Fix Autoplay Not Working in Spotify

If Spotify autoplay has stopped working, the fix is usually a toggle in your settings or a quick app refresh. This guide walks you through the exact steps to turn autoplay back on, and explains why it may keep turning off on your phone or computer.

What Spotify Autoplay Does

Autoplay is a feature that keeps music playing after your current playlist, album, or queue ends. Instead of stopping, Spotify picks similar tracks based on what you were just listening to. It works on the free and Premium plans, and it applies to both music and podcasts (for podcasts, it plays the next episode in the same show).

The feature is on by default, but it can be switched off accidentally, or it may stop working after an app update, a change in your plan, or a glitch in the app’s cache. Knowing where the toggle lives on each device is the first step to fixing it.

How to Turn Autoplay Back On

The exact menu path depends on whether you are using the mobile app, the desktop app, or the web player. Here are the steps for each.

On iPhone and Android

Open the Spotify app and tap the Home icon (the house) at the bottom left.
Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner.
Scroll down to the Playback section.
Find Autoplay and make sure the toggle is turned on (green/blue).

If the toggle is already on but autoplay still isn’t working, turn it off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart the app.

On Desktop (Windows and Mac)

Open the Spotify app on your computer.
Click the three dots (⋯) in the top left corner, then select Edit > Preferences (on Windows) or Spotify > Preferences (on Mac).
Scroll down to the Playback section.
Check the box next to Autoplay.

On the Web Player

Go to open.spotify.com and log in.
Click the profile icon (your initials or picture) in the top right.
Select Settings.
Scroll to Playback and toggle Autoplay on.

Why Autoplay Keeps Turning Off

If you have turned it on and it still doesn’t work, or it turns itself off again, one of these is usually the cause:

You are listening to a single song or a very short queue. Autoplay only kicks in after your current list ends. If you hit play on a single track, it will play that track and then stop unless you have a queue or playlist. Try playing a playlist or album and let it finish.
You have a queue that is longer than you think. If you added a bunch of songs to your queue, autoplay won’t start until that queue is done. Check your queue by tapping the clock icon at the bottom of the Now Playing screen.
The app needs an update. An outdated version can have bugs. Go to your app store (App Store or Google Play) and check for a Spotify update.
The app cache is corrupted. Clearing the cache often fixes odd behavior. On mobile, go to Settings > Storage and tap Clear Cache. On desktop, you can clear the cache by going to Settings > Storage and clicking Clear Cache.
You are using a third-party device (TV, speaker, game console). Autoplay settings on the mobile app do not always apply to other devices. Check the Spotify app on that device or in the Spotify Connect menu.

Common Misconception: Autoplay vs. Repeat

Many people confuse autoplay with the repeat feature. Repeat (the two arrows icon) loops the same playlist or album. Autoplay, on the other hand, plays new songs after your list ends. If you have repeat on, autoplay will never trigger because the playlist never ends. To fix this, make sure repeat is off (the icon should not be green or highlighted).

What to Do If the Toggle Is Missing

If you don’t see the Autoplay toggle at all, it might be because:

You are using the free plan on a device that doesn’t support autoplay (rare, but some older TVs and speakers don’t have it).
You are in a region where the feature is not available (Spotify rolls out features gradually).
Your app is very old. Update it.

If the toggle is genuinely missing, try logging out and back in. Sometimes the app needs to re-sync your settings.

Still Not Working? Try These Fixes

If you’ve done everything above and autoplay still won’t work, try these in order:

Restart the app. Force close it and reopen.
Restart your device. A full reboot clears temporary glitches.
Reinstall Spotify. Uninstall, then download the latest version from the official app store. This resets all settings, so you’ll need to log in again.
Check if autoplay works on another device. If it works on your phone but not your computer, the problem is with that device’s app, not your account.
Contact Spotify Support. If none of these work, there may be a server-side issue or a bug that only Spotify can fix. Use the in-app support chat (Settings > Help) or the official support website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does autoplay work on the free plan?

Yes, autoplay works on both free and Premium plans. However, free users may hear ads between songs, and autoplay will still pick similar tracks after your list ends.

Why does autoplay play the same songs over and over?

Autoplay bases its picks on your listening history and the last song in your list. If you listen to a very narrow genre, the suggestions can feel repetitive. You can get more variety by listening to different playlists or using the “Enhance” feature to add recommended songs to a playlist.

Can I turn off autoplay for podcasts but keep it for music?

No, there is only one autoplay toggle that applies to both music and podcasts. If you want to stop podcast autoplay, you can turn off autoplay entirely, or you can use the “Sleep timer” or simply stop the podcast manually.

Does autoplay use more data?

Yes, because it keeps playing music after your list ends, it will use more data if you are on a mobile connection. If you are on a limited data plan, you may want to turn autoplay off or download your playlists for offline listening (Premium only).

Why is autoplay not working on my TV or speaker?

Autoplay on TVs and speakers is controlled by the Spotify app on that device, not your phone. Check the settings in the TV app or the speaker’s companion app. Some older devices simply don’t support autoplay.

Will autoplay work if I have a queue?

Yes, but only after your queue is finished. Autoplay picks up after the last song in your queue ends. If you want autoplay to start sooner, clear your queue (in the Now Playing view, tap the clock icon and select “Clear queue”).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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