That annoying pause in your music can ruin your entire vibe. When Spotify keeps stopping every few seconds, it’s usually a fixable issue that takes just a few minutes to resolve.
Quick Fixes to Stop Spotify From Pausing
Step 1: Force Close and Restart Spotify
The fastest solution is often the simplest. Close Spotify completely – not just minimize it. On Windows, right-click the Spotify icon in your system tray and select “Quit.” On Mac, use Command+Q. On mobile devices, swipe up and flick the app away. Wait about 10 seconds, then reopen Spotify. This clears temporary glitches that cause playback interruptions.
Step 2: Check Your Internet Connection
Spotify needs a stable connection to stream smoothly. Open your web browser and try loading a website. If it’s slow or fails, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. For mobile users, toggle airplane mode on and off. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see which works better. Spotify requires at least 0.5 Mbps for streaming, but 1-2 Mbps is ideal for uninterrupted playback.
Step 3: Clear Spotify’s Cache
Corrupted cache files often cause playback issues. On desktop, go to Settings > Storage and click “Clear Cache.” On iPhone, you’ll need to delete and reinstall the app since iOS doesn’t offer direct cache clearing. Android users can go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Storage > Clear Cache. This won’t delete your playlists or downloaded songs.
Step 4: Disable Battery Optimization
Modern phones aggressively manage apps to save battery, which can interrupt Spotify. On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization, find Spotify, and select “Don’t optimize.” iPhone users should check Settings > Spotify and ensure “Background App Refresh” is enabled. This is especially important if pausing happens when your screen is off.
Step 5: Check for Conflicting Apps
Some apps can interfere with Spotify’s audio stream. Discord, Zoom, and other communication apps sometimes take audio priority. Gaming apps with sound effects can also cause conflicts. Close all other apps temporarily to test if Spotify works normally. If it does, reopen apps one by one to identify the culprit.
Step 6: Reinstall Spotify
If nothing else works, a fresh installation often solves persistent issues. First, note your downloaded playlists since you’ll need to redownload them. Uninstall Spotify completely, restart your device, then download the latest version from your app store or Spotify’s website. Log back in and test playback before downloading music for offline use.
Common Causes Behind Spotify Pausing Issues
Cause #1: Multiple Device Streaming
Spotify limits playback to one device per account at a time. When someone else uses your account or you left Spotify playing on another device, it creates conflicts.
Check for this by opening Spotify and looking at the bottom of the screen. If you see a banner saying “Listening on [device name],” someone else is using your account. Click the banner and select “Listen on this device” to take control. Consider upgrading to a Family plan if multiple people need access, or sign out of all devices through your account settings at account.spotify.com.
Cause #2: Outdated App or System Software
Running old versions of Spotify or your operating system creates compatibility problems that manifest as playback interruptions.
Check your Spotify version in Settings > About. Compare it with the latest version on Spotify’s website. Your device’s OS matters too – iOS 14 or later, Android 6.0 or later, and Windows 10 version 1909 or later are recommended for smooth performance in 2025. Update both your system and Spotify app if either is outdated.
Cause #3: Corrupted Local Files or Downloads
Downloaded songs can become corrupted, causing Spotify to pause when trying to play them. This is common after interrupted downloads or storage issues.
Test this by streaming a song instead of playing downloaded content. If streaming works fine, your downloads are likely corrupted. Go to Settings > Storage and delete all downloaded content, then redownload your essential playlists. Ensure you have at least 1GB of free storage space for optimal performance.
When Professional Help Makes Sense
Contact Spotify Support when these issues persist after trying all fixes. Signs you need expert help include error codes appearing during playback, account access problems, or pausing that affects only specific playlists or podcasts. Spotify’s support team can check server-side issues and account-specific problems you can’t fix yourself.
Hardware problems might also be the culprit. If multiple music apps pause or stutter, your device’s audio components might be failing. Bluetooth headphones with dying batteries or connection issues commonly cause intermittent pausing. Test with different headphones or speakers before assuming it’s Spotify’s fault.
AI Assistant Prompt for Troubleshooting
Copy and paste this prompt for additional help:
“My Spotify app keeps pausing every few seconds on my [device type and OS version]. I’ve tried [list what you’ve already attempted]. The pausing happens when [describe when it occurs – during specific songs, when screen is off, etc.]. My internet speed is [your speed] and I’m using [headphones/speakers type]. What other solutions should I try?”
Remember that most Spotify interruption issues are temporary and fixable. Work through these solutions methodically, and you’ll likely be back to uninterrupted listening within minutes. The key is identifying whether it’s a connection issue, app conflict, or account problem, then applying the appropriate fix.