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SoundCloud on Xbox Not Working? The Ultimate 2025 Fix


Enhancing your gaming experience with a custom soundtrack can transform a good session into a great one. For many, SoundCloud is the go-to platform for discovering new artists, underground remixes, and lengthy DJ sets that are perfect for grinding through a long campaign or competing online. The good news is that there is an official SoundCloud app for Xbox. The bad news? It might not be the seamless experience you're hoping for.

soundcloud on xbox

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using SoundCloud on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One in 2025. We'll cover the official setup process, address the widespread performance issues you may have already encountered, and ultimately show you the most reliable method to ensure your music never cuts out mid-game.

Section 1: Getting Started with the Official SoundCloud App

First, let's cover the basics. Getting the SoundCloud app running on your console is a straightforward process, even if the app itself has its quirks.

How to Install and Activate SoundCloud on Xbox

Getting the app onto your console only takes a moment. Follow these simple steps to get started.

Step 1. Turn on your Xbox console and navigate to the Microsoft Store from the main dashboard.

Step 2. Select the "Search" function and type in "SoundCloud". The official app should be the first result. Select it and choose "Get" or "Install" to download it to your console.

soundcloud software on xbox

Step 3. Once the installation is complete, launch the SoundCloud app. You will be presented with an activation code on your screen.

activate soundcloud device with code

Step 4. On a separate device, like your phone or computer, open a web browser and go to soundcloud.com/activate. Log in to your SoundCloud account if prompted, and then enter the code displayed on your TV screen. This will link your account to the Xbox app.

Navigating the Interface and Playing Background Audio

Once activated, you can browse your library, playlists, and liked tracks using your Xbox controller. The key feature for gamers is its ability to play music in the background.

To do this, simply start playing a track or playlist within the SoundCloud app. Then, press the Xbox button on your controller to return to the dashboard and launch any game. The music should continue playing. You can manage the audio—pausing, skipping tracks, and adjusting the volume balance between the game and music—through the Xbox Guide menu.

Section 2: SoundCloud on Xbox Not Working? Common Problems & Fixes

This is where many users run into trouble. While the app is officially available, its performance has been a significant source of frustration for the community for years.

The Reality of the SoundCloud Xbox App in 2025

It's important to set realistic expectations. As of September 2025, the SoundCloud app on Xbox is widely considered unstable. Users across forums and social media consistently report a range of persistent issues that can ruin a listening session.

These problems include:

  • ❌Frequent Crashing: The app may close unexpectedly after just a few songs.
  • ❌Random Pausing: Music will stop for no reason, forcing you to reopen the guide to press play again.
  • ❌White Screen of Nothing: The app sometimes fails to load altogether, launching to a blank white screen.
  • ❌Library Not Updating: New tracks you like or upload on other devices may not appear on the Xbox app for days or even weeks.
  • ❌Missing Features: Basic functions like a "repeat track" or "loop playlist" option are completely absent.

How to Fix the SoundCloud Xbox White Screen & Other Bugs

If you're determined to use the official app, here are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can try. However, please be aware that these are often temporary fixes for an inherently buggy application.

App is frozen or shows a white screen

restart xbox console

First, try closing the app completely from the Xbox Guide and relaunching it. If that fails, perform a full restart of your Xbox console by holding the power button for 10 seconds. This often resolves temporary loading issues.

Music randomly stops or crashes

clear xbox cache

There is no reliable fix for this, as it's an app stability issue. Some users report that clearing the console's cache or reinstalling the app can help for a short time, but the problem typically returns.

My new liked songs aren't showing up

This is a known syncing bug with no user-side fix. The only option is to wait and hope your library eventually updates.

Advanced Question: Controlling SoundCloud from Your Phone

Many users want to know if they can control the Xbox app from their phone, similar to how Spotify Connect works. Unfortunately, the answer is no—at least not directly. The SoundCloud mobile app cannot "cast" to or directly control the Xbox app.

However, there is a workaround. You can use the official Xbox mobile app on your phone as a remote control for your console. After linking the app to your Xbox, you can use its remote feature to navigate the console's dashboard, launch the SoundCloud app, and perform basic playback functions. It's functional, but less elegant than a dedicated connect feature.

Section 3: The Best Alternative When the SoundCloud Xbox App Fails

After dealing with the instability and bugs of the official app, you're probably looking for a better way. The most effective, stable, and reliable method to enjoy your SoundCloud music while gaming is to create an offline library and play it directly on your Xbox.

Why an Offline Library is Better for Gamers

By taking the streaming app out of the equation, you eliminate every single one of its problems.

  • ✅Zero Crashes or Pauses: Your music is played from a local file, so it will never stop unless you tell it to.
  • ✅Speed and Convenience: Convert entire playlists in minutes, not hours.
  • ✅Offline Access: Once files are converted, you don't need an internet connection to listen.
  • ✅Full Control: Media player apps have the features you're missing, including repeat, shuffle, and queue management.

To build this offline library, you need a way to quickly convert your favorite SoundCloud tracks, mixes, and playlists into local audio files. This is where a tool like DRmare Streaming Audio Recorder excels. Despite its name, it functions as a high-speed music converter. You simply provide it with a link to the SoundCloud music, and it quickly downloads and converts it into standard formats like MP3, FLAC, or M4A.

How to Play SoundCloud on Xbox Offline

This process is fast, simple, and guarantees a flawless listening experience, solving the "SoundCloud not working" issue for good.

Step 1Add SoundCloud Music to DRmare

set streaming audio preferences

First, open DRmare Streaming Audio Recorder on your computer. Before you begin, you can click the "menu" icon and select "Preferences" to choose your desired output format (MP3 is recommended for wide compatibility). Next, select SoundCloud from the list of services and log in. Find the playlist, album, or track you want, and click the "Add" button to load the songs into the conversion list.

Step 2Confirm Tracks and Settings.

select soundcloud songs streaming audio recorder

After adding your music, you will see all the selected tracks listed in the DRmare window, ready for conversion. From here, you can double-check that you have all the songs you want. If you didn't set your output format in the previous step, now is a good time to visit the "Preferences" to ensure the settings (format, bit rate, etc.) are correct before you proceed.

Step 3Download and Convert Your Music

convert soundcloud songs streaming audio recorder

With your tracks loaded and settings confirmed, simply click the "Convert" button. The software will quickly process and download all the selected SoundCloud music as local files on your computer. Once it's finished, you can find the converted tracks in the "Converted" tab and locate them on your hard drive.

Section 4: Conclusion

While an official SoundCloud app for Xbox exists, its current state in 2025 makes it a frustrating and unreliable option. Constantly battling crashes, freezes, and syncing errors is the last thing you want when trying to immerse yourself in a game.

For a truly seamless and stable audio experience, the offline method is the superior choice. By using a fast converter like DRmare Streaming Audio Recorder to create a personal library of your favorite tracks, you take back control and ensure your gaming soundtrack is as epic and uninterrupted as the games you play.

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