How To Stop Spotify From Playing Random Music On Your Device?

November 17, 2023
Why My Spotify Plays Random Music

Many music lovers enjoy using Spotify, a popular app with various music genres to explore. One of its convenient features is streaming music offline, allowing users to listen without an internet connection. Additionally, Spotify includes an autoplay feature that continues playing the music of a similar genre after a user’s playlist finishes. However, some users have reported an issue where Spotify plays random music unexpectedly. So how can you stop Spotify from playing random music?

Answer:
To stop Spotify from playing random music on your device, try turning off the autoplay option in the Spotify settings. You can also try reinstalling the Spotify app. Then, sign out from all devices and reset your password to enhance the security of your account. Remove access to any third-party apps that are linked to your Spotify account. Afterward, log back in and make sure to maintain a protected session.

Imagine the frustration you feel when you’re ready to dance to the catchy beat of “Gangnam Style,” instead, Spotify starts playing John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.” This article will delve into the possible causes behind Spotify playing random songs and provide solutions to fix this problem. Keep reading to find out more!

Why Does Spotify Keep Playing Random Music? [Causes And Solutions]

Many Spotify users had wondered why the app plays random music independently, even when they didn’t choose it. This can be quite annoying because it interrupts the intended listening experience. If you’re experiencing Spotify playing random music on your device and want to regain control over your music playback, you can take a few steps to troubleshoot the issue. 

1. You Have Random Songs in The Queue

When you use Spotify to listen to music, it provides a queue or playlist where you can add songs to create a customized listening experience. However, you may notice that Spotify plays music in a seemingly random order, which can be frustrating if you prefer a specific sequence or want to listen to a particular album or playlist from start to finish.

The main cause of Spotify playing random music is having random songs in your queue. This occurs when you have added songs to your queue without specifying a particular order. As a result, Spotify selects the next song to play based on its algorithms, which may lead to a seemingly random sequence.

Fix: Clear Songs in Queue

Regain control over the order of your music, and you can clear the songs in your queue. Clearing the queue will remove existing songs, allowing you to start fresh and create a new queue or playlist with a desired order. To clear the songs in your queue and stop spotify from playing random music on the mobile app, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.
  2. Go to the “Now Playing” screen by tapping on the bar at the bottom.
  3. Locate the queue icon, which looks like three horizontal lines with numbers. It is usually located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  4. Tap on the queue icon to open your queue.
  5. Once in the queue view, you should see a “Clear” or “Remove All” option. Tap on it to clear the queue.

To stop spotify from playing random music on the Spotify desktop app, the process is slightly different:

  1. Open the Spotify app on your computer.
  2. Go to the “Queue” tab in the left sidebar.
  3. Right-click on any song in the queue.
  4. From the context menu that appears, select “Clear Queue” or “Remove All” to clear the queue.

After clearing the queue, you can add songs in the desired order. Search for songs, albums, or playlists and use the “Add to Queue” option to populate your queue with the desired music. This way, when you play your music, Spotify will follow your specific order.

2. Logged In On A Different Device (From Your Friends’ Or Family’s Device)

Random music playing on your Spotify account can occur when someone else uses your account on a different device, such as a friend or family member. This situation may arise if you previously logged into your Spotify account on someone else’s device and unintentionally forgot to log out.

You may also have an old Spotify account still logged in on another device but unaware of it. If you suspect the existence of another Spotify account, there are steps you can take to confirm this. 

Fix A: Reset Your Spotify Password

Sometimes, someone unauthorized may have accessed your Spotify account, potentially through hacking. To address this issue, you can reset your Spotify password to a stronger one. If you use Facebook to log in to Spotify, it’s important to reset your Facebook password to ensure both accounts’ security.

Fix B: Log Out After Using Spotify On Public Devices

Remember to always log out of your Spotify account when using public devices like those found in schools, offices, libraries, or cybercafes. Logging in on these devices is not a good practice as it increases the risk of unauthorized access to your account. Make it a habit to log out after each use to keep your Spotify account secure and prevent strangers from gaining access to it.

Fix C: Sign Out From Everywhere

If you suspect you’re logged into Spotify on other devices and want to address this issue, signing out from all locations is crucial. Here is a step to sign out of your Spotify account from other devices: 

Open the Spotify app on the device where your account is logged in > Navigate to your account settings by tapping on the appropriate icon or menu option > Scroll down until you locate the “Sign out” option > Tap on it to sign out from your account on that device. 

