Spotify lyrics not working

Are Spotify lyrics not working? First test several well-known songs. If the lyrics are missing only for one song, that track is probably unavailable or being updated. If you see no lyrics for any song, update Spotify, fully close the app, check your internet connection, and sign in again. Lyrics are not available for every song, on every device, or in every market.

Play a familiar song, open the Now Playing screen, and swipe down to Lyrics. On a computer, click the lyrics icon at the bottom while the song is playing. On mobile, also check whether the lyrics preview is enabled.

In this guide, you’ll find the official path, a practical checklist, and solutions for listeners and artists.

Why do Spotify lyrics sometimes not work?

Spotify offers lyrics to users on Spotify Free and Premium. Still, not every song has them. According to Spotify, availability can vary by time, country, device, and agreements with rights holders. New lyrics are added every day.

Are lyrics missing for one song? Then the issue is usually with that specific track. Do you see no lyrics for any song? Then the cause is more often the Spotify app, your device, the internet connection, or a setting.

Spotify receives licensed and synchronized lyrics from Musixmatch. As a listener, you cannot add a missing lyric directly in Spotify. A verified artist can add, edit, and sync lyrics through Musixmatch. In Japan, Spotify uses a different partner for listeners.

Lyrics can also disappear temporarily. That can happen when rights change or when a lyric is corrected. In that case, you do not need to delete your account or reinstall the whole app right away.

Where do you find lyrics in Spotify?

The location of Spotify lyrics differs a little by device. You must always play a song first.

Where are lyrics on a phone or tablet?

1. Open Spotify.
2. Play a song.
3. Tap the Now Playing bar at the bottom.
4. Swipe down on the full player screen.
5. Go to Lyrics.
6. Tap the lyrics to open them large.

On a tablet, you may first need to tap the album cover in the side panel. While the song plays, a synchronized lyric display follows the music line by line.

On mobile, Spotify also shows a lyrics preview under the album cover or over Canvas. This preview is usually on. In the player screen, open the menu with the three dots and choose Lyrics to turn the preview on or off. This choice only applies to songs for which lyrics are available.

Do you not see a preview under the album cover? Then keep swiping down anyway. The preview and the full lyrics view are not exactly the same. A disabled preview does not always mean the full lyrics are missing.

Where are lyrics on desktop and in the web player?

1. Open Spotify and play a song.
2. Look at the controls at the bottom.
3. Click the lyrics icon.
4. The lyrics open in the main screen.

Is the icon missing for one song? Then test another well-known song. Is the icon missing everywhere? Check the Spotify app, your browser, and the internet connection.

You can also use the web player to test. Do lyrics work there, but not in the desktop app? Then the problem is probably in the installed app or its temporary data.

How do you fix missing Spotify lyrics step by step?

Follow the steps below in this order. After each step, test the same song and then a second well-known song. That way, you can see the cause faster.

First check whether the song has lyrics

Play two or three popular songs by different artists. If the lyrics are missing only for one song, there is probably no lyric available or the existing lyric is being updated. Then you do not need to change any phone settings.

Preferably compare different artists and different albums. An original, remix, live recording, and acoustic version count as separate recordings. The studio version may show lyrics, while another version does not yet have them.

Also check whether the song plays normally. Is the title greyed out and the song does not start? Then the issue is not the lyrics feature. In that case, read why is a song grayed out on Spotify.

Turn on the lyrics preview

On mobile, open the Now Playing screen. Tap the three dots. Look for Lyrics and turn the preview on. Then swipe down in the player screen.

This setting mainly controls the small preview under the album cover or on Canvas. When full lyrics are available, you can often open them from the player screen as well.

Update the Spotify app

Open the App Store or Google Play Store. Search for Spotify and tap Update if that button appears. An old app can show an outdated screen or contain bugs that are already fixed in a newer version.

Do you use Spotify on a computer? Close the program and open it again. Let any available update install. Then test the web player too. If lyrics work in the web player, the problem is probably with the desktop app.

Close Spotify fully and restart it

Also close the Spotify app from your open apps list. Going back to the home screen is not enough. Open Spotify again and test the same song.

