How to Update Spotify on PC: Why Your Desktop App Isn't Autoupdating

Ever stared at your desktop, wondering why your buddy has that cool new "miniplayer" or the sleek sidebar redesign while your version of Spotify looks like it’s stuck in 2022? Honestly, it’s a common headache. Most people assume the app just handles itself. We've been conditioned by smartphones to expect background updates that happen while we sleep, but Windows and macOS handle things a bit differently. Sometimes, the "update available" blue dot just refuses to show up.

Learning how to update Spotify on PC isn't just about getting new buttons to click; it’s frequently a security necessity. Outdated software is a playground for vulnerabilities. Plus, if you're a power user, you probably want those API tweaks that make third-party integrations (like Discord "listening along" or OBS widgets) work without crashing every five minutes.

The Blue Dot Mystery and Manual Triggers

Spotify's desktop architecture is basically a specialized web browser wrapped in a window. Because of this, it doesn't always ping the server for a version check the second you launch it. If you’re looking for the most direct way to force a refresh, look at your profile picture in the top right corner.

Usually, when a new version is ready, a small blue icon appears there. You click it, select "Update Available. Restart Now," and you’re golden. But what if that dot is missing?

You can manually poke the bear. Click the three horizontal dots (...) in the top-left corner to open the menu. Head down to Help and then About Spotify. A popup window will appear showing your current version number. The kicker here is that this specific action often triggers a manual check. If an update is waiting, Spotify will start downloading it right there in that little "About" box. Once it finishes, you'll see a link that says "Click here to restart." Click it. Don't wait.

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Why the Microsoft Store Version Changes Everything

There’s a massive divide in how this works depending on how you installed the app. If you went to Spotify.com and downloaded the .exe installer, you’re using the "Win32" version. That version manages its own updates via the internal Spotify utility.

However, if you grabbed it from the Microsoft Store, Spotify actually loses the ability to update itself.

Windows takes over. In this scenario, you won't see a blue dot in Spotify. You have to open the Microsoft Store app, click on Library in the bottom left, and hit Get updates. If Spotify is on the list, Windows will pull the latest build. This is actually why some users find their Spotify never updates—they’re looking for a setting inside an app that isn't allowed to touch its own files. It’s a classic permissions conflict that leaves people stuck on old builds for months without realizing it.

The "Clean Reinstall" Nuclear Option

Sometimes the update system just breaks. Maybe a cache file got corrupted during a power flicker, or a firewall setting is blocking the update server (usually deploy.static.akamaitechnologies.com). If you’ve tried the menu and the Microsoft Store and you’re still seeing an old UI, you need a clean wipe.

1. Close Spotify completely. Not just the "X" button—right-click the icon in your system tray and hit Quit.
2. Hit Windows Key + R, type %AppData%, and hit enter. Delete the Spotify folder.
3. Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall Spotify.
4. Download a fresh installer from the official site.

This nukes your downloaded offline songs, which sucks, but it’s the only way to clear out "ghost" files that prevent the update utility from overwriting the old executable. It’s a pain, but it works every single time.

Linux Users and the Terminal Dance

For the handful of folks running Spotify on Linux—whether it's Ubuntu, Fedora, or a Steam Deck in desktop mode—the process is entirely different. You aren't looking for a blue dot.

If you installed via Snap, the command sudo snap refresh spotify is your best friend. If you’re using the Flatpak version from Flathub, it’s flatpak update com.spotify.Client. Most Linux users are used to the "set it and forget it" nature of package managers, but Spotify’s Linux client is technically in "labor of love" territory (meaning it's not officially supported with the same vigor as Windows), so manual refreshes are often required to catch up with the latest features.

Hardware Acceleration and Update Glitches

A weird quirk that often pops up after people figure out how to update Spotify on PC is the "Black Screen of Death." You update, the app restarts, and... nothing. Just a black rectangle.

This usually happens because the update changed how the app interacts with your GPU. If this happens, you don't necessarily need to roll back. You can often fix it by right-clicking the Spotify shortcut, adding --disable-gpu to the target field, or simply checking if your Nvidia or AMD drivers need an update to match the new Spotify build. It’s a reminder that even "simple" music apps are pretty complex pieces of software under the hood.

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Getting the Latest Features Early

If you're the type of person who wants the new UI before everyone else, just "updating" might not be enough. Spotify rolls out features using A/B testing. This means two people can have the exact same version number, but one has the new AI DJ and the other doesn't.

To bypass some of this, some users join the "Spotify Community" beta. It’s a separate track where you get builds a few weeks early. It’s buggier, sure, but it’s how you get your hands on the latest tech before the general public. Just keep in mind that once you go beta, switching back usually requires that "nuclear option" reinstall we talked about earlier.

Practical Steps to Stay Current

To ensure you aren't lagging behind on features or security patches, follow this workflow:

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• Check the "About" section monthly: Even if the blue dot isn't there, opening the "About Spotify" window forces a handshake with the update server.
• Decide on your source: If you hate manual updates, use the Microsoft Store version. If you want more control and fewer Windows background processes, use the direct .exe version.
• Clear your cache: If the app feels sluggish after an update, go to Settings > Storage > Clear Cache. It doesn't delete your playlists, but it clears out old redundant data from previous versions.
• Monitor your Firewall: If you use a third-party firewall like GlassWire or Little Snitch, make sure the "Spotify Migrator" and "Spotify Web Helper" aren't blocked, as these are the tools that actually handle the file swapping during an update.

The desktop app remains the best way to experience high-bitrate audio and precise playback control. Keeping it updated ensures you aren't missing out on the subtle improvements to the Discovery algorithms and the UI tweaks that make managing a 50-hour playlist actually bearable.