SOLVED: Why Does Spotify Keep Saying I’m Offline?

Spotify is a music streaming platform that allows users to access and listen to millions of songs on demand for free or via a paid subscription. 

Daniel Ek launched the service on April 23, 2006, and since then, it has grown tremendously, with over 195 million premium users worldwide. Like many other applications, Spotify has some issues too. 

One of these issues is the problem of Spotify saying, ‘You’re offline even when you’re not’ when users are online. This issue can be very frustrating, especially if you don’t know what is causing it. Fortunately, there are a few possible solutions to fix this issue.

Why Does Spotify Keep Saying I’m Offline?

The major causes of this Spotify offline issue are the slow internet connection, network or firewall blockage, VPN connection, excessive temporary and cache files, an outdated Spotify version, or the data-saving mode of your smartphone. All these issues can be resolved using simple techniques.

Spotify can detect if you have connection issues due to a slow or unstable internet connection, so it will display the message ‘You’re offline.’ Similarly, network or firewall blockages can also cause this issue. 

Also, if your device is connected to a VPN service, Spotify might not be able to connect correctly and show the wrong message. Also, if your device has a lot of temporary and cache files, it can be hard for Spotify to connect. 

If you have an old version of the app on your device, it might not connect properly and show you the wrong message. Let’s discuss each problem individually and find out its best possible solution.

• Restart Your WiFi Connection

You should have a good WiFi connection if you are not using offline mode and listening to songs over the internet. If your connection is weak, you will face this Spotify offline issue. Sometimes your WiFi could have glitches or packet loss. That could be resolved the offline issue. 

To restart your WiFi connection on the desktop, simply click on the WiFi icon from the taskbar and click “WiFi” to disconnect your WiFi. Now reconnect your WiFi using the same steps. You can also restart your internet router to restart the whole internet connection. Just power down the router and then back up. 

• Logout and Re-Login to Your Spotify

Sometimes your Spotify may get some glitches. That is why you are seeing yourself as offline even when you are online. You can handle these glitches if you restart your Spotify account. To restart your Spotify account, you must log out and log in again. 

To do so, open Spotify and click on your profile menu. Now press logout from the bottom of the file menu. Once you are logged out, write your credentials again on the login screen and log in again. It will resolve your offline issue. 

• Check Network & Firewall Settings

One of the most common causes of Spotify saying ‘You’re offline even when you’re not’ is network or firewall blockage. Network blockages occur when your internet service provider (ISP) blocks certain websites or services, such as Spotify. Firewalls can also be responsible for the issue, as firewalls are designed to protect a network from malicious activity. You can manually add Spotify to Firewall allowed apps to resolve this issue. 

Open the start menu and search “Allow app through Windows firewall.” Open the application. Now click on “Change settings” to add Spotify. Scroll down the list and find Spotify. 

If you cannot find it in the list, click on “Allow another app” and select the app exe file from its location. After selecting the app, click “private” and “public.” It will resolve offline issues.

• Check VPN Connection

VPN connections are used to bypass geographical restrictions, but sometimes, due to certain issues, they might not work properly. If you are using a VPN connection on your device and seeing the wrong message even when you’re online, there can be an issue with your VPN connection.

If you are using any third-party VPN service on your device, you should try disconnecting and reconnecting it. Moreover, if you use any in-built VPN connection on your device, you should switch it off and restart it. After doing this, open Spotify again and check whether there is still the same issue.

•  Clear Temp and Cache Files

Keep your PC’s hard drive and memory clean by clearing the cache and temporary files. Sporify’s temporary files are often kept in Windows’s temporary files folder, making it less useful. It may also lead to glitches like this offline glitch. So, clean your temporary files. 

Press “Windows key + R” to open the Run application. Write “%temp%” and hit enter. Once in the temp folder, Press “CTRL+A” to select all the folders and then press “shift+Del.” Spotify’s temporary folder will be deleted along with the rest. 

You can clean Spotify’s cache from the settings on both your mobile phone and desktop (PC). Just open your Spotify and go to settings. Scroll down to find the “Clear cache” option just beneath the “Storage option.” Click on it to clean Spotify’s cache. It will resolve the offline issue.

Update Spotify If the Latest Version Is Available

Every application has updates from time to time. If you don’t update your application, it may cause issues like this one. Spotify is no exception. If you see yourself as offline or even online, try to update your Spotify app.

If a Spotify update is available, it will show you a notification on the app. Just click on it, and it will start the updating process. After updating, check if there is still the same issue or not.

• Disable Data Saving Mode (Smartphones)

In smartphones, we often use data saving mode, which prevents certain applications from using the internet in the background. If you are using data-saving mode and seeing yourself offline, try disabling it. It will allow Spotify to run in the background when your device is connected to WiFi or mobile data.

You can disable the data saving mode from the mobile’s smart. It will resolve the issue, and you can enjoy uninterrupted music on your smartphone without glitches.

• Turn Off Offline Mode In Spotify Mobile App

This offline mode is only available in the Spotify mobile app. If you are using the desktop version of Spotify, you won’t be able to use this feature. With this feature, you can tell Spotify that you are offline and still listen to music without anyone knowing. 

Disabling or turning off offline mode is simple. Open Spotify on your smartphone and go to “Settings” by pressing the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Scroll down to “Playback,” Here, you will find “Offline Mode.” If the switch is green, it means it is enabled. Press on the switch to turn it gray to disable the offline mode. 

How Does Spotify Play Track Offline?

Spotify can play songs both online and offline. It stores a copy of the song you are playing on its servers, which is then used to detect and track your offline plays. It helps Spotify keep track of how many people listen to a particular song or artist.

You just need to make sure that you are connected to the internet while playing songs. Spotify will fail to track your offline plays and show an error message if not. Moreover, if you play a song on one device, the same song can’t be played on another. The same applies to offline plays as well. But if you have a premium account, you can play it on both devices. 

To play offline songs, you first need to download the songs you want to listen to offline. Then you just have to open Spotify and go home. Here you will find your downloaded songs. Enjoy in the offline mode. 

Conclusion

Spotify is amazing to be used offline to hide your listening activity from others. If you face any error or issue like the “offline even when online,” follow the tips and tricks mentioned in this article. 

Spotify has been designed in such a way that it can detect and track your offline plays. It helps Spotify track how many people listen to a particular song or artist. Finally, make sure you are connected to the internet while playing songs on Spotify so that it can track your offline plays.  

Spotify also offers offline listening by downloading songs you want to listen to offline. We hope this article helped you enjoy uninterrupted music while using Spotify in the offline mode.