OSX - blank black screen

[user-removed]

First off, I'm running OSX Mavericks 10.9.4. My Spotify version is 0.9.11.27.g2b1a638c. This problem only exists at work, where I am behind a proxy. The proxy settings work because I can play music and scrobble to last.fm and browse. Here's my issue:

1. Upon an initial clean install, everything works. Spotify loads as intended, all images are shown: http://i.imgur.com/PQT801Z.jpg (YAY!)

2. I close Spotify (complete exit).

3. I reopen Spotify, and all of a sudden, I get the infamous blank/black screen: http://i.imgur.com/UXrJFH7.png (BOO!) Basically, all images won't show up. Most text shows up, but I can't view the top lists or moods or genres or anything. I can still stream music.

Things I've tried:

- Disabling hardware acceleration.

- Deleting the cache (~/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client).

- Running ~/Applications/Spotify.app/Contents/MacOS/Spotify --disable-accelerated-layers --disable-accelerated-fixed-root-background

Here's the debugging output:

> ~/Applications/Spotify.app/Contents/MacOS/Spotify --disable-accelerated-layers --disable-accelerated-fixed-root-background
17:36:38.683 I [breakpad.cpp:107                ] Registered Breakpad for product: spotify

17:36:38.683 I [translate.cpp:139               ] Reloading language file
17:36:38.718 I [translate.cpp:139               ] Reloading language file
17:36:38.719 I [breakpad.cpp:261                ] Searching for crashdumps: /Users/gfairchild/Library/Caches/com.spotify.client/*.dmp

2014-08-08 11:36:38.776 Spotify[4534:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
2014-08-08 11:36:38.855 Spotify[4534:507] Mac OS version: 10.9
17:36:38.993 D [spirc_manager.cpp:152           ] GAIA: SpircManager::SpircManager, ident_=e87597a3ebfd8bd2aba6fdb30e46c4637646a21e
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework bridge-desktop with version 0.26.0
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework import with version 0.1.0
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework shared with version 0.2.3
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app share with version 3.0.27
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework views with version 1.54.8
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app discover with version 1.5.3
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app search-single with version 5.0.6
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework resources with version 0.6.1
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app genre with version 0.29.0
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app collection with version 0.4.91
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app artist with version 1.2.2
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app article with version 0.29.0
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework logging-utils with version 0.0.11
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app finder with version 1.2.9
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework artist-shared with version 0.5.3
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app collection-album with version 0.1.81
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework unstable with version 0.13.1
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app bundles with version 1.3.0
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework revgen-shared with version 0.0.14
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app feed with version 2.0.13
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app search with version 4.0.35
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app messages with version 1.5.2
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework social-artist-shared with version 0.1.5
17:36:38.998 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework util with version 0.2.4
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app collection-artist with version 0.1.46
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app profile with version 2.0.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app notification-popup with version 0.3.6
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app html with version 0.1.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework recommendations-shared with version 0.7.13
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework recommendations-shared with version 1.0.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework test-utils with version 0.2.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app follow with version 2.0.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app notification-center with version 2.6.2
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app install with version 1.1.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app error with version 1.1.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app radio with version 3.1.43
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app suggest with version 4.0.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app browse with version 6.29.1
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework api with version 1.38.0
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework api with version 0.3.1
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app test-runner with version 0.2.1
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app onboarding-popup with version 1.0.36
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app playlist-header with version 2.1.12
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1095               ] Registering bundled app album with version 2.0.5
17:36:39.000 I [MainView.cpp:1098               ] Registering bundled framework playlist-framework with version 0.3.2
2014-08-08 11:36:39.065 Spotify Helper EH[4535:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
17:36:39.097 I [AppManager.cpp:252              ] Creating instance of the application browse.
17:36:39.108 I [AppManager.cpp:252              ] Creating instance of the application suggest.
17:36:39.120 I [AppManager.cpp:252              ] Creating instance of the application notification-center.
17:36:39.129 I [AppManager.cpp:535              ] Removing instance of application notification-center.

