Why won’t my music play on my Android phone?

Check Your Music File Formats

Android phones support a wide range of media formats, but some common music file types may not play properly on all devices. The main audio formats compatible with Android include:

• MP3 – This is the most widely supported lossy format. MP3 files compress file size by removing some audio data, but are smaller and easier to store and stream. Beware very low bitrate MP3s which may have poor quality on mobile devices. Aim for 192-320 kbps for the best results. Android has supported MP3 since version 1.0 (ref: https://developer.android.com/media/platform/supported-formats)
• FLAC – This lossless compressed format provides CD quality audio in smaller file sizes. FLAC support was added in Android 3.1.
• WMA – Windows Media Audio files are widely compatible, but may not play on newer Android releases. Converting WMA to MP3 can improve compatibility.
• AAC/M4A – These MPEG-4 formats are popular on iTunes but have limited Android support before version 3.1. Compatibility issues are common.

If you have audio files in other formats like WAV, AIFF, ALAC, they may not work on your Android device. Try converting them to MP3 or FLAC using a free audio converter app or online tool. This transcoding process should make them playable in your music apps.

Update Your Android System Software

One of the most important steps to troubleshoot issues with media playback on Android phones is to make sure you are running the latest version of the Android operating system. Major Android OS updates often include enhancements and bug fixes for media apps and playback functionality. Failing to update can mean you are missing out on critical improvements.

For example, Android 13 introduced changes to how apps request access to media files and external storage (1). If your apps were designed for older versions of Android, they may fail to play media properly after an OS update because they do not have the required permissions. Updating to the latest OS ensures your apps and system media functions have access to the media capabilities they need.

Additionally, staying current with Android versions means you will get the latest optimizations and improvements to the built-in Android MediaPlayer system (2). Major updates to Android often include enhancements to playback, controls, efficiency and device integration. Failing to update could mean missing out on faster performance, new codecs, and improved stability.

So in summary, be sure to keep your Android phone up-to-date with system software updates. This will ensure you have the latest media playback capabilities and your device, apps and files all have appropriate permissions and access. Regular updates are key for enjoying smooth, uninterrupted media playback.

Check Your Media Apps

Many popular Android music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and MediaMonkey allow you to stream and play music on your device. Make sure the app you want to use is installed and updated to the latest version from the Google Play Store. Outdated app versions can sometimes cause music playback issues.

Open the app you want to play music from and try streaming a song or playlist. If the music won’t play, go to the app’s settings and try toggling the “Offline Mode” option off to force the app to stream instead of playing downloaded music. Additionally, check for any equalizer presets or audio effect settings that may be interfering with playback.

As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the music app, which will clear out any corrupted data. After reinstalling, launch the app and grant all requested permissions when prompted so it can access your device’s storage and audio. If your music still won’t play, the issue may lie with your Android device itself rather than the app.

Clear App Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and app data for music apps like Spotify, Apple Music or Google Play Music can often resolve music playback issues on Android devices. Over time, these apps can build up corrupted data that gets cached and prevents music from playing properly.

Here are the steps to clear cache and data for your music apps on Android:

1. Open your Android Settings app.
2. Tap “Apps & notifications.”
3. Select the music app you want to clear data for.
4. Tap “Storage & cache.”
5. Tap “Clear cache” to clear the app cache.
6. Tap “Clear storage” to clear the app data.

Clearing the cache removes temporary files while clearing data resets the app to default settings. After clearing cache and data, open your music app again and try playing music. The app will re-download any needed data and music should play normally again if corrupted data was the issue.

For more details, see this guide on clearing app cache and data from Android Police.

Check Your Storage Space

Full or corrupted storage can prevent media files like music from playing properly on your Android device. Android requires free storage space to function optimally. When storage space runs low, you may experience issues with apps, media files, and overall system performance.

To check your available storage space on an Android device:

• Open the Settings app.
• Go to Storage or Device Storage.
• View the breakdown of used and free space.

If storage is nearly full, you will need to free up space for music and media to function properly. Try removing unused apps, files, and clearing caches to free up gigabytes of space quickly (source).

