Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it

[lukaswil]

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

Desktop

Operating System

Windows 10

My Question or Issue

When I try to play a song I get the following error message "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it"

I have tried all the fixes I have seen:

Reinstalling app.

Using version from Microsoft store.

Disabled hardware acceleration.

Disabled crossfading.

Changed speaker options.

Deleted local files.

I've had this issue before and it was fixed by using the version from the Microsoft store but this isn't working now.

Spotify works on my phone and my laptop, web player also works only the desktop app doesn't work.

[lukaswil]

I think I have found a temporary resolution to this issue. Turn off "Smart Shuffle" then play the songs you cant play. Then turn "Smart Shuffle" back on and the songs should be playable.

If you have shuffle turned off, cycle through the shuffle options then play your song that was unplayable. The app seems to lag or freeze for a second then recover after this action when the issue is present.

[lukaswil]

For me, I found going into your audio settings, clicking on your output device, and disabling any "effects" worked.

[thecarlsoncrew]

I know this is an old thread, but it's what is happening on my wife's Macbook now.  I saved an album (mp3 files) to her machine and put them into the Music folder.  In Spotify, I can see them in Local Files and can add them to a new playlist.  However, when I try to play them on that Macbook they are grayed out and I get the exact error mentioned in the opening post.  How do I address this so I can do the following:
1. play that playlist on her Macbook

2. play that playlist on her iPhone or other devices

Thanks in advance for the help!

[clonenojutsu]

it fixed for me when I logged out and logged in

[AdiKotoy]

I have identified that somehow the output sound device was blank for the app. Changing this to default fixed it for me.

open sound settings -> advanced sound options: App volume & device preferences and check if you have the output to default or your local preference... 

[AdiKotoy]

This in Windows settings... not app settings... 

[user-removed]

Cuando quiero reproducir música me aparece un cartel que dice: "Spotify no puede reproducir esto ahora. Podés importar el archivo si lo tenés en tu computadora."

[#9]

The Spotify desktop app is not playing any music, when trying to play a song, it pops up saying "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it."
I am on a desktop pc running windows 11, all audio drivers up to date, I have tried reinstalling, restarting, signing in and out, disabling hardware acceleration etc. with no success. Any advice out there?

[strawberry19]

Same here, it had been already 2 days since. Mine are all faded out, especially the explicit ones, like 99% of the songs out here. It's annoying. 

[bakhurr]

Plan - Premium

Country - Germany

Operating System - Windows 11

My Question or Issue

I'm completely unable to use the Spotify WebPlayer on my PC. Whenever I click on a song it displays the message "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it." It then immediately skips a seemingly random amount of songs in the queue, playing one for 10 seconds and then falling completely silent. Note that I'm not trying to play any local files.

The desktop app works completely fine, though I'd prefer to use the web version as it's more convenient to use when working in my browser. I'm not facing this issue on MacOS webplayers. I am however facing this issue despite what account I'm logged in on Windows 11 chromium.

[kaworu_bloodpaw]

Hey @bakhurr

To fix this problem, I would recommend clearing your browser's cache and cookies. I will provide instructions for Chrome, but most browsers follow a very similar process.

1. Make sure you're on the newest version of Chrome. Click on the hamburger menu and go to Help > About Chrome.

Chrome will auto-update if there is one available.

2. Clear your browser's cache and cookies. On the sidebar, on the same update page, click on Privacy and security, and Clear browsing data. 

Click on the advanced tab, and select Cookies, Cache, and Hosted app data with the time range set to all time.

3. Restart Chrome by clicking on the hamburger menu and clicking Exit.

Let me know how it goes! If this doesn't fix your problem, I've got some other steps we can try.

[spootifysucks9999]

desktop app**bleep**, "spotify cant play, if u have it downloaded u can import it". Like **bleep** no i dont have it downloaded thats why i use spotify like wth.

[#14]

"Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it." I am attempting to play any song. Nothing works. Downloaded playlists also don't work whether I am on online or offline.

[#15]

Im listening to spotify, then random times, some music gets ''content not available'' when it was 20 seconds ago

[Lasure]

This is obviously a Spotify issue that they do not have the ability or resources to fix.  

[DevinRC]

I solved this by explicitly setting the App sound Output Device in the Windows settings:

In my case, I had just added a new Bluetooth device and it had bugged out to show nothing (blank) as the Output device. After setting it to a valid value (Default), Spotify started working again as expected.

[cwegmann]

FIX FOR WINDOWS 3/5/2024 -  This process worked for my Windows PC.
Go to System >> Apps >> Installed Apps >> Spotify

Scroll down to Reset >> If this app isn't working right, reset it. The apps data will be deleted.

When you log back in all will be right with the world.

[ConPap]

Despite the app looking in order, it won't allow me to play any of the songs I've selected. It posts the following message: "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it."

[wifeofjames]

I’m having the same problem. Spotify will not play the song I choose on my Windows computer, but it will on Spotify on my iPhone. How to fix this

[ConPap]

Thanks for that. Are we the only ones? I forgot to mention yesterday that I had uninstalled the Spotify app and reinstalled it - to no avail. Although, visually, the whole Spotify site looks like it's working perfectly, it refuses to play any of the songs I try to play. This does not happen on my Android mobile phone, which works fine. If this problem persists, I will be at a loss as to where to get help.

[SLay1221]

Cool - my issue was even simpler to solve..  only audio option on my pc was Bluetooth - with my headphones off - gave me that message... Turned on the headphones and was right in the world..  music wise.. 

[f_uckspawtify]

Web player wont play any music for me anymore. Using firefox. I cant use the app because it crashes other programs I use. Web player worked fine earlier today, I've tried reloading the page and it still shits the bed.