Have you ever encountered a situation where you added all the songs on Spotify to your download list and attempted to batch download them, only to find that none of the songs were downloaded, or it kept showing the "waiting to download" icon? Such instances can be quite frustrating, wasting both time and effort.
Many Spotify Premium subscribers have reported similar errors, prompting Spotify Official and many tech websites to provide tutorials on resolving Spotify download issues. Luckily, you don't have to search for solutions separately anymore. This article will comprehensively compile the reasons behind Spotify not downloading songs, offering some effective ways, as well as a professional Spotify to MP3 converter, to help you overcome the troubles once and for all.
Quick Answer:
To fix Spotify waiting to download, start by checking your internet connection, ensuring your Spotify Premium subscription is active, and confirming the app is up to date. Then, disable Offline Mode, turn off Battery Saver, and free up device storage. Clearing Spotify’s cache or reinstalling the app can also resolve hidden glitches.
If you’re syncing local files, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. These quick steps can solve most cases of Spotify stuck on “waiting to download” without complicated troubleshooting.
Why is Spotify Stuck on "Waiting to Download"?
In general, when facing this problem, your initial instinct would likely be to check the network status. However, when both the Wi-Fi and cellular data are confirmed to be stable, what is causing this error to occur? Here are some common factors that you can cross-reference with your situation before troubleshooting.
- App Version: Check and ensure that you are using the latest version of the Spotify program, as outdated versions may have errors affecting downloads or compatibility issues.
- Offline Mode: Verify whether your Spotify application is in "Offline Mode", as the download feature is only accessible when the application is online.
- Account Issues: Confirm that your Spotify Premium subscription has not expired and that there are no problems with your account.
- Regional Restrictions: Due to copyright restrictions, certain songs may be subject to regional limitations, preventing downloads in specific locations.
- Spotify Service Status: In rare instances, Spotify servers might experience disruptions for various reasons. You can check for relevant info on the official @SpotifyStatus Twitter account.
- The 10,000 Song Limit: Spotify allows a maximum of 10,000 songs per device on up to 5 different devices. If you've hit this ceiling, new tracks will remain in "waiting" mode.
- Local File Sync Glitches: If you are trying to sync local MP3s from your desktop to your mobile, both devices must be on the exact same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same account.
Quick Fixes for Spotify Waiting to Download (Common Scenarios)
If your Spotify downloads are stuck, the issue is often a simple setting or a minor software glitch. Walk through these five essential troubleshooting steps to get your music moving again.
Check Your Spotify Premium Subscription Status
Offline downloading is a core benefit of Spotify Premium. If your payment fails or your subscription reverts to the "Free" tier, all pending downloads will pause immediately and show "Waiting."
Go to "Settings > Account" in the app to verify your plan status. If it says "Spotify Free," you'll need to renew your subscription to resume downloads.
Re-connect to Faster Network
In some cases, Spotify will keep notifying you that it is waiting to download because of unstable network conditions. You can check your network status to see if the Wi-Fi or the mobile signal is weak. In this case, you are recommended to switch to another network connection or reset it to re-enable more stable Internet connectivity, allowing Spotify to complete the music download more quickly.
It is possible to change the cellular setting from Wi-Fi if it is too weak to handle Spotify Music downloads or if Spotify is not downloading over data. To make the change, please turn to "Settings > Music Quality" and toggle on the Downloading using the Cellular option. When your device is connected to a stable network, Spotify's waiting-to-download issues will be easily fixed.
Related Reading: Fixed: Spotify Says Offline Even When Connected to WiFi
Clear Device Storage
Another possible reason causing Spotify to wait to download should be the insufficient storage you left on your device, as you have to make sure to prepare enough storage to keep them offline. When Spotify songs fail to proceed with downloading and are just waiting in the queue, please double-check your device storage to see if it has run out of space to save more downloads. If yes, free it up by deleting some unnecessary files, and photos, or uninstall unused applications and try again.
Turn off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode
This is a frequently overlooked culprit. When your phone enters Low Power Mode (iOS) or Battery Saver (Android), the system aggressively restricts background data and kills active processes to preserve juice. Disable your phone's power-saving mode while downloading.
For Android users, go to "Settings > Apps > Spotify > Battery" and set it to "Unrestricted" to allow the app to finish downloading even when the screen is locked.
For iOS: Go to "Settings > Battery" and toggle off Low Power Mode.
Clear Spotify Cache and Perform a Clean Reinstall
Similar to device storage space, when the Spotify app runs, it uses the device's operational memory and generates numerous caches, which can also be a cause of Spotify not downloading on iPhone/Android. Therefore, it's essential to regularly clear the cache of the Spotify app to ensure its smooth operation and fix Spotify download problems on computers or mobile devices.
