Spotify Keeps Playing Random Songs? (5 Effective Fixes) (2024)

Listening to Spotify random songs can be frustrating, and most users are affected by this problem. For this reason, they ask why Spotify keeps playing random songs and how to fix it.

Quick Answer:
Spotify plays random songs due to the Autoplay feature and radio function. To resolve this, disable Autoplay in Spotify settings, create a personalized playlist instead of using radio, and consider upgrading to Spotify Premium for more control.

In this post, I’ve explained the real reasons for the random song problem and multiple ways to fix it. So let’s get started.

Why Does Spotify Keep Playing Random Songs? 4 Main Reasons

Spotify app plays random songs because of its algorithm (Radio Station algorithm). This algorithm enhances user experience with personalized music recommendations by immersing them in the music world.

Below are some other reasons why Spotify plays random songs:

• Personalization (Radio Station Algorithm)
• Collaborative Filtering
• Similar Artists And Genres
• Free Version Of Spotify

1. Personalization (Radio Station Algorithm)

Spotify plays random songs based on a personalization algorithm.

It includes complex data analysis containing history, followed artists, liked songs, and created playlists.

Remember, Spotify wants you to discover more music and get the best listening experience within the given time. So when you start listening to the songs from an album, it becomes a radio station and plays random songs.

2. Collaborative Filtering

Also, Spotify’s algorithm uses collaborative filtering.

This filtering means that Spotify considers the listening behavior of millions of users to identify patterns in the musical taste of users.

Spotify’s algorithm may play a random song if other users with similar preferences enjoy it.

3. Similar Artists And Genres

Most importantly, random songs play because of the same artists and Genres, and it happens to me most of the time.

Remember what I mentioned about Spotify radio’s algorithm that it finds related artists and genres based on personalization.

So, the radio algorithm uses that personalization data to recommend random songs of the same artists and genres.

4. Spotify Free version

Last but not least, the Spotify free version is the most common cause of playing random songs.

It’s because the Spotify free version is more likely to follow the radio station algorithm. Also, in the free version, you don’t have any control over what songs you’re playing.

You’ve got all the reasons behind random songs playing on Spotify now, so let’s move on to the fixes.

How To Fix Spotify Playing Random Songs In 2023? 5 Effective Fixes

Add more songs to a playlist and turn off the Autoplay feature to fix the Spotify app playing random songs issue.

Below are multiple fixes that work for 80% of the users. Try each one out and see which one works best for you.

1. Add More Music To Your Playlist

Adding more music to your playlist is the first and most important fix to this issue.

It’s because the Spotify radio algorithm considers when your playlist doesn’t have enough songs.

As I mentioned above, Spotify wants you to discover more music in a limited time. So, it adds random songs in short playlists to continue the flow of your music experience.

But when you’re playlist is longer enough to carry that flow, the Spotify algorithm won’t add random songs. I recommend you make a playlist of at least 15 songs.

Here’s how you can add more songs to your playlist:

1. Use the Search bar to find the album or song you want to add.
2. Tap the album from the search results.
3. Tap the three dots near the Like and Download icons.
4. Tap Add to Playlist.
5. Select your playlist from the ones you already have and add new songs.

2. Create Your Own Playlist

Creating your playlist can also prevent random songs from playing.

The radio station always works on the suggested playlist when no songs exist. But when you make your playlist, you can have more control over the music you will listen to.

So, instead of relying on Spotify’s suggested playlists, create your own. Here’s how you can create a Spotify playlist:

1. Open Spotify and log in to your Spotify account.
2. Tap on the “Your Library” section.
3. Click on the “Playlists” option.
4. Tap on the “Create Playlist” button.
5. It will typically be a “New Playlist” or a “+” icon.
6. Name your newly created playlist. Add new songs to your playlist by searching for specific songs. Enjoy.

3. Turn Off Autoplay Similar Content

Turning off the autoplay feature is the most effective solution for stopping Spotify from playing random songs.

Disabling auto-play prevents random music from playing anywhere, even after playlists or albums.

You should give priority to turning off autoplay rather than purchasing Spotify Premium. If this method doesn’t work, you should buy a premium Spotify.

Here’s how you can disable the autoplay feature on Spotify:

1. Go to Spotify’s main screen.
2. Tap the Spotify Settings gear icon.
3. Look for the Playback option and click on it.
4. Disable the Autoplay Similar Content option. Enjoy.

4. Delete Random Songs From Queue

Deleting a random song can prevent Spotify from playing that random song in your playlist.

Here’s how you can delete a random song from the Queue:

1. Launch the Spotify app on your mobile device.
2. Initiate the playback of any song if none is currently playing.
3. Enlarge the playing track to full-screen mode and select the ‘Queue’ icon at the screen’s bottom-right.
4. Select the ‘Empty queue’ button in the upcoming interface next to ‘Next In Queue.’

5. Purchase Spotify Premium

Lastly, if none of the solutions works, purchasing a Spotify premium subscription is the most effective way to avoid random songs from playing.

As I already mentioned, the Spotify free version is structured to follow the radio station algorithm of personalization. Also, in the free version, you don’t have any control over the music you’re listening to.

In the free version, you can’t even forward the song. And if you skip the track, it will start playing random similar music from the same artists and genre.

Additionally, in the free version, the ad was a random song. So, Spotify’s free version plays that random song as an Ad.

So, purchase a Spotify premium subscription to stop Spotify from playing random songs and unlocks all the control you should have while listening to music.

Is Premium Required to Halt Spotify’s Random Songs?

Yes, because the Spotify free version follows the radio station algorithm, which plays random songs.

In the free version of Spotify, you get only six skips per hour and no control over the music. You can’t even forward the music playback in the free version.

So yes, a Spotify premium subscription is necessary to prevent Spotify from playing random songs.

But I recommend following the first 4 solutions before purchasing a premium subscription. If they work, well and good. And if not, then you must have to buy Spotify Premium.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Words

The article concluded that Spotify plays random songs due to the autoplay feature or radio function. You can fix this by turning off the autoplay feature from the Spotify settings or making your playlist instead of the radio.

Hopefully, now you should know why Spotify keeps playing random songs and how to fix it.