Experiencing issues with Apple Music on your Mac can disrupt your entertainment experience. When Apple Music stops working on your Mac, it could stem from various factors like network problems, software glitches, or cache issues.
Troubleshooting steps might include verifying your internet connection, updating software, refreshing the Music app, or resetting Apple Music settings to restore seamless functionality. By addressing these potential causes, you can navigate through the troubleshooting process to reignite your Apple Music experience on your Mac.
What is Apple Music?
It will be better if we first understand what Apple Music is in order to get a grip on the Apple Music issues. It is a service provided by Apple where you can stream audios and videos with the on demand feature or the existing playlists. Apple Music is available for the Apple devices and if you are a user you must have used it at least once.
Why is my Apple Music not working?
Now, with the current problem you are facing, it can get frustrating easily. As Apple Music issues will stop you from playing your favourite music or podcasts on your Mac. This problem like others can be fixed by you if you follow a few methods. But the solution comes after you can point out the exact issue, so here are a few reasons behind the Apple Music not working on Mac –
- Application malfunction.
- Music subscription expired.
- Connection/Server errors.
- Outdated macOS.
- Cache files interrupting the function.
- Disabled Sync on Library.
How To fix Apple Music Not Playing on Your Mac
Let’s find out the solution for Apple Music not working on Mac with the below solutions –
Method 1 – Restart Apple Music
This is the first instinct to any issues when it runs inaccurately is to restart it. Therefore here we will close the Apple Music application on the Mac and then restart it. If you are unable to close the Apple Music then follow the steps to force quit it on Mac.
When a tiny dot appears on the Apple Music icon, this indicates that the application is still running. Apple Music not playing songs but maybe it is stuck and unable to close. In this case you will have to force close it on your Mac.
Step a. Launch the Spotlight on your Mac from the Menu bar and then type Activity Monitor on it. When you find it click on it to launch Activity Monitor.
Step b. Under the list of the running applications, you will find Apple Music. You are required to click on it to select it and then go to the Cross icon on the topbar.
Step c. Now a pop up message box will appear and then click on the Force Quit option.
This will close the Apple Music application on your Mac. Now restart it so that you can see if the problem of Apple Music unable to play music is fixed or not.
Method 2 – Check Apple Music Subscription
As basic it may seem, but it is very much possible that you have ignored the Apple Music Subscription expiry message. So, to check it once again to find out if that is the reason behind Apple Music not working on Mac follow these steps.
Step a. Launch Apple Music and go to the Bottom-right corner to click on your profile name.
Step b. Now, go to the View Information page and on that tab click on the Account information.
Step c. Under Account Information you can see the Subscription section, click on Manage.
Step d. This will reveal your information on the current status of your Apple Music subscription. If it shows Active then it is not the problem, if not you can go to the Edit button to renew or activate or Apple Music Subscription.
Method 3 – Check the Apple Server
Oftentimes, a lot of services get affected and we blame the device for it. Due to a server error, the services such as Apple Music can be affected. Apple Music not working on Mac can be caused by a down server. To find out if this is the reason, google it and scroll through other social media platforms like Twitter.
You can find news about Apple Server issues on the internet when you go to the Apple System Status. https://www.apple.com/in/support/systemstatus/
Method 4 – Delete Cache Files
All the files which are sitting unnecessarily on your Mac can be the culprit for the Apple Music not playing songs error. Since a lot of cache files clutter the system or an application, they cause hindrance in the functionality. Follow the steps to clear cache files on Apple Music Library –
Step a. Close all other applications running on Mac.
Step b. Open Spotlight and type the following –
~/Library/Caches
Step c. This will open the Caches directory on your Mac and you will be able to see the various files. Click on it and a new tab will open with all of the folders.
Step d. Locate folders with iTunes or Apple Music on the end and open it.
Step e. Select all of the files in it and then Move them to Trash.
Now restart your Apple Music and see if the songs are playing or not.
Method 5 – Update your macOS
This is again a solution which works like charm when Apple music not working on Mac. As the interference between the outdated versions of Mac and the Apple Music is capable of causing the error.
Sometimes, a temporary glitch in the update also causes such errors. Therefore, it is suggested you update the macOS for the latest available version for your device.