You can also check for and remove corrupted files using your file manager. Corrupted files take up space but are unusable, so deleting them can recover storage capacity. Carefully review files before deletion.

Managing your storage space is key for keeping your Android device running smoothly. Regularly check your available storage and take steps to free up capacity when needed.

Restart Your Phone

One quick troubleshooting step is to restart your Android phone and restart any media apps that are having issues playing music. A simple reboot can help clear out any software glitches, stalled processes, or memory issues that could be preventing your music from playing properly.

To restart your Android phone, hold down the power button for a few seconds until the “Power off” prompt appears. Tap that option to fully power down your phone. Let it stay off for at least 30 seconds, then press the power button again to restart your phone.

Once your phone has restarted, open your music apps like Spotify, Google Play Music, etc. and restart them as well by closing them completely from the recent apps view. This will fully reload the apps and reset any stuck processes. Try playing your music again to see if the problem is resolved.

Restarting your Android device and apps can often fix music playback issues caused by minor software glitches. However, if you find your music still doesn’t play after a restart, you may need to investigate other troubleshooting solutions like updating software, clearing app cache and data, freeing up storage space, or resetting app defaults.

Source: https://www.tenorshare.com/fix-android/why-does-my-music-keep-stopping-on-my-android.html

Check Your Audio Output

One of the most common reasons music may not play properly on an Android phone is if the audio output is incorrectly set. By default, music and other audio will play through the phone’s built-in speaker. However, if you have headphones or a Bluetooth speaker connected, the audio output may automatically switch to that external device.

To check your audio output settings and switch between devices:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Connected Devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth.
2. Make sure any Bluetooth audio devices like wireless headphones or speakers are paired and connected. You may need to manually connect them.
3. Now go back to Settings > Sound & vibration > Audio output. Here you can select from options like:
• Phone speaker
• Wired headset
• Bluetooth headset (if connected)
4. Choose the desired audio output device and your music should now play from that source.^[1]

If you still don’t hear audio from your selected output device, try disconnecting and reconnecting the device or rebooting your phone. Some apps like Spotify also have their own audio settings you can adjust.

Reset App Defaults

If your Android phone is opening your music files in the wrong app, resetting your app defaults may help. Here are the steps to reset app defaults on Android [1]:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications
2. Tap Advanced > Default apps
3. Tap Opening links
4. Find the app you want to reset and tap Open supported links
5. Tap Ask every time

This will reset the default app for that file type. Now when you try to open a music file, Android will prompt you to select which app to use each time instead of automatically using the wrong app.

Clear Data Partition Cache

Clear Data Partition Cache can help free up performance issues when music or apps are not working properly on your Android device. This is an advanced troubleshooting step that wipes the cache partition, which stores temporary system files. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or too full, which can cause apps and services to misbehave or crash.

To clear the data partition cache on your Android device:

1. Turn off the device completely.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time until you see the recovery screen appear.
3. Use the volume buttons to scroll to “Wipe cache partition” and select it with the power button.
4. Confirm that you want to wipe the cache partition.
5. Select “Reboot system now” when finished.

This will wipe the existing cache partition and create a fresh one when the device reboots. It does not delete personal data like photos or downloaded music. However, it can resolve software issues caused by a bloated or corrupted cache partition (https://www.educba.com/clear-cache-partition/). Give your phone some time after rebooting to rebuild the cache and try playing your music again.

Factory Reset

A factory reset should be used as a last resort if no other troubleshooting fixes have resolved your issue. A factory reset will wipe all data and settings from your device and restore it to original factory conditions. Before factory resetting, be sure to backup any important data, such as photos, videos, contacts, etc. You can back up data to the cloud or to a computer.

To factory reset your Android device:

1. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset)
2. Tap Reset phone
3. If prompted, enter your lock screen password or PIN

The device will reboot into recovery mode to erase all data. Once completed, it will boot up like new. You’ll have to reconfigure settings and restore any backed up data.¹

A factory reset erases all data, so only use it if troubleshooting does not resolve the audio issue. It should restore device functionality, though there’s a small chance of a hardware issue if the problem persists.