The short version
- 01Check whether Spotify's playback position advances or the track never starts.
- 02For a silent playing track, inspect Spotify Connect and Bluetooth destinations.
- 03Select the intended device audio output and check media volume.
- 04Play audio outside Spotify to compare the device's sound path.
- 05For stalled playback, restart and update Spotify, then compare the web player or another device.
- 06Reinstall only after the comparison, allowing for music and podcasts that must be downloaded again.
Likely causes
- Spotify is playing to another device through Connect or Bluetooth.
- Media volume or the device's selected output is wrong.
- A device-specific app or operating-system issue prevents playback from starting.
Check whether playback actually starts
Our first check is whether the track's position advances. Spotify publishes separate sound and playback procedures: a silent playing track needs an output comparison, while playback that never begins needs the app branch. Greyed-out undownloaded tracks have a separate offline-mode guide linked here.
For silent playback, check where the sound went
Spotify checks the selected device output, media volume and whether Connect, Bluetooth or another wireless method is sending audio elsewhere. Play audio outside Spotify as its device-sound comparison. Our recommendation is to keep the same output for the comparison so a working phone speaker does not conceal a failing headset path.
For stalled playback, compare the web player
Spotify first restarts and updates the app, and compares another device or its web player to identify a device-specific problem. Its later reinstall requires music and podcasts to be downloaded again. Record the working comparison and use the official playback procedure below; do not repeat an offline-mode repair when playback works elsewhere on the same account.
Sources and review notes
Checked on . Based on Spotify's playback and silent-audio articles. The moving-position test and consistent-output comparison are editorial guidance. This page absorbs Spotify no-sound wording; offline library availability remains in the existing offline guide. Glitchary is independent of Spotify.