Spotify Stops Playing When Screen Is Off: Causes And Fixes

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Are you frustrated when Spotify stops playing music when your screen goes to sleep? Understand the common causes, troubleshooting methods, and potential solutions to resolve this issue and enjoy uninterrupted music streaming.

Streaming Issues

When you’re in the middle of a thrilling music session on Spotify, there’s nothing more frustrating than when the music stops playing unexpectedly or pauses when your screen goes to sleep. You might be wondering what’s causing these issues and how to resolve them. Let’s delve into the possible reasons behind these problems and explore some troubleshooting methods to get your Spotify functioning smoothly again.

Spotify Stops Playing Unexpectedly

Have you ever been grooving to your favorite tunes on Spotify, only to have the music abruptly stop playing? This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, including background app refresh disabled or poor network connectivity. It’s like trying to watch a movie with a flickering TV screen – the picture keeps freezing, and you can’t enjoy the show. To resolve this issue, try enabling background app refresh on your device or checking your internet connection to ensure it’s stable.

Music Pauses When Screen Goes to Sleep

When you’re binge-listening to your favorite podcast or album on Spotify, it can be infuriating when the screen goes to sleep, and the music pauses. It’s like having your favorite snack mid-snack – it’s just frustrating to lose your momentum. To avoid this issue, try adjusting your screen timeout settings or enabling a screen lock or password to keep your screen on for a longer period.


Common Causes

When your Spotify playback is interrupted, it’s essential to identify the underlying causes to resolve the issue efficiently. In this section, we’ll dive into two common reasons that might be hindering your music experience: Background App Refresh Disabled and Sleep Timer or Screen Timeout Settings.

Background App Refresh Disabled

Have you ever tried to multitask on your device, only to find that Spotify stops playing music in the background? This might be due to the Background App Refresh feature being disabled. By default, many devices have this feature turned off to conserve battery life or maintain data security. When Background App Refresh is disabled, it can prevent Spotify from continuing to play music in the background, leading to unexpected pauses or complete stoppages. To rectify this issue, simply navigate to your device’s settings, find the Background App Refresh option, and toggle it back on. This will allow Spotify to resume playback even when your screen is off or locked.

Sleep Timer or Screen Timeout Settings

Another reason your Spotify playback might be interrupted is due to the Sleep Timer or Screen Timeout settings. On most devices, there’s an option to set a timer or a specific period for the screen to lock or dim when not in use. This can be beneficial for conserving battery life or saving data, but it can also interfere with your Spotify playback. For instance, if the screen timeout is set too low, Spotify might pause or stop playing music as soon as the screen goes dark. To resolve this, adjust the sleep timer or screen timeout settings to a more reasonable duration. This will ensure that Spotify has sufficient time to pause or stop playing music before the screen locks or goes dark.


Troubleshooting Methods

Restart App and Check Updates

When dealing with a streaming service like Spotify, it’s not uncommon to encounter issues like music pausing unexpectedly. One of the first and most straightforward troubleshooting methods is to restart the app and check for updates. Think of it like restarting your computer or phone – it’s often the simplest solution to a problem that can save you hours of frustration.

Before you start troubleshooting, take a moment to ensure that your app is up-to-date. Outdated software can cause a plethora of issues, including bugs and glitches that can affect your listening experience. Head to the app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and check if there are any updates available for Spotify. Download and install the latest version, then try playing your music again. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Disable Low Power Mode or Adaptive Battery

Another common culprit behind unexpected music pauses is the device’s power settings. If your device is in low power mode or using adaptive battery, it might be putting limits on certain apps, including Spotify. This can cause the music to pause or stop unexpectedly. To disable low power mode or adaptive battery, follow these simple steps:

  • On Android devices, go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery and toggle it off.
  • On iOS devices, go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode and toggle it off.

By disabling these power-saving features, you’ll be giving your device the freedom to use resources as needed, reducing the likelihood of music pauses and interruptions. Take a moment to test your Spotify app again and see if the issue is resolved. Remember, these power-saving features are meant to conserve battery life, so it’s essential to balance your device’s power efficiency with your listening needs.


Potential Solutions

When it comes to resolving the issue of Spotify stopping unexpectedly or pausing when the screen goes to sleep, it’s essential to explore potential solutions. These solutions aim to address the underlying causes of the problem and provide a smoother listening experience.

Adjust Power Settings or Screen Timeouts

One of the primary reasons why Spotify may stop playing unexpectedly is due to the device’s screen timeout or power settings. To adjust these settings, follow these steps:

  • Go to your device’s settings app
  • Navigate to the “Display” or “Screen” settings
  • Adjust the screen timeout or screen off timer to a longer duration
  • Check if the issue persists after making the changes

By adjusting the power settings or screen timeouts, you can prevent the screen from going to sleep abruptly, which may cause Spotify to pause or stop playing.

Use a Screen Lock or Password to Keep Screen On

Another potential solution is to use a screen lock or password to keep the screen on for a longer duration. This can be achieved by:

  • Going to your device’s settings app
  • Navigating to the “Security” or “Lock Screen” settings
  • Enabling the screen lock or password feature
  • Setting the lock or password duration to a longer period

Using a screen lock or password can prevent the screen from going to sleep, ensuring that Spotify continues to play uninterrupted. Remember to adjust the lock or password duration according to your needs and preferences.


Additional Tips

In this final section, we’ll explore some additional tips to help you overcome Spotify’s pesky streaming issues. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying seamless music playback.

Disable Auto-Sleep or Power Saving Features

One simple yet effective method to keep Spotify running in the background is to disable auto-sleep or power saving features on your device. Think of it like this: when you’re at the gym, you don’t want your phone to suddenly shut down in the middle of a crucial set – similarly, you want Spotify to keep playing music without interruption. To disable auto-sleep, look for your device’s settings and toggle off the option. This will allow Spotify to continue running in the background without worrying about sudden shutdowns.

Use Low-Battery Alert or Notification for Spotify

Another clever trick is to use a low-battery alert or notification for Spotify. This way, you’ll be alerted when your device’s battery is running low, giving you ample time to find a charging station or extend your battery life. For instance, you could set a notification to alert you when your device’s battery level falls below 20%. This will prevent Spotify from pausing or shutting down unexpectedly due to low battery. By being proactive, you’ll ensure a smooth and uninterrupted music streaming experience.

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