10+ Ways to Fix Spotify Not Working on Android Auto (Crashing/Missing/No Sound)

Part 1. Why Is Spotify Not Working on Android Auto

Generally speaking, like other music streaming, Spotify works effectively on Android Auto. But sometimes users complain that Spotify on Android Auto suddenly doesn't work. The reasons for this event may be various. Some common factors that may cause Android Auto Spotify not working/showing are listed below.

1. Aggressive Battery Management on Android Phones

Now, modern Android phones will manage background apps to extend battery life. When the phone screen is locked, the Spotify app will be identified as a low-priority process by the system mistakenly. And then the system stops the Spotify app from running in the background to save power. In this case, you will get the Spotify app crashing, pausing playing, or disappearing on the car screen.

2. Corrupted App Data

There are temporary cache files in the Spotify and Android Auto app to speed up loading and track streaming history. After using for a long time, these cache files will be corrupted or conflict with new software updates.

3. Connection and Hardware Faults

It is noted that Android Auto requires a continuous and high-speed wired or wireless data connection. A worn-out USB cable, one not certified for high data transfer, or a compromised USB port in your phone or car will lead to the Spotify Android Auto audio stuttering or disconnections.

4. Software Incompatibility

If your device's OS, Spotify and Android Auto apps are not updated to the latest version, they won't communicate using the correct protocols.

Move to the next section for the possible solutions to solve the problem of Spotify on Android Auto not working/showing.

Part 2. How to Fix Spotify Not Working on Android Auto

The common and frequent issues that users experience with Spotify Android Auto include:

• Spotify is not connecting to Android Auto.
• Spotify Android Auto does not have any audio.
• Spotify Android Auto keeps pausing.
• The prompts for Android Auto Spotify are not working.

We will provide you with some of the best solutions for solving these problems.

Before that, please make sure you have connected Spotify to Android Auto correctly. Please check below:

Step 1. Ensure you have installed the latest version of both the Spotify app and the Android Auto app from the Google Play Store on your mobile device. Besides, make sure that your Android device is running with 6.0 or above.

Step 2. Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your car via the USB port. If your car supports Wireless Android Auto, you need to turn on Bluetooth and WiFi on your phone to connect them via your car's head unit settings.

Step 3. Once connected, you will see the Android Auto interface display on your car's screen automatically. Then find and click the Spotify app icon on the screen.

Step 4. Now, ensure your car's stereo volume is turned up and the system Mute function is not enabled.

After the above steps, you may fix Spotify Android Auto not connecting/not playing issue. If there are still errors, please check the solutions below to solve them.

Fix 1. Restart Your Android Phone/Spotify App/Your Car and Check Cable Quality

Sometimes, users encounter connection issues between Spotify app and Android Auto, this could be the reason for any glitch in your Android phone. Restart your device and app can clear temporary data conflicts between them. So, please quit the Spotify app, power down your Android phone, wait for seconds and turn it back on. For the car, turn the ignition off and back on again to reset the infotainment system. Besides, replace your USB cable with a high-quality and certified data cable.

Fix 2. Check and Reconnect Your Phone's Internet Connection

To stream Spotify music with Android Auto, it requires a stable cellular or WiFi data connection. If you are in a place where the network signal is weak, then Spotify music will fail to load, stutter or the Spotify app will crash. So, you can restart and reconnect the internet on your device.

Fix 3. Update Your Android Device, Spotify and Android Auto App

Another reason why Android Auto Spotify is not working is the outdated OS system, as your Phone's operating system can also cause some connection problems. Update your Android phone and connect it to your auto. Try playing Spotify music in your Android Auto and see if the Spotify issue still exists.

Outdated versions of your Spotify app and Android Auto may cause the problem of Spotify not working on Android Auto. You must update your Spotify app and Android Auto with the latest versions from the Google Play Store to fix the issue. After updating both, check to see if the problem is solved.

Fix 4. Force Stop the Spotify App

On your Android device, go to the Settings app, then go to Apps or Apps & Notifications and tap See all apps. Next, find and choose Spotify, and click Force Stop to quit the Spotify app completely.

Fix 5. Clear Spotify and Android Auto App Cache

A possible reason for Spotify on Android Auto not working is corrupted files in the Spotify and Android Auto applications. You can fix this problem by deleting their cache files.

To clear Spotify cache, open Spotify on your phone and head towards the settings, then select "Clear Cache" from the list. All corrupted listening cache files will be removed from the app and the problem of Spotify on Android Auto not working will be solved.

For Android Auto app: Open Android phone's Settings > Apps > Android Auto, then choose Storage & Cache and click Clear Cache to delete cache files on Android Auto app.