17:36:39.139 I [AppManager.cpp:252              ] Creating instance of the application notification-center.
17:36:39.141 I [http_fetch_connection.cpp:362   ] Result 302 Object Moved
17:36:39.145 I [offline_manager.cpp:2264        ] Storage has been cleaned
17:36:39.145 I [http_fetch_connection.cpp:362   ] Result 403 Use Proxy Server
17:36:39.149 I [http_fetch_connection.cpp:362   ] Result 302 Object Moved
17:36:39.151 I [http_fetch_connection.cpp:362   ] Result 403 Use Proxy Server
17:36:39.152 I [ap_connection_impl.cpp:878      ] Connecting to AP ap.gslb.spotify.com:4070 via proxy https://proxyout.lanl.gov:8080
2014-08-08 11:36:39.232 Spotify Helper[4536:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
2014-08-08 11:36:39.246 Spotify Helper[4537:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
2014-08-08 11:36:39.252 Spotify Helper[4538:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
17:36:39.288 I [AppManager.cpp:252              ] Creating instance of the application feed.
17:36:39.339 I [ap_connection_impl.cpp:534      ] Connected to AP: 127.0.0.1:5001
Dec 31 16:59:59 stueyemac Spotify Helper[4537] <Error>: The function `CGFontSetShouldUseMulticache' is obsolete and will be removed in an upcoming update. Unfortunately, this application, or a library it uses, is using this obsolete function, and is thereby contributing to an overall degradation of system performance.
2014-08-08 11:36:39.367 Spotify Helper[4539:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
Dec 31 16:59:59 stueyemac Spotify Helper[4536] <Error>: The function `CGFontSetShouldUseMulticache' is obsolete and will be removed in an upcoming update. Unfortunately, this application, or a library it uses, is using this obsolete function, and is thereby contributing to an overall degradation of system performance.
17:36:39.451 3 [playlist_be_toplist.cpp:234     ] [spotify:user:fangs404:top:tracks] Synchronization starting
17:36:39.467 I [MainView.cpp:6858               ] Load complete (0) url: sp://b9977092f46484ddf470cc2496dbe78e006c2fbe.browse/index.html
Dec 31 16:59:59 stueyemac Spotify Helper[4539] <Error>: The function `CGFontSetShouldUseMulticache' is obsolete and will be removed in an upcoming update. Unfortunately, this application, or a library it uses, is using this obsolete function, and is thereby contributing to an overall degradation of system performance.
17:36:39.537 I [MainView.cpp:6858               ] Load complete (0) url: sp://03429cb4650ab1bb842f1ee2bce62c0338f96cce.feed/index.html
2014-08-08 11:36:39.691 Spotify Helper[4540:507] Internals of CFAllocator not known; out-of-memory failures via CFAllocator will not result in termination. http://crbug.com/45650
17:36:40.142 3 [playlist_be_toplist.cpp:137     ] [spotify:user:fangs404:top:tracks] Updated
17:36:40.167 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:inbox] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 1,731c94d97c815e86faf5592229c6b49ca26411e9) 
17:36:40.167 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:collectionrootlist] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 1,14da28bddcd7ace55fadaeeb75348bdac8e7ce5d) 
17:36:40.167 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:publishedrootlist] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 1,0fa4e1bcf1a62f664fb5c0bb8b3a00bfe18fb7ac) 
17:36:40.310 I [MainView.cpp:6858               ] Load complete (0) url: sp://b9977092f46484ddf470cc2496dbe78e006c2fbe.browse/index.html
Dec 31 16:59:59 stueyemac Spotify Helper[4538] <Error>: The function `CGFontSetShouldUseMulticache' is obsolete and will be removed in an upcoming update. Unfortunately, this application, or a library it uses, is using this obsolete function, and is thereby contributing to an overall degradation of system performance.
17:36:40.481 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0uFhZpiffd4h8fcBgw42i1] Synchronization starting: HEAD (from revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000) 
17:36:40.490 I [main.js:35643                   ] Uncaught TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'error'
17:36:40.513 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:inbox] Delta-updated to revision 1,731c94d97c815e86faf5592229c6b49ca26411e9 (no new changes)
17:36:40.658 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:collectionrootlist] Delta-updated to revision 1,14da28bddcd7ace55fadaeeb75348bdac8e7ce5d (no new changes)
17:36:40.658 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:fangs404:publishedrootlist] Delta-updated to revision 1,0fa4e1bcf1a62f664fb5c0bb8b3a00bfe18fb7ac (no new changes)
