Android Smart TV App Constantly Freezes

[WraithChaser]

My Question or Issue

When trying to use the Spotify app on my Sony Smart TV: leaving the app open for any extended period of time (over 3-5 minutes) will cause the app to freeze. Music still plays in the background but the screen is unresponsive and occasionally the bottom half o the screen will be black. The remote can still be used to pause, play, and skip, but any navigation of the screen itself will not work. The only way to fix it is to force stop the app and restart it. I can reproduce this with 100% accuracy, as I use the app on the TV almost every single day and it freezes every single time.

Device

Sony XBR-43X803C (Bravia 4k Smart TV 2015)

Operating System

Android Bravia 7.0 (Kernel Version 3.10.79)

Country

United States

Plan

Family Premium

[kailasa108]

I have a Sony Bravia XBR-55850C (Bravia 4K 2015) Android 7.0 (Kernel Version 3.10.79), and I am having the EXACT same problem. I don't know how long it takes for the app screen to freeze - I usually turn the TV screen off and let the app run until the playlist ends.
The problem started with the latest Spotify update - version 1.24.0.
Thank you for your help!

[manukau]

I find the problem happens when on the playback screen.

It is less likely or even does not occur if you go back to the home view.

It is *very* annoying and sometimes I can only restart Spotify after Force Closing it or restarting the TV.

Spotify version

1.29.0, com.spotify.tv.android

Device

Sony KD-55X9300D (Bravia 4k Smart TV 2015)

Operating System

Android Bravia 7.0 (Kernel Version 3.10.79, Build 23-05-2019)

Build SVP4KDTV15_PA-user 7.0 NRD91N.S35 5.434

Country

New Zealand

Plan

Family Premium

[manukau]

Spotify recently upgraded to version 2.49.3, previously 1.29.0 and since then the problem has not occurred.

Full version = (2.49.3-b41bc release-v2.86-12-g7bfeabb HEAD-v3.111.64-gd8039f02 1.29.0.4)

The user interface of the home page has changed completely but interestingly the playback screen, which I suspected to be the problem, doesn't appear to have changed much.

Fingers-crossed, the update has hopefully fixed the problem.

[TINTINIUS]

Same issue here, for a while now already. 

Plan: Premium Family

TV Model: Sony KD65X8505 (European model) 

OS: Android 7

Spotify Version: 1.29.0

Country: Germany

Cheers 

[kailasa108]

Thanks for the reply!
I'm using a 5-year-old Sony Android TV. Sony drags its heels so much on app
upgrades that I'm surprised they don't have bone spurs! 😁
Soooo, I've just now updated to Spotify 1.30.0.

Buuuuut, the problem was 'fixed' when I updated this system app called
"Android System Webview"! (It's supposedly based on Chrome that helps the
TV access Internet material. I discovered the 'impact' of this app when I
updated it while Spotify was running...and ASW's update killed the
Spotify app.) ASW just updated again to version 81.0.4044.117.

So, I guess problem is solved! 👏👏

[manukau]

I've got the same version of Android System Webview and the problem also seems to be fixed for me.

So possibly it is either the upgrade of this component, of spotify or even the combination of both of these which has fixed it.