Spotify updates automatically on most Windows PCs, but you can force an update manually if the app is not responding or you want the latest version right away
Spotify for Windows typically checks for updates when you open the app and installs them in the background without interrupting your music. If you have not seen an update in weeks, or if you are experiencing bugs that a newer version might fix, you can trigger an update yourself in under a minute. The process differs slightly depending on whether you installed Spotify from the Microsoft Store or downloaded it directly from Spotify's website.
Before you start, close Spotify completely — not just minimized to the system tray, but fully shut down. Open it again and wait 10 to 15 seconds. If an update is waiting, Spotify will install it before the main window opens. If nothing happens, you can check your version number and update manually using the steps below.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify for Windows updates automatically in the background most of the time, so you may not need to do anything.
- Closing and reopening the app is the fastest way to trigger a pending update.
- Microsoft Store versions and direct-read versions use different update paths, so the method depends on how you installed Spotify.
- Your current version number appears in Settings, so you can confirm whether an update actually installed.
- Restarting your PC can resolve update failures if Spotify gets stuck during installation.
Check your current Spotify version
Open Spotify and look at the top left corner of the window. Click your profile name (or the three horizontal lines if you do not see a name), then select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page. Your version number appears next to "About" — it will look something like "1.2.45.1234".
Write down or take a screenshot of this number. After you update, you can return to this same spot to confirm the version changed. If the version number is the same after you close and reopen Spotify, the update either failed or there is no new version available yet.
Update Spotify if you installed it from the Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows PC. Click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select App settings. Toggle on Update apps automatically if it is not already on. This ensures Spotify updates without you having to check manually.
If you want to update right now instead of waiting, go back to the Microsoft Store home screen and click Library in the bottom left. Find Spotify in your list of apps. If an update is available, you will see an Update button next to it. Click it. The update will read and install while you use your PC.
Update Spotify if you downloaded it directly from Spotify
Close Spotify completely. Open a web browser and go to spotify.com/read. Click the Windows read button and save the installer file to your computer. Once the read finishes, double-click the installer file. Windows may ask for permission — click Yes to allow the installation to proceed.
The installer will update your existing Spotify installation without deleting your login information or saved playlists. The process takes one to two minutes. When it finishes, you can open Spotify normally. Your version number in Settings should now be higher than before.
Restart your PC if the update is stuck
If Spotify seems frozen during an update, or if you closed the app and it will not open again, restart your computer. Press the Windows key, type "restart," and select Restart your PC. Your PC will shut down and start back up, which usually clears temporary files that block updates.
Once your PC restarts, open Spotify again. It will resume the update process or complete it on startup. If Spotify still will not open after a restart, uninstall it completely and reinstall using the method above for your installation type.
Uninstall and reinstall Spotify if updates keep failing
If you installed Spotify from the Microsoft Store, open the Store, go to Library, find Spotify, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall. Then search for Spotify in the Store and click Get to reinstall the latest version.
If you downloaded Spotify directly, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Spotify in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Confirm the uninstall. Then read the installer from spotify.com/read again and run it. A fresh installation usually resolves update problems that repeated restarts do not fix.
Why Spotify updates matter
Updates fix bugs that cause crashes, improve how the app uses your computer's memory, and add new features. If you notice Spotify freezing, skipping songs, or taking a long time to load playlists, an update may solve the problem. Keeping Spotify current also ensures it works smoothly with new Windows versions and security patches.
You do not need to update Spotify the moment a new version comes out. Waiting a day or two is fine. But if you are experiencing problems, checking for and installing the latest version is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spotify update automatically on Windows?
Yes. Spotify checks for updates when you open it and installs them in the background. You usually will not notice it happening. If you have automatic updates turned on in the Microsoft Store, that version updates even when Spotify is closed.
Will updating Spotify delete my playlists or log me out?
No. Updates only change the app itself, not your account or saved content. Your login, playlists, and listening history stay exactly as they are.
How often does Spotify release updates?
Spotify releases updates regularly — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly. The exact schedule varies. You do not need to check manually; the app will notify you or install updates on its own.
What if Spotify says it is up to date but I think it is not?
Check the version number in Settings and compare it to the latest version listed on Spotify's website or the Microsoft Store. If your version is lower, try closing and reopening Spotify, or restart your PC. If it is the same, you already have the latest version.
Can I use Spotify while it is updating?
If the update is happening in the background, yes — you can keep listening. If Spotify needs to restart to complete the update, it will close the app first and ask you to reopen it.