Can't play folders using the desktop app

[jw231]

It looks like they finally removed the ability to play a folder of playlists from the desktop version. They removed the ability from mobile back in 2017. I think I'm going to revert my current version to the previous one and stop updating. I'd love to understand why it was removed, but have never gotten a great explanation.

Spotify for Windows (64 bit)
1.2.40.599.g606b7f29

[ray3452]

Me too 

[Yordan]

Thank you for the replies, folks!

Could you try disabling and enabling Hardware acceleration to see if that does the trick? You can do this from the three dots menu at the top > Help > Troubleshooting.

@WillDWhite, note that playing all content inside a folder at once isn't available on the mobile app at the moment, but there's an idea about it here, which you may find interesting, so feel free to check it out and show your support 👍

Let us know how it goes!

[Le0nidass]

When the folder is open in this layout, we can play it, so it's OK for me =D

[mgbnet]

I confirm that the partial workaround is working for me.

• Windows 11 (24H2 - 26100.3775)
• Spotify app version: Spotify for Windows (64 bit) 1.2.61.443.gc51c574b

If a folder just has playlists in it, this is what I see:

• If the folder is closed, I do not get the play icon if I hover over the folder icon.
• If the folder is closed and I right click on the folder icon, I do not get Play as an option in the context menu.
• If I expand the folder, I can hover on the folder icon and see the Play/Pause icon, which I can use.
• If I expand the folder, I can right click on the folder icon and get the Play/Pause option in the context menu.

If a folder has nested folders in it:

• If the top-level folder is closed, I do not get the play icon if I hover over the folder icon.
• If the top-level folder is closed and I right click on the folder icon, I do not get Play as an option in the context menu.
• If I expand a sub-folder, I can hover on the sub-folder's icon and see the Play/Pause icon, which I can use.
• If I expand a sub-folder, I can right click on the sub-folder's icon and get the Play/Pause option in the context menu.
• If I expand any sub-folder, I can hover over the top-level folder's icon and see the Play/Pause icon, which I can use.
• If I expand any sub-folder, I can right click on the top-level folder's icon and get the Play/Pause option in the context menu.

As recommended in a comment above, I tried turning off and on the hardware acceleration and saw no change.

[WillDWhite]

Thank you Yordan and AlejaR!

I was able to play folders (including parent folders) by following your guidance:

• Disabling Hardware Acceleration (via Help -> Search for Hardware -> Select Disable Hardware Acceleration -> Confirm)

• Make sure the folder is 'expanded' by clicking the arrow to the right

• The drop down now shows the 'play' button and hovering over the tile also changes to play

Again, than you for your help!

[bibridtribrid]

Just had to spend over an hour with customer service because I couldn't shuffle my folders. I thought it was a problem on my end so I uninstalled and reinstalled and then did a clean reinstall but neither did anything. 

After sending a screenshot, however, we finally figured out that you have to click on the '>' button and then it shows up. I think this is a waste of time and there has to be a much easier way of doing this, such as playing/shuffling folders from just double clicking them or right clicking them not doing all of that.

I know this is such a miniscule issue but for something that is so popular and so many people pay for silly issues like this just shouldn't exist.

[Donk2000]

I panicked this morning when I found the play icon for a folder of playlists was missing. No icon when hovering over the folder and no 'Play' option when right clicking or no matter where I looked.

This is my main use case for Spotify.

Reading through this thread I found that opening a folder and right clicking on the folder name (visible top left) the 'Play' option would be still available there and that seems to still work.

I do hope Spotify isn't phasing out this feature. 

I'm on Windows 10

[Yordan]

Hey folks,

Thank you for the reports!

We've reopened the investigation with our tech team who'll look further into this. In the meantime, you can use the workaround of expanding the folders (while in Default list view) via the small arrow on the right to make the Play button show up.

Cheers 🤘

[Dancou-Maryuu]

Plan

Free

Country

Canada

Device

Macbook Pro

Operating System

MacOS Sequoia

My Question or Issue

For some reason, it's not possible for me to play folders as if they were playlists. Previously this was possible for me on Desktop but not on Mobile. Now it's both. Is it no longer a feature or is this a technical issue?

[Dancou-Maryuu]

No good. Disabling/Enabling Hardware Acceleration didn't do the trick. I've found that the only way I can play folders is if I expand them.

[Irithyl]

Plan

Premium

Country

UK

Device

Desktop

Operating System

(Windows 10)

My Question or Issue

Using the desktop app I am no longer able shuffle folders. Which happens to be one of the main ways I listen to my music. It was woking as recent as yesterday, and I think spotify might have updated itself which I am guessing removed the ability.

[Amay]

Hey @Irithyl, thanks for asking in the Community! 🎵

I can confirm that if you open a folder in your library using the desktop app, there is only a play button now, and the shuffle option is no longer available. However, you can still shuffle and play your folders. Follow these steps:

1. Use the existing play option to play a folder
2. When the song starts playing, enable shuffle on the now playing bar at the bottom
3. Play any other item from the folder explicitly
4. Try to use the folder play button again, and you should see the items shuffled
5. You can enable shuffle on each folder like this, or the main parent folder

I hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else. 🙂

[jortbreij]

Soon you said. Still having this problem today