On a computer, quit Spotify completely. If needed, check that the program is no longer running in the background. Then restart it. A temporary player error is often gone after that.

Check internet and offline use

Quickly switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Spotify must be able to load lyrics through the internet. A song that is already downloaded may play while the lyrics fail to load or refresh properly.

Turn offline mode off temporarily and reconnect. Also check whether other parts of Spotify load normally. Think of album covers, search results, and artist pages. If those also do not load, the connection is probably the issue.

Log out and back in

First make sure you know your password or other sign-in method. Then log out, fully close Spotify, and sign back in. This refreshes the connection between the app and your account.

If possible, test your account on another device. If lyrics work there, the account is probably not the issue. Then focus on the app or settings of the first device.

Carefully clear temporary data

Spotify has settings for storage and temporary data. Clearing them can help if the display is wrong. Keep in mind that you may need to re-download offline music.

So do not remove the whole app right away. Start with the least disruptive steps, such as updating, fully closing, and signing in again. Only reinstall Spotify if the earlier solutions do not help.

Which check can you do right away?

Use this short checklist when Spotify lyrics are not working:

1. Test three well-known songs by different artists.
2. Open Now Playing and swipe down.
3. Turn on the Lyrics preview.
4. Update Spotify to the latest version.
5. Close the app fully.
6. Test both Wi-Fi and mobile data.
7. Turn off offline mode temporarily.
8. Log out and back in.
9. Test the same account on another device.
10. If one song is missing lyrics, wait and check again later.

With this order, you can usually quickly find out whether the problem is with the song, your device, the app, or your account.

While testing, note which song, device, and network you used. Also write down the time. If the same lyrics work later, the outage was probably temporary.

If needed, take a screenshot of an error message before closing the app. That helps if you need support. Also note the exact title, artist, and version of the song.

Do not only compare the original with a live version of the same song. Each performance is a separate recording and may have its own data. The studio version may show lyrics while a remix, acoustic version, reissue, or live recording does not yet have them.

Does it work the same on iPhone, Android, and desktop?

The basics are the same on every device, but the screen and buttons differ. This table shows where to look and what to check first.

Do you use a smart TV, game console, or speaker with a screen? The feature may work differently there or may be missing completely. Spotify clearly says that availability can vary by device.

Your operating system version can also matter. On an older device, you may no longer get the latest Spotify version. In that case, test the web player or another device.

Which errors and limitations are common?

Why do you see that lyrics are not available?

The lyrics may not have been delivered, licensed, or synced yet. An existing lyric can also be updated temporarily. Spotify adds new lyrics every day. So try the song again later.

If other songs do show lyrics, you do not need to change anything about your account. Then the issue is almost certainly with the availability of that specific recording.

Why are the lyrics not in sync with the music?

A synchronized lyric uses timing for each line. That timing may be set incorrectly. An artist can submit corrections through Musixmatch.

As a listener, you can report an error through the available options in Spotify or Musixmatch. You cannot rewrite the official lyric yourself in Spotify. When reporting, always mention the song, version, and the line where the timing is wrong.

Why are the lyrics in the wrong language?

A song may have lyrics in the script in which they were supplied. Spotify does not automatically translate every lyric. The language of your Spotify menu does not change the content of the official lyrics.

So Dutch as the interface language does not automatically make an English, Spanish, or Japanese lyric Dutch.

Why is sharing lyrics not working?

Open the full lyrics on mobile. Tap Share at the bottom, select the lines you want, and then choose an app. If Share is missing, the feature may not be available for that song, device, or market.

Update the Spotify app and test another song. Also check whether the app you want to share to is working properly.

Why do the lyrics disappear after an update?

Availability can change because of rights, new deliveries, or corrections. So it does not have to be a problem on your phone. When several songs lose their lyrics at the same time, first check whether Spotify has a general outage.

Then test another device or the web player. If everything works normally there, the fault is probably in the app on your first device.

What changes after the lyrics work again?

Your music, playlists, and listening history do not change. You only get access to the available lyrics view again. With synchronized lyrics, the current line is highlighted while the song plays.

