Many Mac users have been running into problems with Spotify's desktop app. The app can use a lot of your Mac's resources, load slowly, and sometimes behave unpredictably. That can drain your battery and make listening to music frustrating. For some users, the problems pile up like a tidal wave. And it's probably safe to say many Spotify fans wish it would just work smoothly.
Most of the time, performance issues can be fixed by simple steps. Updating the app, reinstalling it, keeping a stable internet connection, closing unused apps, and clearing Spotify's cache often help. But for some users, these fixes are not enough. The problems can go deeper, requiring adjustments beyond the app, affecting system settings on your Mac.
Follow the steps in this post, and you should be able to get Spotify working properly again. You'll learn practical ways to solve app glitches, manage Mac-level conflicts, and get back to music without interruptions.
Part 1. How to Fix Spotify Issues on Mac
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App crashes or freezes - suddenly stops working
Some users have reported that Spotify may suddenly close or become unresponsive during playback or navigation. This often happens when the app uses too much of the Mac's resources, conflicts with other running apps, or encounters a temporary software bug.
If you are experiencing this issue, quit Spotify completely and reopen it. If the problem persists, restart your Mac and launch Spotify again to clear temporary conflicts. -
App won't open or load - gets stuck on the launch screen
Some users have found that Spotify fails to launch or remains stuck on the loading screen. This can be caused by an outdated app version, corrupted installation files, or incompatibility with the current macOS version.
If this happens, make sure your macOS is up-to-date. If the app still won't open, uninstall it and reinstall the latest version from the official website. -
No sound or audio - music doesn't play
Some users have experienced that tracks play but no audio is heard. This often occurs when the Mac's audio settings are incorrect, the output device is set incorrectly, or Spotify Connect is sending the sound to another device.
If you encounter this problem, check your Mac's audio settings, including volume and output device. Then check Spotify's volume slider in the lower-right corner and adjust it. If Connect is enabled on another device, open the devices menu and select your Mac. -
Offline mode not working - can't play downloaded tracks
Some users have reported that downloaded playlists won't play in Offline Mode. This can happen if tracks or playlists haven't fully downloaded, or if the download status is incomplete.
If this occurs, navigate to the playlist in the side menu and make sure the download button at the top of the playlist is green. Only fully downloaded tracks can be played offline.
Part 2. Step-by-Step Fixes for Spotify Not Working on Mac
Step 1: Restart Spotify and Your Mac
- Open the Spotify app, then open the Apple Menu and choose Force Quit.
- In the Force Quit Applications window, select Spotify and click Force Quit.
- Reopen the Spotify app to see if it works.
- Click the Apple Menu in the upper left corner and choose Restart.
- Make sure to deselect "Reopen Windows when logging back in" so that app windows do not reopen automatically.
- Click Restart to restart your Mac.
- After your Mac restarts, open the Spotify app again.
Step 2: Check Your Internet Connection
- Open a browser and confirm that websites load normally.
- If the connection is unstable, restart your router or switch to another network.
- Open Spotify again to check if music plays properly.
Step 3: Update Spotify and macOS
Update Spotify:
- Open the Spotify app, click your Profile icon, and choose Update available, then click Restart now.
- After Spotify is updated to the latest version, check if the problem persists.
Update macOS:
- Click the Apple Menu and choose System Settings.
- In the sidebar, select General and then click Software Update.
- If new software is found, click Update Now or Upgrade Now to install it.
- After updating your Mac, open Spotify again to see if it works.
Step 4: Clear Spotify Cache and Data
- Open Spotify, click your Profile icon, go to Settings, and then open Storage.
- Click the Clear cache button.
- Restart Spotify to apply the changes.
- Optional: For stubborn issues, open Finder, click Go while holding the Option key, select Library, open Caches, and delete the folders named
com.spotify.clientandcom.spotify.client.helper.
Step 5: Check App Permissions on Mac
- Open the Apple Menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Security & Privacy.
- Click the padlock icon to unlock the settings and enter your password.
- If the Firewall is on, click Firewall Options.
- Click the Add button, select the Spotify app in the window that appears, and then click Add and OK to allow the app to connect.
- To ensure Spotify is listed and enabled, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Files and Folders. Make sure Spotify appears and is enabled.
- Open Spotify again to confirm that permissions are working.
Step 6: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Spotify
- Open Spotify, click your Profile icon, and go to Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom and select Show Advanced Settings.
- Turn off Hardware Acceleration.
- Restart Spotify.
Step 7: Close Accessibility Keyboard and Other Conflicting Apps
- Open the Apple Menu and select System Preferences.
- Click Accessibility.
- Select Keyboard and then Accessibility Keyboard.
- Deselect the option to enable the Accessibility Keyboard.
- Open Spotify again to see if this resolves any conflicts.
- Optional: Close other apps that may interfere with audio, such as Soundflower or Loopback.
Step 8: Test Spotify in Safe Mode
- Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key to boot into Safe Mode.
- Open Spotify while in Safe Mode.
- If it works properly, a third-party app may be causing the conflict.
Step 9: Review Firewall and Proxy Settings
- Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy, and click Firewall Options.
- Make sure Spotify is allowed to connect through the firewall. Alternatively, turn off firewall temporarily.
- If you use a VPN, open System Settings > VPN in the sidebar, choose the active connection, and disconnect it.
Step 10: Check Antivirus or Security Software
- Temporarily disable any antivirus or security software on your Mac.
- Open Spotify and see if the app works correctly.
- If it does, add Spotify as an exception in your antivirus or security settings.
Step 11: Clean Uninstall Spotify
- Open Finder, click Go, hold the Option key, and select Library.
- Open Caches and delete the folders named
com.spotify.clientandcom.spotify.client.helper. - Open Application Support, locate the Spotify folder, and delete it.
- Open Activity Monitor from Utilities, select any running Spotify processes, and click Quit Process to close the app completely.
- Empty your Trash to finish uninstalling Spotify.
Step 12: Reinstall Spotify
- Go to the official Spotify website and download the latest version for Mac.
- Open the downloaded file and drag Spotify into the Applications folder.
- Launch Spotify and log in to check if the app works properly.
Part 3. Alternative Ways to Use Spotify on Mac Without the App
Way 1: Use the Web Player Instead
If you don't want to install the desktop app, Spotify's Web Player is a quick solution. You can open it in any browser like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, then log in with your account to start streaming right away. The Web Player gives you access to your playlists, liked songs, and search just like the app. It's especially useful if you're on a shared computer or don't have admin rights to install software. Keep in mind that some features, like offline downloads, are still limited to the desktop app. But for everyday listening, the Web Player works smoothly and doesn't take up extra space on your Mac.
Way 2: Download Spotify Music Directly to Mac
Another option is to download Spotify songs for offline listening. By saving tracks directly to your Mac, you can play them anytime without needing the app or even a subscription. One way to do this is by using tools like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, which can convert your playlists into MP3 or other common formats. Once saved, you can organize the files in your Finder, move them to iTunes or Apple Music, or back them up to cloud storage. It's a practical choice if you're looking for long-term access to your library.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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