Desktop App + Web: Error "We're having trouble playing audio on this device"

[Bob-M]

Recently (around July 10th) Pandora music started shutting down unexpectedly and displaying the message that read "We'er having trouble playing audio on this device."  This was after years of uninterrupted and satisfactory service.

Trying various troubleshooting suggestions provided by Pandora Support has not fixed the issue.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

mod edit: updated title for clarity

[Tayu]

We're having trouble playing audio on this device.

We can't load media right now. This is commonly caused by overzealous ad blockers or privacy extensions. Please check that your browser extensions are not blocking our audio and refresh the page. If you continue to see this error you should contact support.

This is the desktop app. There's no adblocker or anything attached to it. Earlier I was using firefox with adblocker disabled (I pay for premium anyway), and I was starting to get this message today. So I turned on the app and am getting the same message. Why?

[LeonPandora]

@Tayu Welcome to Community!

To keep things organized, I've moved your post to this thread: Desktop App & Web: 'We can't load media right now' messaging.

Are you using the Pandora Desktop App for MAC or Windows devices?

In the meanwhile, if you haven't already, you can try these troubleshooting steps:

• For MAC computers
• For Windows computers

Let me know how it goes.

[Tayu]

Uninstalling and reinstalling did not help. I do not see any other troubleshooting steps.

[LeonPandora]

@Tayu Sorry to hear those steps didn't help. Is this happening on a Mac or Window?

[Tayu]

Desktop. Windows 11. 

[Injuis]

I am having this issue too.  Desktop app on Windows 11

[Bob-M]

I am having this issue on Windows 10 & Windows 11, with different computers and different browsers.  Customer Support has suggested disabling ad-blockers, but I do not have those on my system and my subscription is Pandora Plus, which excludes advertisements.  So, that should not be an issue.  I am waiting for Pandora Customer Support to help resolve this problem, but it has persisted for over a week, and I am starting to run out of patience.  If the Pandoria Plus app is no longer working and allowing me to play streaming music, I will have to consider dropping my Pandoria subscription, which I have had for over 10 years.

[LeonPandora]

@Tayu @Injuis If you haven't already, please try rebooting your connection: 

1. Shut down your device completely;
2. Unplug your modem and router, wait one full minute, and then plug them back in;
3. Wait five more minutes to allow the modem and router to fully boot back up;
4. Turn your device back on and try Pandora again.

@Bob-M I'm sorry to hear you're still having troubles. I also see that you've also tried other troubleshooting steps such and uninstalling the desktop app and installing it again.

We've passed your information and experience along to the appropriate parties for further investigation.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime!

[sauermf]

Having the same issue for a few weeks now.  This isn't a modem or router issue.  This is happening when I'm at home and at work, and I didn't used to have this issue.  Before, Pandora was reliable and solid without problem, now it happens nearly every song.

[Tayu]

In the past week waiting for a reply, I've done exactly that. Uninstalled, reinstalled, new device, reboot, restart, doing whatever. It doesn't make a difference. The app constantly gives me issues and won't play music.

This also is happening in both Chrome and Firefox, even though Adblocker is completely disabled on both browsers. I'm PAYING for premium so there shouldn't even be ads to block anyway.

Currently, the only way to listen to Pandora, is on my phone. And my phone, turns out, is NOT my desktop PC, surprise surprise, so that's not a "fix".

[Injuis]

I am experiencing this at work and cannot casually "reboot" the modem and router.  That would take internet down for all of staff. I have shutdown/rebooted my computer, however.  To no avail.

I should note that I can often try a few times and the music comes back.  It will disconnect me with the same message after a few songs.

[voices76]

same issue here - has never happened before and none of the fixes work - considering cancelling if they can not resolve....

[Tayu]

still having issues after everything I've tried; multiple times..

[Tayu]

1. Firefox is 100% up to date.

2. Ublockorigin is the only extension I have, and it's disabled..

3. Cache is clear, computer has been restarted a billion times in the WEEKS that this has been going on. Modem, router, PC, browser. 

Why is this not working. Constantly.

[voices76]

Pandora - do you have any updates on this issue? 

[Tayu]

I would love to know why exactly this got moved to the DESKTOP. APP. thread

when this is NOT A DESKTOP APP problem. THIS was a problem with Firefox. 

It just happens to be a SEPARATE ISSUE from the problem that I happen to also be having with the OTHER product.

Why the absolute F am I paying for this if it only works on mobile? 

[MariaPandora]

Hi @Tayu , thanks for posting.

To keep things tidy I moved your post to this thread: Web: "We're having trouble playing audio on this device" Error.

To clarify, are you able to open Pandora on your browser but are unable to play your music? Similar to what's happening on your desktop app?

In the meantime, if you haven't yet, please try the General Troubleshooting for Firefox and let me know how it goes.

[Bob-M]

It has been several weeks since I first reported this issue, i.e, "We can't load media right now."  I have tried all of the recommended fixes suggested by Pandora Customer Support and none have worked.  Is anything being done by Pandora to remedy this problem?  It seems odd that after 10 years as a subscriber I am now having problems and cannot continue to enjoy uninterrupted music via my desktop computer.

[hippo123]

I am having this same exact issue. Worked for years in Chrome. Everything you say is exactly what I am experiencing, and I'm frustrated too. It's a recent thing (July 2025). I typically used the Chrome browser to stream, and it started happening there. So then I loaded the Mac desktop App to try that. But the same error happens there. Driving me crazy, as the music just won't stay on.