Audible Keeps Stopping? Here's How to Fix It on Your Phone

By Dave Henry Updated on October 14, 2025

If you like listening to audiobooks, you should not miss Audible. Audible is a powerful audiobook streaming service. It has included more than 200,000 audiobooks, many of which are classics or bestsellers. To meet the different needs of the users, it has collected and produced a dozen titles in audiobooks.

If you want to get Audible audiobooks, just download the Audible app from the app store of your phone. It has supported on iOS and Android devices. However, there're more and more people reported that Audible keeps pausing when screen locks. It is frustrating when your hands are busy with other things while the Audible is interrupted. No worries. Today, we will tell you how to fix Audible stopping issue.

fix audible keep pausing when screen locks

Part 1. Why Does Audible Keep Stopping?

Many users say that Audible keeps stopping or pausing. It usually happens in three cases:

  • Audible stops playing when the screen turns off.
  • Audible stops playing in the background.
  • Audible stops playing when other apps open.

No matter which one happens to you, the reason is often the same. Your phone's settings or the Audible's app ability may block Audible from running in the background. Here are the most common causes:

  • icon

    1. Your phone is trying to save power

    When you lock your screen or switch to another app, your phone may think Audible is wasting battery. To save power, it shuts the app down.

  • icon

    2. The app is outdated

    An old version of the Audible app may have bugs that cause playback to stop. Updating the app often fixes these issues.

  • icon

    3. Corrupted app files

    Audible stores temporary files called "cache." Over time, these files can get damaged, which leads to errors or playback stops.

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    4. Weak internet or bad downloads

    If your Wi-Fi or mobile data is unstable, streaming might pause or stop. Even downloaded books can fail to play if the file got corrupted during download.

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    5. Low memory on your phone

    Your phone runs many apps at once. When it runs out of memory, it may close background apps like Audible to free up space.

Part 2. How to Fix Audible Keeps Stopping

There're many reasons behind Audible keeps pausing when screen locks. The most common reason is the app or device is in the old version. Other reasons may be the internet, setting errors, and others. In this part, you will figure out how to fix Audible keeps pausing when screen locks. You can follow the guides below one by one to fix the error by yourself. It's not so difficult. Now, let's dive in.

Solution 1. Check Internet Connection

Network connectivity can play a significant role in Audible pausing when your screen locks. Audible streams your audiobook, so a stable internet connection is essential for uninterrupted playback. If your connection is weak or unstable, the app may pause unexpectedly. You should always ensure a strong and consistent connection. Audible streams your audiobooks, and a stable internet connection is essential for uninterrupted playback. If your network still won't work, consider resetting your network settings, which help improve connectivity.

  • To switch internet connections:

    Sometimes, one type of connection may be more stable than the other. Try switching to see which offers better performance:

    • For Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Wi-Fi or Mobile Data icon to toggle between them.
    • For iOS: Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom on older models) to open the Control Center. Tap the Wi-Fi or Mobile Data icon to switch connections.
  • To reset network settings (optional):

    This can resolve various connectivity issues by resetting Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings to their default states.

    • For Android: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
    • For iOS: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You might need to enter your passcode to confirm.

reset network settings wifi calling

Solution 2. Disable Restricted Settings

Battery optimization features on your device can interfere with Audible's ability to run in the background, causing the app to pause when your screen locks or when you switch to another app.

  • For Samsung Devices:

    1. Go to the home screen and tap on the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
    3. Locate and tap on Audible in the list of apps.
    4. Tap on Battery.
    5. Switch from Restricted to Unrestricted. This ensures Audible runs in the background without any restrictions, ensuring continuous playback.
      • Note: The Unrestricted option may increase battery usage.
  • samsung battery optimization for audible

  • For Google Pixel Devices:

    1. Tap on the Settings app.
    2. Tap on Battery.
    3. Select Adaptive Preferences and turn on Adaptive Battery. This helps the app run more efficiently based on your usage patterns.
    4. Go back to the Settings app and tap on Apps.
    5. Select See all apps, then find and tap on Audible.
    6. Tap on Battery.
    7. Under 'Manage battery usage,' select Unrestricted. This allows Audible to run continuously in the background, preventing random pauses when the screen is locked.
  • allow audible background battery usage on pixel

  • For iOS Devices:

    1. Tap on the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.
    3. Ensure that the Low Power Mode is off.
    4. ios battery low power mode off

Solution 3. Grant App Permission

If Audible lacks the required permissions, it might pause when the screen locks or when you switch to another app. Audible requires certain permissions to function correctly, especially to play in the background. If these permissions are not granted, the app might pause when it loses focus, such as when the screen locks.