17:36:40.680 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:7nOcmNM5kdx2Sns17FMa4q] Synchronization starting: HEAD (from revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000) 
17:36:40.808 I [main.js:35643                   ] Uncaught TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'error'
17:36:40.808 I [main.js:35643                   ] Uncaught TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'error'
17:36:40.820 I [MainView.cpp:6858               ] Load complete (0) url: sp://b9977092f46484ddf470cc2496dbe78e006c2fbe.browse/index.html
17:36:40.841 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:961 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0uFhZpiffd4h8fcBgw42i1] Snapshot-updated to revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000
17:36:40.881 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:maydayparadeofficial:playlist:76JGFUrfhkH3L7rz2Nv2vg] Synchronization starting: HEAD (from revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000) 
17:36:41.024 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:961 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:7nOcmNM5kdx2Sns17FMa4q] Snapshot-updated to revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000
17:36:41.080 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:mumfordofficial:playlist:3CsfKCA1kkl0hR9veiMnc6] Synchronization starting: HEAD (from revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000) 
17:36:41.127 I [main.js:35643                   ] Uncaught TypeError: Object #<Object> has no method 'error'
17:36:41.127 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:961 ] [spotify:user:maydayparadeofficial:playlist:76JGFUrfhkH3L7rz2Nv2vg] Snapshot-updated to revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000
17:36:41.387 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:961 ] [spotify:user:mumfordofficial:playlist:3CsfKCA1kkl0hR9veiMnc6] Snapshot-updated to revision 0,726f6f7400000000000000000000000000000000
17:36:41.395 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:2maCqruLYM1YPGPEcCFjpf] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 49,de07243c347b6790104879b4968637e867a2df43) 
17:36:41.595 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0jvallik1wUWwnJgQYkfnV] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 26,291930cb1c604712853ed354109b5aaf8c1b42b1) 
17:36:41.632 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:2maCqruLYM1YPGPEcCFjpf] Delta-updated to revision 49,de07243c347b6790104879b4968637e867a2df43 (no new changes)
17:36:41.809 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:1236322554:playlist:0wi1WFlFeHIudcQTeidmmy] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 14,77cab1c03e7d2b81b1d1bc946585b359b7f7cfa4) 
17:36:41.843 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0jvallik1wUWwnJgQYkfnV] Delta-updated to revision 26,291930cb1c604712853ed354109b5aaf8c1b42b1 (no new changes)
17:36:41.994 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:maydayparadeofficial:playlist:76JGFUrfhkH3L7rz2Nv2vg] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 13,3770201963d0937d61e6c8f4eae9ae021264cdd9) 
17:36:42.068 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:1236322554:playlist:0wi1WFlFeHIudcQTeidmmy] Delta-updated to revision 14,77cab1c03e7d2b81b1d1bc946585b359b7f7cfa4 (no new changes)
17:36:42.194 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:mumfordofficial:playlist:3CsfKCA1kkl0hR9veiMnc6] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 24,14c2e57210c2f3de71b322b43813d41113a10e00) 
17:36:42.246 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:maydayparadeofficial:playlist:76JGFUrfhkH3L7rz2Nv2vg] Delta-updated to revision 13,3770201963d0937d61e6c8f4eae9ae021264cdd9 (no new changes)
17:36:42.395 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0uFhZpiffd4h8fcBgw42i1] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 30,f7276fa3920436609e2bbb08a4f0a8c6deab9f6f) 
17:36:42.420 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:mumfordofficial:playlist:3CsfKCA1kkl0hR9veiMnc6] Delta-updated to revision 24,14c2e57210c2f3de71b322b43813d41113a10e00 (no new changes)
17:36:42.594 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:404 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:7nOcmNM5kdx2Sns17FMa4q] Synchronization starting: DIFF (from revision 1,f71a21de3901c9411f19b6318e5f8c96e7fd1e85) 
17:36:42.619 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:edsheeran:playlist:0uFhZpiffd4h8fcBgw42i1] Delta-updated to revision 30,f7276fa3920436609e2bbb08a4f0a8c6deab9f6f (no new changes)
17:36:42.818 3 [playlist_be_pl4_context.cpp:869 ] [spotify:user:owlcityofficial:playlist:7nOcmNM5kdx2Sns17FMa4q] Delta-updated to revision 1,f71a21de3901c9411f19b6318e5f8c96e7fd1e85 (no new changes)

