As an Apple Music user, I’ve been frustrated when my music keeps cutting out. I recently went on a quest to figure out why this was happening and to find a solution. I’m here to share what I’ve discovered, including the cause of the issue and how I was able to fix it. Hopefully, this will help anyone else who is having the same problem.
There are multiple reasons why Apple Music keeps cutting out while playing songs. Sometimes it’s the poor internet connection, whether via Wi-Fi or Cellular Data. Another reason could be the Automatic Ear Detection feature. In other instances, it could be a result of system changes or a pending software update.
| Cause | Description | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| System Status Issue | Apple’s System Status page indicates a service malfunction or change | Wait for Apple to resolve the issue |
| Pending Software Update | Your device may have a pending update | Check for updates in Settings > General > Software Updates, and install if available |
| New Features (Dolby Atmos, Lossless Audio) | Apple Music’s new features may cause playback issues | Turn off Dolby Atmos in Apple Music settings or Lossless Audio in Settings > Music > Audio Quality |
| Automatic Ear Detection | AirPods may pause playback if they think they’re not in your ears | Disable Automatic Ear Detection in Settings > Bluetooth > Information symbol next to AirPods |
| Weak Internet Connection | A poor Wi-Fi or cellular connection can cause music to cut out | Restart your router, switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network or use Cellular Data, and ensure Low Data Mode is deactivated for Wi-Fi and Cellular connections |
Table of Contents
Apple Music Cutting Out (Causes, How to Fix)
Launched back in 2015, Apple Music is a great streaming service with a huge catalog of songs and albums. It’s also one of the more affordable options out there; less than $10 a month gets you unlimited access to Apple’s entire catalog.
However, there are some minor drawbacks. Unless you download the songs, you don’t actually own what you listen to. The tracks aren’t saved to your devices; instead, they’re stored remotely (on Apple’s servers), and streamed to your device as needed.
Another problem that users have complained about is the frequent pauses that happen while listening to music. However, you can easily get rid of all those music cuttings with just a few steps!
- Check the System Status Page
Apple allows its users to check on recent system changes or malfunctions via Apple’s official page “System Status.” Once you open the page, you’ll see all of Apple’s services with a green dot next to them that signals they’re available or functioning.
However, if one of the tools stops working, Apple is likely to post an announcement alerting affected users of potential malfunctions or changes.
Sadly, the only way to solve this issue is by waiting it out. Luckily, Apple is often quick to fix any issues.
- Download and Install Required Updates
Sometimes your phone could be lagging or pausing applications because of some pending updates. Apple usually releases new software updates to improve features, introduce new ones, or fix existing bugs.
If any application, like Apple Music, keeps pausing, you can check for any recent iPhone system updates.
To do that:
- Open Settings
- Tap on General
- Choose Software Updates
- Then download and install any available updates
- Disable New Features
Over the past couple of years, Apple has been rolling out new features to its users. Among those features are the new Lossless streaming and Dolby Atmos spatial audio. Using either one allows the listener to enjoy crisp music with excellent audio quality.
However, users have complained about songs pausing after only 15 seconds of playing or continuous cutting with those new features.
Read more: How to change Apple Music order
Here’s how to solve this problem:
Switch Dolby Atmos off
- Open Apple Music
- Tap the More button
- Tap Settings
- Tap Dolby Atmos to turn off
Switch Lossless Audio Off
- Go to Settings
- Choose Music
- Tap on Audio Quality
- Toggle off the Lossless Audio option
- Deactivate the Automatic Ear Detection
Apple devices can detect whether you’re wearing your AirPods or not using sensors. This way, your phone can auto-play or pause music when you wear or remove your AirPods.
The Automatic Ear Detection feature on AirPods can be frustrating when it decides that your AirPods aren’t in your ears.
If you’d like to deactivate Automatic Ear Detection, try these steps:
- Check that your AirPods are connected to your iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Head to Bluetooth
- Press on the information symbol next to the AirPods
- Toggle the switch to off
- Connect to a Stronger Internet Connection
If you’re listening to music and it keeps pausing or cutting off, check your Wi-Fi connection. You may be dealing with a weak or spotty connection.
Luckily, you can solve this with the following tips:
- Restart your router. Restarting it clears its memory and helps the router assign unique IP addresses to your devices
- Activate and deactivate Airplane Mode on your Apple device
- Switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network or use your phone’s Cellular Data
Note: When you’re streaming music on Wi-Fi or cellular data, make sure your phone isn’t in Low Data Mode. This feature can cause problems when streaming content over the internet.
To deactivate it on Wi-Fi:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Wi-Fi
- Tap on the information icon
- Toggle the switch next to Low Data Mode to turn it off
To deactivate it for Cellular Data:
- Head to Settings
- Choose Cellular Data
- Tap on Options
- Deactivate the button next to Low Data Mode
Conclusion
Read more: Why won’t my Apple Music playlist update?
We hope that this article has helped you understand why Apple Music keeps cutting off. We’ve covered five main reasons and also some tips on how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Now that you know why Apple Music keeps cutting out and how to fix it, you can enjoy your music without interruptions!