Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming platforms, offering millions of songs and playlists at your fingertips. However, like any app, it isn’t immune to occasional technical glitches. A common issue reported by many users is the “Spotify application is not responding” error, which prevents the app from opening or functioning properly.
This error often stems from lingering background processes, corrupted files, firewall restrictions, or conflicts with antivirus software. Although users can still access Spotify via a web browser, the desktop app offers a more seamless experience with additional features like offline downloads and better audio quality.
If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t worry. This guide provides a step-by-step tutorial to help you troubleshoot and resolve the “Spotify application is not responding” error on both Windows 10 and 11. From basic fixes like ending background processes to advanced methods such as reinstalling the app, these solutions are designed to get your Spotify app back in action.
⚠️ Please note: The process described below is the same in Windows 11 as it is in Windows 10. However, bear in mind that we’ll be using screenshots from Windows 11, so your UI may look a little different.
Terminate Background Spotify Processes in Task Manager
One of the simplest and most effective ways to fix the “Spotify application is not responding” error is by terminating background processes in Task Manager. This method is particularly useful when a Spotify process gets stuck or doesn’t close properly, causing the app to hang. It’s a quick fix that often resolves the issue without requiring any additional changes. Tip:
- Open Task Manager
Right-click anywhere on the empty space of the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu. If you’re using Windows 11, you can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly.
- Switch to the Processes tab
If Task Manager opens in compact mode, click “More details” at the bottom to expand it. Then navigate to the Processes tab to view all running apps and background processes. - End Spotify processes under Apps
Scroll through the list of running applications and locate “Spotify” in the Apps section. Right-click on Spotify and select “End task” from the context menu. - Alternative: Terminate Spotify processes under Background processes
In the Background Processes section, look for any processes related to Spotify. These may include names like “Spotify.exe”. Right-click each process and select “End task” to close them completely. - Restart Spotify with Administrator privileges
After closing all Spotify-related processes, right-click the Spotify shortcut on your desktop or Start menu and choose “Run as administrator”. This ensures Spotify has the necessary permissions to operate smoothly.
Run the Taskkill Command
Using the taskkill command is an alternative way to forcefully terminate Spotify processes when the Task Manager method doesn’t resolve the issue. This command ensures that all Spotify-related processes are completely stopped, leaving no remnants that could cause the app to hang. It’s a straightforward method for advanced troubleshooting.
- Open the Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Win + S to open the search bar, then type “cmd”. Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator” to open an elevated Command Prompt.
- Execute the taskkill command for Spotify
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to terminate all Spotify processes:
taskkill /F /IM Spotify.exe
Press Enter to execute the command. The /F parameter forces the termination, while /IM Spotify.exe specifies the Spotify process.
- Verify the termination of Spotify processes
After running the command, you should see a message confirming that the process was terminated successfully. If Spotify processes persist, repeat the command. - Relaunch Spotify
Close the Command Prompt and try launching Spotify again. If the app starts without issues, the problem is resolved. If not, proceed to the next method.
Delete the Spotify User Data Folder
Corrupted cached data within the Spotify user data folder can sometimes trigger the “Spotify application is not responding” error. Deleting this folder clears Spotify’s cached information, including temporary files and login details, which often resolves such issues. This method is particularly effective for fixing recurring problems caused by outdated or corrupted data.
- Open the Run dialog
Press “Win + R” to bring up the Run dialog box or open it via Windows search.
- Navigate to the Spotify directory
Type “%appdata%” in the Run dialog and press Enter. This opens the Roaming folder where Spotify stores its user data.
- Locate the Spotify folder
Scroll through the Roaming directory to find the “Spotify” folder. Double-click to open it.
- Delete the user subfolder
Inside the Spotify directory, locate the “users” subfolder. Open this folder to find the “-user” folder with random characters in its name. Right-click this folder and select “Delete” to remove it.
- Alternative: Delete the local-files.bnk file
If you prefer a more specific cache clean-up, navigate to the “-user” folder and delete the “local-files.bnk” file.
- Reopen Spotify
Try launching Spotify again to see if the issue is resolved.
Repair the Spotify App
Repairing the Spotify app is a built-in troubleshooting option available for users who have installed the UWP (Universal Windows Platform) version of Spotify from the Microsoft Store. This method fixes corrupted app files without requiring a complete reinstallation. It’s a convenient way to resolve minor issues without losing user preferences or data.