  • For Android Devices:

    1. Tap on the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
    3. Locate and tap on Audible in the list of apps.
    4. Tap on Permissions.
    5. Ensure that all necessary permissions, especially for storage and background activity, are enabled.
  • audible background activity android

  • For iOS Devices:

    1. Tap on the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap on General.
    3. Tap on Background App Refresh.
    4. Find the Audible App in the list.
    5. Make sure the switch for Background App Refresh is toggled ON (green).

ios background app refresh

Solution 4. Force Stop App & Clear Cache

Occasionally, clearing the app's cache can resolve minor glitches that cause the app to pause. This step is especially useful for Android users. This can reset Audible to a clean state, potentially resolving playback interruptions when the screen locks or when switching apps.

  • For Android Devices:

    1. Tap on the Settings app.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
    3. Locate and tap on Audible in the list of apps.
    4. Tap on Force Stop to completely close Audible.
    5. Still in the Audible app settings, tap on Storage.
    6. Tap on Clear Cache to delete temporary files. If necessary, you can also tap on Clear Data, but note this will reset the app to its default settings and may delete downloaded content.
  • clear audible cache

  • For iOS Devices:

    1. Double-click the Home button (for older iPhones with a Home button) or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen (for newer iPhones without a Home button) to access the App Switcher.
    2. Find Audible in the App Switcher.
    3. Swipe up on the Audible preview to force close it.
  • ios force stop audible app

Solution 5. Update App & Device OS

In some cases, the issue might be due to software bugs, either in the Audible app itself or in your device's operating system. Keeping both the app and your device's software up to date can help mitigate these problems. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that enhance performance and stability.

  • To Update Audible App:

    1. Tap on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) icon on your device's home screen.
    2. Use the search bar to find the Audible app.
    3. If an update is available, you'll see an option to Update next to the Audible app. Tap on it to download and install the latest version.
  • update audible app ios

    Tip: You can enable automatic updates for apps to ensure Audible (and other apps) update in the background without manual intervention. To do this:

    • For iOS: Go to Settings > App Store > App Updates and toggle on Automatic Updates.
    • For Android: Open Google Play Store, tap on Menu (three horizontal lines) > Settings > Auto-update apps and choose your preference.
  • To Update Device OS:

    1. Tap on the Settings app on your device.
    2. Navigate to system update:
      • For Android: Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update.
      • For iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
    3. Follow the prompts to check if there's a new version of your device's operating system available.
    4. If an update is available, tap on Download and Install to update your device's OS.

update iphone os

Solution 6. Redownload Audible Audiobooks

Occasionally, issues with Audible pausing can stem from corrupted audiobook files or incomplete downloads. You may need to remove the existing file from your device and download it again from Audible's servers to fix issues related to playback interruptions when the screen locks.

For Android and iOS Devices:

  1. Open the Audible app on your device.
  2. Tap on the Library tab at the bottom to access your audiobook library.
  3. Find the audiobook that's experiencing issues (e.g., pausing or no sound) and tap on the "..." (ellipsis) icon next to it.
  4. Select "Remove from Device" to delete the audiobook from your device. This action removes the existing file.
  5. Return to your library or search for the audiobook again.
  6. Tap on the cover or title of the audiobook to initiate the download process. Follow any prompts to ensure the download completes without interruptions.
  7. Once downloaded, open the audiobook and play it to check if the issue with pausing or no sound is resolved.

ios audible library downlaoded remove from device

Solution 7. Switch Lock Screen

The lock screen on your device can sometimes affect Audible's ability to play continuously when the screen locks. Occasionally, the current lock screen interface may encounter a glitch that disrupts Audible playback when the screen locks. By switching to a different lock screen, you can bypass this issue and ensure uninterrupted audiobook playback.

For iOS Devices:

If your iPhone supports updating to iOS 16 and above, you can create and switch between multiple lock screens. Follow these steps to switch your lock screen:

  1. Tap and hold on your current lock screen until you see the option to manage or switch lock screens.
  2. Swipe left or right to browse through available lock screen options.
  3. Tap on the new lock screen option you want to switch to.
  4. Once you've selected the new lock screen, confirm your choice.
  5. Try playing any Audible title and use the lock screen player to control playback. Ensure that Audible continues to play without interruptions.

switch lock screen ios

Solution 8. Reinstall App

Reinstalling the Audible app is a last resort solution to removes any bugs or corrupted files. However, this process will reset the app settings and delete all downloaded audiobooks from your device. Be cautious with this choice, as you will need to re-download any content after reinstalling.

  • To Uninstall Audible App:

    • For iOS: Tap and hold the Audible app icon until it starts shaking, then tap the "x" in the corner of the app icon. Confirm to delete.
    • For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Audible, then tap Uninstall.
  • To Restart Your Device (Optional but Recommended):

    • For Android: Open the Google Play Store > Audible (through Search) > Install.
    • For iOS: Open the App Store > Audible (through Search) > Install.

Once the app is installed, open Audible and log in with your credentials and navigate to your library and re-download any audiobooks you want to listen to. You may now try playing any audiobook to check if the issue with Audible pausing or not functioning correctly has been resolved.

Solution 9. Check for Audio-Conflicting App Integrations

Some apps, like Waze or Google Maps, can connect directly to Audible. This can be helpful. But sometimes it causes a conflict. Audible may pause even if the other app isn't speaking.