I'm at a loss for what to do. The only thing that works is a complete clean reinstallation, but that only works until I exit Spotify. How do I fix this?

[Peter__ · Accepted solution]

My guess is you need to do this work around but on Mac:
http://community.spotify.com/t5/Help-Desktop-Linux-Mac-and/Pictures-not-showing-loading-in-Discover-...

Might be worth digging around in the Spotify folders to see if you can find that file.

[user-removed]

I found the file on OSX (it's located in ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify). Here are the relevant lines in prefs:

network.proxy.addr="proxyout.xxx.xxx:8080@https"
network.proxy.mode=2

What I did was change it to this:

network.proxy.addr="proxyout.xxx.xxx:8080@http"
network.proxy.mode=2

And what do you know! It worked! Thanks very much for the suggestion!

[user-removed]

There is a caveat: if I visit the preferences panel, Spotify rewrites the prefs file to remove the network.proxy.mode=2 line. This causes error 117 to be thrown. So any time I visit the preferences, I'll need to re-edit prefs.

This is really only a short-term solution. The proper solution is for Spotify to do 1 of the following 3 things:

1. Fix HTTPS proxy support.

2. Remove HTTPS proxy support in favor of manual HTTP proxy settings.

3. Fix HTTPS proxy support and add manual HTTP proxy settings.

Any option is really sufficient for my use case, but option 3 is probably the best all-around solution.

[Peter__]

What is more likely in my opinion is for proxy support to just be removed as it causes quite a number of issues but fingers crossed that won't happen anytime soon!

[user-removed]

Yeah, after you pointed out the solution to this problem, I searched the boards and was shocked to see all the posts on proxy issues. I really hope they don't remove it! I'm sure there's a non-trivial chunk of Spotify customers that listen at work behind a proxy.

[user-removed]

I wanted to provide an update. Spotify 1.0.1.1060.gc75ebdfd appears to have changed behavior. HTTP proxy support appears to be removed now (I can't even play music using my previous prefs). I can enable my HTTPS proxy by editing the prefs file as before. I should be able to do this now through Spotify's settings, but it looks like there's a bug in the settings panel where it seems to require a username and password before saving (my proxy doesn't require a username and password). This time, change the @http back to @https. Here's how my proxy settings now look under 1.0.1.1060.gc75ebdfd:

network.proxy.addr="proxyout.xxx.xxx:8080@https"
network.proxy.mode=2

This allows me to play music and view most images. The only remaining problem is that now I'm still seeing instances where album art and other images aren't downloaded. It's not as prevalent as before, but I do see it when browsing, for example, the News tab under Browse.

[JBHUDSON]

Your discussion on proxy issues is the closest thing I can find to the problem I am having bu my problem occurs at home on a personal mac.  The spotify screen on my mac is all black.  I can't see anything except the toolbar - which appears to respond and function though I can't see anything on my screen.  The apps work fine on my two mobile devices under the same premium account.  I've tried redownloading/reinstalling - no change.  I wonder if you have any thoughts?

[MikitaKudzelka]

There are no lines like this in my prefs file. Have no idea where to find and tick 'no proxy' box as well, so confused.

[1157328221]

Hi! Since the last update I have this:
https://pp.vk.me/c628125/v628125571/37703/qmpGyrYgSto.jpg

Music keeps playing if I push "Play" Button, but i can not see anything...

How to resolve? Thanks

[duwoka · Accepted solution]

Problem solved by deleting "ru.mo" localization file from "Spotify.app/Contents/Resources/locales" directory. If your system language is different from russian, try to delete your locale

[PegiBruno]

How in the world i happen to be russian too, but it helped! Thank you so much!

[sashakhazina]

Hi everyone.

I have the same problem. I've deleted ru.mo file and have relaunched my Spotify but nothing changed, it's still black screen.

What can it be? 

Thx in advance,

Sasha

[kotopold]

This solution really help!

[ashamansky]

It doesn't help me, but after updating line in pref file
from language="ru"
to language="en"
It starts working.

[BrianM3]

Finding no practical solutions to unreadable dark screen in OSX.  Have to drop Spotify subscription.