Repeat this process on all devices where you suspect your account may be logged in. 

3. Some Faults With Spotify Installation On Your Device

The cause for Spotify playing random music can be associated with faults in installing the Spotify application on your device. This includes issues like corrupted installation files, using an outdated version of the app, encountering software glitches, or conflicts with other applications. These factors can disrupt the normal functioning of Spotify, leading to unexpected behavior, such as playing music from unrelated sources or skipping tracks randomly.

Fix A: Clear The Cache Of Spotify

Clearing the cache of your Spotify app can be beneficial as it creates more space for the app to function properly. Follow these steps to clear the cache on Spotify:

  1. Launch the Spotify app and log in using your credentials, if necessary.
  2. Look for a gear icon in the screen’s upper right corner representing settings. Click on it to open the settings menu.
  3. Within the settings menu, you will find various options. Locate the storage option and click on it.
  4. On the storage screen, you will find an option to clear the cache. 

Additionally, you can see the amount of cache occupied by Spotify. Click on the “clear cache” option to remove all the stored cache data from your Spotify app.

Fix B: Reinstall Spotify App

When you face unexpected issues with your account, reinstalling the app and checking if it resolves the problem is often beneficial. Start by uninstalling the current Spotify app from your phone. Afterward, follow these steps to reinstall the Spotify app on your phone:

For Mobile Phones:

First, open the AppStore or PlayStore on your phone > Search for the Spotify app within the store > and install it on your device.

For PC:

Begin by opening any web browser on your computer > Search for the Spotify app using a search engine > Once you find the official Spotify website, locate the download button > And click on it > This will initiate the download process and install Spotify on your computer.

4. You Don’t Have Premium Spotify Account

If you’re using Spotify without a paid subscription, the platform will play random music with ads instead of allowing you to choose specific songs or playlists. Upgrading to a premium account will give you more control over your music listening experience, allowing you to select songs, create playlists, and enjoy an ad-free experience.

Fix: Get Spotify Premium

Upgrade to Spotify Premium to enjoy a range of key features. With Spotify Premium, you can choose and play specific songs in the desired order directly on your smartphone. Additionally, you gain control over the auto-play function.

Subscribing to Spotify Premium lets you create comprehensive playlists and listen to your favorite songs sequentially. Additionally, when your playlist reaches its end, songs will not repeat. Instead, Spotify will play AI-optimized songs tailored specifically to your preferences.

5. Unauthorized Party Messing With Your Spotify Account

If your Spotify account is interfered with by an unauthorized party, it can lead to unwanted consequences, such as random music playing. If you’ve exhausted all your attempts to rectify the situation without success, there may be several primary reasons for this issue. To help you address the problem, we have provided simple solutions below.

Fix A: Remove Spotify Access To Third-Party Apps

Here’s how you can review and remove the apps connected to your Spotify account:

  1. Log in to your Spotify account using the Spotify app.
  2. Navigate to the “Apps” option.
  3. Remove access to all third-party apps connected to your account.
  4. This ensures the security of your account.
  5. You can grant access to them again at a later time if desired.

Fix B: Device Security

For enhanced online security, it is crucial to regularly update your device’s operating system, firmware, and anti-virus software. Keeping these components up-to-date helps protect your device from potential threats. If you want assistance,  refer to the support site dedicated to your device.

Also Read: Why Is Spotify Not Loading Lyrics? (Fix It)

What Is Spotify Autoplay?

Spotify offers a feature called Autoplay, which ensures a continuous stream of songs even after your current playlist ends. Once all the songs on your playlist have finished, Spotify will suggest another playlist with a similar genre for uninterrupted listening. This feature is helpful if you want to enjoy a seamless music experience and discover new tracks and artists.

While Spotify Autoplay has its benefits, it can sometimes lead to problems, such as Spotify playing random songs that are not on your playlist. Many users have encountered this issue. However, it can be resolved by following a few simple steps. You need to turn off the Autoplay feature in your Spotify settings on your computer.

Also Read: How To Share Playlists On Spotify Duo?

How To Turn Off Autoplay Feature On Spotify?

Turning off the autoplay feature on Spotify may prevent you from discovering new music. Still, it can help resolve the issue of Spotify playing random songs not on your playlist. Follow these detailed steps to turn off the autoplay feature on Spotify:

Step 1: Open Spotify On Your Computer

Launch the Spotify application on your computer and ensure you are logged in to your Spotify account.