Step a. Click on the Apple icon on your Desktop and then click on About This Mac.
Step b. Now on the tab click on the Software Update.
Step c. If there is an option showing Upgrade Now or Update Now, click on it accordingly.
This will resolve your Apple Music issues in a breeze.
Method 6 – Clean clutter on Mac
Cleaning your Mac is one of the reasons why any application can malfunction. To remove unwanted applications and files you must use a robust tool to declutter it.
One such application is CleanMyMac which has multiple tools on it to help you clean junk and redundant applications. Download it from the Mac App Store and then launch it to clean the Mac.
After the unwanted items are removed, disk space is freed and thus Apple Music can be run without any errors.
Method 7 – Sync Music Library
When you Apple Music is not playing songs, it can be due to other connected devices to your account. The app can face a synchronisation error which needs to be manually fixed. Follow the steps given below to disable the sync library and then enable it to fix the error on your Mac.
Step a. Right click on iTunes and open the Preferences.
Step b. Now go to the General tab and unmark the iCloud Music Library or Sync Library option. Click on Ok afterwards and close it.
Step c. Repeat the Step a to go to the Preferences and now mark the iCloud Music Library or Sync Library option. Click on Ok to apply changes.
This will fix the Apple Music not playing songs error.
Method 8 – Enable Automatic Downloads
When you are unable to play music on your Apple Music application, you can try this method. Here we enable the Automatic Music downloads button. Follow the steps to do so –
Step a. Open Music app on your Mac.
Step b. Select Preferences.
Step c. Now in this newly opened tab, under General, go to the Library and look for Automatic Downloads.
Step d. Checkmark this option and click on Ok.
Method 9 – Disable Content Restrictions
Even though the Screen Time & other restrictions help us, we often forget their existence. When we do face such errors, it is advised to once check for the content restriction settings on the device and disable them if turned on.
Step a. Go to Menu and then click on System Preferences.
Step b. Here select Screen Time and then go to the Content & Privacy section.
Step c. Under this tab, go to the Content option and look for anything that you might have set as not allowed.
Disable the Content & Privacy restrictions and then relaunch the Apple Music.
Method 10 – Few more things you can check –
- Check if the Mac is authorised to play music or not. There may be a limit on the number of devices using Apple Music at the same time. If you wish to use it on your Mac, remove or close Apple Music on one of the other devices.
- Check if you are using some other Apple ID to purchase the songs and now trying to play it with another. This can be confusing but happens a lot and it is true to some users’ problem causing Apple Music not working.
- Check the file format for the music file. It is possible that you are facing this Apple Music error. If the songs have not been downloaded from iTunes and you can share it from somewhere, it can show an error. That is because the file format might not be compatible with the Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions –
Q1. How To Fix Apple Music Not Working On Mac In 2024?
There are plenty of reasons for Apple Music not being able to play music on Mac. Follow the steps for the particular problem and fix it by going through the steps given in the blog.
Q2. Why Is Apple Music Not Playing Offline?
If your Apple Music is not playing offline, check if your application or subscription is not the reason behind it. Also delete cache and unwanted files from your Mac to fix the issue.
Q3. Why Apple Music Won’t Load?
If Apple Music is not loading, there can be an issue with the internet connection or the server. Check if the server is running and you are connected to a good speed internet connection.
Q4. Can I Use Apple Music On My Mac?
Yes, you can use Apple Music on your Mac easily. Go to the Music App and then choose the account to join Apple Music and then subscribe to the service.
Q5. How To Get Apple Music On Mac?
To get Apple Music on your Mac, you are required to get an Apple Music subscription. You can follow the on screen instruction after selecting Apple Music on the Music app on Mac.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing the challenges of Apple Music not working on a Mac involves navigating through potential software glitches, connectivity issues, or account-related problems. This troubleshooting guide has explored various solutions, from verifying network connections to adjusting account settings.
By following these steps, users can regain control over their Apple Music experience, ensuring seamless playback and access to their music library. Whether the issue lies in the application itself, network configurations, or account authentication, taking a systematic approach to troubleshoot empowers users to enjoy uninterrupted music streaming on their Mac.
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