If Spotify keeps flashing no internet connection detected error code 4 while your Wi-Fi is clearly working, the problem is almost never your internet. It is usually a DNS, proxy, or firewall setting that blocks Spotify from reaching its servers. The fixes below sort it out in a few minutes.
Quick answer: Spotify error code 4 means the app cannot detect a connection even though your device is online. Fix it by switching the Spotify proxy to Auto Detect or HTTP, flushing your DNS cache, and setting your DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. On phones, update the app and toggle airplane mode. A firewall or antivirus block is the next most common cause.
What error code 4 actually means
When Spotify throws this error, it shows the message: “No internet connection detected. Spotify will automatically try to reconnect when it detects an internet connection (error code: 4).” The frustrating part is that everything else works. Your browser loads, other apps stream, but Spotify sits there offline.
That happens because Spotify checks for connectivity in its own way. If your DNS server, proxy, or hosts file points it in the wrong direction, Spotify decides there is no connection even when there clearly is one. The error often appears under the Accounts area of the Spotify community, which is why people search for it as “accounts error code 4.”
Why Spotify says no internet connection
| Cause | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Wrong proxy settings | Spotify is set to use a proxy that no longer exists or is misconfigured. |
| DNS server problems | Your ISP DNS fails to resolve Spotify domains, so the app cannot reach its servers. |
| Firewall block | Windows Firewall is stopping Spotify from connecting outward. |
| Antivirus interference | Security software flags Spotify and quietly cuts its connection. |
| Hosts file conflict | An old entry redirects Spotify or Fastly domains to the wrong address. |
| Outdated app | An old version of Spotify on mobile can trigger false connection errors. |
Fastest fix for your device
Start with the row that matches your device. Most people are back to streaming after the first one or two steps.
| Device | Try this first |
|---|---|
| Windows | Set Spotify proxy to Auto Detect, then flush DNS. |
| Mac | Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, then restart Spotify. |
| Android | Update the app, clear cache, then toggle airplane mode on and off. |
| iPhone | Update Spotify, then reset network settings if it persists. |
Fix 1: Change the Spotify proxy setting
This is the single most reliable fix on desktop. A bad proxy value is the usual reason Spotify thinks you are offline.
- Open Spotify and click your profile name at the top right.
- Select Settings, then scroll down and click Show advanced settings.
- Find the Proxy section and open the drop-down menu.
- Choose Auto Detect. If that fails, try HTTP instead.
- Click Update proxy or restart the app to apply.
Restart Spotify and check if the error is gone. If not, move to the DNS fixes below.
Fix 2: Flush the DNS cache
A stale DNS cache can keep pointing Spotify to a dead address. Clearing it forces a fresh lookup.
- Press the Windows key, type cmd, and right-click Command Prompt.
- Choose Run as administrator.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
- Wait for the success message, then reopen Spotify.
On Mac, open Terminal and run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache followed by your password.
Fix 3: Switch to Google DNS
If your ISP DNS cannot resolve Spotify domains, swapping to Google DNS usually solves it for good.
| Field | Value to enter |
|---|---|
| Preferred DNS | 8.8.8.8 |
| Alternate DNS | 8.8.4.4 |
- Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change adapter settings.
- Right-click your active connection and choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Enter the DNS values from the table above, click OK, and restart Spotify.
Fix 4: Allow Spotify through firewall and antivirus
If Spotify is blocked from connecting outward, you get error code 4 even with perfect settings everywhere else.
- Open Windows Security, go to Firewall and network protection, then Allow an app through firewall.
- Find Spotify in the list and tick both Private and Public.
- If it is missing, click Allow another app and add Spotify manually.
- In your antivirus, open the exceptions or exclusions list and add Spotify there too.
Fix 5: Update or reinstall Spotify
An outdated app is a common trigger on phones. On Android and iPhone, update Spotify from the store, clear the cache from settings, then reopen it.
If nothing works, do a clean reinstall. Back up your playlists first since they are tied to your account, uninstall Spotify, restart your device, and install the latest version.
Still stuck? Try the advanced fixes
| Advanced fix | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Check the hosts file | Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and remove any Spotify or Fastly entries. |
| Edit EnableActiveProbing | In the registry, set this DWORD value to 1 so Windows reports connectivity correctly. |
| Restart your router | Power cycle the modem and router to clear a stuck network state. |
| Use the web player | Confirm your account works while you troubleshoot the desktop app. |
Tip: Always edit the hosts file and registry only as an administrator, and create a quick backup before changing anything. One wrong entry can break more than just Spotify.
The bottom line
Spotify error code 4 is a connection check failing inside the app, not a real internet outage. For most people, switching the proxy to Auto Detect and flushing DNS clears it instantly. If it lingers, Google DNS, a firewall exception, and a fresh install will cover almost every remaining case.
Work through the fixes in order, test Spotify after each one, and you should be back to your music in minutes.
