How to Fix Spotify Playlist Showing Empty or Missing Songs

Spotify playlists may appear empty when the app fails to fetch track data from the servers. The most frequent reasons include region licensing restrictions, rate limiting triggered by unusual account activity, or the use of modified/pirated clients. In some cases, corrupted cache, stale sessions, or Hosts file entries blocking Spotify domains can also prevent playlists from displaying correctly.

• Region restrictions: Mismatch between your account country and current IP can block licensed tracks.
• Rate limiting / account blocks: Excessive logins or third-party tool usage can temporarily restrict playlists.
• Modified clients: Non-official apps often trigger server protections that hide content.
• Unavailable songs: Tracks removed by labels or blocked in your region are hidden by default.
• Hosts file conflicts: Local system entries can stop Spotify from reaching its servers.
• Cache / session errors: Corrupted app cache or expired sessions can make playlists appear blank.

The following methods address these causes in order of priority. Begin with quick fixes such as clearing cache and re-login, then check region settings and Hosts file. If you are using a modified client, switching to the official Spotify app is often enough to restore normal playlist access.

1. Log out, Clear Cache, and Re-login (Quick diagnostic)

Before making region or system changes, try this quick diagnostic. It addresses session mismatches and corrupted cache, common and fixable problems.

1. Sign out of Spotify on all devices (desktop/mobile/web).
2. On desktop, clear the Spotify cache:
   • Windows: %appdata%\Spotify\Storage delete contents of the Storage folder.
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Spotify/PersistentCache/Storage delete contents of the Storage folder.
3. Restart the Spotify app and log in with your official account credentials.
4. Check the playlist again if it’s a session/cache issue, songs should reappear or show as grayed out.

2. Change Account Region via VPN (Use with caution)

Spotify’s catalog varies by country. If your account country and IP region don’t match, tracks can fail to load. Changing the account region to match your IP can fix the problem, but do not use this to repeatedly spoof regions in violation of Spotify’s Terms of Service. If you suspect rate limiting or account blocks, re-login with the official app first.

1. Exit Spotify completely (system tray/Task Manager).
2. Install a reputable VPN.
3. Connect to the country where your Spotify account was created or where the playlist works.
4. Go to spotify.com/account and log in.
5. Under Country or region, click Edit Profile (if needed) and select the country that matches your VPN IP.
6. Click Save Profile, reopen Spotify, and verify the playlist.

3. Enable “Show Unplayable Songs”

If the playlist contains songs that are region-locked or removed, Spotify may hide them. Enabling the “Show unplayable songs” option reveals tracks that exist but can’t be played in your location (they appear grayed out).

1. Open Spotify (mobile or desktop).
2. Go to Settings (gear icon).
3. Toggle on Show unplayable songs.
4. Return to the playlist unavailable tracks will now be visible but grayed out.

4. Check and Edit the Hosts File (Windows only)

Local Hosts file entries can block Spotify domains, leading to empty playlists. Only perform this step if you are comfortable editing system files.

1. Press Windows + S, type Notepad, right-click and select Run as administrator.
2. Open File > Open and navigate to:

   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

3. Change file type to All Files, then open the hosts file.
4. Look for lines containing spotify.com or entries mapping Spotify domains to 127.0.0.1. If present, remove those lines.
5. Save the file, restart your PC, and check Spotify again.

5. Reinstall the Official Spotify App (If using modified client, switch now)

If you were using a modified or pirated Spotify client, it can cause server-side rate limiting, account flags, or blocked content. Switch to the official Spotify client from spotify.com and reinstall to remove corrupted app files and avoid server-side restrictions.

1. Uninstall any non-official Spotify app from your device.
2. Download and install the official Spotify application from the official website or trusted app store.
3. Log in with your account credentials and check your playlists.

Final notes: If your playlists still appear empty after these steps, consider these points:

• If you used modified/pirated apps, your account may have been temporarily limited, contact Spotify Support via the official channels.
• Frequent region switching or automated tools can trigger rate limits; allow some time for temporary restrictions to lift before testing again.
• Always use the official Spotify client for the most reliable behavior and to avoid account flags or content restrictions.