Many Windows 11 users enjoy listening to music on Spotify while gaming. However, sometimes Spotify unexpectedly stops playing music when you launch or play a game. This can disrupt your gaming experience and cause frustration.
Fortunately, there are several simple steps to fix this issue. Most of them involve adjusting Windows or Spotify settings to ensure both applications work smoothly together.
This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow instructions to keep Spotify playing without interruption while you enjoy your games on Windows 11.
Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into detailed troubleshooting.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks
- Ensure Spotify and Windows 11 are up to date. Updates often include bug fixes that can resolve playback issues.
- Check your internet connection. Spotify requires a stable internet connection to stream music.
- Confirm that your audio drivers are current. Outdated drivers can cause sound or playback problems.
- Make sure your game and Spotify are not muted or set to very low volume. Sometimes, volume settings cause confusion about playback stopping.
Step 1: Disable Exclusive Mode in Sound Settings
Windows has a feature called “Exclusive Mode” that allows applications to take full control of your audio device. Some games can block other audio apps like Spotify from playing when they use this mode.
Disabling Exclusive Mode for your playback device can prevent Spotify from stopping during gaming.
- Right-click the Speaker icon in the taskbar (bottom right corner).
- Select Sounds from the menu.
- Go to the Playback tab and select your default audio device (usually “Speakers” or your headphones).
- Click Properties.
- Switch to the Advanced tab.
- Under Exclusive Mode, uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” and “Give exclusive mode applications priority”.
- Click Apply and then OK to save changes.
Why this helps: By disabling exclusive mode, games won’t block Spotify from accessing your audio device, allowing continuous playback.
Step 2: Adjust Spotify’s Hardware Acceleration Setting
Spotify uses a feature called hardware acceleration to improve performance, but on some systems, it can cause playback interruptions.
Disabling hardware acceleration inside Spotify can fix crashes or stopping issues during gaming.
- Open Spotify on your PC.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Scroll down and expand the Advanced Settings section.
- Find the Hardware Acceleration option.
- Toggle it off.
- Restart Spotify to apply changes.
Why this matters: Disabling hardware acceleration reduces conflicts between Spotify and your graphics or sound hardware, preventing playback from stopping during games.
Step 3: Run Spotify as Administrator
Sometimes Spotify needs higher permissions to keep running properly while games are active.
Running Spotify as an administrator can help avoid playback interruptions caused by permission issues.
- Close Spotify if it’s open.
- Find the Spotify shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
- Right-click the Spotify icon and select Run as administrator.
- Try playing music and your game together to see if the issue is resolved.
Why this helps: Administrator rights prevent Windows from limiting Spotify’s background activity when running resource-intensive games.
Step 4: Disable Windows Game Mode or Background Apps Optimization
Windows 11 Game Mode is designed to prioritize gaming performance but can sometimes interfere with other running apps like Spotify.
Disabling Game Mode or background app optimizations may stop Spotify from pausing during gameplay.
- Open Settings by pressing
Win + I. - Go to Gaming > Game Mode.
- Toggle Game Mode off.
- Next, navigate to Privacy > Background apps.
- Make sure Spotify is allowed to run in the background.
- Restart your PC and test Spotify playback while gaming.
Why this is useful: Disabling Game Mode prevents Windows from restricting background apps, which can stop Spotify playback.
Step 5: Check Power Settings and Battery Saver Mode
Windows power saving features can limit background app activity to conserve energy, especially on laptops.
Ensuring power settings allow Spotify to run uninterrupted can fix playback issues.
- Open Settings (Win + I).
- Go to System > Power & battery.
- Check if Battery saver is on. If yes, toggle it off while gaming.
- Click Additional power settings.
- Select your current power plan and click Change plan settings.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- Expand Background apps or similar settings and ensure apps like Spotify are not restricted.
- Apply changes and restart if needed.
Why this works: Power saving modes can pause or limit app activity to extend battery life, stopping Spotify playback.
Alternative Method: Use Spotify Web Player
If the desktop Spotify app continues to stop playback, consider using the Spotify Web Player through your browser.
The web player runs inside your browser, which may handle background audio differently and avoid conflicts with games.
This is a quick workaround if you want uninterrupted music while playing games.
FAQs
Why does Spotify stop playing only when I launch a game?
Many games take exclusive control of your audio device or use system resources that can interrupt other apps. Windows audio settings or Game Mode can also pause background apps during gameplay.
Can antivirus or firewall software cause this issue?
Yes, some security software might interfere with Spotify’s streaming or background activity. Adding Spotify to the exception list can help.
Will reinstalling Spotify fix the problem?
Reinstalling Spotify can fix corrupted files or settings causing playback issues, so it’s worth trying if other steps fail.
Is this problem specific to Windows 11?
While more common on Windows 11 due to new system features, similar issues can occur on Windows 10. The solutions here apply broadly to Windows systems.
Does running games in fullscreen vs windowed mode affect Spotify playback?
Sometimes fullscreen mode can cause audio focus issues. Trying windowed or borderless window mode may help Spotify continue playing.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above solutions and Spotify still stops when gaming, consider these final options:
- Contact Spotify Support: Visit Spotify Help Center for personalized assistance.
- Update Windows: Ensure your system is fully updated, as Microsoft frequently releases fixes.
- Check for Game Updates: Some games release patches to fix audio conflicts.
- Try Alternative Music Apps: If Spotify remains problematic, other streaming apps might work better with your setup.
Conclusion
Spotify stopping playback while gaming on Windows 11 is a common but fixable issue. By disabling exclusive mode, adjusting Spotify’s hardware acceleration, managing Game Mode, and checking power settings, you can usually resolve the problem.
Remember to keep your software updated and adjust settings carefully. If needed, using the Spotify Web Player or contacting support are effective alternatives.
With these steps, you can enjoy uninterrupted music and gaming on Windows 11.