To do this, simply navigate to "Settings" on the Spotify App, find the "Clear Cache" option, and press it.
Fix Spotify Waiting to Download for Local Files (Sync Issues)
If you are trying to sync your own MP3s or local audio files from your computer to your mobile device and they are stuck on "Waiting to Download," the issue is usually related to connectivity permissions or discovery settings. Unlike streaming songs, local files require a direct handshake between your devices.
Ensure Both Devices are on the Same Wi-Fi Network
For local file syncing to work, your computer and your phone must be on the exact same Wi-Fi network.
Double-check that both devices aren't just on the internet, but on the same SSID. Or disable any VPN or Proxy settings on either device during the sync process. VPNs mask your IP address, making it impossible for Spotify to see your other device on the local network.
Disable Firewall or Antivirus Software
If you have installed any antivirus or firewall protection app on computers to safeguard your devices, they are the possible reasons causing Spotify to wait for download issue unexpectedly. Therefore, it is possible to double-check whether Spotify is prohibited by such protection applications that run improperly for you. On Windows, please follow the procedures provided below to free Spotify from the banned list and enable the download function to work properly again:
1. Head to "Control Panel > System Security > Windows Defender Firewall".
2. Select "Allow" an app or feature from the sidebar.
3. Scroll the list to find "Spotify.exe" and check the Public box.
Once complete, please try processing Spotify download again to see if the problem has been resolved.
Enable Show Local Files in Spotify Settings
Sometimes the fix is as simple as a toggled switch that was accidentally turned off during an app update.
1. On Desktop: Go to Settings, scroll down to Local Files, and switch on "Show Local Files." Ensure the folder containing your music is added to the list.
2. On Mobile: Go to Settings > Local Files and toggle on "Local audio files."
Note: After enabling these, go to your "Local Files" playlist on your phone and tap the Download icon. It should turn green and start the sync immediately.
Final Way to Fix Spotify Waiting to Download Permanently (No Limits)
When Spotify Premium still has unexpected errors and restrictions to processing Spotify Music downloads for you, some of you may wonder if it can remove Spotify download limits and bypass Spotify waiting to download.
TuneFab Spotify Music Converter is the one to help. It directly embeds the Spotify web player, so you can directly select the Spotify tracks/playlists/albums/podcasts to process the 35X-faster download even without Spotify Premium and its app. In addition, you can get unlimited Spotify downloads in MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, and ALAC lossless audio files with ID3 info, and then easily transfer them to any device you like to manage them or share them with your friends.
Now, let's walk through simple manipulations to preview how to use TuneFab Spotify Music Converter to solve Spotify not downloading songs error without the download limit.
Step 1. Open TuneFab Spotify Music Converter, click on the "LOG IN" option to complete the Spotify account authorization.
Step 2. After logging in, please search for the Spotify songs and playlists you wish to download. Subsequently, hit the "Add to Convert" button and wait for the conversion to proceed.
Step 3. When you see a new window pop up, adjust the output quality and format.
Once finished, click the "Convert Now" button to initiate the batch conversion. Once the download completes, turn to "Local Library" to view the downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spotify Downloading
How many songs can I download on Spotify?
Spotify allows you to download up to 10,000 songs per device on a maximum of 5 different devices. If you try to exceed this limit, Spotify will automatically remove the downloads from the device you haven't used in a while.
If you want to bypass these download limits and keep an unlimited music library on your hard drive, using a tool like TuneFab Spotify Music Converter is the best workaround.
Why does Spotify download keep pausing on Android/iOS?
If your download progress bar keeps stopping or resetting, it is likely due to one of three reasons:
- Aggressive Battery Optimization: Your phone is killing the Spotify process to save power.
- Unstable Wi-Fi Handover: Your phone is switching between Wi-Fi and Cellular data, causing the connection to the Spotify server to break.
- Background App Refresh: On mobile, if "Background App Refresh" is turned off for Spotify, the download will pause the moment you lock your screen.
Go to this post to learn more fixes: How to Fix Spotify Keeps Pausing
Final Words
It would be frustrating when you are going to process a Spotify playlist download but discover Spotify not downloading songs for you. Therefore, with this post provided, you can easily remove the Spotify waiting to download error with the methods shown above, or completely get rid of all sorts of Spotify Premium issues by trying the alternative TuneFab Spotify Music Converter. As the program offers a free version, feel free to install it and start an effortless Spotify offline streaming without Premium!
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