You can open the lyrics larger and sometimes share selected lines on mobile. Turning on the preview applies to all songs with available lyrics. This setting does not create missing lyrics.

Lyrics do not directly affect stream payouts. Want to know how income is calculated? Then read buy Spotify streams.

What can you do as an artist if your own lyrics are missing?

Spotify refers artists to Musixmatch. There you can verify an artist profile. According to Spotify, the free version is enough to add, edit, and sync lyrics.

After verification, connect your Spotify artist page. Then choose a song, add the full lyrics, and submit them. Write repeated words and repeated sections out in full. Do not use a short note like “2x”.

Only write words that are actually sung. Use the original script and pay attention to spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Also make sure you link the lyrics to the correct recording.

For synchronization, connect each line to the correct moment in the audio. After submission, it may take a few days before the change appears on Spotify. A missing release can take up to about 48 hours to appear after being added in Musixmatch.

Only use lyrics you have rights to or that you manage as an authorized artist. Do not simply copy lyrics from an unknown website. Lyrics are protected by copyright.

Adding lyrics is separate from your release reach. If you want to build more visibility after improving your artist page, you can, for example, buy Spotify podcast streams or targeted buy Spotify followers. These services do not fix missing lyrics. For that, Musixmatch remains the right route.

Which misconceptions exist about Spotify lyrics?

A Premium subscription does not guarantee that every song has lyrics. The feature is available for Free and Premium, but the lyrics for a specific recording may still be missing.

The app language does not change the original lyrics. Dutch as the interface language does not make an English lyric Dutch.

A download does not guarantee that the lyrics will always stay visible offline. Music and lyrics are not loaded or stored in exactly the same way.

Deleting the app is not the best first step. You may lose downloads and settings. First test multiple songs, install an update, and restart Spotify.

A listener cannot add an official lyric directly in Spotify. For artists, management goes through Musixmatch. Want to improve the look of your music collection in the meantime? Then see how to create your own cover for your Spotify playlist.

Also do not use lyrics as your only source when you want to quote a line exactly. Check the artist’s official release where possible and keep copyright in mind.

A small timing error does not automatically mean that all words are wrong. On the other hand, a lyric can follow the music well and still contain a spelling mistake. So report as specifically as possible which song, which version, and which line is wrong. That is more useful than simply saying the whole feature does not work.

Which questions are frequently asked about Spotify lyrics?

What should you do first if Spotify lyrics are not working?

Test several well-known songs. If lyrics work for other songs, then they are probably missing only for the first song. If no lyrics work, update the app, restart Spotify, and check your internet connection.

Do Spotify lyrics work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Open the player screen and swipe down to Lyrics. The exact buttons may differ by app version. Spotify says availability can vary by device and market.

Are lyrics available for every account?

The feature is available for Spotify Free and Premium. Still, not every song on every device has lyrics. Rights, available data, your device, and your market determine what you see.

Which setting is the most important?

On mobile, check the switch for the Lyrics preview in the Now Playing menu. After that, an up-to-date Spotify app and a working internet connection matter most.

What are the most common mistakes?

People test only one song, look on the wrong page, or expect Spotify Premium to provide all lyrics. They also confuse downloaded music with permanently stored lyrics.

Why does a live version have no lyrics while the original does?

Every performance counts as a separate recording. A studio version, remix, acoustic version, and live recording can all have different data. The lyrics therefore need to be available and correctly linked per recording.

What can you check if a song still does not work?

First check whether the song itself is normally available. A grey title points to a different problem. Then test your account on a second device. If the lyrics are missing only for one song, wait a few days and try again.

Which step should you take first now?

Open Spotify and test three well-known songs by different artists. Swipe down in Now Playing. If the lyrics do not work anywhere, update the app, check your internet, and restart Spotify.

If the lyrics are not working for only one song, do not change anything about your account. The lyrics are probably unavailable, linked incorrectly, or being updated.

This way, you avoid unnecessary steps and quickly know where the problem is. As an artist, check Musixmatch next. As a listener, wait for a new delivery or a correction to the lyrics.

Check the song again later. Availability can change after Spotify or Musixmatch receives new or corrected data.