How to Fix It When the Apple Podcasts App Won’t Play a Podcast

Introduction:

There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’re all set to enjoy your favorite podcast and suddenly, Apple Podcasts app refuses to play it. While this can be a minor annoyance, it’s important to find a solution to get back to enjoying your podcasts. In this article, we’ll discuss some common issues and provide you with simple steps on how to fix it when the Apple Podcasts app won’t play a podcast.

1. Check Your Internet Connection:

One of the most common reasons that a podcast won’t play is a weak or nonexistent internet connection. To check your connectivity, try browsing other websites or apps that require an internet connection. If the issue is with your connection, consider moving closer to your router or using mobile data if available.

2. Update Your App:

Sometimes, bugs within the app can cause issues with playback. Make sure that you have the latest version of Apple Podcasts installed on your device by visiting the App Store and checking for updates.

3. Restart the App:

If you’ve verified that your internet connection is stable and you have the latest version of the app, try restarting Apple Podcasts by closing it down completely and then reopening it.

4. Restart Your Device:

If none of the above steps have helped thus far, try rebooting your device entirely as this may resolve any temporary glitches that could be affecting the app’s functionality.

5. Delete and Re-subscribe to The Podcast:

Although it’s rare, sometimes there might be an issue with a specific podcast subscription which
could be causing playback errors. In this case, try deleting your subscription from within the Apple Podcasts app and then re-subscribing to see if this resolves the issue.

6. Clear Your Cache:

iOS devices store temporary files called caches that speed up certain processes within apps like Apple Podcasts. However, these files can become corrupted over time and cause issues with playback. You can clear your cache by going to the Settings app, navigating to General > iPhone Storage > Podcasts, and then selecting the “Offload App” option.

7. Report the Issue:

If all else fails, there could be a problem on Apple’s end or with the podcast provider that is preventing the episode from playing. Report the issue through the Apple Podcasts app by opening the podcast’s page, tapping on “More,” and then selecting “Report a Concern.”

Conclusion:

Although it’s frustrating when your favorite podcast episodes won’t play, there are several solutions available to help get you back on track. By following these simple steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and continue enjoying your podcasts without interruption.