Why Does My Playlist Skip Songs Automatically And How To Fix Spotify Glitches

If you've ever settled in for a relaxing evening with your favorite playlist, only to have Spotify abruptly jump to the next track without warning, you're not alone. Automatic song skipping is one of the most frustrating glitches users report across devices—whether on mobile, desktop, or smart speakers. While Spotify is generally reliable, intermittent bugs, sync errors, or misconfigured settings can disrupt seamless listening. The good news: most issues are fixable with targeted troubleshooting.

This guide breaks down the root causes behind unexpected song skips, offers step-by-step solutions, and provides long-term strategies to prevent recurrence. Whether you're using Spotify Free or Premium, on iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS, these methods apply universally.

Why Spotify Playlists Skip Songs Automatically

Automatic skipping isn't always a glitch—it can stem from intentional features, corrupted data, or connectivity flaws. Understanding the cause determines the correct fix.

• Crossfade Settings: When enabled, Spotify overlaps the end of one track with the beginning of the next. If set too high (e.g., 10+ seconds), it may appear as though the previous song was skipped prematurely.
• Auto-Play / Radio Mode: If “Autoplay” is active, Spotify continues playing related tracks after your playlist ends. This is often mistaken for random skipping.
• Poor Internet Connection: Buffering interruptions or unstable Wi-Fi can cause playback hiccups, including abrupt jumps or repeated restarts.
• Outdated App Version: Older versions may contain unresolved bugs affecting media control logic.
• Corrupted Cache: Accumulated temporary files can interfere with playlist sequencing and metadata rendering.
• Sync Errors: Offline playlists that fail to sync properly might play inconsistently or skip due to missing segments.
• Device-Specific Bugs: Some Android manufacturers or iOS updates introduce background process restrictions that interrupt audio services.

Tip: Always check if the issue occurs across multiple playlists and devices before assuming it's app-wide.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Spotify Skipping Glitches

Follow this structured approach to identify and resolve the underlying problem. Start with basic checks before moving to advanced resets.

1. Verify Crossfade & Autoplay Settings

   Navigate to Settings > Playback in the Spotify app. Ensure “Crossfade” is either disabled or set below 5 seconds. Also, disable “Autoplay” unless intentionally used. These two settings account for over 40% of perceived skipping behavior.

2. Restart the App and Device

   Close Spotify completely—swipe it away from recent apps or force quit via system settings. Then reboot your phone, tablet, or computer. A fresh boot clears temporary memory conflicts that may affect playback stability.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

   Test streaming on another service (e.g., YouTube Music). If other platforms stutter, the issue lies with your network. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to isolate the source. For weak signals, move closer to the router or reset your modem.

4. Clear Spotify Cache (Mobile Only)

   Go to Settings > Storage > Delete Cache. This removes stored audio fragments and forces a clean reload of tracks. Note: This does not delete downloaded songs—you’ll need to re-download them afterward.

5. Reinstall the Spotify App

   If clearing cache fails, uninstall Spotify entirely. Reinstall the latest version from the official App Store or Google Play. Fresh installations overwrite corrupted binaries and restore default configurations.

6. Update Operating System and App

   Ensure both your device OS and Spotify app are up to date. Developers patch known bugs regularly. On Android, enable auto-updates; on iOS, check under Settings > General > Software Update.

7. Disable Battery Optimization for Spotify

   Some phones aggressively kill background apps to save power. On Android: go to Settings > Apps > Spotify > Battery > Unrestricted. On iOS: ensure Background App Refresh is enabled for Spotify.

8. Log Out and Back In

   In rare cases, session tokens become invalid. Log out of your account, close the app, reopen it, and log back in. This refreshes authentication and re-establishes connection integrity.

Common Fixes Compared: What Works Best?

