Spotify is one of the most popular apps across all platforms. It allows us to play our favourite music and for many of us, using Spotify is a part of our daily routine. Regardless of the fact that you have a premium or basic account, you might not be able to play any music on your Spotify app due to the Spotify error code auth:73: A firewall may be blocking Spotify. This error can be very annoying, especially when you’re already in the mood to jam to some of your favourite songs.
What Does This Error Mean & What Causes It?
As the error statement says, the error refers to a firewall blocking Spotify from operating properly. This can be due to a host of reasons which can include Spotify the following:
- Spotify Proxy Settings
- Third-Party Proxy
- Geoblocking
- Windows VPN
- Third-Party VPNs
- Windows Firewall
- Internet Connection
How To Fix Spotify Error Code 73?
If you’re stuck with this error code as well, you don’t have anything to worry about. There are multiple solutions to the potential problems Here are some of the best tried and tested ways in which you can fix the error:
Change Your Proxy Settings
First of all, log in to your Spotify account by using your credentials. Make sure NOT TO PLAY any music before you follow through with the remaining steps.
- Click on your profile icon and go to the settings tab.
- From settings, click on show advanced settings and click on the drop-down menu under proxy settings.
- Select No Proxy and restart the Spotify app to implement the settings.
Once this is done, you should be able to play your music without the “Spotify error code auth: “73” popping up.
Disable Third Party Proxy
If the first step did not work out for you, you might be using a third-party proxy. This is one of the most common reasons you may be getting Spotify error code auth:73 is because of a third-party proxy. However, this issue can be resolved easily.
- Go to the windows settings by pressing the windows key + I.
- Once the settings open, click on the network and internet tab.
- Select the Proxy heading and click on the setup button next to “Use a proxy server”.
- Once the window opens up, disable the proxy server by turning a proxy server switch off, which should be it.
Change The Country
If you’ve recently travelled to a different country, you’re more likely to face this error. The solution is simple, though.
- Tap on your account profile icon and choose an account.
- Select edit profile under profile.
- Tap on the drop-down icon of your country or region and select whichever country or region you are staying in right now.
- Save changes and restart the app.
Once you’re done with these steps, your app should no longer display the Spotify error code auth 73 and start playing music again.
Disable VPN
A VPN essentially performs the same task as a proxy does. Therefore, even if you’ve disabled any proxies, you might still get the error code if your VPN is turned on. To disable your VPN, simply follow these steps:
- Go to windows settings.
- Open the network and internet tab.
- Click on VPN.
- Once the VPN tab is open, toggle off the allow VPN option.
Restart your computer just to make sure everything works properly. Hopefully, this should fix your issue and prevent Spotify error code 73 from bothering you again.
Try Using A Mobile Hotspot
Sometimes the problem isn’t with your device or your Spotify account but instead with your internet service. Thus, switching over to a mobile hotspot can sometimes resolve this issue. This fix is fairly simple.
- Turn on the mobile hotspot from your smartphone.
- Once your phone’s hotspot is active, go into your computer’s network settings.
- Search for new connections.
- Connect to the connection with the same name as your device’s hotspot.
If your Spotify starts working properly after this step, your issue probably stems from your wifi connection. Just reset your router, and it should resolve any problems that your home wifi connection had.
Manually Change Your DNS
This method is a bit more complicated than the rest, but if you follow the steps given below, you should be golden.
- Go to the search bar in the bottom left of your screen, type cmd and run as administrator.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns after the cmd window opens and press enter.
- Once again, type netsh winsock reset and press enter
- Close the cmd window.
- Open the network and sharing centre by searching it in the search box on the bottom left.
- Go to change adapter settings.
- Right, Click on whichever network you’re connected to i.e., ethernet or wifi and open properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/ IPv4) and press properties.
- Enter 1.1.1.1 in the preferred DNS Server.
- Enter 1.0.0.1 in the alternate DNS Server.
- Press the OK button and close the window afterwards.
- Finish off by restarting your computer.
Once you have completed all these steps, log in to your Spotify app again and play music. You should be able to play your music now. If not, follow through with the remaining methods listed below as well.
Modifying Host Files
Sometimes windows can block your Spotify by host files. There is a way around this issue as well. You can also edit the host files to get rid of this problem.
- Open Your C drive and go to C:\Windows\Systems32\drivers\etc.
- Right, Click on hosts.
- Select open with and choose notepad.
- Find 0.0.0.0 weblb-wg.gslb.spotify.com0.0.0.0. in the file.
- Delete the above-mentioned address.
- Close the file after saving it.
Once this is all done, try launching the app, and you should be able to play your music now without being interrupted by the Spotify error code 73.
Allow Spotify Through Firewall
- Open Windows settings and choose Update & Security from the tabs.
- From the left panel, choose windows security.
- Open Firewall & Network Protections.
- Follow through by clicking on “Allow an app through Firewall”.
A screenshot from windows 10’s firewall settings - Click on change settings in the pop-up window.
- Press Allow another app.
- Choose browse and find Spotify.exe file and select it.
- Click on the add button; doing so will allow Spotify through the windows firewall.
Make sure to allow Spotify through private networks as well by checking the box in the allow apps through windows defender’s firewall pop-up. Once you’re done with this, you shouldn’t get the Spotify error code auth:73 anymore.
Reinstall the Spotify App
This is supposed to be the last resort. If all else fails, you can simply uninstall the app from the control panel and then reinstall it. This should remove any glitch or malfunction that the app itself may have had.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the above-listed methods should enable you to start streaming your favourite hits once more. However, if you’re still having trouble with Spotify, you might want to contact Spotify’s support staff through email or their social media handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have the same error statement but with a different code. Will this work for me as well?
Yes. Spotify may show the same error statement "A firewall may be blocking Spotify. Please update your firewall to allow Spotify. In addition to this, simply changing the proxy settings currently in use is another option. But with different error codes such as Spotify error code: 30, Spotify error: auth:15 or Spotify error code: 17. As long as the statement is the same, the solutions provided above should fix your problem.
Is it necessary to allow Spotify through my firewall?
Yes, in order for the app to work properly, it needs to be allowed through the firewall. If the app is not permitted to bypass your computer's firewall, your windows OS might prohibit it from functioning properly. To make sure your Spotify app is allowed to bypass your firewall follow the steps listed in the article above.
Why does a firewall block my Spotify?
If the wrong proxy settings are configured, Spotify may be blocked by the firewall from connecting to the internet. This can potentially be due to security concerns, especially if you have downloaded Spotify through any unofficial website. Therefore, it is recommended to always download Spotify from their website or through properly licensed stores.
Will I still be able to play songs without geoblocking if I turn my VPN off?
No, that is a sacrifice you will have to make. While you may use a VPN to bypass Spotify's geoblocks in order to listen to geographically restricted songs and podcasts, they can cause your app to stop working properly as well. Thus, in order to ensure a seamless experience, it is necessary to make sure any proxy or VPN is disabled.
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