Podcasts won't play on any device

[toneronii]

Plan

Premium

Country

Australia

Device

Samsung Galaxy A20, Lenovo Chromebook

Operating System

Android 11, Chrome OS

My Question or Issue

I can't play any podcast on both my Samsung A20 or my Chromebook. It's definitely not a device issue; I can play podcasts on my other account, but for some reason it won't let me play any episode. I have not changed any settings, and my devices aren't damaged. I used to be able to play them, but now they won't work.

[atticus__]

I’m getting this too with the Roku App. All of a sudden this weekend if I try to play an episode nothing happens when I hit play. They still play on my iPhone though. 

[toneronii]

Update: It seems I'm able to play podcasts on my phone again, but still no luck with the Chromebook. So I suppose it might be a glitch with the web player.

[Yordan]

Hi @toneronii,

Thanks for reaching out to the Community.

Could you let us know if this issue occurs in the Spotify web player or on the desktop app? Also, do you use any VPN? If, yes, try changing the country or disabling it entirely to see if it makes a difference.

You can also check if the issue occurs only when a specific podcast is playing or if it's present in general.

Keep us posted on this.

Cheers!

[atticus__]

Here is my setup:

• Windows App
  • No VPN
  • Plays podcasts
• iPhone App
  • Has VPN
  • Plays podcasts
• Web Player
  • No VPN
  • Does not play podcasts
• Roku App
  
  • No VPN
  • Does not play podcasts

I've tried multiple podcasts and none will play. Perhaps related now that I think about it, I recently subscribed to my first podcast through Anchor to unlock add free / bonus content for "Monster Among Us." Perhaps some players aren't handling that properly?

[Yordan]

Hey @atticus__,

Thanks for providing this info!

This could be the case here. Just to make sure, are you able to play other podcasts and episodes (that you haven't subscribed for) without issues?

If only specific episodes won't play, then it's likely that they aren't available for playback on all platforms.

Let us know how it goes.

Take care!

[atticus__]

I just got around to trying this out again. Still can’t listen to any podcast episode on Roku. Podcasts I’m subscribed to through Anchor, regular subscriptions, and podcasts I never listened to. Another thing I noticed is when I send music from my iPhone to Roku it comes up immediately. When I try to send a podcast episode Spotify on my iPhone just gets stuck in the “connecting…” state. 

[Eni]

Hi @atticus__,

Thanks for your reply. 

Could you let us know if you have never been able to listen to your podcasts on your Roku and the web player or if this started happening after a specific event? Also, we'd like to know if this only happens with podcasts containing video or with all of them. 

We'll be on the lookout.

[atticus__]

Yes, I was able to listen to podcasts until the day I jumped into this thread. I also tried uninstalling and re-installing the Roku app. I can't think of anything specific around that time that could have caused, just went to play a podcast one morning and it didn't work. I haven't tried any podcasts with video, didn't even know they were a thing.

[MafeG]

Hi @atticus__,

Thank you for keeping us in the loop.

Can you log in with another account, such as a friend's or a family member's to see if the issue persists? Alternatively, you can create a free account here, just make sure you're logged out of your own account before creating a new one.  

If the same happens with another account, could you try connecting to a different internet network to check how that works?

Keep us posted.

[atticus__]

Ok, so I didn't even think to try my wife's account which is a part of my family plan. No issues at all, we tried playing a handful of different podcasts and there were no issues. So it's likely account specific and the only difference is my account has subscribed to premium content through Anchor. I realized I signed up for the premium content (specifically for Monsters Among Us) the weekend before the issue started with my account. Definitely leaning towards the Roku app is not handling the Anchor content.

[MafeG]

Hi @atticus__,

Thank you for keeping in touch and running that test. 

For what you mention, it seems like the Anchor subscription may be related. However, could you give us some more details about this subscription, are you speaking about subscribing only to episodes/content?

We'll be on the lookout.

[atticus__]

I signed up on 1/2/2022 through the link (https://anchor.fm/monstersamonguspodcast/subscribe) in the "About" section in Spotify desktop app for the podcast. I just followed the steps on the page that link goes to. I've attached a partial screenshot of the email receipt I received. 

[MafeG]

Hi @atticus__,

Thank you for your reply!

With the info you've shared with us, we can confirm that if you've subscribed only to episodes/content through Anchor, some third party apps aren't currently equipped to play those. That also explains why your wife's account is able to play them without issue. 

In this case, the best we can recommend is using our native apps if you wish to continue subscribing through Anchor. 

Let us know if you have any questions.

[atticus__]

So the Roku Spotify app is considered a third party app?

[MafeG]

Hi @atticus__,

Thanks for the swift reply.

That's correct, in most devices such as TVs, receivers, car audio systems, etc. we only provide an API and the manufacturers implement the app based on it. So unfortunately, it's normal that some functionalities may be reduced. 

Hope this clears things up. Don't hesitate to reach out again if you have questions.

[atticus__]

Coooool. I love paying extra to lose features! Alas.. thanks for the help ya'll. 

[sagehouston]

Hi, I’ve had the exact same issue outlined here where just one day out of nowhere can no longer play podcasts on Roku TV. No issue on other devices, uninstalled and reinstalled Spotify app on TV and nothing. I, however, have no third party subscriptions or anything like anchor so no other reason for this problem. Would really love to get this resolved. 

[atticus__]

Good luck... I still can't play them and just gave up and use a bluetooth speaker now. You'll just get finger pointing between Spotify and Roku.

[21qh63etsve4nj5zqfwe]

Podcast video not playing only audio