Having used Spotify for several years, I’ve encountered various bugs and errors, including the “Upstream Request Timeout” that can occur while trying to stream music, playlists, or podcasts. If you’ve also faced this issue, I’m here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss why and when the “Upstream Request Timeout” error happens and how to resolve it.
What is the Spotify “Upstream Request Timeout” Error?
The “Upstream Request Timeout” error occurs when Spotify fails to receive a response from upstream services within a specified time frame. These upstream services provide data and functionality to Spotify, and the app relies on them for proper operation.
If you encounter this error, it could indicate that Spotify’s servers are down, possibly due to maintenance or being overloaded with high user traffic. It could also be caused by a poor internet connection.
How to Fix “Upstream Request Timeout” Error on Spotify
Since this is primarily a server-side issue, there’s not much you can do to fix it from your end. However, we’ve outlined some methods you can try if you’re frequently encountering this error. Here they are:
Method 1: Fix Your Internet Connection
Firstly, ensure that your internet connection is functioning correctly. If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data, and vice versa, to see if that resolves the issue. You can also test other streaming services to check if they are working properly.
Additionally, if you’re using a VPN service, consider disabling it. VPNs can sometimes cause slower network speeds, which can lead to the upstream timeout issue.
Method 2: Check If Spotify is Facing a Downtime
If your internet connection is stable, the issue might be with Spotify’s servers. This error commonly occurs when the platform is undergoing maintenance or experiencing a high volume of traffic, such as during the yearly Spotify wrap release, which can overwhelm the servers.
To check if Spotify’s servers are down, visit downdetector.com. You can also check online platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to see if others are reporting similar issues.
Method 3: Visit Spotify in Incognito Mode
Another troubleshooting step is to try opening Spotify in an Incognito or Private window in your browser. This step can help identify if the issue is related to cached data or browser extensions interfering with the Spotify web player. To open an Incognito window, click on the three dots icon and select “New Incognito window.“
Method 4: Clear Browser Cache Data
Having an excess of cached data and cookies can slow down your browser’s performance, lead to crashes on online pages, and, in our case, cause an Upstream request timeout. That’s why it’s important to clear them out regularly. Here’s how you can clear the cache and cookies in Google Chrome:
1. Click on the three dots icon at the top right of Chrome.
2. Select “Clear browsing data.” Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl+Shift+Delete keyboard shortcut.
3. In the Clear browsing data window, check the boxes for “Browsing history,” “Cookies and other site data,” and “Cached images and files.”
4. Click on the drop-down box next to “Time range” and select “All time.”
5. Click on “Clear data.“
6. Close and restart the browser to see if this resolves the issue with the Spotify web player.
Method 6: Update Your Web Browser
Updating your web browser can help resolve this error. Older browser versions may lack support for the latest web standards required by the streaming service. It’s important to regularly update your browser. Here’s how you can do it:
1. In Chrome, click on the three dots icon at the top right.
2. Select Help > About Google Chrome.
3. The browser will automatically check for updates and begin downloading them.
4. Once the update is downloaded, click on “Relaunch” to apply the changes.
5. After updating, open Spotify in a new tab, log in to your account, and check if the error persists.
Method 5: Download Spotify Desktop App
This issue commonly occurs when using the Spotify web player in your web browser. Downloading the dedicated Spotify app can help resolve the problem and make it easier to access the app on your desktop without needing to switch between tabs.
The Spotify app is available on major platforms, including Windows and macOS. Try using the app to see if it resolves the Upstream timeout error.
These are the steps you can take to fix the “Upstream Request Timeout” error. Try to work with each method to check what works best for you. Please share in the comments which method was helpful for you. If you have any other suggestions that have helped you fix this issue, please share them in the comments to assist others.
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