10+ Ways to Fix Spotify Keeps Pausing Randomly​

Fix 1. Sign Out Your Account Everywhere

A simple log-out-and-log-in cycle can often reset your account's connection to Spotify's servers and resolve many strange playback issues. To check if your Spotify account is logged in on another device, tap on "Cast to a device" button in the bottom-right corner of Spotify. If you are not sure where you've logged in your Spotify account before or who may have logged in your Spotify account, you can log out of all accounts. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Go to your Spotify and find the "Profile" > "Account" > "Account overview".

Step 2. Then, you will see "Sign out everywhere". Click it to sign out of your account and then log in again. You will use Spotify normally.

Fix 2. Check Your Internet Connection

Even if you appear to be connected, an unreliable or slow connection is a frequent cause of Spotify randomly pausing. Here's how to troubleshoot your internet connection:

1. Test Your Speed: Use an online speed test (like Speedtest.net) to check your current download and upload speeds. For reliable streaming, Spotify recommends at least 1-2 Mbps, but higher is always better for a smooth experience, especially with higher quality settings.

2. Switch Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Data (Mobile Devices):

   • On Wi-Fi: If you're on Wi-Fi, try temporarily disabling Wi-Fi and switching to cellular data (if available and you have a strong signal). If Spotify works fine on cellular, your Wi-Fi network is likely the issue.

   

   • On Cellular: If you're on cellular, try connecting to a stable Wi-Fi network. If the problem resolves, your cellular data connection might be weak or inconsistent in your current location.
   • Move Closer to Your Wi-Fi Router: Physical distance and obstacles (walls, furniture) can significantly degrade a Wi-Fi signal. Try moving closer to your router to see if the connection improves.
   • Restart Your Router/Modem: A classic IT solution that often works. Unplug your Wi-Fi router and modem from the power outlet, wait for about 30 seconds, and then plug them back in. Allow a few minutes for them to fully restart and re-establish a connection.

Fix 3. Restart Your Device

The classic "turn it off and on again" advice is a staple in tech support for a reason – it often works! Restarting your device can clear out temporary software glitches, refresh system resources, and resolve a surprising number of minor issues, including Spotify constantly pausing after every song.

For Android Phones:

1. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
2. A menu will appear with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Reboot."
3. Tap "Restart" or "Reboot." Your phone will shut down and then turn back on automatically.

For iPhones:

1. Press and hold "either Volume button and the Side button (on the right) until the "power off" slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
3. To turn it back on, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

For Windows PC:

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo, usually bottom-left corner).
2. Click the Power icon (a circle with a vertical line).
3. Select "Restart" from the options.

For Mac Computer:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select "Restart..."
3. A dialog box may appear asking if you want to reopen windows when logging back in. Make your choice and click "Restart."

Fix 4. Check Background Settings on Device

Settings like "Background App Refresh," "Application Data Usage," or "Low Power Mode" can stop Spotify from playing in the background. So you need to make sure they are configured right if you want to enjoy a non-pausing listening experience.

To preserve battery life, both iOS and Android will automatically restrict apps running in the background. If you lock your screen or switch to another app, your phone might stop Spotify to save power. Here's how to fix it.

Check Low Power Mode and Background App Refresh on iPhone:

Step 1. Open "Settings" on your iPhone and go to "Battery". Make sure that "Low Power Mode" is turned off.

Step 2. Go to "Settings" > "General". Click on "Background App Refresh". Turn on Background App Refresh option, find Spotify in the list, and ensure its toggle is switched on.

Check Battery Saver and Background Restrictions on Android

Step 1. Open "Settings" on your Android device and navigate to "Battery" or "Device Care". Find and disable any "Battery Saver" or "Power saving mode".

Step 2. In your phone's settings, find the "Connections" > "Data Usage", and then select "Mobile Data Usage". Choose Spotify from the app list, and turn on the option "Allow background data usage".

Fix 5. Turn Off Data Saver Mode on iPhone/Android

Both Spotify and your phone's operating system have data-saving features designed to limit data usage. While useful, these features can be overly aggressive, causing Spotify to stop playing to conserve data.

Step 1. Go to Settings and find the Data Saver option. Ensure it is toggled off.

Step 2. Check your phone's main settings menu for a system-wide "Data Saver" or "Low Data Mode" and make sure it is disabled, at least for testing purposes.

