Why Does My Spotify Keep Pausing? Explained

We’ve all experienced this: you’re enjoying your favorite tunes on Spotify, and out of nowhere, the music stops. No one will argue that it’s a frustrating interruption. Why does my music keep pausing on Spotify? Is it a problem with the app, my device, or something I’m doing wrong?

In this quick guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind these interruptions and, most importantly, how to ensure uninterrupted music playback.

Why Does My Music Keep Pausing on Spotify: 9 Common Causes & How to Fix Them

Let’s troubleshoot why your music pauses on Spotify and get it sorted out.

Suspected Unauthorized Access

Are you signed in somewhere else? If someone starts playing music or a podcast on another device using your Spotify account, it’ll pause on your current device. For instance, if your Spotify account is linked to an Amazon Alexa speaker at home and someone asks Alexa to play something while you’re listening in your car, your music will stop on your car’s device to let the other person listen.

1. Open the Spotify app → Settings → Devices.
2. Under Connect to a device, tap on Devices Menu.
3. The device currently playing Spotify tracks should appear at the top of the list.

Other devices that can connect, usually ones on the same Wi-Fi network, will also show up. If you see an unfamiliar device on the list, it’s possible that someone else is using your Spotify account.

If you want to log out of Spotify on all devices at once, head over to the Sign Out Everywhere page. Keep in mind that this won't affect smart speakers, consoles, or TVs. To log out of those devices remotely, visit the Accounts page and choose Remove Access.

And if you suspect someone has accessed your Spotify account without your permission, make sure to change the password:

1. Go to the Password Reset page.
2. Enter your email address or username.
3. Check your inbox and junk/spam folders for the reset email. It will be from no-reply@spotify.com and should arrive within a few minutes.
4. Click the link in the email.
5. Type your new password into the fields and click Send.

Unauthorized users will be automatically logged off, as well as yourself, once the password is changed. So, log in to the device where you want to use Spotify.

Interruptions From Other Mobile Applications

While most apps won’t interrupt your music or podcast, some apps or websites with auto-playing videos will pause Spotify to control your device’s speaker.

Here’s what you can do:

• If you’re playing a game with in-game music or sound effects, try disabling those options in the game’s settings. Note that this might not work for every game.
• If you’re using headphones with audio controls (like AirPods), try restarting the music from the headphones after opening the app or game causing the issue.
• If Spotify pauses while browsing the web, social media, or using a news app, the only solution is to avoid that particular site or app while listening to Spotify.

Spotify Fails to Run in the Background

Your device settings could be causing Spotify to pause when you minimize the app. If you’re not using your device while listening to Spotify, the music might stop after a while. This is common on devices like phones, tablets, or laptops that aren't connected to a power source.

To prevent this, adjust your device settings to allow Spotify to run in the background.

On PC:

1. Go to settings.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and find Close button should minimize the Spotify window.
3. Switch the toggle to turn it on.

On iOS:

1. Go to settings and tap on General.
2. Find and tap on Background App Refresh.
3. Turn on the toggle next to Spotify.

1. Access your device’s settings and navigate to Apps → Manage Apps.
2. Locate the Spotify app.
3. Select Battery Saver and adjust the background settings for Spotify to No Restrictions.

That’s it for the background issue.

Spotty Connection Troubles

This can happen if your internet is slow or overloaded and can’t load the music properly. Also, if you’re using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth speakers or headphones, there might be interference affecting your listening experience.

Here’s what you can try:

• If you're using Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the access point. You can also run a speed test to check your connection.
• Restart your router and try connecting to a different network if possible.
• If Spotify keeps pausing with Bluetooth or wireless speakers, make sure you’re within range. Try pairing your device with a different speaker or headset to see if that helps.
• Reduce the streaming quality in the Spotify app to prevent buffering pauses — set it to Automatic when your connection is slow.

Battery Saving Mode

Mobile devices have a battery saver or low-power mode to save battery life. This mode reduces background activity, stops downloads for some apps, and can interfere with your Spotify stream. If you suspect it might be the case, try turning off low power mode and ensuring your device has enough battery charge.

