Why Does Spotify Keep Pausing? 7 Quick Fixes (2026)

There is arguably nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of a workout, a deep focus session, or a long drive, only to have the music cut out abruptly. If you find yourself asking, "why does Spotify keep pausing," you are not alone. In 2026, despite massive updates to the platform’s infrastructure, streaming glitches remain a common headache for millions of users.

Whether your music stops randomly, buffers indefinitely, or crashes the app entirely, the root cause is usually traceable to a few specific settings or connectivity issues. Before you cancel your subscription or throw your phone across the room, read through our comprehensive guide. We have compiled the 7 most effective fixes to stop Spotify from pausing so you can get back to seamless streaming.

Understanding Why Spotify Stops Playing

Before diving into the fixes, it helps to understand the mechanics. When Spotify keeps pausing, it is rarely a mystery. It is typically the result of a conflict between your device's operating system and the app, a network instability, or an account security protocol.

In 2026, the most common reasons for these Spotify glitches include:

• Corrupted Cache: Old data files clogging up the app's performance.
• Battery Optimization: Your phone "killing" the app to save power.
• Account Conflicts: Another device trying to stream simultaneously.
• Unstable Internet: High-quality streaming struggling on weak connections.

Fix 1: Check Connection and Data Saver Mode

The most obvious culprit when Spotify stops playing is your internet connection. Even if your Wi-Fi icon looks full, micro-drops in connectivity can cause the buffer to run dry, resulting in silence.

First, toggle your Wi-Fi off and switch to cellular data (or vice versa) to see if the issue persists. If the music flows smoothly on one but not the other, you have isolated the network issue.

Secondly, check Spotify’s built-in Data Saver mode. While great for saving bandwidth, this feature can sometimes be too aggressive, preventing songs from pre-loading properly.

1. Open the Spotify App and go to Settings.
2. Scroll to Data Saver.
3. Ensure it is toggled OFF if you are experiencing playback issues.

Fix 2: Clear Your Spotify Cache (The #1 Solution)

If you ask any tech expert "why does Spotify keep pausing," their first suggestion will almost always be to clear the cache. Over time, Spotify stores temporary versions of songs, album art, and user data to make the app faster. However, these files can become corrupted, leading to Spotify streaming issues.

Clearing the cache does not delete your playlists or account data, though it may remove offline downloads depending on your device.

How to Clear Cache in 2026:

• On iOS/Android: Go to Spotify Settings > Storage > Clear Cache.
• On Desktop: Go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache.

Pro Tip: If clearing the cache doesn't work, ensure you have at least 1GB of free space on your device's internal storage. Spotify needs breathing room to buffer tracks.

Fix 3: Disable Battery Optimization and Low Power Mode

Modern smartphones are obsessed with battery life. To keep your phone running longer, operating systems (especially Android and iOS) will aggressively close apps running in the background. If you lock your phone and the music stops randomly shortly after, this is likely the cause.

You need to tell your phone that Spotify is an essential app that should not be put to sleep.

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > Battery and ensure "Low Power Mode" is off. Additionally, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure Spotify is toggled ON.
• For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Battery. Change the setting from "Optimized" or "Restricted" to "Unrestricted."

Fix 4: Sign Out Everywhere (Account Conflict)

Does your music pause and then perhaps start playing a different song? Or do you see a popup saying the account is in use elsewhere? Spotify keeps pausing if your account is being accessed on another device.

If you share your password, or if you left your account logged in on a friend's computer or a smart speaker, playback will stop the moment someone else presses play. Spotify generally allows streaming on only one device at a time per account.

The Fix:

1. Log in to your account page on a web browser (spotify.com/account).
2. Scroll down to the bottom.
3. Click "Sign Out Everywhere."
4. Change your password immediately.

Ensuring your account is secure is vital not just for playback, but for your growth on the platform. If you are an artist or curator, account integrity is key to maintaining your audience. For those looking to take their profile more seriously after securing it, check out Socibly’s Spotify services to build a robust presence.

Fix 5: Adjust Audio Quality Settings

We all love high-fidelity audio, but streaming in "Very High" quality requires a robust and consistent internet connection. If you are on the move, driving through tunnels, or in a crowded area, your bandwidth might drop, causing Spotify troubleshooting headaches.

If the app struggles to buffer the high-quality data fast enough, it will pause.

• Go to Settings > Audio Quality.
• Switch streaming quality from "Very High" to "Automatic" or "Normal."
• Ensure "Auto Adjust Quality" is toggled ON. This allows Spotify to lower the bitrate temporarily rather than stopping the music entirely.

Fix 6: Update or Reinstall the App

Sometimes, the code itself is the problem. In 2026, app updates are frequent. If you are running an outdated version of Spotify, it may not communicate well with the latest iOS or Android updates, causing crashes.

Check the App Store or Google Play Store for an update. If you are already up to date and the Spotify glitches persist, perform a "Clean Reinstall":

1. Uninstall the app.
2. Restart your phone (crucial step to clear system RAM).
3. Reinstall Spotify.

Note for Artists: Technical glitches can be discouraging, especially if you are monitoring your stream counts closely. If downtime or technical errors have halted your momentum, you can jumpstart your engagement by choosing to buy Spotify plays from reputable sources like Socibly to get your analytics back on track.

Fix 7: Check Bluetooth and Hardware Issues

Sometimes, the answer to "why does Spotify keep pausing" isn't the app—it's your headphones. Many modern Bluetooth headsets have "ear detection" sensors that pause music when they think you've taken an earbud out.

If these sensors are dirty or faulty, they will send a pause signal to your phone repeatedly. Clean your earbuds and try using Spotify with the phone speaker or wired headphones. If the pausing stops, the issue is your hardware, not the streaming service.

Conclusion: Maintaining Your Momentum

Fixing playback issues is usually a matter of systematic troubleshooting. By clearing your cache, checking your battery settings, and ensuring your account isn't compromised, you can eliminate 99% of the reasons why Spotify keeps pausing.

For content creators, podcasters, and musicians, a reliable platform is the foundation of success. Once your technical issues are resolved, focus shifts to growth. In the competitive landscape of 2026, organic reach can be difficult. To increase your social proof and attract more organic listeners, consider boosting your profile with Spotify followers from Socibly. A glitch-free experience combined with strong social authority is the recipe for streaming success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Spotify pause when I open other apps?

This is usually a RAM (Random Access Memory) management issue. If your device runs out of memory while opening a heavy app (like a game or camera), it may kill background processes like Spotify. To fix this, close other unused apps or restart your device to free up memory.

Does Discord make Spotify pause?

Yes, this is a common feature. If your Spotify account is linked to Discord and you transmit voice data (talk) in a Discord channel for more than 30 seconds, Spotify will pause. This is a copyright restriction to prevent broadcasting music to others. Unlinking Spotify from Discord or stopping your microphone usage usually fixes this.

Why does my music stop exactly every 30 seconds?

If your music stops at the 30-second mark, it often indicates a login token error or a subscription verification issue. Sign out of the app completely and sign back in to refresh your session token.

Can having too many downloaded songs cause pausing?

Indirectly, yes. If your device storage is completely full due to downloads, Spotify has no room to cache the current stream, leading to buffering and pausing. Ensure you have at least 1GB of free space.

Why does Spotify pause when my screen locks?

This is strictly a battery optimization setting. Your phone perceives the screen locking as a signal to save power by cutting data to background apps. Go to your phone's battery settings and add Spotify to the "Unrestricted" or "Do Not Sleep" list.