Desktop app wont use headset as output device.

[Sellyk]

I've been reading through multiple posts about this issue but I haven't been able to find the answer. I'm on the desktop app and I get the "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it." message when I try to play through my headset.
I recently bought the Logitech G733 headset which is a USB dongle headset for PCs and even after changing the output device to this headset in sound settings, it's not working. All audio works fine except for the Spotifyt desktop app. I've tried cleanly uninstalling Spotify and have tried downloading it from both the Windows App Store and Spotify directly. Doing stuff in the command center didn't help either.

[Maynafiesta]

SOLVED

win11 speaker properties >> making sound enhancement Off solved my isssue

Plan

Premium

Country

Türkiye

Device

PC

Operating System

Windows11

My Issue

I have a gaming headset. This headset has 2 output as many headsets, chat and game. I was using Spoti in game mode of headset for over 3 years without any problem. But for 1 week, i am getting this error as attached. When i swith to chat mode, it plays. But this mode reduces music quality. 

Web player is OK

Sound drivers are OK

Mobile phone is OK

Any other output device, all my speakers are OK

But one of them is not playing. 

Reinstalled app, with cleaning AppData

Switched network.

Installed from spoti web site instead of microsoft store.

But problem is still exist.

[Yordan]

Hey there, @Sellyk,

Welcome to the Spotify Community!

It's possible that another audio output device is set specifically for the Spotify app. Here's how you can change that:

Spoiler

1. Make sure Spotify is actively running.
2. Open the Sound Settings panel. You can either right-click the speaker icon in your notification area and select "Open Sound Settings" or navigate to Settings > System > Sound.
3. Scroll down to the "Other Sound Options" section and select "App Volume And Device Preferences".
4. Locate Spotify in the list of apps, then under "Output" select either default or your headset from the dropdown menu.

Something else that's also worth checking is if the sample rate for your headset is set to anywhere between 44.1 kHz and 192 kHz:

Spoiler

1. Open the Sound Settings panel. You can either right-click the speaker icon in your notification area and select "Open Sound Settings" or navigate to Settings > System > Sound.
2. Select "Sound Control Panel" from the list of options on the right.
3. Locate your headset in the new window that shows up, right-click on it > Properties.
4. Switch to the "Advanced" tab and adjust the sample rate.

Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes 👍

[ToddMag]

Disable audio enhancements associated with that device. See my other posts.

[Sellyk]

Thank you for the welcome!
It's definitely not an issue with setting my headset as the output device for Spotify. It was one of the first things I tried.
I'm not able to change the sample rate of my headset either. It's set only to "16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality)". Is that an issue?
On another note, I may be using a headset, but the headset is registered as a speaker and the mic attatched is it's own thing too.

[Sellyk]

I've already tried that and it hasn't helped unfortunately.

[MihailY]

Hey @Sellyk,

Thanks for your reply. @ToddMag, thanks for jumping in and trying to help!

@Sellyk, the sample rate looks fine, but not being able to change it could be a clue as to why the issue occurs. Is it possible to test the headphones on a friend's/relative's PC so we can further narrow down the possible cause? It would also be helpful if you can check the following:

• Do you get the same issue with the web player?
• Does it happen with all types of content? (music/audio podcasts/music videos/podcasts with video)

Also, just to be on the safe side, can you confirm you've disabled all enhancements and that the Spatial sound format is set to Off?

Keep us posted.

[Sellyk]

Hi @MihailY,

Unfortunately I cannot test the headset on a friend/relative's PC.

I can listen to Spotify through the web player, but it's specifically if I play it through "desktop" and not "web player" when in the "Connect to a device" section that it gives me the error message. If I switch from "web player" to "desktop" in the desktop app, it doesn't work.
Playing other types of content in the desktop app doesn't work either.

Spatial sound is off and there's no option to change it to something else.

Like I mentioned before, my headset registers as a speaker for output and a mic for input. I've provided some screenshots of both and there's no option for enhancements on the output but there are options for the input. I don't think the input/mic is relevant unless that's what's tripping the app up?

If the mic is relevant, than I have yet to try the other formatting options. The options are also provided as a screen shot.

[MihailY]

Hey @Sellyk,

Thanks for the additional info.

Here are a few more steps you can try:

• Check your Windows hosts file with this guide. Since the web player works fine, it's unlikely that this is the root cause but it's still worth a try.
• Disable the microphone.
• If you've downloaded drivers from Logitech's website, try reinstalling them or choosing a generic one (Update driver > Let me pick from a list > Generic USB audio device).
• If you haven't downloaded G Hub, please do and check for a firmware update. If you already had it installed, see if disabling/enabling any additional features makes a difference.

Let us know how it goes.

[Sellyk]

@MihailY, 
I've checked the hosts file, it is not the issue.

I've disabled the mic in device manager and in device properties, that did not work. I also just tried with only disabling the mic in device manager since I still need to use my mic every now and then.

I haven't downloaded any drivers from Logitec, so I didn't do anything about that step.

Finally, I do have G Hub and the firmware is up to date. So far, the app still wont play anything.

[MihailY]

Hey @Sellyk,

Thanks for your response.

I'm sorry to hear the steps didn't help. Have you also tried disabling hardware acceleration in the app's setting and have you tested with both podcasts and music?

It's unlikely that it's related to your network, but it's a good idea to also try with a different connection like a hotspot on your phone.

We'll be on the lookout for your reply.

[Sellyk]

Hey @MihailY,

I have tried disabling the hardwarte acceleration in the app and I have confirmed that both podcasts, audiobooks, and music do not work. I did not however test my network.

I instead tried to see if this was specifically an issue with my headset and not the app. I connected my old headset and the app works just fine through it. So I now know that this is an issue with specifically with my new headset. I'm not sure if this is something we can move forward with or can fix since it's a problem with the headset and not the application.

[MihailY · Accepted solution]

Hey @Sellyk,

In that case, it's probably best to reach out to Logitech support and check with them whether they've seen similar reports. I was able to find an old thread on Reddit where the issue with the audio was resolved by reinstalling the G Hub software so if you haven't tried that, see if it will help.

@Maynafiesta, I've merged your comment here since you also mention an issue with your headset. What brand and model is it? Please check out the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this thread and let me know if they help.

Cheers,

[Sellyk]

Hey @MihailY, 
That Reddit thread actually did it for me. Thank you so much for your correspondence with me these past few days. You've been extremely helpful! I appreciate the effort you put in to help me.