Why Playback Restricted On Spotify? A Complete Solution

Playback Restricted on Spotify

Are you experiencing playback restrictions on Spotify? Many users have reported issues on Spotify with restricted playback and not working of app after one or two songs, which can be frustrating, especially when trying to listen to your favourite songs or podcasts. In this article, we’ll explore why Spotify playback is restricted and provide solutions to help you eliminate playback restrictions.

Why is Spotify Playback Restricted?

There are several reasons why Spotify may restrict playback on its platform. One common reason is the type of account you have. Spotify offers two types of accounts: Spotify Free and Spotify Premium Premium. Free accounts have certain limitations, such as ad interruptions, lower audio quality, and playback restrictions. With a Free account, you can only listen to music in shuffle mode on mobile devices and cannot select specific tracks to play.

Another reason for playback restrictions is the device you’re using. Some devices, such as the Amazon Echo Dot, may have limitations on the type of content they can play due to licensing agreements. Certain songs or podcasts may not be available on these devices, or that playback may be restricted.

Possible Reasons of Playback Restricted Devices Greyed Out?

Regional Restrictions

One of the main reasons why Spotify playback is restricted is due to regional licensing agreements. Certain songs or albums may not be available in all regions due to copyright laws and licensing restrictions. For example, popular music in the United States may not be available in Europe due to licensing restrictions. Sometimes, even if a song is available in your region, it may be restricted due to the explicit lyrics or content.

Account Restrictions

Spotify offers free and premium accounts, and each account type has different playback restrictions. Free accounts have limited features and may be restricted regarding the number of skips allowed per hour. Additionally, free accounts have ads between songs, which can be annoying. Premium accounts offer ad-free playback and unlimited skips, but they come with a monthly fee.

Device Restrictions

Another reason why Spotify playback may be restricted is due to devise compatibility. Some devices may not be compatible with Spotify or require installing specific software or operating systems to use the service. For example, some older smartphones or tablets is not be able to run the updated version of the Spotify app, which can limit playback options.

Offline Restrictions

If you are using Spotify offline, you may be restricted in terms of which songs or playlists you can access. This is because you can only access songs downloaded to your device. You need to download a song or playlist to listen to it offline.

Parental Controls

Spotify also offers parental controls, which can restrict certain songs or playlists based on explicit lyrics or content. If you have set up parental controls on your account, you may encounter playback restrictions on specific tracks or playlists.

License Expirations

Spotify has to strike licensing agreements with copyright holders to stream their songs on the Spotify platform. Certain artists or albums might no longer be available for playback if license agreements aren’t renewed. It can happen even if the songs were previously available for playback.

Age Limit

Some music may be restricted if you’re under 13 and created a Spotify account. Additionally, due to age limitations, some content is forbidden on Spotify for a student account. You may need to adjust your account settings if you encounter age restrictions to access the content.

Cache Issue

Some music may be restricted if you’re under 13 and created a Spotify account. Additionally, due to age limitations, some content is forbidden on Spotify for a student account. You may need to adjust your account settings if you encounter age restrictions to access the content.

Using Third-Party Apps

Using third-party apps can restrict your music from playing. Spotify may not authorize third-party apps that claim to enhance your Spotify experience and can interfere with playback. 

How to Turn Off Playback Restricted on Spotify?

If you’re experiencing playback restrictions on Spotify, there are a few things you can do to turn them off. 

The first step is to check your account settings to ensure you have a Premium account. If you have a Free account, you can upgrade to Premium to unlock all features, including unlimited skips and offline playback.

Another solution is to update your Spotify app to the latest version. This can help fix any bugs or glitches causing playback restrictions & offline problems in Spotify. Log out of your account and back in to refresh the app.

If you’re using a device with playback restrictions, such as an Echo Dot or a PlayStation, you may need to switch to a different device or use an additional service without these limitations..

How to get rid of playback restricted on Spotify?

If none of the above solutions works for you, another option to try is to uninstall and reinstall the Spotify app on your mobile or Pc. It can help resolve any issues that may have been caused by corrupted files or outdated software.

Make your uninstallation after you have cleared all the data of Spotify on your device. Check detailed steps to remove data from your device.

For  Android Devices :

Here are the steps to clear Spotify data and reinstall the app on an Android device:

  • Open your phone’s Settings.
  • Select Apps or Applications, then Manage applications.
  • Find Spotify in the list of apps and tap it.
  • Tap Clear Data
  • Go to Storage > Android > Data and delete the com.spotify.music folder.
  • If you don not have file manger in your device, you can search online for help from your device manufacturer on locating and deleting the folder.
  • If you’ve used an external SD card to store downloaded music from Spotify, double check to make sure the com.spotify.music folder is removed.
  • Turn off your device and wait a few minutes
  • Turn on your android phone 
  • Go To play store and install the Spotify APP

For  IPhone/IPad

Here are the steps to clear Spotify cache and delete the app on an iPhone:

  • Launch the Spotify app and access setting in top left.
  • Select Storage in the settings menu and then tap Delete Cache to clear the app’s cache data.
  • Go to your iPhone’s Settings and and press General from the menu.
  • Select iPhone Storage and Go to Spotify in the list of apps.
  • Select Offload App to remove the app from your device
  • Follow up by tapping Delete App and confirming the deletion to remove any remaining files associated with the app.
  • Now to restart your phone , hold down the Side or Top button and either volume button and  the power off slider came on the screen
  • Slide the power off button to shut down your device completely.
  • Wait a few minutes before pressing the Top or Side button to turn your device back on.
  • Finally, head to the App Store and download and install the Spotify app on your iPhone.

