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).

[DamiTomate]

Does not work to me as the only options I have are 60Hz

[Dodie]

Not for me

cannot confirm that

[Dodie]

In my Situation the Monitor goes black when i start webplayer AND App and comes back very quick. Maybe 3-5sec.

Im glad, MF so-called Spotify-girlies shut thu f… up right now.

But where are the REALLY Spotify Guys???

[colapop]

My one monitor (TV) goes black intermittently (3-4 secs) too.

I tried solutions above (clear spotify cache, firewall/anti virus allow, change refresh rate, turn off spotify graphics acceleration...)

One thing working so far (early days) is to reset the spotify app zoom.
[Spotify app > Menu> View > Reset zoom]

No black screen so far...

[Dodie]

Tried it, doesn't change anything for me....

I REALLY Hate Spotify and EVERY company that drives similiar roads....

[nolongercustomer]

Wasn't having this issue previously. Recently put together a new build w/ a 9800x3d and re-using my RTX 3090 with Win 11 and 3 monitors - a 39", 27" and 24" - all different resolutions and refresh rates (same monitor setup as old PC FWIW). Been having this issue ever since. Read through all the posts. Tried different versions of the client. Happens w/ web browser also. Disabled HW acceleration. Disabled NVidia HD audio entirely. Loaded up nvidia control panel and confirmed ALL THREE displays pass the HDCP Check. The only thing I have not tried is reducing my refresh rate to 120Hz. I paid for a 240Hz monitor. If your software can't support it that's your problem, I'm not nerfing my PC for your junk. Cancelled my sub and switched everything over to a local Plex server w/ PlexAmp. Good luck raising your prices w/ all these issues you've got going on. I won't be back regardless of whether this gets fixed or not.

Angst for the memories.

[nolongercustomer]

Ironically re-reading the HDCP "solution" did provide a hint. It looks like the thing causing the black screens is Google's Widevine plugin. I disabled the plugin in my Brave browser and was able to load your site consistently without crashing my screens. Of course - it's completely useless since I can't play any media without Widevine enabled. Since your desktop app is nothing more than a CEF app using Chromium under the hood that would explain why the issue happens everywhere. The latest version of Widevine was released on 2/15, which is shortly after I built my system, but before I re-installed Spotify. It's possible this latest update broke something and you may be completely at the mercy of Widevine/google's devs who maintain the project. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[lkgnyc]

THIS IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM. happening everywhere, all windows versions. ALWAYS WORKS ON ANDROID ALWAYS DIES ON WINDOWS. telling folks the usual "dumb user" time-wasting "INITIAL STEPS" (disconnecting internet/safe mode/**bleep**!)  just shows no one at spotify is reading this forum. sigh.

[lkgnyc]

i think this may have worked for me! after disabling hardware acceleration, i still had some problems & had to go into Task Manager to halt spotify. then i had to re-start a couple times (through Troubleshooting) and now it SEEMS to be working, the screen is actually showing what it should, FINALLY. i don't know what the hardware DEceleration will do, but it seems fine. my fingers are crossed.

[MarcinGolik]

I put together a new computer (with the same graphics card - RTX 3080) and surprise: I launch spotify and here BSOD. Disabling hardware acceleration helped.