This happens every time, whether you use the app or the web player. It's a fresh install on a computer that never had Spotify before, and nothing you try seems to fix it. This message usually means there is a problem with the Spotify app or your computer. It's frustrating when you just want to listen to music and it won't work.
In the parts below, we will look at some common reasons why this happens and give easy step-by-step tips to help fix the problem.
Part 1. Why Can't Spotify Play This Right Now?
There are a few common reasons why you might see the message "Spotify can't play this right now." Knowing what causes the problem can help you fix it faster.
1. Using the Default Windows Audio Device
Sometimes your computer is set to use the default audio device, even if you have headphones or speakers plugged in. When Spotify tries to play through the wrong device, it can cause playback errors.
For example, you might want to listen with your headphones, but Spotify is still sending sound to your computer's built-in speakers. This mismatch can stop music from playing.
Fix: Check your audio output settings and make sure Spotify is using the right device. If you use extra apps like VoiceMeeter to control sound, double-check their settings too.
2. Hardware Acceleration is On
Hardware Acceleration is meant to make Spotify run smoother by using your computer's hardware. But sometimes, it can actually cause playback problems and bring up the error message.
For example, if Hardware Acceleration is on, Spotify might struggle to play songs properly, even if your internet is fine.
Fix: Try turning off Hardware Acceleration in Spotify's settings to see if that solves the problem.
3. Crossfade is Activated
Crossfade blends the end of one song into the start of the next. But if you set it for too long — more than about 5 seconds — it can cause playback errors.
For example, if you like long fades between songs, Spotify might have trouble playing your tracks.
Fix: Go to the Crossfade setting and lower it to less than 5 seconds, or turn it off completely.
4. Smart Shuffle is Causing Issues
Some users have found that the Smart Shuffle feature can lead to playback errors.
For example, turning on Smart Shuffle might cause Spotify to stop songs from playing.
Fix: Turn off Smart Shuffle and check if the problem goes away.
Part 2. How to Fix Spotify Can't Play This Right Now
If you've tried other fixes but still see the error, it's time to check some often overlooked sound settings.
Change Default Windows Audio Device
- Type "Sound Settings" in the Windows Search box and press Enter.
- Scroll down and click "App volume and device preferences" under Advanced sound options.
- Find Spotify in the list of apps using audio.
- If the Output shows "Default," it means no specific device is selected.
- Click the down arrow next to "Default" and pick the device you want (like your speakers or headphones).
- Close the Sound Settings window and quit Spotify completely.
- Open Spotify again and try playing a song. The error should be gone.
- Repeat the steps to open App volume and device preferences.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click the Reset button labeled "Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults."
- Confirm if prompted. You'll see a notification when the reset is done.
- Close Sound Settings, close Spotify, then reopen it and try playing a song again.
Change the Device Default Format
- Open Sound Settings again from the search bar.
- Scroll down and click "Sound Control Panel" under Related Settings.
- In the Sound Control Panel, right-click your audio device (speakers or headphones) and select Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Under Default Format, check the sample rate and bit depth.
- Try setting it to "16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)" for general use (or "32 bit, 192000 Hz (Studio Quality)" if you prefer).
- Click OK to save.
Disable Audio Enhancements
- Open Sound Control Panel (search or access via Sound Settings).
- Right-click your audio device and select Properties.
- Go to the Enhancements tab.
- Check Disable all enhancements or uncheck specific enhancements.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Restart Spotify and test playback.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
- Open the app.
- Click the downward arrow next to your profile name (top-right).
- Select Settings.
- Scroll to the Compatibility section.
- Toggle Enable hardware acceleration off.
- Close Spotify completely, reopen, and test playback.
Lower the Crossfade Duration
- Open Spotify, click the downward arrow by your profile (top-right).
- Select Settings.
- Scroll to the Playback section.
- Find Crossfade and drag the slider left to lower the duration.
- Set it to around 5 seconds or less.
- Close settings, restart Spotify, and try playing music.
Adjust the Sound Settings
- Open Spotify and go to Settings.
- Scroll to the Audio quality section.
- Under Streaming quality, click the drop-down menu.
- Choose a lower option like Normal (96 kbps) or Low (24 kbps).
- Restart Spotify and see if playback improves.
Clear Cache or Reinstall the App
- Close Spotify completely.
- Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Spotify\Storage, and press Enter.
- Delete all files in this folder to clear the cache.
- Restart Spotify and try again.
- If the problem continues, uninstall Spotify via Settings > Apps, then download and reinstall the latest version from Spotify's website.
Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click your audio device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If no update is found or issues persist, select Uninstall device, then restart your computer to reinstall drivers automatically.
- Test Spotify playback again.
Clear Browser Cookies and Disable Extensions
- Clear your browser cookies and cache (found under Privacy or History settings).
- Disable browser extensions, especially ad blockers or privacy tools.
- Restart the browser and try Spotify again.
Switch to Desktop App
- Download the desktop app from the official site.
- Install and log in with your account.
- Play music from the desktop app.
Update System and Spotify App
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates and restart your PC if prompted.
- In Spotify, check for app updates in Settings or reinstall for the latest version.
Test with a Different Account
- Log out of the app.
- Log in with another Spotify account (friend's or new free account).
- Try playing music.
- If playback works, the issue may be with your original account settings or subscription.
Bonus Tip: How to Convert Spotify Music to MP3
If the issue persists despite the troubleshooting steps, or if you simply want to have your Spotify music as MP3 files on your computer, you can use a powerful tool like ViWizard Spotify Music Converter. This tool allows you to download and convert Spotify songs to MP3 format, making them accessible offline without the need for a Premium subscription. Here's how it works:
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
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- 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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