Do you want to listen to your favorite music on Spotify? But when you are searching for your favorite song, artist, or podcast. Spotify shows you a message “This content is not available”.
Don’t worry!
In this guide, I will provide a comprehensive detail about it. Just follow my step-by-step guide and you will easily resolve this issue.
Let’s jump into this article and find out why this is happening and how you can fix Spotify this content is not available issue.
Quick Answer
First, check your internet connectivity and restart your device. Update Spotify to the latest version if an update is pending. Disable any VPNs or proxies, verify the content is available in your region, and reinstall Spotify as a last resort. These quick troubleshooting steps related to apps, network, and licensing restrictions help resolve most issues causing this message.
Why does Spotify show “This Content is Not Available?” (7 Major Reasons)
In this guide, I will cover why you see the “this content is not available” message on your Spotify. So without wasting your time let’s dive into this guide and understand why this happening or what you need to do.
1. Outdated app
Spotify periodically releases new versions of its mobile and desktop apps. These updates not only bring new features but also bug fixes and compatibility changes.
If you are using an extremely outdated version of the Spotify app, it may lose compatibility with Spotify’s streaming servers. When the app fails to communicate with Spotify’s backend, it is unable to retrieve song metadata or streaming URLs.
This causes the “Content not available” message to show even when the content should be available in your region and you have an active subscription. Updating to the latest version of the Spotify app typically resolves this problem.
So make sure you have upgraded to the most recent release of the mobile or desktop app. On mobile devices, enable automatic app updates if possible to avoid facing issues due to outdated versions. Using the most up-to-date Spotify app is recommended to enjoy the best experience.
2. App Performance Issues
Sometimes the Spotify app may simply not perform as expected due to random small software errors behind the scenes. These minor technical glitches could prevent the app from retrieving song information or properly loading content.
Bugs that disrupt connections, crash background processes, interfere with caching, or corrupt app data can roadblock communication between your device and Spotify’s servers. So even when content is available, these performance problems return incorrect “Spotify this content is not available right now” messages because technically something did fail.
3. Unplayable songs
In rare cases, the Spotify app finds songs in your library or recommendations that are not playable even though they should be available.
Your next question?
Why are some songs on Spotify unplayable?
When you turn on the unplayable song option on your Spotify account, In this case, you will see the song title but these songs can not be accessible in your region.
4. Licensing Restrictions
The most common reason you may see this message on Spotify (content is not available) is due to licensing restrictions. Spotify has licenses with record labels and publishers to stream their music catalog.
However, some artists/labels choose not to make their music available on the platform or may have exclusive deals with other streaming services.
If you try to play a song or album not covered by Spotify’s licenses, you’ll get the “this content is not available” message.
5. Regional Restrictions
In some cases, music licensing is limited to specific geographical regions. For example, an album may only be cleared for streaming in the United States and Europe.
If you try accessing that album from a country like India or Brazil, Spotify does not have the right to play it there, so you see the “not available” message.
This is very common as licensing varies significantly across different countries.
6. Explicit Content Filter
Spotify has a setting that allows blocking explicit content when enabled.
So if you have turned on this filter in your account settings, attempts to play songs marked as explicit will be blocked, displaying the “not available” message.
You can disable the explicit filter to access restricted songs.
7. Device Limitations
In rare cases, the “content not available” message appears due to device restrictions.
Some older devices may not support streaming certain formats. For example, a very old smartphone may not be able to play songs that require higher bandwidth or processing capacity.
Upgrading devices usually resolves such problems.
Also Read
Spotify No Internet Connection? 8 Fixes for Connection Issues
How To Fix Spotify This Content Is Not Available
Now you can completely understand why this is happening now it is time to fix this issue. But don’t know how to quickly fix Spotify’s This Content Is Not Available issue.
Don’t worry!
In this step-by-step guide, I will provide a complete detail about Fix Spotify this content is not available for Android/iPhone/PC.
1: Update your Spotify application
If you want to update your Spotify app using your phone the process is simple and easy just follow my step-by-step guide.
For Android
Step 01: Open the “Google Play Store“ application on your Android phone.
Step 02: Tap the search bar at the top of your screen and then type “Spotify” in this search bar.
Step 03: Now tap on the Spotify app option.
Step 4: After selecting the available update, tap on the blue colored “Update” button. Wait for the update installation process to complete.
For iPhone
Step 01: Open the “App Store” on your iPhone.
Step 02: Tap to the search bar.
Step 03: Here type a Spotify and tap to the search then tap on the Spotify application icon.
Step 04: Now tap on the update button to download the latest version of Spotify.
For Desktop
Step 01: Open the Spotify app on your Windows or Macbook.
Step 02: Click on the top right corner of your profile icon.
Step 03: Now you can see a drop-down menu. Click on the “Update Spotify New” button.
Step 04: After reinstalling the Spotify desktop app, you have successfully updated the Spotify app on the PC.
2. Turn off unplayable songs
If you want to turn off the option for unplayable songs on Spotify and you don’t listen to music from other regions, you can simply disable this feature.
But how can I turn off the “Unplayable” option on Spotify?
Don’t worry!
Follow my simple step-by-step guide, and you can easily disable unplayable songs on Spotify.
Step 01: Launch the Spotify app on your phone.
Step 02: Tap to the setting (⚙️) icon on the top right side of your screen.
Step 03: Now scroll down and go to the “playback” section.
Step 04: Now tap on the “Show Unplayable Song” toggle and turn off this option.
That’s it!
FAQs
Why am I getting the “This content is not available” message on Spotify?
There are several potential reasons you may see this message on Spotify, including outdated app versions, performance issues, licensing restrictions by region, blocked explicit content, and device limitations. The most common causes relate to geographic licensing agreements that restrict certain content access in specific countries.
How can I access songs and podcasts restricted in my area?
A: Consider using a VPN to access content available in other regions.
Does this error mean the content was deleted?
A: No, the content still exists but is not licensed for playback in your specific location.
I’m traveling – will this error go away when I change locations?
A: Possibly! Geographic licensing restrictions cause this error to appear while traveling.
Are all platforms affected or just desktop/mobile apps?
A: All platforms can show this error – desktop, mobile, and web players. Licensing applies universally.
Will upgrading to Spotify Premium help fix this?
A: No, this error is due to licensing restrictions, not account status. Premium does not affect licensing.
Can I appeal or request unavailable content be allowed in my area?
A: Unfortunately, geographic licensing is controlled by record labels and rights-holders, not Spotify. Fans cannot change these licensing agreements.
If I saved the content before, why can’t I play it now?
A: Previous access does not guarantee ongoing availability as licensing deals change.
Does this mean Spotify is blocking or censoring things?
A: No, “not available” content is due to licensing and music rights – not Spotify censorship.
Final Words
In this article, we have thoroughly discussed how to fix the issue of “Spotify content is not available.” If you encounter this message on your screen, there’s no need to worry. Simply, just follow these steps and you can easily fix it.
Now it’s your turn. Please leave a comment below if you are experiencing any issues related to Spotify showing “This content is not available”.
Hi! My name is Mubarak Ali and I love music and Spotify so much! I started SpotifyEGuide to help people like you better enjoy Spotify. I have used Spotify a lot myself and know lots of cool tips and tricks that most people don’t know. With my step-by-step guides, you can master Spotify on both your phone and computer!