On an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen and tap the battery icon, or go to Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode.

For Android devices, look for Battery Saver. Open Settings → Battery Saver, and switch the slider to Off.

Interference and Hardware Challenges

If the Bluetooth connection between your headphones and your mobile device is being interfered with by Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, or physical obstructions:

• Move closer to your mobile device to reduce interference.
• Ensure there are no physical obstructions between your headphones and your mobile device.
• Turn off any nearby microwave ovens or other electronic devices (at least, for a moment).
• Try switching to a different Wi-Fi channel on your router.
• Consider using wired headphones or a different Bluetooth device if the interference persists.

Issues With Cached Data

Spotify saves data as cache files, which contain passwords, downloads, searches, and more. If these files are left unchecked for extended periods, they can become corrupted and make apps crash or malfunction. Clearing the cache is an easy fix on any device.

Go to Spotify’s Settings and click Clear Cache in the Storage section. If you need more space, you can also delete downloaded music for offline listening.

Outdated Spotify App

For iOS:

1. To turn on automatic updates:
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select iTunes & App Store.
4. Toggle on App Updates.
5. For manual updates:
6. Open the App Store.
7. Tap your Apple ID image in the top right corner.
8. Find Spotify and tap Update. If Spotify doesn’t appear, it means your app is already updated.

For Android:

1. Automatic updates:
2. Open Google Play Store.
3. Find Spotify.
4. Tap three dots.
5. Check Auto-Update.
6. Manual updates:
7. Open Google Play Store.
8. Search Spotify.
9. Check Update.

When there’s an update on a desktop:

1. A blue dot shows next to your profile picture.
2. Click your profile picture.
3. Choose Update Spotify Now.

Reinstalling the app ensures you have the latest version of Spotify.

Discord Disruptions

This can happen during a Discord voice chat or call, or even if Discord is running in the background. Discord hasn’t provided a fix, so you can only listen to Spotify by closing all Discord processes.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager -> find the Discord process -> click End Task.

Repeat for any other Discord processes.

Is Spotify down?

We’ve left one important thing. Why does my Spotify keep pausing? It might not be your fault — it could be an issue with the service itself.

To check if there's a widespread problem with Spotify, you can visit the Spotify Status X feed or websites like Down Detector, where users report issues with various services, including Spotify. These platforms provide updates on any ongoing outages or service disruptions. You’ll know whether the problem lies with Spotify’s servers or your own device and network.

Why Does My Spotify Keep Pausing Every 30 Seconds: Ultimate Checklist for Solutions

If you’re still unsure about the exact cause of the issue, there could be multiple factors at play. Try these techniques one after another until the issue is resolved.

• Turn off Wi-Fi and check if the issue persists.
• Ensure all permissions are granted to the Spotify app.
• Turn off the adaptive battery function on your device.
• Clear the cache and storage of the app.
• Log off from all devices connected to your account.
• Turn off Bluetooth connectivity on your device.
• Close the Discord app (especially for Android and Windows users).
• Unrestrict battery usage for the Spotify app after reinstalling it.
• Delete and reinstall the app.
• Restart your phone.
• Enable offline mode in the app and check if the issue persists.
• Disable offline mode and observe if the problem continues.

Background apps, autoplay features, phone settings, and many other things can interfere with Spotify’s playback. Hopefully, you’ve managed to fix the problem. And now that you know the common probable causes, you’ll be better equipped to prevent them in the future.

FAQ: Why Does My Spotify Keep Pausing

Why does Spotify stop when I open other apps?

This is normal behavior. Spotify automatically pauses your music when it detects you’re using another audio source, like a video on Instagram or a website, to prevent interruptions. To avoid this, make sure to open Spotify as the first app.

Why does Spotify pause on Discord?

Lately, Discord has been pausing Spotify after your microphone has been active for 30 seconds while Spotify is playing on any device. This change is in response to Spotify’s Terms of Service.

Why does Spotify only play part of a song?

One possible explanation is that you’re using a free account on a mobile device. With this type of account, you can only play full songs on selected playlists that don’t have a shuffle symbol next to them.