Spotify Problems on Tablets? 5 Known Issues (Solved)

With its vast amount of active monthly subscribers, Spotify is one of the leading online music streaming platforms. Spotify users can access and enjoy an enormous library of music due to its compatibility with a wide range of devices, including tablets.

However, if you have problems with using Spotify on your iPad or Android tablet, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll take you through 5 known issues that users often face, and better yet we’ll help you solve them fast.

1. Spotify Keeps Pausing because the Cache is Too Full

Spotify uses cache files to save portions of your songs and podcasts, so they play more smoothly after a first play.

Cache files are temporary files stored on your local drive (not on the cloud) to make it easier for Spotify to retrieve the data faster so that you can listen to music seamlessly.

Spotify also uses cache files to save your library for offline playback, which is an incredibly handy feature that subscribers thoroughly enjoy.

However, when the cache on your Spotify becomes too full, it can result in unwanted pauses and skips – something that nobody has time for.

Unfortunately, there is no automatic setting that clears out your cache for you so you will have to do it manually.

For this reason, it is always good to keep an eye on how full your cache storage is becoming and clear it out every once in a while as a preventative measure.

The good news is that clearing the cache on your iPad or Android tablet is very straightforward – all you have to do is follow the simple steps below.

To make things easier, the instructions are the same for both iPads and Android tablets as it can be done through the Settings menu within the Spotify app.

Here’s How to Clear the Spotify Cache on your Tablet

1. Begin by opening Spotify on your iPad or Android tablet.
2. Starting from the Home page, navigate to ‘Settings’, which you will find located in the top right corner of your screen.
3. From this menu, scroll down and select ‘Storage’
4. Next, tap on ‘Delete Cache’
   • A pop-up will now appear.
5. Finally, simply confirm your decision by tapping ‘Delete Cache’ once again.

Once you have completed these steps, any redundant cache files that are only serving to clog up your device will be removed and you should no longer experience any skips or pauses when you go to play your music and podcasts.

You can also clear the cache through your Android devices applications menu, though the method will differ slightly depending on which operating system your tablet is using. To do this, follow these steps instead:

1. Open your tablet’s ‘Applications’ via the ‘Settings’ menu.
2. Locate Spotify under the downloaded applications and select it.
3. Next, select ‘Storage’ and choose ‘Clear Cache’
4. Similarly to the previous method, you will be asked to re-confirm the decision before your tablet removes the stored cache files.

Once you have done this you should find that Spotify begins to perform much more efficiently.

For future reference, it is recommended that you have at least 1GB free of storage space on your device for Spotify to function at its best.

2. Spotify is Not Working because the App is Out-of-Date

Spotify will routinely release updates to help improve its app functionality, so if you notice that your songs are no longer playing properly, or that the app keeps glitching on your tablet, it may be time to check if the app is outdated or if an update is pending.

Checking for regular updates is incredibly important with all of your apps – not just Spotify.

Normally apps will update themselves automatically, but sometimes this isn’t the case and unwanted problems can arise.

Luckily, if and when this happens, all you have to do is follow the instructions below to manually update Spotify on your iPad or Android tablet.

Here’s How to Update Spotify on your Android Tablet

1. To start, open up the Google Play Store app on your Android tablet.
2. Tap on your profile icon located in the top right of your screen.
3. From here, select ‘Manage apps & devices’
4. Now select ‘Updates Available’
5. This screen will now show you a list of every app that’s in the queue to be updated. All you have to do is scroll through and find Spotify and tap ‘Update’
6. Alternatively, you could select ‘Update All’ at the top of the list.

The Spotify app will now begin updating. It’s worth noting that if you cannot see the ‘Update’ option next to the Spotify app icon then you are currently running the latest version.

This indicates you can be safely assured knowing that any problems you may be experiencing with Spotify are not caused by an outdated app.

Please also read our article with easy fixes for problems with scrolling on Spotify. 

