Spotify DJ Not Showing Up: What Are the Reasons & How to Fix It?

Imagine getting excited about a newfangled app feature but failing to find it in the app itself… Unfortunately, that’s what happened to a lot of users who wanted to try Spotify AI DJ!

If you’re one of these poor souls, this article is for you. Stay here to learn what to do with Spotify DJ not showing up — and if there’s a way to fix the bug in the first place.

What is Spotify AI DJ and who can access it?

Spotify AI DJ, like Spotify crossfade, is a feature that affects playlists and song transitions. It’s a DJ in a more old-timey sense, though, like a radio host. When you turn on Spotify AI DJ, you get a playlist of recommended music with an AI-generated voice commenting on the song choices and babbling about stuff. It can also trash-talk you — here’s a fun example:

Users have different opinions on Spotify AI DJ. Some appreciate a decent music selection, while others say that comments disrupt the flow and perceive it as a gimmick, or even consider it a glimpse of the bleak future where no one wants to live IRL anymore. Most likely though, if you’re reading this article, you haven’t got a chance to form your own opinion on the feature. But will you get one?

Spotify AI DJ is only available for Premium subscribers (including plans like Duo and Family) in certain countries. The platform hasn’t publicly updated the list of countries since August, 2023 — here’s the latest version:

Why don’t I have Spotify DJ?

There’s a number of reasons for Spotify AI DJ not showing up when you sign up and scour the entire interface for the feature:

• You’re not a Premium subscriber
• The feature is not available in your country yet
• You didn’t update the app
• You’re using a device incompatible with the feature
• You’re in the offline mode
• You may have cache issues
• There’s a technical glitch that caused AI DJ’s disappearance

We’re not discussing the first one since it’s obvious, and the only way to resolve the second one is to wait. Although you technically can change the region on Spotify, the process is rather convoluted and sketchy. To do this, you’ll need to set up a Premium payment method corresponding to the region and a VPN that will consistently “convince” Spotify that you’re actually located in the region of your choice.

Getting a Premium account and accepting things you can’t control aside, let’s discuss what you actually can do with Spotify DJ not showing up.

Fix 1: Update the app

When you download an app, even if it needs an internet connection to work, most of the app-associated files are accessed directly from your device. So, if a new feature was released but you didn’t download it, you won’t have it. So, one of the reasons for AI DJ not showing up is that you’re using the older Spotify version.

Now, let’s learn how to update Spotify on iOS and Android.

How to update Spotify on Android

On Android, apps are updated automatically by default, when your phone is charging, not used actively, and connected to Wi-Fi. However, if you don’t use Wi-Fi for mobile internet, this might not be your case. And even if you do, a double check wouldn’t hurt:

1. Open Google Play and click on the user icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Choose Manage apps & device and proceed to Updates Available.
3. Click Update all or check out the list of Pending downloads, find Spotify, and update it.

Or simply find Spotify on Google Play and click the green Update button.

How to update Spotify on iPhone or iPad

On iOS devices, app updates are downloaded automatically as well — but maybe you have this feature disabled. Here’s where to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Choose App Store.
3. Enable App Updates in the Automatic Downloads list.

Once you turn it on, Spotify should update automatically, along with other apps.

Another way is to update manually — here’s how:

1. Go to App Store and click on your profile picture.
2. Find the Upcoming automatic updates section
3. If you find Spotify on the list, update it.

What about desktop devices, though? That’s a whole other story.

Fix 2: Resolve the compatibility issue

Don’t be surprised with Spotify DJ not showing up on your desktop device or in the web player — the feature is not available in these versions. However, you can listen to Spotify AI DJ through the laptop speakers with Spotify Connect. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn on AI DJ on your smartphone.
2. Click Now Playing and choose Devices Available.
3. Choose your desktop device.

Spotify AI DJ not showing up on your phone even after the update? Here’s what else you can try.

Fix 3: Go online

Spotify AI DJ is not available in offline mode and requires a good internet connection to work properly. If that’s your case, here’s how to go online again:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll to find Playback.
3. Disable offline mode.

Once you go back to the online mode, make sure your internet connection is strong and stable — internet issues may interfere with the AI functionality.

AI DJ on Spotify not showing up even with a good connection? Check out other fixes to try.

Fix 4: Clear cache

Spotify AI DJ is technically still in beta, which implies that some unexpected stuff may happen. One way to fix Spotify AI DJ not showing up is clearing Spotify cached data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Spotify and go to Settings.
2. Find the Storage section by scrolling down.
3. Select Clear cache.

Also, according to many sources, clearing Spotify cache also allows to fix minor AI DJ bugs like being overly repetitive with tracks and comments across different listening sessions.

Fix 5: Reinstall Spotify

As we mentioned earlier, all sorts of weird stuff can happen with beta features. So, one way to fix Spotify DJ not showing up is deleting and installing the app. This will ensure you have the latest version of the app and remove the data that might interfere with the AI DJ feature.

And, if that didn’t work, contact Spotify support — the feature may be available in the country but not for your account. It happens because Spotify is rolling it out gradually, and chances are, you’re not in the “batch” of users who got access.

Is there a Spotify AI DJ alternative?

There is a Spotify AI DJ alternative for Apple Music subscribers. It’s called Radiant, it works for iOS and Android, and its main premise is turning your streaming platform into a radio station. Radiant, like Spotify AI DJ, studies what you like, plays recommended music, and gives comments. It also updates you on the weather and local news, and it even collects information about the gigs of your favorite artists in your area.

Radiant was released years before Spotify AI DJ, and it used to integrate with Spotify. However, according to the Reddit thread started by the app’s developer, the platform basically plagiarized the AI DJ idea, so the Spotify integration was removed.

Wrapping up

Spotify AI DJ is still in beta, so weird things can happen. That’s one of the reasons why Spotify AI DJ not showing up is a common problem Spotify users face. We suggested 5 quick fixes for users with Premium accounts living in countries where the feature is rolled out. If none of them worked, contact Spotify support or look for alternatives like Radiant.