Fixed: Spotify Web Player Not Working on Chrome/Firefox/Edge

Is your Spotify Web Player not working, loading, or playing? We’ll provide in-depth browser steps for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge to help you figure it out. If you’re on a work/school laptop or Windows N, we’ve got you covered too. And also cover the reasons why it is not working.

Key Takeaways: Why & Fix Spotify Web Player Not Working

Spotify Web Player (open.spotify.com) usually fails due to one of four things:

1. An outage
2. DRM/Widevine (protected content) blocked
3. Extensions or corrupted site data
4. Network restrictions (work/school Wi-Fi)

Use the 60-second checklist below, then follow the browser steps:

1. Check Spotify Ongoing Issues / @SpotifyStatus.
2. Open the web player in Incognito/Private.
3. Disable ad blockers/privacy extensions - hard refresh (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R).
4. Clear site data for open.spotify.com → sign in again.
5. If you see "protected content" errors, enable Widevine/DRM (Protected content)
6. Try a hotspot to rule out work/school network blocks.

Why is Spotify Web Player Not Working

There could be various reasons why the Spotify web player doesn't work properly, and the solutions may vary. Take a detailed look to check which one you're in.

Need the exact menu paths and buttons to enable 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.

Step 2: Allow cookies for Spotify:

• Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data → allow cookies/site data for Spotify: Settings → Privacy & security → Cookies and other site data → add site exceptions for open.spotify.com and accounts.spotify.com → Sign out/in once.

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.

Firefox

1. Play the content.
   • Settings (about:preferences) > General → Play 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 →  add site exceptions for Spotify (or temporarily allow third-party cookies while testing)
   • 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-logi

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.

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

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. 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.

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