How to Update Spotify on your iPad

Similarly to Android devices, iPads should automatically install any app updates when they become available. If this isn’t happening, the steps below outline how to manually do so:

1. Begin by opening up the App Store on your iPad.
2. Tap on your profile icon located on the top right-hand side of your iPad’s screen.
3. Refresh the page, then scroll through the ‘Upcoming Automatic Updates’ section.
4. If you locate Spotify, simply tap ‘Update’ to begin the pending update. Alternatively, you could select ‘Update All’ at the very top to ensure that all of your apps are running the latest version.

3. Spotify is no Longer Functioning Properly because your Tablet is in Need of an OS Update

Tablets, like other smart devices, need their operating systems to be routinely updated in order to install any new features, keep up to date with any security improvements, and improve the device’s overall performance.

If you find that Spotify is lagging, failing to open, or even pausing your songs randomly, then it may be because your tablet needs to be updated.

Updating your iPad is a quick and painless procedure, simply follow these steps:

1. It is recommended to begin by backing up your device using either a computer or iCloud.
2. Ensure your device is connected to power.
3. Check your iPad is currently connected to the internet.
4. Navigate to ‘Settings’
5. Now select ‘General’
6. From here, select ‘Software Update’

If there are multiple update options available, simply choose the one that you wish to install.

With Android tablets you should receive a notification of an OS update, so all you need to do is tap on this notification to automatically update your tablet.

Alternatively, if you have accidentally closed the notification then follow these steps instead:

1. Begin by opening your tablet’s ‘Settings’ application.
2. Scroll to the bottom and select ‘System’
3. Now choose ‘System update’
4. On this screen, you will see your tablet’s current update status. If an update is available simply follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Spotify is Glitching because your Tablet Needs a Restart

Whenever you encounter any problems with apps on your tablet it’s always worth restarting the device to close any background processes and start fresh.

If Spotify is glitching and failing to play songs properly, it may be because you have too many apps open in the background or other processes that are clogging your tablet’s ability to function efficiently.

So if you are experiencing any issues with Spotify, turn off your iPad or Android tablet for a couple of minutes before turning it back on again to see if this helps resolve the issue.

5. Your Wi-Fi Strength is Affecting Spotify’s Performance on your Tablet

Another common issue that tablet owners have found when using the Spotify app to play their music, is that if the internet connection is too weak, or intermittent, their songs will fail to play smoothly.

There are several things you can try to solve this issue, such as:

• Re-starting your router.
• Disconnecting and reconnecting from your Wi-Fi network.
• Moving closer to your router to try and increase the stability of your connection.
• Performing an internet speed test to see how strong your connection is.
• Checking the strength of the connection on an alternative device.

If none of the troubleshooting tips listed above work, it may be time to contact your internet provider for advice.

General Pros & Cons of Spotify on Tablets

Pros

Spotify is an incredibly popular music streaming app that is compatible with smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, and tablets.

With its extremely user-friendly interface, both free and Premium Spotify members have access to a huge variety of songs in a range of different genres.

Additionally, Spotify has thousands of podcasts to choose from, along with the ability to listen to music offline when you sign up for a premium subscription for only $9.99 per month.

When it comes to online music streaming services, Spotify certainly will not disappoint. The ability to switch between your devices, including your tablet, will allow you to enjoy your Spotify experience whenever and wherever you are.

Cons:

• Cache files can fill up your tablet’s storage, preventing Spotify from functioning properly.
• Pending updates can cause Spotify to not work correctly.
• An outdated OS on your tablet will affect the Spotify app’s performance or stop it from working entirely.
• Minor glitches with your tablet can adversely affect the Spotify app, and the tablet will need to be reset.
• Streaming music on Spotify is directly impacted by the Wi-Fi connection that your tablet currently has.

Sources

Storage Information

How to Update Spotify on Any Device

How to Delete Spotify Cache on iPhone and iPad