Here's how to check in the Audible app:

  1. Open the Audible app.
  2. Go to Profile or Settings.
  3. Look for options like Connect to other apps.
  4. If you see a map or car app integration (like Waze or Google Maps), try disabling or disconnecting it.

disable audio conflicting app integrations on audible

Solution 10. Check In-App Sleep Timer and Player Settings

Audible may stop because of its own settings. Check the Sleep Timer and Continuous Playback.

  • How to Turn Off the Audible Sleep Timer:

    1. Open the Audible app.
    2. Start playing any audiobook to open the main player screen.
    3. Look for the Timer icon near the bottom.
    4. Tap the icon. You will see the current setting.
    5. If a time is set and you don't want it, select the option to turn the timer OFF.
  • disable audible sleep timer

  • How to Turn On Audible Continuous Listening:

    1. Open the Audible app.
    2. Tap your Profile or the Settings gear icon.
    3. Tap Player.
    4. Make sure options like Up next titles and Related titles under Continuous Listening are toggled ON.
  • enable audible continuous playback

    Want more ways to fix Audible randomly stopping on your phone? Take a look at these quick troubleshooting guides:

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

    Read More :  Audible Book Not Playing? Solved!

    Part 3. Ultimate Fix for Audible Keeps Stopping or Pausing on All Devices

    If you have tried all ten fixes in Part 2 and Audible still pauses when your screen locks or you open another app, the problem is deeper. Your phone's system (iOS or Android) is fighting too hard against Audible running in the background.

    Don't worry. There is one solution that does not depend on the Audible app. It can fix the "Audible keeps stopping" problem 100%. Just use your phone's built-in player, like Apple Books on iPhone, or a trusted third-party audiobook player on Android. These players focus only on playing media. They are less likely to be stopped by your phone.

    To do this, you need to download your Audible books to your phone. You also need to convert them to a format the player supports. This is where ViWizard Audible Converter comes in.

    ViWizard downloads your Audible books into common formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, or M4B. Once converted, you can move the files to your phone's local storage or library, like Apple Books. Then you can play your audiobooks in the background, even with the screen locked.

    audible audiobook converter

    Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter

    Free Trial Free Trial

    * Security verified. 5,481,347 people have downloaded it.

    • Convert Audible audiobook to unprotected audio formats like MP3
    • Split Audible book into several smaller segments by chapter or by time
    • Support playing Audible audiobooks on any device or media player
    • Handle the conversion of Audible audiobooks up to 100× faster speed

    Step 1 Launch ViWizard and Log In to Audible

    Download and install the ViWizard Audible Converter software on your Windows or Mac computer. A window will pop up showing the Audible website. Log in using your Audible username and password. This lets the program see all the books in your personal library.

    sign in audible account

    Step 2 Choose Your Settings and Format

    Click the Menu bar and select Preferences. Switch to the Convert section. For the best playback experience (especially to keep your chapters and bookmarks), choose the M4B file format. Pick a specific folder on your computer where you want the finished audiobook files to be saved.

    set formats

    Step 3 Select and Queue Your Audiobooks

    In the ViWizard window, go to your Audible Library. Click the Plus (+) button inside ViWizard. A window will appear with all your books. Select the audiobooks you want to fix (the ones that keep pausing). Click Add to List to prepare these books for conversion.

    add audible title to conversion list

    Step 4Convert and Save the Audiobooks

    Click the main Convert button. ViWizard will quickly transform the encrypted Audible files into the simple M4B files you chose. Once it's finished, click the folder icon to instantly open the folder on your computer where your new, simple audiobook files are waiting.

    click convert to convert audible titles

    Step 5Transfer and Play on Your Phone

    Now that you have your Audible books in a universal format, you can use any audiobook player you trust.

    For iPhone:

    1. Plug your iPhone into your computer.
    2. Drag the new M4B file into the Apple Books app (formerly iBooks or iTunes).
    3. open audiobook with apple books

    4. Open the Apple Books app on your iPhone.
    5. Find your book under Audiobooks and tap Play.
    6. audiobooks-section-apple-books-mac

    audiobooks section apple books mac

    For Android:

    1. Plug your Android phone into your computer.
    2. Drag the new M4B or MP3 file into your phone's main Music or Audiobooks folder.
    3. transfer audiobooks to android

    4. Download a trusted, free audiobook player like Smart Audiobook Player or Listen Audiobook Player from the Play Store.
    5. Open the player, find your audiobook file, and tap Play.

    import audiobook to m4b audiobook player android

    These players are made for long audio playback. They won't stop your book when you switch apps or lock your screen.

    Conclusion

    Now you know how to fix Audible stopping when the screen locks. The 10 solutions above should help you solve the problem. Still tired of the buggy Audible app? Try ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter. It lets you play Audible books on any device and in any audiobook player. You can now listen your Audible books offline without limits or interruptions.

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