Step 2: Click On Your “Profile” Icon

Click On Your “Profile” Icon

Locate and click on your profile icon, usually found in the top-right corner of the Spotify interface. Clicking on it will open a drop-down menu.

Step 3: Select The “Settings” Option

Select The “Settings” Option

From the drop-down menu, locate and select the “Settings” option. This will take you to the settings page, where you can manage various Spotify preferences.

Step 4: Turn Off The “Autoplay” Option

Turn Off The “Autoplay” Option

On the settings page, scroll down until you locate the “Autoplay” option. It is usually under the “Playback” or “Music Quality” section.

Toggle the switch next to the “Autoplay” option. If the switch is blue or enabled, click it to disable autoplay. Once disabled, the switch should appear grayed out or off.

Also Read: How To Make Spotify Playlist Private?

How To Stop Spotify From Running In The Background On iPhone?

Sometimes, Spotify continues running in the background on your iPhone. If you want to stop this from happening, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go To “Settings”

Start by unlocking your iPhone and locating the “Settings” app. It typically has a gear-shaped icon and is usually found on the home screen or in the app drawer. 

Tap on the “Settings” app to open it.

Step 2: Go To The “General” Section

Once you’re inside the “Settings” app, scroll down the list of options until you find the “General” section. A gear icon usually represents the “General” option. Tap on it to proceed.

Step 3: Select The “Background App Refresh” Option

Within the “General” settings, scroll down again until you see the “Background App Refresh” option. It should be located toward the middle of the screen. 

Tap on it to enter the “Background App Refresh” settings.

Step 4: Toggle To Turn Off The Spotify Option

Upon entering the “Background App Refresh” settings, you will find a list of apps that can run in the background. Look for the Spotify app in this list.

Once you locate Spotify, you will notice a toggle switch next to it. The switch should be toggled on by default, indicating that Spotify can run in the background. Tap the toggle switch to turn it off, disabling Spotify from running in the background.

This way, you have successfully prevented Spotify from running in the background on your iPhone.

Also Read: Why is Spotify Not Opening On Mac?

Why Does Spotify Randomly Start Playing On iPhone?

If Spotify starts playing randomly on your iPhone, it could be due to the enabled Shake to Shuffle option. This feature uses the device’s motion sensor to detect movement and trigger music playback. However, it’s important to note that Shake to Shuffle was removed in iOS 8.4.

For users with older iOS versions, you can prevent this from happening by following the method outlined below:

Step 1: Go To “Settings”

Start by unlocking your iPhone and locating the “Settings” app. It typically has a gear-shaped icon and is usually found on the home screen or in the app drawer. Tap on the “Settings” app to open it.

Step 2: Go To “Music”

Within the “Settings” app, scroll down until you find the “Music” option. Tap on it to proceed.

Step 3: Toggle “Shake To Shuffle” Off

In the “Music” settings, locate the “Shake to Shuffle” option. It should have a switch next to it. 

If the switch is toggled on (colored green), the feature is enabled. Tap on the switch to toggle it off. 

The switch should now be gray, indicating that Shake to Shuffle is disabled.

Also Read: How To Use Spotify Premium Without Paying For It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the frequently asked questions on how to stop Spotify from playing random music, and they are as follows:

Why Does Spotify Add Other Songs To Your Playlist?

Spotify adds other songs to your playlist if it contains a minimum of 15 songs. You can replace these added songs by manually adding the songs you prefer.

Why Is Spotify Playing Random Songs Even When Autoplay Is Off?

The app still plays random songs when Autoplay is turned off on Spotify. This behavior may occur because of the enabled “Crossfade” feature. Crossfade smoothly transitions between songs, creating the perception of random playback. To stop this, access Spotify’s settings, locate the “Playback” section, and turn off the Crossfade option.

Why Does Spotify Keep Pausing When Opening An App?

Spotify may pause when opening another app due to outdated or corrupt data, causing performance issues. Try reinstalling Spotify on your Android or iOS device. Performing a clean installation can often fix performance problems. Remove all cache and save data for Spotify to start fresh.

Conclusion

Overall, Spotify users occasionally experience the issue of random music playing on the app. Several steps can be taken to address Stop Spotify From Playing Random Music. These include resetting the password, reinstalling the app, signing out from all devices, revoking access from third-party apps, ensuring device security, logging out from public devices, checking cellular coverage, and logging back in and maintaining security measures.

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