Spotify Problems On Chromebooks? 3 Known Issues (Solved)

Chromebooks differ from conventional laptop PCs due to the Chrome operating system, which was created for mainly online applications and storage. This resulted in a new type of laptop that is extremely thin, light, and, as a result, very popular.

With that in mind, it is no wonder that many Chromebook users play their music from Spotify, but not without some difficulty.

This article investigates Spotify problems on Chromebooks and identifies some helpful solutions.

1. The Spotify App Does Not Function on All Chromebooks

There have been reports of a black screen appearing when trying to access the Spotify App.

One user suggested the following solution that could potentially help you if you experience this problem:

1. Download Spotify.
2. Access the app and pin its icon to the toolbar/dock.
3. Select the icon to access the app. At this point, a big black screen might appear.
4.  Right-click on the app’s icon in the dock and click search.

It’s important to note that on a desktop or laptop computer, Spotify supports Windows and MacOS. With mobile devices, Spotify supports Android and iOS devices.

Spotify has not officially released a Chromebook app yet, so they suggest using the web player.

The following web browsers work with Spotify:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Edge
• Opera
• Safari

2. Spotify Constantly Skips on Chromebook Due to Protected Content

It can be really frustrating when you are listening to a playlist, and the music suddenly skips. If you are experiencing this, you have some options to fix the problem.

Firstly, ensure that Spotify is not prevented from playing protected content.

Here’s how to allow protected content:

1. Launch the Spotify app.
2. Select the three dots icon in the right-hand corner.
3. Click ‘App Info’
4. Select ‘Allow Protected Content’
5. Refresh the app.

If you are accessing Spotify via the web player on your Chromebook, you can enable protected content like this:

1. Visit: chrome://settings/content through the web browser.
2. Choose ‘Additional Content Settings’
3. Find ‘Protected Content’
4. Click ‘Sites can ask to play protected content’

This should stop content from skipping.

Other Solutions to try out:

If the issue persists, there are some solutions that you can try.

Start by checking that you have the latest upgrade for your Chrome browser via the ‘Help’ section.

Another option is to access the Spotify web player through a private/incognito window to discover if that fixes the problem.

Certain communities or public networks restrict some services. Ensure that you’re not synced to a network that prohibits access to Spotify. If your Chromebook was issued by your work or educational institution, you could be restricted in terms of which apps you can install or use.

Some users have complained that accessing Spotify via the browser on Chromebooks is not optimal. If you are experiencing this, you can download Spotify from the Google Play Store and log in. This could improve functionality.

Spotify is aware that certain content is skipping on Chromebooks. However, it states that the issue has since been fixed. Make sure that you have the latest version of the app if you are still having trouble.

Sometimes the Spotify Web Player problems are site-wide. Spotify has a Twitter feed named Spotify Status that informs users of commonly known bugs. It’s worth a try to check out this feed, particularly if troubleshooting doesn’t work.

However, remember that the feed isn’t specific. Instead of posting something like “Issue: Spotify Web Player Not Operational,” you will mostly find “something’s out of tune” or another vague heading. You will be informed when the issue is fixed though.

You can gloss over replies to find out if other users are dealing with the same issues as you. If this isn’t the case, you have the option of direct messaging Spotify Status. Spotify workers can give you some helpful guidance.

3. Spotify Content Stops Unexpectedly when Using Chromebook

There have been grievances about songs randomly pausing and then playing again after a few seconds.

If you find yourself in this position, there are some things you can try to rectify the problem:

Delete Cache and Cookies

A browser like Chrome stores certain information from sites in the cache and cookies.

Deleting these solves some issues, such as loading or formatting problems.

Here’s how to clear cache and cookies:

1. On your Chromebook, access ‘Chrome’
2. Select ‘More’ in the top right.
3. Choose ‘More tools’ and thereafter ‘Clear browsing data’
4. You will then be allowed to select a time range. To clear everything, click ‘All time’
5. Tick the boxes alongside ‘Cookies and other site data’ and ‘Cached images and files’
6. Select ‘Clear data’

Please be aware that once you have deleted the cache and cookies, some site settings get wiped out. For instance, if you were logged into Spotify, you will be required to log on again.

If you switch sync on, it will keep you signed into your Google Account so you can clear data on every device you use.

Please note that particular sites might seem slower due to content, such as images, needing to be reloaded.

Reset Chromebook

To solve specific Chromebook bugs, you can try resetting your Chromebook hardware. This is also known as a hard reset.

This should only be undertaken as an absolute last resort.

A hard reset will restart your hardware (including your keyboard and touchpad) and could clear specific files in the Downloads folder.

Here’s how to hard reset your Chromebook:

1. Switch your Chromebook off.
2. Hold down ‘Refresh’ and click ‘Power’
3. After your Chromebook starts, let go of ‘Refresh’

Here are alternative methods for a hard reset:

• Click a reset button
• Pull out the power cable
• Take the battery out and put it back in

General pros and cons of using Spotify on Chromebook

Pros

With cheaper hardware and software parts, Chromebooks have rapidly garnered popularity in the PC world. They are an attractive option for buyers looking for a less expensive laptop that still facilitates most online activities.

Not only are they liked for their cost effectiveness, but more advanced users appreciate Chromebooks for their speedy boot times, lightweight, and portability.

With that in mind, many users choose Chromebooks to listen to Spotify.

Here are the advantages of using Spotify a Chromebook:

Good battery life: The no-frills Chrome Operating System (OS) and lack of a standard spinning hard drive results in longer battery life, so you can listen to Spotify for a long period of time.

Quick boot times: Chromebook’s OS was created to be minimalistic. The data is also stored on a solid-state drive. With that in mind, a Chromebook has less to do when booting up, so you can get to those Spotify tracks much sooner.

Easy to use: If you can operate a web browser, you will be able to use a Chromebook so, which makes using web players like Spotify, quick and easy.

Very thin and light: A Chromebook has less bulky internal parts, so it is among the thinnest and most lightweight PC devices around. This convenience makes for a better Spotify listening experience if you are someone who has a long commute to work. 

Cons

1. The Spotify App doesn’t work on certain Chromebooks.
2. Certain protected content gets skipped.
3. Spotify content pauses randomly when being played on a Chromebook.

Please also read our easy solution guide for issues with headphones not working on Chromebook. 

Sources

Supported devices for Spotify 
Reset your Chromebook hardware
Clear cache & cookies