- Open the Apps & Features tool
Press “Win + I” to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to “Apps” and select “Installed apps”.
- Locate Spotify in the app list
Scroll through the list of installed apps to find “Spotify”. You can also use the search bar at the top of the Apps & Features window to quickly locate Spotify. - Access advanced options for Spotify
Click the three-dot menu (or select Spotify and choose Advanced options) to open the app’s settings.
- Select the Repair option
In the Advanced options menu, scroll down to the “Reset” section. Click the “Repair” button to initiate the repair process. Windows will attempt to fix any issues with the app’s files.
- Wait for the repair process to complete
Allow a few moments for Windows to repair the app. Once the process is finished, you’ll see a confirmation message. - Relaunch Spotify
Try opening Spotify again to check if the issue has been resolved. If the app still doesn’t respond, consider resetting the app as a next step or proceed to another troubleshooting method.
Check That Spotify Is Allowed Through the Windows Firewall
Firewall restrictions can prevent Spotify from functioning correctly, leading to the “Spotify application is not responding” error. By ensuring that Spotify is allowed through the Windows Defender Firewall, you can resolve network-related conflicts and restore the app’s functionality.
- Open the Control Panel
Press “Win + S” and type “Control Panel” into the search bar. Select Control Panel from the results.
- Access Windows Defender Firewall settings
In the Control Panel, navigate to “System and Security”, then click “Windows Defender Firewall”.
- Open the allowed apps settings
On the left-hand menu, select “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall”.
- Locate Spotify in the list of allowed apps
Scroll through the list to find “Spotify”.
- Enable public and private network access for Spotify
Ensure that both the “Private” and “Public” checkboxes next to Spotify are checked. This allows Spotify to communicate over your networks without restrictions.
- Save changes and relaunch Spotify
Click OK to save your changes. Close the Windows Defender Firewall settings and try opening Spotify again.
Disable Third-Party Security Software
Third-party antivirus or security software can sometimes block Spotify processes, causing the “Spotify application is not responding” error. Temporarily disabling the antivirus or adding Spotify as an exception can help resolve conflicts and allow the app to function properly. This method is particularly effective when the error occurs after updating either Spotify or your antivirus software. Here are general steps that should work with most antivirus solutions.
- Locate your antivirus software
Check the system tray on the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to find your antivirus or security software icon. If you don’t see it, open the Start menu and search for your antivirus software. - Temporarily disable the antivirus shield
Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray and select an option such as “Disable”, “Pause protection”, or “Turn off shield”. Depending on the software, you may need to select a duration for how long the shield will be disabled (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until reboot). - Attempt to open Spotify
With the antivirus temporarily disabled, try launching Spotify to see if the issue is resolved. If Spotify opens without any problems, the antivirus software was likely blocking the app. - Add Spotify to the antivirus exclusion list
Instead of keeping the antivirus disabled, add Spotify as an exception to its scanning and blocking rules. Open the antivirus settings and look for an Exclusions, Exceptions, or Whitelist section. Add the following paths to the exclusion list:
Spotify’s installation directory (e.g.,C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Spotify
)
The Spotify executable file (e.g.,Spotify.exe
). - Reactivate the antivirus shield
After adding Spotify to the exception list, re-enable your antivirus protection by selecting “Enable” or a similar option in the system tray menu. - Test Spotify
Restart Spotify to confirm that it now works properly with the antivirus running.
Reinstall the Spotify App
Reinstalling Spotify is a comprehensive solution that addresses persistent issues caused by corrupted files or incomplete installations. This method ensures a fresh installation of the app, free from previous errors or outdated files. Additionally, it’s recommended to remove leftover data during uninstallation for the best results.
- Open the Apps & Features tool
Press “Win + I” to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to “Apps” and select “Installed apps” from the menu.
- Locate Spotify in the app list
Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find “Spotify”. - Uninstall Spotify
Click on Spotify, then select the “Uninstall” button. Confirm the action to remove Spotify from your system.
- Delete leftover Spotify data
After uninstalling, navigate to the following directory:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Spotify
Delete the entire “Spotify” folder to remove cached files and settings.
