Can't play Spotify on my laptop using headphones; speakers work (as does a usb headset).

[cts]

Plan

Paid

Country

US

Device

Laptop

Operating System

Windows 10

My Question or Issue

Spotify gives me this error message in the subject line *only when I plug in headphones*: "Spotify can't play this right now. If you have the file on your computer you can import it." When I use a USB headset I have no problem, and when I play songs through the laptop's speakers (which I never do) I have no problem. Setting the sound preference to "headphones" appears to cause the issue.

I have a decent set of headphones, which sound infinitely better than my USB headset, which I use for zoom calls, so I would like to get this fixed.

[Sebasty]

Hey @cts 

If you try to change your audio output to Headphones and then restart Spotify, does it still show you this error?

The app doesn't function well with changing audio outputs while it's running.

Another thing that comes to mind is that Windows 10 allows users to select audio in/output now - see this HowtoGeek article to learn more about it. You can set your headphones as the audio output for Spotify and it should stay that way.
It may happen that it's currently set to something else instead, making Spotify not recognise your desired output.

Let me know how you get on!

[LawrenceMorrow]

Thank you so much for answering. I also can't play Spotify on my laptop using headphones and I want to know why I can't use it. I am so happy I have found my answer over here. I want to buy laptops for studying and I have found so many ideas on this page. But I am confused about which one should I buy. Can you guys please help me in searching for the best laptops online?

[JoJo86]

I'm having this issue as well. All of my settings are as they should be, check what people have suggested on previous posts. Still nothing. It used to work if I started listening on my phone, then swapped to my laptop, but it won't let me do that anymore

[JoJo86]

I spoke to Spotify support bot about this. I was told to uninstall the Spotify app. Then reinstall it. It worked. Bluetooth headphones are now working via the app on my laptop 🙌🏻

[31ze5owcejh45r7teo5m]

PC 我的耳机用 3.5mm 数据线直接电脑 Spotify 可以使用，但我用 USB 转接器电脑就不能使用喔了！

[hardlev]

Spotify does not play tracks, only in a web browser. I have already reinstalled, cleaned the cache, installed an application from the Windows market, changed the quality of playback files, turned off hardware acceleration... nothing helped. It started after connecting headphones from Sony to usb, before that I had a 3.5 mini jack connection. Perhaps more rights are needed for new headphones in the Windows system.

Plan Free

Country Ukraine

Device

Windows PC

Operating System

 Windows 11

[KalenVS]

I am also having the exact same issue, and also with a Sony brand Headset. Specifically the INZONE H9 headset. I am also looking for a solution, but maybe it is an issue with Sony?

[KalenVS]

I FOUND THE SOLUTION!!!!

It was on a different thread but this worked for me. Just connect the USB dongle into a USB Hub and then the USB Hub to your computer. Apparently it is an issue with the USB Drivers on the computer...

[Nothing_CN]

I am experiencing an issue with my INZONE H3 headset when connected via USB to my computer. I have installed the INZONE Hub software, and in the system settings under Sound > Properties, the audio enhancements are set to default. With these settings, Spotify is unable to play music. However, if I disable the audio enhancements, Spotify functions normally. Please investigate and resolve this issue.