Are you trying to play your favorite track, but the player is stubbornly silent or displays the error “File not supported”? The problem with playing music on Androidsmartphones is more common than it seems - and there are dozens of reasons for it: from a simple application failure to hardware failures of the drive. In this article we will analyze why music does not open on the phone - from the obvious to the exotic - and give all possible scenarioswhy music doesn’t open on the phone - from the obvious to the exotic - and we’ll give step-by-step guide for each case.

It is important to understand: If everything worked before, but now the music stops playing, the software is most likely to blame (90% of cases). But if the problem appeared after the phone fell or got wet, we can talk about damage to the memory chip or audio codec here you can’t do without a service center. Let's start with the simplest and gradually move on to complex diagnoses.

Before digging deeper, answer two questions: 1. Music does not open in only one application (for example, Spotify or VLC) or in all? 2. Are the files stored in the internal memory of the phone, on SD card or in the cloud?

The answers will narrow down the search for the problem significantly.

📊 Where are your music files stored?
In the internal memory of the phone
On the SD card
In the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive)
I don’t know

1. Player application failure: how to restart and reset

The most common reason is cache freezes or corruption the music player. Symptoms: the application opens, but does not play tracks, freezes while loading, or displays an error like Cannot play this file. The solution is simple - force a restart of the app.

How to do this: Step 1. Close the player through the recent applications menu (swipe up on most Android). Step 2. Go to Settings → Applications → [Player name] → Memory i press Clear cache. Step 3. If that doesn’t help, go back to the application screen and select Stop (force stop). Step 4. Restart the phone and try opening the music again.

If the problem persists, uninstall the player updates (if it is a system one, for example, Google Play Music) or reinstall it completely. For stock applications (for example, Mi Music on Xiaomi), you may need to roll back to the factory version via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

Clear application cache

Force stop the player

Restart phone

Uninstall updates (for system players)

Reinstall the application (for third-party players)-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) after clearing the player cache, uniform sound settings may be reset (EQ). Write down or photograph your presets in advance.

2. Problems with the file format: what codecs are needed Android

Android "out of the box" supports the main audio formats: MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, OGG. But if your music is in a rare format (for example, APE, DSD, M4A with non-standard encoding), the system player will not open it. The solution is to install an application that supports additional codecs.

The best players for exotic formats:

🔹 VLC - plays almost everything, including FLAC 24-bit and ALAC.

🔹 Poweramp - supports DSD, APE, TTA (paid version).

🔹 Neutron Music Player —for audiophiles with support 32-bit/384kHz.

🔹 JetAudio —has built-in codecs for M4A, WMA, RA.

How to check the file format: Method 1. On a PC, right-click on the file → Properties → Details. Method 2. On your phone, use a file manager (for example, Solid Explorer) and look at the extension in the file name. Method 3. Install the application MediaInfo from Google Play —it will show complete information about codecs.

Format Supports Android "from boxes?" data-i="118">No Recommended player
MP3 Yes Any
FLAC (16-bit) Yes Stock player
FLAC (24-bit) No VLC, Poweramp
APE (Monkey's Audio) No Poweramp, Neutron
DSD (DFSD, DSF) No Neutron, USB Audio Player PRO

⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example, Samsung Galaxy s One UI), the system player can “pretend” to support FLAC, but in fact plays it with distortion. Check the sound on different players!

3. Damaged files: how to find and restore

If music does not open only in some tracks, and the rest play normally, it's your fault damaged audio files. This happens when:

  • 📥 Incomplete downloading from the Internet (especially via torrents).
  • 🔄 Interrupted copying from PC to phone.
  • 💾 Wear SD cards ("broken" sectors appear).
  • 🦠 Virus attack (rare, but it happens).

How to check files for integrity: 1. Try open the problematic track on another device (PC, another phone). 2. Use the utility MP3val (for MP3) or FLAC Frontend (for FLAC) on a PC - they correct errors in headers files. 3. For SD cards run an error check via PC: 

chkdsk D: /f

(where D: is the letter of your card).

If the files are critical damaged, try to restore them using:

🔧 Recuva (to restore deleted tracks).

🔧 Audacity (can open damaged files and save them again).

🔧 MP3 Repair Tool (specialized utility).

What to do if the files on the SD card have become corrupted "invisible"?

If music files have disappeared from the memory card, but the space on it is occupied, try:

1. Connect the card to the PC and check it for viruses (for example, Dr.Web CureIt!).

2. Use PhotoRec (part of the package TestDisk) to restore files using signatures.

3. Format the card in FAT32 (attention: all data will be deleted!).

A common reason for “disappearing” files is a file system failure (for example, when removing the card during recording).

4. Problems with the SD card: from formatting to hardware failures

If music is stored on SD card and cannot be opened, the problem may be in:

  • 📛 Incompatible file system (for example, NTFS or exFAT on older Android).
  • 🔌 Bad contact (the card is not fully inserted into the slot).
  • 💥 Flash memory wear (cards class Class 4/6 often fail after 2-3 years).
  • 🔒 Write protection (physical switch on the card).

How to check and fix: Step 1. Remove the card and inspect it for damage. If there is a switch Lock, make sure it is in position Unlock. Step 2. Connect the card to the PC and check it for errors (as in the previous section). Step 3. If the card is detected, but the files are not readable, format it in FAT32 (maximum file size - 4 GB) or exFAT (for files >4 GB). Step 4. If the phone does not see the card at all, try inserting it into another smartphone or card reader.

⚠️ Attention: On phones Samsung s One UI 4.0+ i Xiaomi s MIUI 13+ "SD card optimization" may be triggered, which blocks access to files. To disable it, go to Settings → Storage → Storage settings → SD card → Format as internal storage (attention: all data will be deleted!).

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If you often work with music on an SD card, use class cards UHS-I (U1/U3) or A2 —they are optimized for frequent reading/writing and will last longer.

5. File system errors: why Android doesn’t “see” music

Sometimes music is physically present on the phone, but Android doesn’t “see” it. Reasons:

  • 📁 Files are hidden in system folders (for example, /data/media/0/).
  • 🔍 The music folder is excluded from scanning media files.
  • 🔄 Database failure MediaProvider (responsible for indexing multimedia).
  • 📱 Error mounting partition (for example, after root access).

How to fix: 1. Update the media database:

Go to Settings → Applications → Show system → Media Storage → Memory i press Clear data. After rebooting, the phone will rescan all files (may take 5-10 minutes).

2. Check the path to the files:

Open the file manager (for example, Files by Google) and make sure that the music is in the standard folders:

/storage/emulated/0/Music/ or /storage/emulated/0/Download/. 3. Manually add the folder to the scan:

Create in the root of the memory. file .nomedia (without extension) in those folders that do not need to be indexed, or vice versa - delete it if it is in the music folder.

For advanced users:

If you receive an error EACCES (Permission denied) when accessing files, check your rights via ADB:

adb shell ls -l /storage/emulated/0/Music/

Correct rights for music: -rw-rw---- or -rw-r--r--.

6. Hardware faults: when you can’t do without a service

If none of the previous methods helped, there may be a problem hardware. Symptoms indicating hardware:

  • 🔊 Music does not play in any player, but video and system sounds work.
  • 📵 The phone does not see headphones (even original ones).
  • 🔋 After falling or moisture got in, the sound disappeared.
  • 🔧 In Engineering Mode (engineering menu), the speaker test fails.

Possible malfunctions:

🔹 Damaged audio codec (microcircuit responsible for sound processing). It often fails after overheating or shock.

🔹 Oxidation of contacts connector 3.5 mm or USB-C (if you use an adapter).

🔹 Broken tracks on the motherboard (for example, after an unsuccessful repair).

🔹 Speaker malfunction (if there is sound in the headphones, but not through an external speaker).

What you can do yourself: 1. Check the sound via Bluetooth headphones - if music is playing, the problem is in the audio output or speaker. 2. Connect the phone to external speakers via USB-C or 3.5 mm (if there is a connector). 3. Run the equipment test:

On most phones it is available via code ##4636## (menu Testing → Audio).

On Samsung use code #0# (test Receiver/Speaker).

⚠️ Attention: If the phone fell into water, do not dry it with a hairdryer or on a battery - this will accelerate corrosion of the contacts. It’s better to immediately take it to a service center for ultrasonic cleaning. The cost of repairing an audio codec on most models is from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles (for 2026).

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If music does not play only through the speaker, but works in headphones - either the speaker itself (mechanical damage) or the sound amplifier (microcircuit on the board) is to blame.

7. DRM and licensing restrictions: why purchased music does not open

If you downloaded music from legal sources (Apple Music, Google Play Music, Yandex Music), but it does not play, it is to blame DRM protection or an expired license. Symptoms: Google Play Music invalid

  • 🎵 The track starts playing, but after 30 seconds it stops with an error License is invalid.
  • 📱 Music plays only in the official application (for example, in Spotify, but not in VLC).
  • 🔄 After resetting the phone or changing the account, the tracks stopped opening.

How to solve the problem: 1. Log in to the same account from which you downloaded the music. 2. Update the application (for example, Google Play Music may require the latest version to play DRM files). 3. For Apple Music on Android check that the option is enabled Synchronization libraries in the application settings. 4. If the tracks were downloaded offline, delete them and download them again.

⚠️ Attention: Some services (for example, Tidal) link offline tracks to a specific device. After resetting the phone or changing the firmware, you will have to download them again.

If you want to get rid of DRM (for example, for backup), use legal tools:

🔧 TunePat (for Apple Music).

🔧 NoteBurner (for Spotify).

🔧 Soundiiz (transferring playlists between services).

Please note: removing DRM may violate the user agreement of the service!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about problems with music on Android

🔍 Why does the music play jerkily or stutter?

This is due to:

  • 📶 Low reading speed s SD cards (try copying files to internal memory).
  • 🤖 CPU overload (close background applications).
  • 🔋 Energy saving (in the battery settings, disable optimization for the player).
  • 🎛️ Incorrect buffer settings in the player (in Poweramp increase Audio Buffer Size).

Also check if the mode is enabled in the developer settings (Options → Developer options) - it can cause lags during playback. Force GPU rendering - it may cause lags during playback.

📱 Why did music stop opening after updating Android?

Firmware update can:

  • 🔄 Reset access rights to SD card (remount it in the storage settings).
  • 📁 Delete media player cache files (wait 5-10 minutes - the system will rescan music).
  • 🔊 Reset sound settings (check EQ and effects in the player).
  • 🚫 Block access to system folders (if the music was in /data/).

On Android 12+ due to policies Scoped Storage some players have lost access to files. Update the application or use alternatives (for example, VLC).

💾 Is it possible to restore music if the phone does not turn on?

Yes, but the methods depend on the state of the phone:

  • 🔌 If the phone reacts to chargingbut does not boot, connect it to the PC in Fastboot i mode copy files via ADB pull.
  • 📱 If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on —use OTG cable and the mouse to navigate.
  • 🛠️ If the phone completely dead —contact the service to remove the memory chip (eMMC or UFS).

For self-recovery you will need: ADB (from Android SDK),

drivers for your model,

patience - the process may take several hours.

🎧 Why does music play only in headphones, but not through the speaker?

Reasons:

  • 🔇 Speaker is disconnected in the sound settings (check the volume slider).
  • 🔊 Dirty speaker (clean it with a soft brush).
  • 📱 Failure in audio routing settings (reboot the phone).
  • 🛠️ Damage to the audio amplifier (repair required).

On phones Xiaomi and Redmi check if the mode is enabled Mono sound in the accessibility settings (Settings → Additional settings → Accessibility → Mono audio).

🔄 How to transfer music from phone to phone without loss?

Methods:

  • 📱 Bluetooth —slowly, but wirelessly (suitable for 10-20 tracks).
  • 📁 File manager + OTG —copy the files to a flash drive and connect it to another phone.
  • ☁️ Cloud - download music to Google Drive or Yandex Disk, then download to a new phone.
  • 🌐 Local network —use applications like Send Anywhere or LocalSend.

⚠️ Attention: When transferred via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), files may be compressed! For music via FLAC or WAV use only direct transmission via Wi-Fi Direct or cable.