Black Screen of Death (Windows 11)

[waferthinmint]

A couple of weeks ago, Spotify's Windows 11 desktop app was updated, and since then I haven't been able to use it at all. On launch, I get to see the player's UI for a second, then my PC's screen goes black. Completely. No error messages, nothing. I can't do anything, and I have to hard reset the computer with the power switch. Same problem with the Web Player. It goes black, and I have to hard reset. I have tried all the fixing suggestions offered here ranging from clean install to firewall settings, but nothing helps. The problem started a couple of updates ago, and persists. Meanwhile, Spotify works flawlessly on my iPhone and iPad. I can't tell if the PC desktop app kills only my display driver, or the entire Windows because everything's black. I tried installing Spotify's latest version today, same problem (Web Player, too).

[MihailY]

Hey folks,

Thanks for your replies.

We've forwarded this to the relevant team, we'll keep you posted on any updates.

Cheers,

[darencf]

What's the status on this?

I've been having a similar issue for a while - opening Spotify in web player or on desktop will turn my entire screen black for a few moments. Unlike some of the others, my monitor resumes as normal after a few seconds. That being said, sometimes when the song changes, the same issue happens again for a few moments. I have already turned hardware acceleration off, and have already gotten in touch with support and tried reinstalling.

[Dodie]

Is this thread dead already??

Problems continue as mentioned above. Win11, both Webplayer and App.

For me i discovered, that the TOTO-Website has the same Issue like Spotify. Blackscreen right after entering the website.

I suggest some kind of code error going on or somthing like that...

[Ivelina]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to post in this thread!

Currently, there's one more thread on the topic where users have been commenting. I recommend taking a look at the solution posted by the user @Simitus and giving it a try. 

Let us know if any of the steps made a difference for you and we're here if you need help with anything else in the meantime. 

[Invaderska]

I’ve been dealing with issue for months. It’s definitely a bug. I’ve sat down for hours with my IT admin to troubleshoot and it ONLY happens when running Spotify. Fix this bug. It’s crippling and embarrassing.

[Dodie]

@Ivelina

You're joking, right??

Simitus IS NOT an solution!!

We STILL have this issue. Smartphone is doing fine. Both weplayer and APP on Win11 sucks, because of the blackscreen.

Is there no REAL technical guy here that can really figure that bug out.

@Invaderska

Could you please check if the TOTO-Website (Band) causes that same blackscreen for you, as it does for me?

And please would you Spotify guys figure THAT out too, for understanding the problem we have?

And please Spotify-guys and hobby-techs, don't be so conceited to post solutions that have nothing to do with this particular problem! That bores me out!

[el_ninoo]

Who are these women? Bring some real IT guy that can at least tell us what causes the issue in the first place. It's a common thing, you start the app and it auto crashes the graphic card drivers and screen goes black, both for the PC app and web thing.

[Dodie]

Hey SPOTIFY

Is there someone??

We are currently considering whether we should cancel again.

But no one cares about that anymore anyway! So I call on everyone to also cancel.
I can't stand NOT reacting

[ghxstt]

I can't be sure that this fixed the problem, mine being a two monitor setup and my main monitor would go black momentarily while the display re-recognizes that the HDMI cable is connected (I, fortunately enough, do not have to unplug and plug back in my display cable, it fixes the problem itself in a few seconds). But I have gone into the spotify settings on the desktop app and disabled hardware acceleration, disabled "show the now-playing song on click of play", and also disabled "display short, looping visuals on tracks". Since then, it seems to be doing ok for the time being. I also cleared my the spotify cache.

[12183922403]

Weeks have passed, and support still hasn't responded. How dare Spotify fail to resolve an issue with its platform? Shame on you! Imagine having to reinstall Windows just to use your app—this is completely unacceptable. No solutions have been provided so far! It's better to switch to YouTube Music—it's cheaper and doesn't ruin Windows.

[Dodie]

I think somehow this stuff is ready to consult a Lawyer - who takes care.

We are paying for a product/service that is NOT properly working.

SPOTIFY AGAIN!  Where ARE YOU??, Talk to us!!

I'll contacted them via mail.

Let's see what's happening, - if something's happening.

[114129034]

Hi, every time I open the app on my desktop, it crashes my external monitor instantly. The issue seems to be related to the Canvas functionality. When a song with Canvas enabled starts playing, the crash happens immediately. I managed to disable Canvas for songs, but the home screen also uses this feature, and there’s no way to turn it off. It would be helpful to have the option to disable Canvas entirely or, ideally, to have the issue with Canvas fixed.

Plan

Premium

Country

Netherlands

Device

HP Laptop

Operating System

Windows 11 (also happened on W10)

[Crein13]

Hi, I also experience this with my laptop that has an external monitor. Whenever I launched the application it crashes my external monitor for a few seconds (at least 10 sec) before returning to normal. I've turned my hardware acceleration settings and I am still having this issue.

Plan

Premium

Country

Philippines

Device

ASUS TUF Laptop

Operating System

Windows 11

[Dodie]

HI EVERYONE

As you all see here:

Spotify M...'s do NOT respond or care about the problems nor have they minimum idea/expertise.

Typical capitalism: Maximum win - minimum stake

I'm done - this is useless

[DamiTomate]

I have a very similar problem. It has been posted plenty of times (how unfortunate spotify does not offer a compensation for the service malfunction). Browser is independent to that problem as well as in app too

[DamiTomate]

I have two monitors, both go black. 
Both connected to docking station

[DamiTomate]

I have had this problem for a long time now. I have talked with the support several times. I have been doing all what support has asked me to do, uninstall, reinstall, 32/64 bits, drivers, etc, etc, etc.

I have even had an issue in my job where I ended up changing some firewall configuration (after suggestion by spotify), and this created problems in my PC limiting the use of some apps

It is not my problem, it is Spotiy's problem to provide the service their clients are paying for. Or I will put it in other words: I am paying for something I am not getting now or even other words: A person that experiences absolutely no problem with no device or other, pays exactly the same as I do.

And that is NOT OK

Why am I even losing my own time to share and read these inputs and feedbacks in a community? I do not get paid for that. Spotify employees do, so please Spotifolks, resolve the problem or offer a monetary compensation of YOUR OWN issue!

BE FAIR

[mrparker25]

Go to Edit>Preferences and turn off "Enable Hardware Acceleration" under Compatibility at the bottom. This has worked for me so far.  Let me know if it works for you.

[whitecap28]

Jumping in here, i7 13k, win11, integrated intel graphics. Same issue, tried all above solutions, installed direct via spotify and ms store. Black screen on single and multi-monitor (HDMI), web app works though. Plug/unplug no effect. 

[114129034]

I believe I’ve found the solution! I changed the refresh rate of my monitor from 144Hz to 120Hz, and the issue no longer occurs. I’m glad it’s resolved, but it seems quite odd.