Spotify Desktop App Doesn't Work After Closing and Reopening Upon Reinstall

[Daniel631]

I recently got a new Windows 11 PC and have been unable to properly use the desktop app. Upon clean reinstalling it, it works somewhat (local files don't work though) and I'm able to use it. Though if I close the app, then I'm greeted with a black window with nothing to click except the three dots in the corner. Then upon ending the task it says "The application is not responding." It will continue to say this until a few minutes of when it goes back to the black box. The Web player works fine and I'm all up to date on everything. I have tried restarting Windows many times, reinstalling the latest app, downloading it from the Microsoft Store, nothing works.

[Maria]

Hey there @Daniel631,

Thanks for reaching out on the Community!

Could you try clearing stored cache from the device to see if you notice any difference? Make sure to log out from the app and back in again once it's done, as this will resync your account info.

Shouldn't that do the trick, could you try re-installing the app again and then re-download it directly from Spotify's page instead, if you haven't already? You can check the steps here.

If possible, we suggest trying with another network connection as well. For example, if you're currently using WiFi, you can create a Hotspot on your phone and temporarily connect your PC there.

Feel free to send us a video showing how things look from your end, so that we can have a look as well, should the issue persist.

Let us know how you get on!

[Daniel631]

Hello,

Like I said in my post this has been happening since I got my computer so clearing the cache does nothing, nor does logging in and our, nor does reinstalling and redownloading like I had already stated. I have been in contact with Spotify support for at least 5 months with this exact issue and nobody has been able to help me. 

[MihailY]

Hey @Daniel631,

Thanks for your reply and the video.

As a next step, can you reinstall again so you can open the app and try restarting it without logging in? Does that make any difference?

Also, you've mentioned that local files don't work when you manage to open the app after the clean reinstall. Can you elaborate on that?

Keep us posted.

[Daniel631]

Can you please read my original post before offering solutions, I already said that reinstalling it does nothing. Right now I think it's because of my school's wifi because it worked fine at best buy

[Dessi]

Hey @Daniel631,

Thanks for the clarification!

Can you make sure that Spotify is allowed via the Firewall? Also, when using a public network, there may be some restrictions, which can affect the app's performance. If you haven't already, you can also try deleting the prefs file under C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Spotify, as well as the contents of the Users folder found in the same directory, and restart the app afterwards.

Let us know how it goes.

[Daniel631]

I already did this. it's because of the wifi like i just said. is there any documentation on certain wifi networks not letting spotify work?

[Dessi]

Hey @Daniel631,

Thanks for the reply!

Unfortunately, there's no such documentation we can share. The only suggestion I have as a workaround is using a hotspot from your mobile device (if available) when in places where the public WiFi is causing this. 

Take care.

[Daniel631]

My PC doesn't use hotspots and even if it did I'd rather not have bad wifi just to use the Spotify app. I would appreciate if you or someone else looked into this more or got someone who knew what they were talking about to help me. I will not stop until this problem is solved.