Local files downloaded but not playing

[dsegs]

Plan

Premium

Device

iPhone SE 2020

Operating System

iOS 13.4.1

My Question or Issue

I have a playlist that includes songs not available on Spotify, so I sync the local files from my desktop to my phone. This worked fine until a few days ago my local files on my phone became unplayable (greyed out). The song is downloaded to the phone (the green arrow shows, see the song called "5334" in the attached screenshot for an example), but I cannot press on it, and opening the menu on it does not show the play option. How can I play my local files again?

[Ivan]

Hey there @dsegs, 

Thanks for searching for the answer you need here! 

It's a good idea to try changing the source location of the local files on your PC. Simply create a new folder in a different directory on your device and move your local files to this folder. Then just delete the old folder used for the local files. Now you can try importing the files to your mobile device again. 

Also, check out this help page for further tips on how to manage your local files. Here you’ll find useful info on format requirements and permitted file sources.  

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes. 

[dsegs]

The files are imported and downloaded without issue, they just became unplayable.

[monicad22]

Same problem here, and this hasn't helped. It shows that the songs are downloaded and even look playable but as soon as I click them they go grey again!

[Alex]

Hey there @monicad22,

Welcome to the Community!

Could you confirm to us that you've followed all the steps from this support article when uploading the local files? Also note that both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Syncing local files does not always work as expected when your Desktop device is connected via Lan cable.

Another thing you can do is create a playlist and some songs from our catalogue to the playlist as well as the local file/s and make sure you have ‘Show unavailable songs in playlists’ turned on in Settings on both your devices.

Also keep in mind that broken cache might cause issues with your app, so we recommend performing a clean reinstall of Spotify on all devices just to be sure that you're running the latest version and there're no cache related issues.

Let us know how it goes. We'll be on the lookout for your reply.

[monicad22]

Yes, I tried everything, but it still isn't working

[Mario]

Hey @monicad22,

Thanks for reaching out about this here in the Community.

Jumping in to confirm that Spotify won't allow you to play files/tracks acquired illegally (e.g. YouTube video converted to mp3) so it'd be great if you'd also double-check the files' source before trying again.

Hope you'll find this useful.

Cheers!

[monicad22]

Yes, I have already checked this, and the files are fine

[Alex · Accepted solution]

Hi there @monicad22,

Thanks for the reply.

Could you make sure that there are no VPN/firewall services turned on on both your phone and PC.

Also, try the following: deleting the playlist with the local songs > restarting both apps > create a mobile Hotspot and connect both devices to it (Have Wi-FI switched off at this point) > Open both apps and upload the local files. This will help us determine if the issue is network related.

Keep us posted!

[Drummer3]

Alex, thanks for this suggestion. I do have a VPN installed but had it turned OFF. I do have Windows Defender Firewall turned ON but didn't try turning off. Instead, I did fix the problem by turning on my iPhone Hotspot and connecting my PC and my Wife's iPhone to my hotspot. Then, the local files downloaded to her playlist. Good grief! I thought I'd never figure that out! Thanks again!