Spotify app launching on a black screen

[Cyoam]

Plan

Premium

Country

U.S.A.

Device

Desktop PC

Operating System

Windows 10

My Question or Issue

Every time I launch the Spotify desktop app, I get greeted by a black screen. Sometimes if I let it sit for a few minutes it will eventually load, but most of the time it just stays on that black screen. The only solution I've found is reinstalling it, but the exact same thing happens after I log out or turn off my computer and come back.

[Novy]

Hey there @Cyoam, 

Thanks for reaching out about this in the Community. 

We understand you've already tried reinstalling the app. However, we'd like to suggest a clean reinstall, as this is more thorough than a regular one and can be helpful to get rid of any corrupted files that might be causing issues. 

If this doesn't do the trick, could you send over a video where we can take a better look at this issue? Just attach it to your next response to us by using the Insert Video option in the post editor. Make sure to exclude any personal information from it.

We'll keep an eye out for your reply. 

[FuzzyDark]

Now I can finally reply. Look, I've also tried what other people told us to, bunch of people have the same issue, even after clean reinstall. Please look into this problem or else you'll lose a lot of users... Black Screen since late January, Windows 10 - 64 bit.

[Eni]

Hi @FuzzyDark, 

Welcome to the Community and thanks for reaching out about this. 

In this case, we recommend trying with a different network, for example creating a hot spot on your phone and using that - if that's possible.

If that doesn't do the trick, would you mind trying to log in to your account on a different PC to check if the issue still persists?

We'll keep an eye out for your reply 🙂

[FuzzyDark]

How would it change the situation if I said web player does work?

[Novy]

Hi again @FuzzyDark, 

Thanks for your reply and this info.

As @Eni mentioned, if you could log into your account using a different desktop device it would be helpful for us to continue investigating this behavior.  

If possible, you can also ask a friend or a family member to log into their personal account on your computer and let us know if they can replicate it.

Keep us posted.

[FuzzyDark]

How exactly do you expect them to log into their account from my computer if I can literally do NOTHING on the app?

[Novy]

Hey @FuzzyDark, 

Thanks for your message.

Don't worry if this is not possible at the moment. 

Could you let us know how it goes with a different device? Were you able to test this with a different internet connection? Having this info will help us take a better look at the issue.

We'd also recommend giving these steps a go in order to check your host files.

We'll be on the lookout for your reply.

[FuzzyDark]

I solved it by myself. Creating an exception on my antivirus... I shouldn't have to go through all this, just for ending it by making an easy fix solution. Please let the devs know about this...

[Novy]

Hi @FuzzyDark 

Thanks for keeping us in the loop. 

We're glad to hear you were able to sort this out and we appreciate your feedback regarding this. We'll make sure to pass it onto the right team.

If anything else comes up, we're always a message away. 

Have a nice one.

[Cyoam]

What do you need a video of? Me launching the app?

[CarlosE]

Hey again @Cyoam,

Thanks for getting back in touch.

You're right. However, we'd like you to try the troubleshooting steps previously mentioned on this thread. Make sure to run a clean reinstall of the app by following the steps in this article. We also suggest downloading the app again from the Microsoft Store.

If that doesn't do the trick, make sure that Spotify doesn't have any restrictions on your PC's firewall and antivirus.

If the issue persists, try removing the host files by following the steps you'll find here.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

[Slayerxblake]

I downloaded the Spotify desktop app on Windows 10 PC and it also boots to a blank black screen with three dots at the top.  I can use the web app perfectly fine from the exact same computer.  What is the problem?  Why is something that should be so basic as at least displaying something not happening?

[Eni]

Hi there @Slayerxblake, 

Thanks for getting in touch about this. 

Just to confirm, have you tried the troubleshooting steps @CarlosE suggested previously?

If you have and they didn't make any difference, could you let us know the exact make/model, operating system and Spotify version of your device?

We'll be on the lookout.

[_theplutocrat]

I FOUND THE EASIEST QUICK FIX!!!
Tap on the Three dots(•••) >View > Hardware Acceleration
You're welcome

[evieslater_xx]

I tried that, its only been happening for me for today, i dont know if it will fix by itself or not but ive tried to press hardware acceleration but it didnt change anything at all, i can listen to music using the 3 dots and if i wanna switch playlist i can do it via going to the web player but it is a struggle so far, and an error message comes up too with the words "Spotify.exe - Application Error" and then "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142) Click OK to close the application." I have searched up youtube fix tutorials but they tend to show coding changes and as it isnt my personal computer i dont have the right to change any of the coding. I also really do not want to reset my spotify completely as i have a lot it throughout lots of years and would prefer not to lose it all. I have also done about 3 Malware/Virus scans just incase its a virus-related issue but i couldn't find anything, please get back to me if you can, Thank you so much.

[Vasil]

Hey @evieslater_xx,

To me it looks like this is either and error with the app or the installed OS on your device.

If it's technically possible on your end, I'd first recommend trying out the troubleshooting steps, mentioned above by @CarlosE.
In case you encounter any difficulties, it would be best to reach out to the person who's managing your computer for assistance.

Keep us posted on how things go!

P.S. Doing a clean reinstall will only remove the songs you've downloaded for offline listening, as these are stored locally.
Your profile and everything in Your Library will remain the unchanged 🙂

[Yvonne4]

I encountered this same problem on a MacBook Pro. I happen to use MacPaw's Clean My Mac. I went into that app to uninstall Spotify for a reinstall, and noticed an additional option – reset – as well as uninstall. Tried reset and that fixed the problem immediately. [Not affiliated with MacPaw, just a happy customer.]

[upgraded_titan_tvman]

this is exactly what is happening to me.

[Yoden]

I change my password recently and reconnect to all my device, on my phone everything work perfectly BUT in my deskop app i got black screen, the app take longer to do thing and it doesn't link to my account even if im connected AND more importantly i can't play any song.