Whenever playback breaks, you lose focus during a workout, study session, or while you’re on a deadline. You waste minutes chasing settings, and it can happen again with the next browser or network change. If you rely on music daily, stability matters much. Let’s get your playback back!

Symptoms & Reasons of Spotify Web Player Not Working

There could be various reasons why the Spotify web player doesn't work properly, and the solutions may vary. We have identified that the signs of its malfunction usually include the following situations. Take a look to check which one you're in and fix it quickly. 

Most common symptoms include:

  • Not loading/Blank or black screen
  • Can browse but can't play
  • Protected content/DRM error

Login loop/Stuck on connecting

Detailed reasons and solutions:

Reason Symptom  How to Quick Fix
DRM (Widevine) off Can’t play / DRM banner Enable Protected content / Play DRM-controlled content, restart browser
Third-party cookies blocked Login loop / stuck connecting Allow cookies for Spotify domains; re-login
Ad-blockers/privacy add-ons No load or no playback Whitelist Spotify; hard refresh
Spotify Connect device mismatch Plays elsewhere Devices → This web browser
Corporate firewall / blocked WebSocket Black/blank screen, spinner Test hotspot; ask IT to allow HTTPS/WSS to Spotify services
Windows N is missing components Playback fails on Win N Install Media Feature Pack; reboot
Corrupted site data/service worker Blank page/loops Clear site data for Spotify; sign in again
Outdated browser / broken profile Inconsistent behavior Update to latest; test Incognito/Private; create a fresh profile
VPN/Proxy interference Random failures Turn off VPN/Proxy or change location

Need the exact menu paths and buttons to enable DRM or allow cookies for Spotify? Jump to the part below to fix it in the browser for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

How to Fix Spotify Web Player Not Working in Browser?

Chrome (Windows/macOS/Chromebook)

We’ll go top to bottom. You need to check the playback after each step to see whether it's ok.

Step 1: Enable protected content (DRM/Widevine).

  • Chrome > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Additional content settings > Protected content IDs → Sites can play protected content > Restart Chrome.

google-additional-settings

Step 2: Allow cookies for Spotify:

  • Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data → allow third-party cookies (for testing) or add exceptions for open.spotify.com and accounts.spotify.com > Sign out/in once.

allow third-party cookies

Step 3: Disable extensions for a minute.

  • Visit chrome://extensions → turn off ad-blockers, privacy tools, script blockers > Hard refresh the Web Player (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R).

Step 4: Reset site data.

  • Click the lock icon → Site settings > Clear data, or use chrome://settings/clearBrowserData and remove cookies/cache for Spotify.

Are you still stuck? Try Incognito (no extensions), update Chrome, or create a fresh profile.

new-incognito-window

Firefox

  1. Play DRM-controlled content.
    • Settings (about:preferences) > General → Play DRM-controlled content ON.
    • Reload the Web Player.
  2. Cookies & ETP (Enhanced Tracking Protection).
    • Settings > Privacy & Security → set Standard; or keep Strict and add Exceptions for open.spotify.com and accounts.spotify.com.
    • Sign in again.
  3. Extensions off, then hard refresh.
    • about:addons → disable ad/privacy add-ons.
    • Hard refresh (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R).
  4. Clear site data for Spotify.
    • Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Data… → remove Spotify entries; re-open and sign in.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Allow protected content.
    • Edge > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Protected content IDs → Allow sites to play protected content.
    • Restart Edge.
  2. Cookies & tracking prevention.
    • Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data → allow third-party cookies or add site exceptions for Spotify.
    • Tracking prevention: set Balanced while testing.
  3. Extensions off + hard refresh.
    • Toggle off ad-blockers/privacy extensions; hard refresh the player.
  4. Devices → This web browser.
    • Take over playback in Spotify Connect.
  5. Reset site data if needed and re-login.

Safari (if you must)

Safari works for some users, but it’s the most finicky with DRM and tracking. If playback is inconsistent:

  • Update Safari.
  • Disable content blockers on Spotify pages.
  • Allow cross-site tracking for testing.
  • Clear website data for Spotify and try again.
  • If it still misbehaves, use Chrome or Edge for the web player.

Other Methods & Steps to Fix Spotify Web Player Not Working

Network, Firewall, and Proxy Troubleshooting

Corporate and school networks often inspect or block traffic that streaming sites need. Connect your computer to a mobile hotspot. If the player works there, your usual network is the issue.

To fix it:

  • VPN/Proxy: Turn it off or change location. Some VPNs break sign-in or WebSocket connections the Web Player relies on.
  • For IT admins (what to allow): permit secure connections (HTTPS and WSS) to Spotify’s playback and account services. Avoid SSL inspection on those endpoints; inspection can break real-time control and playback signaling.

Install the Windows Media Feature Pack

Windows N editions don’t include media components by default. If you use this version, you need to install the Media Feature Pack, reboot, and try again.

Check your edition first:

  • Go to Settings › System › About and look under Windows specifications. If you see “Windows 11/10 (Home/Pro) N”, you’re on an N edition.
  • Alternatively, press Win+R, type winver, and confirm the edition shown.

check-your-edition

To install Media Feature Pack:

  • Open Settings.
  • Go to Apps › Optional features.
  • Click View features next to Add an optional feature.
  • Search for Media Feature Pack.
  • Select it, click Next › Install.
  • Restart your PC when prompted, then retry playback.

Avoid Spotify Web Player Not Working Issues: Meet MusicFab

Tired of DRM toggles, cookie exceptions, and extensions breaking playback? MusicFab gives you a browser-free path to stable listening by focusing on your own local library through downloading music from Spotify.

MusicFab Spotify Converter enables you to download and convert Spotify songs, albums, or playlists into MP3 or other formats without DRM. It has a built-in web browser for you to search and save songs to your local devices, so you don't have to worry about playback errors anymore. It supports you to download music up to 320 kbps.

musicfab spotify converter

For a detailed MusicFab review and how to use it, head to our post.

FAQs

How to quickly fix Spotify Web Player not working?

Try these in order. Most people get playback back in minutes.

  1. Check the outage first. Search “Spotify status” or check the official Community updates.
  2. Enable DRM/protected content. Turn on Widevine / Play DRM-controlled content in your browser.
  3. Allow cookies for Spotify. Permit third-party cookies (or add exceptions) for open.spotify.com and accounts.spotify.com, then sign in again.
  4. Disable blockers. Turn off ad blockers/privacy extensions for a minute and hard refresh (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R).
  5. Pick the right device. In Spotify Connect, choose this web browser so playback happens here.

If it still fails, jump to your browser below, then the Network and System sections.

Why is Spotify Web Player not working?

Spotify’s Web Player depends on DRM (Widevine), cross-site cookies, real-time WebSocket control, and a clean cache. Any update to your browser, an ad-blocker rule, or a network policy can flip one switch and break playback again.

Most cases come from DRM off, third-party cookies blocked, aggressive ad blockers, or a firewall. Enable DRM, allow cookies for Spotify, and test with extensions off.

Why is Spotify Web Player not loading?

Strict tracking protection or corrupted site data can stall loading. Clear site data, add cookie exceptions, and try a different network.

Why is Spotify Web Player not playing songs?

Turn on protected content (DRM) and choose This web browser in Spotify Connect. Whitelist Spotify in blockers.

How do I enable protected content (DRM) for Spotify?

Chrome/Edge: allow Protected content IDs. Firefox: enable Play DRM-controlled content. Restart the browser.

Do I need third-party cookies for Spotify Web Player?

Yes. Allow cookies for open.spotify.com and accounts.spotify.com or add site exceptions under strict modes.