How To Fix Local Files Waiting To Download Spotify? [8 Ways]

Written By Robert Fabry Last updated: January 11, 2024

If you are using Spotify, then you must be enjoying the local file uploading feature that allows you to add local music to Spotify. This feature is very helpful especially if you find some music is not on Spotify for streaming. However, some Spotify users reported online that their local files waiting to download Spotify. Why are your local files stuck on the "Waiting to Download" issue?

In this article, you will learn about the basic methods to use if you are having trouble downloading Spotify local files on your device. You will also know about the perfect tool that can help you get a copy of your Spotify favorites in the most secure way possible.

Contents Guide Solution 1: Check Your Internet ConnectionSolution 2: Check Spotify Server StatusSolution 3: Make Sure You've Enabled Local File SettingSolution 4: Check the Local File FormatSolution 5: Play Spotify Local Files on Another PlayerSolution 6: Clean Spotify CacheSolution 7: Update Your Firewall to Allow SpotifySolution 8: Ask Spotify for HelpConclusion

Solution 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Why are your local files stuck on waiting to download? One of the main reasons is the issue of internet connection. If you have problems with the network connection, the local tracks won’t be synced smoothly to your mobile device. So the first solution to fix local files waiting to download Spotify you can try is to check the internet connection on your device used. Try to run other apps on your device to test if the internet connection is stable. If you find the signal is weak, switch to a different WiFi or data (for mobile users), and vice versa. You can also restart the router when you are at home or office. Some shared or public networks, such as schools/offices restrict access to certain services. You can contact the IT department to check for restrictions.

Solution 2: Check Spotify Server Status

We can also check the Spotify server status separately if Spotify local files waiting to download all the time. Sometimes, bugs with the Spotify server will disconnect the Spotify account. You can check the status of the Spotify server by visiting the official Twitter account @SpotifyStatus, which publishes real-time information about possible malfunctions in the service. If the Spotify server is down, you will have to wait for it to be restored before you can download music from Spotify normally.

Check Spotify Server Status

Related Topics: How To Check Spotify Server Status And Problems >>

Solution 3: Make Sure You've Enabled Local File Setting

Why are my local files waiting to download Spotify? You’d better first check whether you have enabled the Local Files setting. The local files will be shown on your music library only when you enable the setting on Spotify. The following steps guide you on how to turn on the Local Files option to easily fix the local files not downloading issue:

  • To turn on Local files on Desktop, you have to click your profile picture > select Settings > Library, then switch Show Local Files on. Under Show songs from, turn on the folders you want Local Files to have access to. Then you can go back to Your Library and try to sync local music on your device.
  • To turn on Local files on iOS and Android, you should tap your profile picture > select settings and privacy> Local Files, then switch Show audio files from this device on. Then your local music will be synced on your mobile device.

Enabled Spotify Local File Setting

Solution 4: Check the Local File Format

If the local files you’re trying to import into Spotify are in the wrong format, there is a possibility your local files will not be visible. Spotify supports MP3, MP4, and M4P files. Therefore, if your local files are not in these formats, you can use some converter apps to convert local songs to Spotify’s compatible formats first, such as MP3, MP4, or M4P.

Solution 5: Play Spotify Local Files on Another Player

If the methods that are discussed above can't be very helpful in solving the issue of local files waiting to download Spotify, you can try to convert local files to a common audio format and play in other popular media players instead of using Spotify. AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter can solve this issue well.

AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter is a powerful converter that can help you convert any music files to a variety of output formats supported at 5x quicker speed, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, and AAC. It can also download music from Spotify for free and remove the DRM protection from Spotify music files without quality lossless so after the conversion, you can save Spotify songs and local music on your computer. Then you can listen to them offline anywhere! Besides, it will retain all ID3 tags in converted Spotify files intelligently.

No Spotify Premium is required! Simply click on the "Free Download" button to download and install this powerful software on your Windows or Mac computer. Use AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter to download as many songs as you want for playing on any device.

Free Download Free Download

STEP 1. Add the local files into the music converter by directly dragging and dropping. If you want to download Spotify music, you can also add them to the program.

Drag And Drop Songs Files To The Program

STEP 2. To play local files on the device you used, select one format to use and choose the destination folder of the resulting music files. Here we choose MP3.

Choose The Output Parameter Settings

STEP 3. After choosing formats, you can start to convert them by clicking "Convert". When the music has fully converted, just click on Finished to view all the converted local music.

Click On The Convert Button

AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter is simple to use, with a user-friendly interface. Now you have the MP3 local music or MP3 songs from Spotify, you can keep it on your USB drive from your computer to free up storage space. You can also add this converted music to other popular game consoles to stream offline, such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, etc.

You may be interested: How To Listen To Spotify Steam Deck While Gaming?

Solution 6: Clean Spotify Cache

Why are my local files waiting to download on Spotify? It is also possible that there is no more space on your device to save the new downloads. If you are not aware, a single track can take up so much space from your device, especially if it is saved with the highest quality. If you do not have that much space left on your device, clearing the cache files of the Spotify app to create some capacity might help to get rid of the problem.

Clean Spotify Cache

Tips: For more details, check our explainer on What Is Cache On Spotify.

Solution 7: Update Your Firewall to Allow Spotify

Another most common reason behind local files waiting to download Spotify error is your antivirus or firewall settings on your computer. Most people have Antiviruses installed these days and antiviruses have their own firewalls to protect the computers. This will eventually not allow any downloads coming from Spotify. So, whenever you are planning to download some files from Spotify, then disable its firewall or add the Spotify app as an exception.

To fix Spotify downloading issue on Windows, go to System and Security in the Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allowed apps and choose Change Settings. Then, next to Spotify, check the box. Finally, press the OK button.

Firewall Settings To Allow Spotify

To fix Spotify downloading issue on Mac, launch the Firewall and click the lock symbol. Click Advanced to open a firewall security dialog box. Then click the plus button to the right. Later, choose Spotify from the dialog box and press Add.

Update Your Firewall To Allow Spotify

Related Topics: If Spotify on your Mac not playing sound, you can also disable Firewall settings to fix it.

Solution 8: Ask Spotify for Help

If you already tried all the suggested ways to stop Spotify from adding songs and still have no good results, then I would recommend asking for help from Spotify. You may send them a report and talk about the error that is concerning you. Spotify provides a few alternatives to contacting: Help Center, Spotify Community, and Contact by email or chat.

Conclusion

There are several ways to avoid the problem about local files waiting to download Spotify. Listed above are the most common methods that you may use, but you have to take note they can just solve the problem temporarily. If you wish a long time and permanent result, there is only one strategy to use and it is no other than AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter.

Free Download Free Download

Leave a Comment