Fix 6. Disable Battery Optimization for Spotify

Application Optimization balances the performance of the apps running on your device. To play Spotify with Android Auto, you must turn on the Spotify app while playing the music, which can cause the issue with Spotify not working on Android Auto because of the battery restrictions. In order to play Spotify Music smoothly on Android Auto, you have to change the background settings of your device.

Step 1. Open Settings and navigate "apps", in the applications list, choose 'Spotify'.

Step 2. Then click on Battery saver, and set background settings to "No Restrictions".

Now, your device will allow you to play Spotify in the background even if you use other applications.

Fix 7. Enable Spotify's Autostart Permission

On some Android devices, like Samsung or OnePlus, users need to grant permission for an app to be opened by other apps. So, to fix Android Auto Spotify not showing/working, you need to do below. Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify, then find the Autostart or Allow the app to be started by other apps option and turn it on.

Fix 8. Turn on the Device Broadcast Status in Spotify

There is a Device Broadcast Status feature in Spotify app to allow the app to broadcast its playback status to other devices. If it is not activated or stuck, Spotify music streaming will stop or fail to show in your car. So, go to the Spotify app on your mobile device, tap the Settings icon, then go to Devices > Device Broadcast Status and enable the feature.

Fix 9. Check Microphone Permissions

If you don't give microphone permission to enable media function in the Android Auto app, you will face the Spotify Android Auto not working issue. In this case, please go to Settings > Apps > See all apps, then find the Android Auto option, and click Permissions. Next, make sure that the Microphone access is set to Allow only while using the app or Allow.

Fix 10. Set Spotify as Default Music Service

You need to set Spotify app as the default music service on your Android device to use with Android Auto properly.

Step 1. Go to Google Assistant app on your Android device and go to the Settings section.

Step 2. Head to the Services section and choose Music.

Step 3. Pick up Spotify from the list to set it as the default music service on your device.

Fix 11. Reinstall Spotify and Android Auto Applications

The application does not work effectively, which may be due to a software problem. Suppose you are still experiencing problems with Spotify not working on Android Auto, in this case, you have to uninstall your Spotify app and Android Auto apps and reinstall them again to update all features.

Step 1. Open your Android phone, tap and hold the Spotify app and Android Auto app separately.

Step 2. Some options will appear on the screen, select "Uninstall" and delete the app from your device.

Step 3. Reinstall both apps from Google Play Store and check if the problem is resolved.

Fix 12. Enable 'Unknown Sources' in Android Auto

Or, you can try to allow Android Auto to run apps that may not be officially vetted for the car interface to resolve Spotify Android Auto not working issue.

Step 1. Open the Android Auto app on your mobile phone, go to Settings > About and tap the Version section 10 times till you see a confirmation message.

Step 2. Click the three-dot menu, choose Developer settings and check the box next to Unknown sources.

Step 3. Now, force stop both Spotify and Android Auto app and then reconnect them to your car.

Fix 13. Try Using USB Drive or Bluetooth for Offline Playback

If you still can't fix the issues with the above methods, or your car doesn't support Android Auto, you can try to use USB drive or Bluetooth to play Spotify in car offline. To do that, you need to download Spotify music as local files on the computer via third-party tools like AudFree Spotify Music Converter in advance. Then you can transfer Spotify music to USB drive or your mobile phone and then play Spotify in car offline without any restrictions.

Part 3. FAQs about Spotify Android Auto

Why Is Spotify Not Showing on Android Auto on My Car Screen?

It may be due to the Spotify app being disabled in the Android Auto launcher settings. So, you can go to the Android Auto app settings on your Android device, choose Customize launcher and make sure the Spotify box is checked.

Can I Use Spotify on Android Auto with a Free Account?

Yes, but with ads and playback limitations. If you want a better listening experience, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium to enjoy music.

Can I Use Voice Commands for Spotify on Android Auto?

Yes, you can. Just use 'Hey Google, play xxx on Spotify' to ask Google to play music.

How to Stop Spotify from Automatically Playing on Android Auto?

You can go to Android Auto app's Settings to turn off the 'Start music automatically' setting. Or, you can disable Media Audio in your car's Bluetooth settings. What's more, you can go to Spotify app's Settings > Playback and turn off the Autoplay feature.

Why Can't I See Lyrics on Spotify Android Auto?

Due to safety, you can't view Spotify lyrics on the Android Auto head unit.

Can I Use Spotify Jam with Android Auto in My Car?

Yes. Spotify Jam works with Android Auto now. You can access it via the shortcut on the Now Playing screen on your head unit.

Part 4. The Verdict

After reading this article, you might solve the issues that Spotify Android Auto not working/showing/no sound with the effective solutions. If not, you can contact Spotify or Android Auto customer support team for further assistance. Or, you can try an alternative way to play Spotify music in your car. That's to use AudFree Spotify Music Converter to save Spotify music on USB drive for offline playback.