Spotify is a rather popular music streaming app having a music library from artists all over the world. However, just like everything tech, the platform also suffers from the occasional bugs and glitches.
In this article, we’re taking a look at the “Spotify can’t play this right now” error, its causes and how you can fix it to get your music up and running again.
Also read: How to delete a playlist on Spotify?
What causes this error?
The Spotify can’t play this right now error is triggered when you try to play a song that is unavailable for your reason. The most common reason behind it is copyright issues, but there can be other reasons as follows.
- Regional availability.
- Damaged, corrupted or missing cache files (for local playback)
- Webplayer not working properly.
- Incorrect Spotify settings.
How to fix the Spotify can’t play this right now error?
Here are a few solutions you can try out to see if you can resolve the error.
Try restarting
Restart the Spotify app, your device (whether PC or your phone) and check to make sure you have an active connection. Restarting can fix a bunch of seemingly random issues that appear to be coming out of nowhere.
Look for updates
The next thing to do is check for updates for the Spotify app. If there’s one available, install the update immediately and check if your issue has been solved.
Repair the program
Repairing (or resetting) a program in Windows 10 can go a long way in helping resolve any errors.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Spotify. Click on App Settings.
Step 2: Use the Repair or Reset buttons to perform the corresponding action and see if that resolved the Spotify can’t play this right now error.
Check background app permissions
Sometimes Windows restricts background apps which can cause problems with Spotify.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Spotify. Click on App Settings.
Step 2: Make sure the Background apps slider is enabled.
Restart your PC and try again.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is meant to enhance performance, but if your PC is too old, it can cause problems.
Step 1: Open Spotify, click on your account name followed by Settings.
Step 2: Click Show Advanced Settings.
Step 3: Under Compatibility, disable the Enable hardware acceleration slider.
Now restart Spotify and try again.
Also read: Why does my Spotify keeps pausing? 6 fixes
Log out, restart and log back in
This is a combination of a few tips from back in the day but still work remarkably well. All you need to do is log out of the app, restart it and log back in.
It’s a bit of a cliche, but it works.
Reinstall the app
Another twist on the classic on/off tip, except this time we’re going full-on by completely removing the app and installing it again.
Sometimes apps need to build themselves from scratch to resolve any under the hood errors they might have run into. This will help get everything a fresh start and fix the Spotify can’t play this right now issue.
Clear out the app cache
This takes the step mentioned above further and deletes any data that the app might have stored on your phone or PC and forces it to rebuild the entire library again.
Often files saved in the cache get corrupted or unreadable for several reasons, and this can cause random, unexplainable crashes for just about any app.
Reinstall the application
The first step that can solve just about any issue with the app is to straight-up reinstall. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X to bring up the Quick Access menu and click on Apps and Features.
Step 2: Find Spotify in the list and click the Uninstall button to remove the app.
Step 3: Now press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt. Type %appdata% and press enter.
Step 4: Delete the Spotify folder in the directory.
Now restart your PC and try reinstalling the Spotify app from the Microsoft Store. Log in again, and Spotify can’t play this right now error should be resolved.
On a macOS device, follow these steps.
Step 1: Open the Finder menu and click Go.
Step 2: Head over to Library, followed by Caches.
Step 3: Find and delete the com.spotify.client folder.
Step 4: Now head over to Application Support.
Step 5: Find and delete Spotify.
Now try reinstalling the program to see if your error is resolved.
Use the web version
If the solutions above didn’t solve the problem, it most likely indicates a bug to be fixed in later updates. Till then, you can resort to using the web version of Spotify.
The web version works exactly like the app and supports features like Spotify Connect and, of course, Search. The good thing about using the web version is that there will be no errors or bugs there, which means you should stop seeing the Spotify can’t play this right now error.
Also read: Spotify won’t open: 14 Fixes
