Is Spotify suddenly stopping when your screen turns off, disrupting your listening experience? This common Spotify background play issue affects both Android and iPhone users, but the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix. Whether it’s a problem with your phone’s settings, the app itself, or even your internet connection, there are several methods to keep your music playing in the background.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a series of basic and advanced fixes, from adjusting battery settings to ensuring Spotify can run in the background—so you can enjoy non-stop music, no matter what you’re doing on your phone.
Basic Fixes to Resolve Spotify Background Play Issue When Screen Is Off
If Spotify stops playing when your screen turns off, these quick fixes can help resolve the issue:
1. Check Your Internet Connection
A slow or unstable internet connection could be causing Spotify playback interruptions. Run a speed test to check your connection. If your speeds are lower than expected, switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi for a more stable connection.
2. Reopen the Spotify App
Force closing and reopening the app can refresh Spotify’s background processes and clear temporary bugs. This simple step often resolves issues with music stopping when the screen is off.
3. Clear Spotify Cache
App caches can become corrupted or exceed size limits, causing Spotify to malfunction. Clear Spotify’s cache to eliminate any problematic files:
For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage and tap Clear Cache.
4. Update the Spotify App
Outdated apps can contain bugs that interfere with performance. Ensure your Spotify app is up-to-date by checking for updates in your app store.
For Spotify enthusiast, you may want to know How to change Spotify playback speed? for better listening experience.
Step-by-step Fixes to Resolve Spotify Background Play Issue When Screen Is Off
Fix 1: Turn Off Low Power Mode on iPhone
Low Power Mode on iPhone restricts background activities, which may stop Spotify from playing when the screen is off. Disable Low Power Mode to ensure uninterrupted playback:
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Turn off the toggle for Low Power Mode.
Tip: On Android, disable Battery Saver by pulling down the Quick Settings menu and tapping the Battery Saver icon.
Fix 2: Allow Spotify to Run in the Background
Background activity is essential for Spotify to continue playing when you lock your phone or switch apps. Here’s how to enable it:
- iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Ensure Spotify is enabled for background refresh.
- Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify.
- Tap Battery and select Unrestricted or Don’t Optimize (depending on your device).
Conclusion
With these simple yet effective fixes, you can finally resolve the issue of Spotify stopping when your screen turns off. Whether it’s disabling low power mode, clearing the app’s cache, or allowing Spotify to run in the background, these steps will ensure uninterrupted music playback. By optimizing your phone’s settings and keeping your app updated, you’ll prevent future disruptions and enjoy a seamless listening experience.
Don’t let your music be interrupted any longer—start applying these fixes now and get back to your favorite tunes!
FAQs
1. Do I need Spotify Premium to play music when my phone screen is off?
No, you don’t need Spotify Premium to play music when your phone screen is off. Both Free and Premium users can listen to Spotify in the background while the screen is locked. If the music stops when the screen turns off, it’s usually due to device settings or an app-related issue, not your Spotify subscription.
2. Can a poor internet connection cause Spotify to stop when the screen is off?
Yes, a weak or unstable internet connection can cause Spotify to stop playing when the screen is off. If you’re experiencing playback interruptions, try running a speed test and switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or vice versa to see if the issue resolves.
3. Will clearing the Spotify cache help fix the issue?
Clearing the Spotify cache can help resolve issues if the app is malfunctioning due to corrupted files. You can clear the cache by going to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache (on Android). This can help prevent Spotify from stopping when the screen is off.
4. Does Spotify stop playing when the screen is off if there is a pending app update?
Yes, sometimes an outdated version of Spotify may cause performance issues, including music stopping when the screen is off. Regularly check for app updates on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to ensure you have the latest version of Spotify installed.