Fix 6. Update Your Spotify App

Spotify regularly releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and introduce new features. An outdated version of the app can often lead to compatibility issues and unexpected glitches, including constant pausing after every song. Always ensure your Spotify app is updated to the latest version. Here's how:

On PC/Mac:

1. Open the Spotify desktop application.
2. Spotify usually checks for updates automatically upon launch. If an update is available, a small blue dot will often appear next to the menu icon (three horizontal dots) in the top-right corner.
3. Click the "menu" icon, hover over "Help," and then select "About Spotify." This will show your current version and often prompt an update if one is pending.
4. Alternatively, you might be prompted to restart Spotify to apply an update. Simply close and reopen the application to see if Spotify randomly puases every 30 seconds.

On Mobile (Android/iPhone):

1. If you use Spotify on mobile devices, go to your app store (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iPhone) and search for "Spotify" on the search bar.
2. If an update is available, you'll see an "Update" button. Tap it to download and install the latest version.

Or you can find Spotify in "Manage apps and device" > "Updates available". There is a way to help you finish the step.

Fix 7. Enable the Spotify Autoplay Feature

Turning off Spotify Autoplay can also cause your Spotify to keep randomly pausing. So, please enable it by following the steps.

Step 1. Tap the downward arrow icon on the top right side to go to the "Settings" list.

Step 2. Scroll down to find the "Autoplay" function and switch it on.

Fix 8. Re-Download Your Offline Files

When you are listening to downloaded playlists or something in offline mode, Spotify keeps pausing. You can download them again to fix the problem. Or delete and re-download that song which makes Spotify suddenly keeps pausing if you still remember it. You can find the downloaded resources on the "Your Library" bar.

If you primarily listen to downloaded playlists or use Spotify in offline mode, and still experience pausing, your downloaded files might be corrupted or incomplete. Re-downloading them can often resolve this issue. Here's how to manage your downloaded content:

Re-download Entire Playlists/Albums:

1. Go to the playlist or album in "Your Library" that is causing issues.
2. If it's already downloaded (indicated by a green download arrow), toggle the download switch off to remove the downloaded files.

3. Wait a few moments, then toggle the download switch on again to re-download the content. Ensure you have a stable internet connection during this process.

   

Delete and Re-download Specific Songs (If Known):

1. If you've identified a particular song that causes pauses, locate it within its playlist or album.
2. For that specific song, you might need to remove it from the playlist or clear its individual download (if your app allows this granular control).
3. Then, add the song back to the playlist or re-download the entire playlist/album to get a fresh copy of that track.

Fix 9. Clear Spotify Cache Files

The Spotify app saves temporary data, known as a cache, to help it run faster. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or overloaded, leading to playback issues like random pausing every 30 seconds. Therefore, clear Spotify cache files and remember to do it regularly to avoid some issues.

• On Android: Open Spotify, tap "Settings", select "Storage", and then tap "Clear Cache".



• On iPhone: Open Spotify, tap "Settings & Privacy", scroll down to the "Data-saving and offline" section, and tap "Clear cache".



• On Desktop: Open the Spotify desktop app, click your profile name, select "Settings", and scroll down to find the Storage section. Click the Clear Cache button.

Fix 10. Reinstall Your Spotify

What should you do if you find that everything you can do on Spotify is still not useful? Because we still have lots of unknown knowledge about Spotify, we recommend you delete the app and reinstall it. Maybe a new one will run without any trouble.

Fix 11. Check Bluetooth Interference or Hardware Issues

If you've made it this far, the cause of your Spotify immediately pausing is less common, but the fix is likely in this section.

Fixing Bluetooth Headphone Glitches:

If the pausing only happens with wireless headphones, the connection may be the problem. Turn your Bluetooth off and on again. If that fails, "forget" the device in your Bluetooth settings and then re-pair it to establish a fresh connection.

For Desktop Users: Disable Hardware Acceleration:

On the Windows desktop app, a feature called Hardware Acceleration can sometimes conflict with your computer's hardware. You can disable this by going to Spotify's Settings and toggling off "Enable hardware acceleration" under the "Compatibility" section.

Stop Discord from Pausing Spotify via Adjusting Voice Activity Sensitivity

Step 1. Open your Discord and find the "User Settings" list on the left side.

Step 2. Click "Voice & Video" > "Voice Activity" to turn off the "Automatically determine input sensitivity" function.

Fix Discord Pausing Spotify via Turning on Push to Talk

You can see the "Push to Talk" button below the "Voice Activity" option. If you turn on this feature, it only activates your mic when you press a dedicated "PTT key" on your keyboard, so that Spotify won't pause randomly on Discord.

Step 1. Check the box of "Push to Talk" to enable this feature and choose an option on the "SHORTCUT" list.

Step 2. Hit on the "Keybinds" list on the left side. Tap "Add a Keybind" and then choose "Push to Talk (Normal)" or "Push to Talk (Prority)" on the "ACTION" list. Then, you are able to adjust other sound sources by pressing the specific shortcut key.