books

Now, click the bottom right Convert button to start converting your Audible audiobooks. After conversion, click Converted found at the top to open the history list where you can easily view all your converted files.

download audible audiobooks

Part 4. FAQs about Audible Playback Errors

Q1.Why do I keep getting Audible playback error?

A1.Frequent playback errors on Audible can be caused by unstable internet, outdated app versions, corrupted downloads, or DRM/account issues. So, you can try reinstalling the Audible app or test logging into a different account or using the Audible app on a different device to determine the cause.

Q2.How do I fix Audible playback errors on Android?

A2.To fix Audible playback issues on Android:

  • Restart the Audible app and your device.
  • Check your Internet connection.
  • Update the Audible app and check for Android system updates.
  • Log out and log back in to your Audible account.
  • Delete and re download audiobooks.
  • Clear the cache and date of the Audible app.
  • If the playback problem persists, please try using ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter to download the audiobook locally to your device and listen to it without the Audible app.

Q3.Why is Audible not playing even though it's downloaded?

A3.Downloading Audible audiobooks does not guarantee that you will be able to play them 100% of the time under all circumstances. If the internet connection is not working properly at the time of downloading, the audiobook may not be downloaded completely or the file may be corrupted, all of which may cause you to be unable to play the downloaded book. To resolve such issues, you can try deleting and re-downloading the title.

Conclusion

Having trouble with playback error on Audible? It's a frustrating problem, but by applying the troubleshooting steps above to fix it, you will see Audible playback error is not hard to solve. If you don't want to take time to try all the solutions one by one, remember ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter is the best choice to be free of errors.

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