Solution	Effectiveness	Time Required	Best For
Adjust Crossfade/Autoplay	High (immediate)	1 minute	Most common false alarms
Restart Device	Medium-High	2–3 minutes	Random glitches
Clear Cache	High	5 minutes	Android users with offline mode
Reinstall App	Very High	10–15 minutes	Persistent bugs across sessions
Check Internet Speed	Variable	5 minutes	Buffering-related skips

Real User Case: Persistent Skips on iPhone After iOS 17 Update

Jamie, a daily commuter in Seattle, noticed her morning workout playlist began skipping every 20–30 seconds shortly after updating to iOS 17. She tried toggling airplane mode, restarting Spotify, and even deleted and redownloaded songs—all without success.

After reviewing online forums, she discovered that iOS 17 introduced stricter background task management. Spotify wasn’t being granted enough runtime to maintain smooth playback during screen lock. Jamie navigated to Settings > Spotify > Background App Refresh and toggled it on. She also disabled Low Power Mode during workouts. The skipping stopped immediately.

This case highlights how operating system updates can indirectly impact third-party app performance—even when the app itself hasn’t changed.

“Many ‘Spotify bugs’ are actually side effects of platform-level changes. Users should first examine their device settings before blaming the app.” — Daniel Park, Mobile Software Engineer at AudioTech Insights

Preventive Checklist: Avoid Future Spotify Glitches

To minimize disruptions and keep your playlists running smoothly, follow this maintenance checklist monthly:

• ✅ Ensure Spotify is updated weekly via automatic updates.
• ✅ Disable crossfade unless intentionally blending tracks.
• ✅ Monitor storage space—low disk capacity affects caching efficiency.
• ✅ Redownload offline playlists every 2–3 weeks to refresh sync data.
• ✅ Use trusted Wi-Fi networks with stable bandwidth (>5 Mbps).
• ✅ Avoid running too many background music or voice apps simultaneously.
• ✅ Periodically clear app cache on mobile devices.
• ✅ Keep your device’s OS current to support modern app requirements.

Tip: If using Bluetooth headphones, disconnect and reconnect them periodically to reset audio latency and pairing glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Spotify skip songs only when I’m offline?

This typically happens when parts of downloaded tracks fail to sync correctly. Go to Your Library > Options (next to the playlist) > Make Available Offline again. Wait for the download indicator to complete fully. Also, verify sufficient storage space on your device.

Can a slow internet connection cause automatic skipping?

Yes. If your connection drops below 50 kbps intermittently, Spotify may struggle to buffer the full track, causing it to restart or jump ahead. Try lowering audio quality temporarily under Settings > Streaming Quality to reduce data load.

Does Spotify Premium prevent skipping?

Not directly. While Premium offers higher quality streams and ad-free listening, it doesn’t eliminate technical issues like poor signal, outdated software, or misconfigured settings. However, Premium users benefit from better download reliability and more consistent background playback permissions.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

For those who rely on Spotify for curated experiences—like DJs, podcast creators, or fitness instructors—here are deeper optimizations:

• Use Desktop App for Critical Playback: The desktop client tends to be more stable than mobile versions, especially when connected to external audio interfaces.
• Monitor Data Usage: Excessive data throttling by carriers can degrade stream consistency. Use unlimited data plans for uninterrupted listening.
• Disable Equalizer Apps: Third-party sound enhancers can interfere with Spotify’s native audio engine. Test playback with such apps turned off.
• Check Account Sync Status: If you use multiple devices, ensure they’re all signed into the same account. Conflicting sessions can desynchronize playback history and queue logic.

Additionally, consider using wired headphones or speakers when precision timing matters. Wireless transmission introduces micro-delays that, while imperceptible in casual use, can compound into noticeable skips during intense usage.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Listening Experience

Automatic song skipping on Spotify is rarely random—it’s usually the result of a specific setting, connection flaw, or software conflict. By methodically testing each potential cause, most users can restore flawless playback within minutes. The key is knowing where to look: start with simple settings like crossfade and autoplay, then escalate to reinstalling the app or adjusting system-level permissions if needed.

Regular maintenance—updating apps, managing cache, and monitoring connectivity—goes a long way toward preventing future disruptions. Don’t accept glitches as inevitable. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy uninterrupted music exactly as intended.

💬 Experiencing a unique Spotify issue? Share your story in the comments—your solution might help someone else regain perfect playback today.