FIX: “Something Went Wrong” Error on Spotify

The ‘Something went wrong’ error on Spotify pauses all Spotify operations and prevents the users from listening to anything on the application. The error dialog offers a ‘Reload’ button that attempts to restart whatever you were listening to, but in almost all the cases, that does not work and users are returned with the same error. 

This error is typically caused by one of the following reasons:

• Corrupt Spotify application – your Spotify app can be infected with a bug or a corruption error, resulting the error.
• Slow internet connection – your internet connection might not be stable, causing Spotify to crash unexpectedly.
• VPN connection – Apps like Spotify typically try to protect their servers from VPNs for security reasons. Hence, if you are using a VPN, you are likely to run into the error at hand. 

Now that you know about the potential causes of the ‘Something went wrong’ error in Spotify, let’s have a look at the troubleshooting methods that can help you fix the problem.

1. Sign Out of Spotify and Sign Back In

If you encounter the ‘Something went wrong’ error on Spotify, then the first thing that you should do is sign out of the application and sign back in. This may seem too simple to work, but sometimes a temporary glitch can be infecting the application causing the error, and signing out and back in can fix that. 

Here are the steps for doing so:

1. In Spotify, click on your user icon in the top-right corner of the window. 
2. Select Log out from the context menu. 

   

3. After you are logged out, wait for a couple of seconds and then sign back in again using your email address and password.

Alternatively, you can also sign out of all devices on which you were using Spotify and see if that fixes the problem. Here is how:

1. Click on your user icon in the top-right corner of the window.
2. Select Account from the context menu. 
3. Head over to the Sign out everywhere section and click on the Sign out everywhere button in this section.
   

   

If this basic fix did not do the trick for you, move to the next method below.

2. Clear App Cache

Every program installed on your system collects a set of temporary data called cache and stores it within a folder in the system. This information includes stuff like your preferences, login information, latest browsing history, etc. 

It is used to retrieve data faster when you use the relevant application in the future. 

Typically, cache data is harmless and performs its job silently in the system, but it can sometimes get corrupt as well. When it does, you are likely to face issues while using the application, like the one at hand.

The fix to this is simple, as clearing the application cache fixes the problems in most cases. 

Here is how you can clear Spotify to fix the ‘Something went wrong’ error:

1. Press Windows + R keys together to open a Run dialog.
2. Type %appdata% in the text field of Run and hit Enter. This should launch File Explorer.

   

3. Locate Spotify in the list of files available and right-click on it.
   

   

4. Choose Delete from the context menu.
   

   

5. In case you downloaded Spotify from the Microsoft Store, navigate to the following location in File Explorer. 
   

   C: > Users > YourUsername > AppData  > Local > Packages > SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0 > LocalCache > Spotify

6. Locate the Data folder and delete it.
7. Close the File Explorer window and check if the issue is resolved.
   

3. Check Your VPN

If you are using a VPN, then you might be encountering the issue because the content you are trying to play is not available in the country you are connected with via VPN. 

If this scenario applies to you, disable your VPN and see if that makes any difference. In case you think there is something wrong with the VPN service, we recommend that you switch to a new and better VPN service.

4. Play In a Private Session

Another fix that worked for users was playing the content in a private session. Apparently, if a minor app glitch is the culprit behind this error, switching to a private session can fix it. 

Spotify listeners can enter a private session to keep their listening activity private. No one on your Spotify following list will know what you are listening to right now. Private Sessions are indicated by a blue padlock next to your profile picture.

Here is how to enter a private session:

1. In Spotify, click on your user icon in the top-right corner of the window.
2. Select Private session from the context menu. A padlock next to your profile picture will indicate the private session is now enabled. 

   

3. Now, try playing the content that was previously causing the ‘Something went wrong’ error and see if the issue is now fixed.

5. Update Spotify

You might also be facing the issue if the Spotify application on your device is outdated. Installing the pending updates the help you fix this issue since most updates are packed with bug fixes. Moreover, you also get to enjoy the latest features!

To update the Spotify application, follow these steps:

1. In Spotify, click on the user icon.
2. Choose Update Spotify now option from the context menu and proceed with the on-screen instructions to finish the process.
   

   

6. Reinstall Spotify

Finally, if none of the methods above have proven to be effective, the only viable solution left is reinstalling Spotify. 

This will remove all the app data from your device, hopefully fixing the problem in the process.

1. Press Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.
2. Choose Apps from the list of options available.
   
3. Click on Apps & features in the left pane and on the right side of the window, locate Spotify.
   

   

4. Click on it and hit the Uninstall button.
   

   

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
6. Once done, install Spotify again and check if the error shows up now. 

If you do not want to go for a clean install yet, you can also try reporting the problem to the Spotify support team. They will help you find the cause of the error and suggest fixes accordingly.