- Download the latest version of Spotify
Visit Spotify’s official website and download the latest desktop version. Alternatively, access the version from the Microsoft Store. - Install Spotify
Run the downloaded setup file (SpotifySetup.exe
) for the desktop version or follow the installation prompts in the Microsoft Store for the UWP app. - Launch Spotify
Open Spotify after installation to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Spotify Errors and Fixes
1. Why is Spotify not responding on Windows?
Spotify may not respond due to lingering background processes, corrupted cache files, or conflicts with firewall or antivirus settings. Start by terminating all Spotify-related processes through Task Manager as described in Method 1. If the issue persists, delete Spotify’s cached data folder using Method 3. You should also verify that Spotify is allowed through the Windows Defender Firewall and your antivirus software, as outlined in Methods 5 and 6.
2. Why does Spotify freeze when opening?
This issue can occur due to outdated cache data or background processes. Clear Spotify’s cache by deleting the -user folder in the app’s data directory, as explained in Method 3. First, check Task Manager to ensure no Spotify processes are running and terminate them if necessary (Method 1). If the problem persists, reinstall Spotify to resolve any file corruption issues.
3. How do I stop Spotify from opening on startup?
To prevent Spotify from launching at startup, open the app and go to Settings. Scroll down to the Advanced Settings section, then locate the Startup and Window Behavior section. Toggle off the option labeled “Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer.” Alternatively, you can disable Spotify in the Windows Startup Apps settings by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, navigating to the Startup tab, and disabling Spotify from the list.
4. Is it good to clear Spotify cache?
Yes, clearing Spotify’s cache is beneficial as it resolves issues caused by corrupted data, helps free up storage space, and can improve app performance. The cache stores temporary files, such as song data, which can sometimes become outdated or corrupted. After clearing the cache, you’ll need to redownload offline songs, but your playlists and account preferences will remain unaffected. Refer to Method 3 for step-by-step instructions.
5. What should I do if Spotify doesn’t install correctly?
If Spotify fails to install, start by uninstalling any incomplete or corrupted installations. Go to Apps & Features in the Windows settings and remove Spotify, then delete the leftover files in the %appdata%\Spotify folder as detailed in Method 7. Restart your PC, then download the latest version of Spotify from the official website or Microsoft Store. If the issue persists, check for antivirus or firewall restrictions that may be blocking the installer.
6. Why does Spotify keep pausing or glitching?
Spotify may pause or glitch due to a poor internet connection, outdated app files, or conflicts with other software. Start by checking your internet speed to ensure stable connectivity. If playback interruptions persist, clear Spotify’s cache using Method 3 and ensure the app is updated to the latest version. You should also review your antivirus or firewall settings as outlined in Method 6 to ensure they aren’t interfering with Spotify.
7. What happens if I delete the Spotify app?
Deleting the Spotify app removes all locally stored data, including offline songs and cached files. However, your playlists, saved songs, and account preferences remain stored in your Spotify account and will sync when you log in again after reinstalling the app. To ensure a completely clean reinstallation, manually delete leftover data in the %appdata%\Spotify folder as described in Method 7.
8. How do I report a problem to Spotify?
To report a problem, visit the Spotify Help page and log in with your account credentials. Navigate to the Support or Contact Us section to find options for reporting technical issues or billing concerns. Alternatively, you can use the app’s built-in help option by going to Settings, selecting Help, and following the prompts to submit a report.
9. What to do if Spotify crashes frequently?
Frequent crashes can result from corrupted cache files, outdated software, or insufficient system resources. Start by clearing Spotify’s cache using Method 3 to remove any corrupted data. If crashes persist, uninstall Spotify, delete all remaining files in the %appdata% folder, and reinstall the app as described in Method 7. Additionally, ensure your device has enough available RAM and storage for Spotify to function properly.
10. How do I reset Spotify settings?
To reset Spotify settings, uninstall the app and delete all leftover files in the %appdata%\Spotify folder. This will remove any custom settings or cached data and restore the app to its default state. After reinstalling Spotify, log in with your account to sync your playlists and preferences.
Related: How to Clear Your Queue on Spotify Mobile and Desktop
Managing the Spotify queue feature, which temporarily stores upcoming tracks, can sometimes be confusing for users. Whether you’re looking to clear your entire Spotify queue or remove specific tracks, it’s important to know the correct steps to ensure a smooth listening experience. In our other guide, we show you how you can manage and clear your Spotify queue on mobile or desktop, removing songs you added earlier.
Related: How to Download Spotify Songs to MP3

Related: How to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup
