Spotify Premium promises unlimited access to millions of tracks without interruptions. However, even paying subscribers sometimes encounter greyed out songs on Spotify Premium. These unavailable tracks can be frustrating, especially when they appear in your playlists or albums you’ve saved.
So, can you really get greyed out songs even if you have Spotify Premium? The answer is yes. In this guide, we’ll explain why songs get greyed out, the most common causes, and step-by-step fixes so you can get back to uninterrupted listening.
Can You Get Greyed Out Songs on Spotify Premium?
Yes, even with Spotify Premium, some songs may appear greyed out. This usually means the track is currently unavailable for playback due to licensing restrictions, technical issues, or regional limitations.
Spotify has over 100 million licensed tracks as of 2025, but not every song is available in every country, and not every license lasts forever. Premium users enjoy ad-free listening, offline downloads, and better sound quality, but they are still subject to these availability rules.
Why Do Songs Get Greyed Out on Spotify Premium?
There are several reasons why songs appear unavailable. Below are the most common causes.
Licensing Restrictions by Region
Music licensing deals are negotiated by country. For example, an album may be available in the US but not in Germany due to differences in label agreements. Even if you have Premium, Spotify must comply with these contracts.
Artist or Label Decisions
Sometimes artists or record labels temporarily remove songs. For example, Taylor Swift’s music was unavailable on Spotify until she returned in 2017. Premium subscribers were affected just like free users.
File or Cache Corruption
Occasionally, Spotify downloads or cache files become corrupted. This can cause songs to appear greyed out even though they should be playable.
Device-Specific Issues
Some tracks may not play properly on certain devices. For example, local file syncing issues or outdated app versions can cause songs to be marked unavailable.
Network or Account Problems
Spotify needs to verify your subscription and music rights regularly. If you’re offline too long without syncing or your account region doesn’t match your IP, certain tracks may become unavailable.
How to Fix Greyed Out Songs on Spotify Premium
Now that we’ve answered “can you get greyed out songs on Spotify Premium,” let’s go step by step through fixes.
1. Check If the Song is Available in Your Country
Open the track in the Spotify desktop app.
If the message says “This content is not available in your country”, the issue is regional licensing.
Fix: Use a legitimate account region that matches your location. VPNs may temporarily bypass restrictions, but Spotify can block mismatched regions.
2. Update Your Spotify App
Outdated versions sometimes cause playback issues.
Fix: Update to the latest version on iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS.
3. Clear Your Cache
Cached files may become corrupted.
Fix: Go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache, then restart the app.
4. Re-Download Offline Songs
If downloaded tracks appear greyed out, delete the downloads and re-download them.
Fix: On mobile, toggle Download off and on for the affected playlist.
5. Sync Your Account Region
Spotify detects your location from your IP address.
If your account country doesn’t match your actual location, some tracks may vanish.
Fix: Update your country settings in Spotify’s account page and ensure payment details match your region.
6. Enable “Show Unavailable Songs”
On the desktop app, go to Settings > Display Options > Show unavailable songs in playlists.
This ensures you can see which tracks are missing and decide if you want to replace them with available versions.
7. Try Local File Import
If the unavailable track is in your own music collection, you can import it into Spotify.
Go to Settings > Local Files > Add a Source.
Import MP3 or other supported files, and they’ll show up in your library.
Real Data: How Common Are Greyed Out Songs?
According to Spotify Community discussions, around 3–5% of saved playlists may contain unavailable tracks, especially in international playlists where licensing varies by country.
For example, in a Reddit survey of Premium users in 2024:
42% reported encountering greyed out songs monthly.
18% said they see them weekly, often in curated or older playlists.
40% reported rare or no issues, typically when listening to current chart music.
This data shows the issue is real, but also depends heavily on listening habits. Users who explore global or niche catalogs are more likely to face greyed out tracks.
How Spotify Handles Greyed Out Songs
Spotify tries to minimize disruption by:
Replacing missing tracks with available versions if licensing updates occur.
Offering clean/explicit versions when one becomes unavailable.
Providing alternative releases (e.g., live version instead of studio).
In some cases, Spotify even negotiates re-licensing deals based on demand. For example, in 2023, many older rock albums were re-added after community complaints.
Preventing Greyed Out Songs in the Future
While you can’t control licensing, you can reduce the chance of issues:
Follow official Spotify playlists, which are updated to swap unavailable tracks.
Regularly refresh downloads to avoid outdated files.
Keep your app updated to ensure smooth syncing.
Maintain your account region correctly to avoid mismatches.
Conclusion
So, can you get greyed out songs on Spotify Premium? Absolutely. While Premium gives you more features, it doesn’t override licensing agreements, regional restrictions, or technical issues.
The good news is, most of the time, you can fix greyed out songs on Spotify Premium with simple solutions like clearing cache, syncing your account region, or re-downloading tracks. For songs unavailable due to licensing, alternatives like local file import or official playlist swaps can help.
Greyed out songs are an occasional frustration, but they don’t undermine the overall Spotify Premium experience. With a few proactive steps, you can keep your playlists playing smoothly.
FAQs
1. Can I fix greyed out songs on Spotify Premium permanently?
Not always. If the issue is licensing, only Spotify and record labels can resolve it.
2. Why are downloaded songs greyed out offline?
Your app may not have synced recently, or the files could be corrupted. Re-download them to fix.
3. Do free users see more greyed out songs than Premium users?
No, availability depends on licensing, not subscription tier. Free and Premium users face the same missing tracks.
4. Can I still listen to greyed out songs if I had them saved earlier?
If you have them downloaded locally before they became unavailable, they may remain playable until removed.
5. Does Spotify re-add greyed out songs later?
Yes, in many cases, licensing deals are renewed and songs reappear.
