Hey friend! Having issues with Spotify podcasts? Here‘s a detailed guide to fix your streaming problems

I know how frustrating it can be when Spotify podcasts stop working properly. As a long-time Spotify user myself, I‘ve faced just about every streaming issue under the sun!

The good news is that together we can get to the bottom of what‘s going wrong and get your podcast listening back on track. In this super in-depth troubleshooting guide, I‘ll walk you through all the most common Spotify podcast problems and show you some proven fixes.

Grab your headphones and let‘s solve those streaming woes!

What‘s up with Spotify podcasts?

Before we start debugging, let‘s quickly run through the main Spotify podcast problems that listeners like you report:

Playback failures – Episodes get stuck buffering or you see "Playback Failed" errors
Downloading issues – Completed downloads get stuck or don‘t show up in your Library
Missing episodes – New episodes don‘t show up or disappear unexpectedly
Missing shows – Entire podcasts are unavailable due to licensing issues
Video problems – Video podcast visuals don‘t load properly or appear black

These issues stem from bugs, connection problems, and good ol‘ fashioned tech gremlins. The good news is there are proven ways to banish these bugs for good!

Step 1 – Update Spotify to the latest version

Let‘s start with the simplest fix. According to Spotify‘s own troubleshooting guide, app version mismatches are a leading cause of playback failures.

To avoid this, be sure you‘re running the latest version of Spotify on all your devices:

On iPhone – Go to the App Store and check for Spotify updates
On Android – Open the Play Store and tap Update next to Spotify
On PC/Mac – Click the profile icon and check for new versions

Updating provides under-the-hood bug fixes and optimizations that specifically target podcast issues. So take a minute and get Spotify up to date before we continue.

Step 2 – Reboot your device

Before getting too technical, try the old turn it off and on again trick. A quick device reboot reloads the operating system and clears out any gremlins causing podcast glitches.

Completely power off your phone, tablet, computer, etc.
Leave it off for at least 30 seconds. A full minute is ideal.
Boot the device back up and launch Spotify.

This reset often resolves temporary software hiccups affecting podcasts. It‘s a simple first step I recommend to all my podcast pals.

Step 3 – Reinstall Spotify

If updates didn‘t help, the nuclear option is to fully uninstall and reinstall Spotify‘s app. This wipes the slate totally clean, deleting any corrupted data.

On mobile, uninstall Spotify from your device‘s app settings area
On desktop, use the uninstall option in Programs & Features or Apps & Features
On the web, bookmark shows before deleting browser data

Once removed, install the latest Spotify app version. Sign back in and see if your podcast issue disappears.

Reinstalling erases all cached podcast episodes, so download any must-have shows after you log back in.

Step 4 – Log out and log back into Spotify

While still inconvenient, logging out and back into Spotify is less drastic than a full reinstall. Signing out resets your account credentials which can resolve account-specific issues.

From the app‘s Settings menu:

Tap Log Out
Confirm the log out action
Put in your username and password to log back in

This refresh resolves account glitches like missing libraries, unauthorized devices, and sync conflicts. It‘s super quick so definitely worth a shot.

Step 5 – Check your internet connection

Now we‘re getting into nitty gritty tech issues. The number one cause of Spotify playback and syncing problems? Internet connection problems.

Spotify relies on stable bandwidth to function properly. Try these tips to confirm your connection:

On Wi-Fi – Move closer to the router or try another nearby network
On mobile – Turn Airplane mode on/off to force a fresh connection
On any device – Run speed tests to check for issues
Use Ethernet – Plug your computer directly into the router

Check other apps and sites to see if it‘s just Spotify affected. A vpn can also help circumvent ISP throttling.

Step 6 – Disable battery saver and performance modes

Here‘s an issue many folks don‘t realize – device power modes can throttle Spotify in the background. For consistent streaming, turn these off:

Low Power – Disable any low power or battery saver modes
Data Saver – Turn off data saving and performance profiles
Power Plans – Switch to High Performance or Best Performance modes

Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac all have these settings. Find them under Power, Battery, or Performance and toggle to maximize performance.

Step 7 – Update your device drivers and OS

Speaking of performance, another culprit is outdated device software. Driver and firmware glitches can send Spotify podcasts haywire.

Update device drivers – Head to the OEM site and get the latest
Install OS updates – Check for Windows, iOS, Android, etc updates
Update BIOS/Firmware – Again head to the manufacturer‘s site

This eliminates compatibility issues between Spotify and your hardware/software. Even new updates can fix longstanding bugs.

Step 8 – Grant Spotify proper permissions

Particularly on mobile, incorrectly configured app permissions cause all kinds of streaming problems. Double check that Spotify has the access it needs:

On iPhone

Go to Settings > Spotify
Enable Microphone, Cellular Data, Background App Refresh

On Android

Open Settings > Apps > Spotify
Allow Storage, Microphone, Background data

Granting this critical access resolves connection issues and playback failures. Spotify needs these permissions to function properly!

Step 9 – Clear Spotify‘s cache and data

Over time, corrupted cached data gums up the works, causing glitches. Here‘s how to clean out old junk files:

On mobile

Go to Settings > Apps > Spotify
Tap Storage/Cache > Clear Cache and Clear Data

On desktop

Close Spotify and open your file explorer
Delete the Cache and Data folders in Spotify‘s app data directory

This wipes the slate totally clean, which can overcome stubborn podcast errors. You may have to re-download some content.

Step 10 – Contact Spotify customer support

Alright if you‘re still having issues, it‘s time to bring in the big guns. Head to Spotify‘s customer service site and submit a support ticket:

https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/

Explain your issue in detail and specify:

The device(s) affected
Troubleshooting steps you‘ve tried
Whether other audio works fine
Error messages you see
Screenshots of the problem

With this info, Spotify‘s support team can better identify any account-specific, device-specific, or region-specific factors at play. For stubborn bugs, their engineers can push optimized app updates.

Bonus tips for smooth Spotify podcasting

Once you squash your streaming bugs, use these pro tips for problem-free Spotify podcasting:

Update early and often to fix bugs fast
Stick to Wi-Fi whenever possible for robust streaming
Use playlists to sync shows across devices flawlessly
Clear old episodes after listening to conserve storage space
Pause downloads when not needed to maximize bandwidth
Give feedback on any issues you encounter

Stay vigilant, speak up when you face trouble, and we‘ll have you podcasting in harmony in no time!

Let me know if any part of the guide needs more detail or if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to lend a hand getting podcast problems fixed. Talk soon!