On April 16, 2025, Spotify users around the globe faced significant disruptions as the popular music streaming service experienced a widespread outage. Reports of issues began surfacing at approximately 8 a.m. ET, with users taking to social media to express their frustrations. By 1 p.m. ET, over 21,000 users had reported problems, primarily in the UK, but also affecting users in various other countries.
According to Downdetector, which tracks online service outages, the spike in reports indicated that 66% of users were experiencing issues with the Spotify app, while 18% faced difficulties with the website, and 16% complained about audio streaming problems. The outage appears to have affected both mobile and desktop devices, leaving many unable to access their playlists or even log into their accounts.
Spotify has acknowledged the situation, stating on their official status account that they are "aware of some issues right now and are checking them out!" A spokesperson for the company also confirmed that a fix for the search issues was being rolled out, although many users continued to experience problems beyond just search functionality.
Frustrated users reported various issues, including the app failing to load, playback interruptions, and even being signed out unexpectedly. One user lamented, "My morning run is gonna be awful," while another noted, "Spotify is down for me – using it on PC Desktop. Wouldn’t play music, suddenly signed me out and when I’m redirected to log back in, it says 502 Server error." Such sentiments echoed throughout social media platforms as users sought to understand the extent of the outage.
The outage was not limited to the UK; reports from other European countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland, indicated similar problems. Additionally, users in the Philippines and a few other countries also reported issues, suggesting a broader technical failure. In the United States, there was a brief spike of around 829 reports around 1 p.m. ET, but this number quickly declined.
As the outage continued, Spotify's official status updates indicated that their technical team was actively investigating the cause of the disruptions. "We're seeing reports from users that the app isn't loading properly or that they're experiencing playback issues. Others report that they're having issues accessing the Support site," the company stated. This acknowledgment provided some reassurance to users who felt isolated in their frustrations.
In the UK, the number of reported issues peaked at over 21,000, with major cities like London, Manchester, Leeds, and Glasgow being particularly affected. Users in these areas reported that their home screens were displaying errors, and many could only access offline music. Despite Spotify's efforts to address the issues, the problems persisted for hours.
As the day progressed, the reports on Downdetector continued to fluctuate. By late morning, the number of reported issues in the US had surged to nearly 50,000, further underscoring the scale of the outage. Users expressed their discontent with comments like, "Spotify is being weird rn or just me?" and "Why is Spotify not working AGAIN?" These frustrations highlighted the dependency many users have on the service for their daily routines.
Spotify's spokesperson reiterated their commitment to resolving the issues, stating, "Thanks for your patience, you rock. Give @SpotifyCares a shout if you need anything." This message aimed to reassure users that the company was actively working on a solution, even as many continued to experience difficulties.
While the exact cause of the outage remains unclear, the situation has sparked discussions about the reliability of streaming services and their impact on user experience. As one user put it, "I can't play music on my phone but I can on my laptop. Both premium apk!" This comment reflects the inconsistency users faced, with some finding that certain devices worked while others did not.
As Spotify continues to work through the outage, users are left to seek alternatives for their music needs. Some have turned to older forms of entertainment, joking about dusting off their vinyl collections or using old Walkmans while they wait for the service to resume normal functionality.
The ongoing outage serves as a reminder of how reliant users have become on streaming platforms for entertainment, and how quickly frustrations can arise when those services falter. As the situation develops, many are hopeful for a swift resolution, eager to return to their favorite playlists and discover new music once again.
For now, Spotify users are encouraged to check the company’s official channels for updates and to report any ongoing issues they encounter. The company’s commitment to addressing these problems will be crucial in restoring user trust and ensuring a smoother experience in the future.