The steps to perform a clean reinstall of Spotify on your iPad device are comparable to those of an iPhone device. It’s essential to remember that in the fourth step, you should search for “iPad Storage” rather than “iPhone Storage.”

For Mac:

Here are the steps to completely uninstall Spotify from a Mac device:

  • First, close the Spotify application to ensure it’s not running in the background.
  • Open Finder and click on the “Go” menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  • Select “Library” from the dropdown menu. If you can’t see it, hold the “Alt” key to make it visible.
  • In the Library folder, open the “Caches” folder and delete the “com.Spotify.Client” and “com.spotify.client.helper” folders to remove all cache data.
  • Return to the Library folder and open the “Application Support” folder. You should delete the “Spotify” folder to remove any leftover files.
  • To ensure that all Spotify-related files are removed from your system, press “Command+Shift+G” from your desktop to open the “Go to Folder” window.
  • Type “~/Library/” into the field to open the Library folder and then enter “Spotify” into the search field.
  • Hit “Search Library” to locate any remaining files associated with Spotify and delete them.

By following these steps,  all traces of Spotify have been completely removed from your Mac device.

For Windows 10:

Follow these simple Steps to get rid of Playback restriction on Spotify

  • Launch Spotify and click on “File” in the menu bar. From the dropdown menu, select “Exit” to close the app.
  • Click on the Start button and choose “Settings” from the list of options.
  • In the Settings window, select “System,” then click on “Apps & features.” Locate and select “Spotify.”
  • Now uninstall the Spotify by click on “Uninstall” button
  • Open the Start search bar, type “%AppData%,” then press “Enter.” It will open the AppData\Roaming folder.
  • Check if there is a Spotify folder in the new window. If you find one, delete it.
  • Ensure that no Spotify folder remains in (C:\Users*USERNAME*\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage) or AppData\Local
  • Now got to search bar to check any file Spotify folders. If you find, delete them.
  • Now shut down your PC, wait a few minutes, and switch it back on.
  • Finally, download and install Spotify from the Windows Apps store or the Spotify website. If the issue persists, try downloading from different sources.

Following these steps, you can ensure that Spotify is completely uninstalled from your Windows device and that any remaining files and folders are removed.

Pro Tip

You can also use a third-party Device Cleaner app to delete the saved files of Spotify on your device.

Why is playback restricted on Spotify ps4, ps5?

Playback restrictions on Spotify PS5 can occur for several reasons, including connectivity issues, licensing agreements, device compatibility, outdated app versions, and account restrictions.

How to Fix playback restricted on Spotify ps4, ps5?

To check if your Spotify account is linked to your PS4 console, follow these steps:

  • Turn on PS4 and go to the Settings in menu
  • Click on “Account Management” from the list of options.
  • Tap on “Link with Other Services” to access the account linking settings.
  • Look for Spotify in the list of linked services. Your Spotify account is only currently connected to your PS4 console if it’s listed.

Following these simple steps, you can quickly check if your Spotify account is linked to your PS4 console and ensure uninterrupted music streaming on your device.

FAQs:

To turn off playback restrictions on Spotify, upgrade to a Premium account or try updating the app, logging out and logging back in, or using a different device. Contact Spotify customer support if you need help with these solutions.

You may be unable to access playback on Spotify due to issues with your internet connection, account type, or app-related bugs. Upgrading to a Premium account can unlock all features. Try updating the app or logging out and logging back in to refresh it. Contact Spotify customer support if the issue persists.

To get rid of restricted playback on Spotify, consider upgrading to a Premium account, updating the app to the latest version, logging out and logging back in to refresh the app, or using a different device that doesn’t have restrictions. Clearing your cache and cookies or reinstalling the app can also help. If none of these solutions works, contact Spotify customer support for further assistance.

Spotify playback may be restricted on Alexa due to licensing agreements between the two companies. Certain songs or podcasts may not be available on Alexa devices, or playback may be limited to specific regions. If you’re experiencing playback restrictions on Alexa, try adding the correct Spotify account with a premium subscription to the Alexa app. Unlinking any free account and adding a premium subscription account can help resolve the issue.

It’s possible to listen to blocked songs on Spotify by using a VPN to connect to a server where those songs are available. However, doing so may violate the platform’s terms of service. If you use a VPN, ensure it’s reliable and secure.

Playback restricted on Spotify means that your access to certain songs or features is limited due to licensing agreements, account type, or device restrictions. You may need to upgrade to a Premium account, update the app, or use a different device to remove playback restrictions.

Conclusion

Spotify users often experience playback restrictions, which can be due to various reasons such as regional licensing agreements, account type, device compatibility, offline limits, parental controls, and cache issues. 
To resolve this, users can ensure they have a premium account, update their app, switch to a different device, uninstall and reinstall the app, and clear cache and data.

APP Developer

Gunjan Kothari is an experienced app developer and long-time Spotify user. She wants to address Spotify-related issues, using her technical skills and passion for helping others.

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