topic Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working in Desktop (Mac)

Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

badrul — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:41:33 GMT

macOS High Sierra v10.13.6

Spotify v1.0.90.268.ga8a0ceb4

Play/pause/skip track buttons on keyboard no longer working.

- Tried re-starting machine already.

- Tried re-starting app.

- Tried plugging/unplugging keyboard.

- Media keys function with other apps (Keynote, iTunes, etc).

- Aforementioned apps not open while using Spotify.

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

Loxer — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 20:34:23 GMT

Hi there!

I know it sounds simple, but it's often overlooked. Could you try restarting your device? If that doesn't help, try a quick clean reinstall of the app. Just follow these steps. I'd also recommend upgrading to macOS Mojave 10.14 🙂

If you're still having trouble, could you let me know the exact version of Spotify and the exact version of the operating system you're running?

I'll see what I can suggest next!

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

franky47 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 12:41:37 GMT

I have a similar issue: I just upgraded from High Sierra to Mojave (10.14.1), and here is what I do:

- Open Spotify

- Navigate to another screen or app

- Press the Play media key to start playback

Expected result: Spotify should resume playing the last track it was on.

Actual result: iTunes starts.

Note: if I manually start playback on Spotify (by clicking Play or selecting another song), then the media keys will work when other apps have the focus. Otherwise, iTunes steals the media keys focus.

I tried a clean install of Spotify, no change.

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

ardacebi — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 13:00:31 GMT

Hey,

Please try playing something on iTunes. Then using the keyboard shortcuts, try stopping/playing the song you're playing.

If it does work, close iTunes and re-launch Spotify. Then please check whether it works or doesn't.

If you're curious about the solution, we're simply changing the app macOS assigns the keys to by playing a track using another application.

Let me know about your status.

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

seppedev — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 22:40:11 GMT

I had the some problem and after digging in for some time, I found a solution that worked for me. Google Chrome was 'hijacking' my media keys with the Google Play Music extension. Deleting or disabling this resolved the issue for me.

More information about the solution can be found here.

Hope this helps somebody else.

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

_o — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:30:29 GMT

Thank you so much for posting this — I had the Google Play Music Chrome extension installed but deactivated and it still stole the focus. I've uninstalled it and everything works beautifully again 🙂

Many thanks!

Re: Keyboard media keys (play/pause) not working

AphexCX — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 13:03:56 GMT

OH MY GOD. THANK YOU.