spotify can't play this right now error message

[New user]

Will not play selected song

[Jose_M]

Hello!

Thanks for coming to the Spotify Community. I'll try to help you out.

Can you let me know which device or devices this is happening on? Also, does this happen with all songs or only a specific one? If so, can you send me the link of this song? Just to be sure this isn't device-related, I'd recommend you try having a clean reinstall of the Spotify app.

Keep me posted and have a nice day!

[furryrightsactivist]

Plan

Free (canceled premium due to this issue)

Country

England

Device

Desktop PC (windows)

Operating System

Windows 11

My Question or Issue

Spotify gives me the error listed in the title whenever i try to play a song on the app and I have no idea how to fix it. I've looked at posts with the same issue and none of them have solved my problem

Attempted fixes:

Reinstalling spotify

Deleting spotify app data (none seem to exist)

Checking audio sampling rate (48k so below any issue levels)

Changing/removing hosts (unsuccessful as couldn't find any)

Temporary solution:

My temporary solution is to use spotify web version which works fine but not as good as app

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advanced

[ToddMag]

Same problem. I think it's related to  Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5050009), which I applied Monday the 14th.

[Sogeking254]

Same issue on my windows 11 laptop, it played once then after switching to another playlist the same issue began occurring again and it hasn't changed since. Anybody with insights on how to solve the issue kindly help.

[ID26686749]

Plan..Free, Country Spain, Device...Desktop, Windows 10.  Getting the same error on desktop  but works  perfectly on Android. Most grateful for some help.

[furryrightsactivist]

It occurs to all songs but only on the Spotify windows desktop app, i’ve tried a reinstall (although it wasn’t a clean one)

[Jabonn]

I have the EXACT same problem, since like 2 weeks ago i have this error in EVERY song or podcast i play on my Desktop app, and i have to reload the app, close it, and wait for like 2 hours to finally be able to listen, which makes no diffrence because the error shows up like a hour later. Ive tried everthing, i already deleted spotify like 7 times, and when i contacted spotify support, the agent tried solve it for 2 HOURS AND HALF!! It's insane, im going crazy 

[ToddMag]

• Reinstalled Spotify last night. Didn't work. Powered down the PC at the end of the day.
• Boot PC up this morning and Spotify can play to my PC just fine.
• Then I switch from PC speakers to streaming over WIFI, and back to PC, and it stops working again.
• Streaming works fine from the app but can't play local music after switching outputs in the Windows app. Makes no sense.

[ToddMag · Accepted solution]

There is a solution to this issue. Disable "Audio Enhancements" in Windows Control Panel. See screen cap. I re-installed after disabling this setting, then played music between my PC and speaker and back. No problems. Easy solution to a frustrating problem.

[Jabonn]

It was already disabled. This is a problem specifically of the Spotify desktop app i fear. My pc has nothing to do with it. I think i will have to wait for Spotify to do something about it:((

[kejm00]

I never had an issue until after the 24H2 Windows 11 update. Same Realtek Audio driver and this resolved my issue. Thanks!

[DavidCh0 · Accepted solution]

Happened to me after Windows 11 24H2 update:

1 To get songs playing I changed Output settings to 44100 Hz (from 48000) in Settings System/Sound/ Speakers Headphones > Output settings.

2 To get videos playing I have to open Spotify app with administrator privileges. 

[Nemo-outis]

THIS WORKED !
THANK YOU

[Jameister60]

This worked!  (Dell desktop PC, Windows 11, Realtek audio).  Many thanks!

[tammuir]

Hi I have reinstalled the desktop app but it is still failing to playback - I am still getting the message "Spotify can't play this right now.  If you have the file on your computer you can import it". this happens for any item 

[b0rkthis]

I was able to start the songs from my mobile device, and stream it to my PC, however once I disconnected it. It goes back to the can't play this error.

[Leftblu]

I used to use Spotify version from Windows Store for couple years now. Just got this issue (which often is cause of audio drivers) and decided to just reinstall same Windows Store version. That didn't work.

Just decided to install Spotify using installer from the Spotify download page and that fixed the problem on my end.

[Shananighan]

This worked!  I even tested it out once I got it working by changing it back and it stopped playing, but once I changed it back to 44100, it came right back!  Thank you!!!

[TremorMonkey]

Plan

Premium

Country

Australia

Device

Desktop Pc

Operating System

Windows 10

My Question or Issue

It's been happening for a while now, but when a new album comes out, im not able to listen to all the songs, started with Unatoned by Machine Head, i was able to listen to a few songs from the album, but the rest said "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it." After about a week, the songs started working. But its also happened with Anv from Eluveitie, and its been more than a week, and i still cannot listen to all the songs, and just now its happened with Even In Arcadia from Sleep Token, only 3 songs are working, the rest all say the same thing. I've tried reloading spotify, trying the browser version, and clearing the cache, but none of those have worked so far