Audiobooks have become the thing today. Audible is one such service that specialises in offering you an excellent array of services when it comes to the best audiobooks.
But, the excitement can go through a nosedive with the dreaded Audible playback error. Getting an Audible not working error when you are trying to access a wonderful audiobook can be disturbing and annoying.
This comprehensive guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge and solutions to troubleshoot and effectively fix common Audible playback problems.
We will explore various quick fixes and introduce you to a robust long-term solution that bypasses these issues entirely. By the end, you'll have the expertise to ensure your Audible experience remains uninterrupted and enjoyable.
Audible Playback Issues
Why does Audible keep saying playback error? That is the most common question being asked on several user platforms. That should mean you are not alone in facing this issue, and it is quite a common problem that most of us tend to face. We will try finding out what this error is all about.
What Is Audible Playback Error?
An Audible playback error clearly indicates that Audible or a system behind its functionality is having some issues in playing your chosen audiobook. It can manifest in several ways.
You may get error messages like “Audible playback error, try again in a few minutes”. The Audible app will stop functioning as expected, and the audio will not play even when you tap the Play button. You may also find that Audible is not playing sound despite indicating it's active. Essentially, your audiobook experience grinds to a halt.
These errors often indicate a disruption in the seamless flow of data from Audible's servers to your device or an issue with the local file itself. It’s a digital hiccup that prevents your audio story from unfolding.
Why Is Audible Not Working?
Why do you get Audible playback issues all of a sudden? There can be several reasons that can cause the error. There may be a few very simple issues, or maybe you have a few complex issues.
Understanding the root cause of the problem can help you fix the error and get your Audible playback working again. Before we can find how to fix the playback error on Audible, we will check the reasons that cause it.
Here are a few issues that may result in issues with Audible.
- App bugs and app glitches: The issue may be as simple as an app glitch. The app may be going through temporary bugs or even cache issues due to corrupted files. This can result in a playback error on Audible. The app may also have a few issues because of the memory management issues on your device. These can be the most common issues that can result in the “Audible won't play” error.
- Corruption in the downloaded files: The file may get corrupted while being downloaded. This can happen due to an erratic internet speed, interruptions in connections, and device storage issues. If a file is corrupted, it will not play as expected. If that is the case, you may need to re-download the corrupted file.
- Network instability: Audible needs a stable internet connection. If you have weak internet connectivity, it can trigger a playback error. Network hardware issues, such as an outdated router firmware or a modem that needs a simple restart, can also contribute to these problems. Our experience shows that spotty Wi-Fi in certain parts of your home or office, data limits on your mobile plan leading to throttling, or even congestion on public networks can result in issues.
- Server-side issues: Is Audible down for you or your region? It is advisable to check for issues if any issues on the server side. We recommend that you check the status detection services like DownDetector. If that is the case, there is nothing you can do. You can let Audible know that there is a server issue affecting your listening. After that, you can only wait to see when Audible fixes the issues and gets the server working again.
- Digital Rights Management (DRM) Restrictions: This can be a common issue you may face, and you may not realise it. Audible audiobooks are protected by Audible's proprietary Digital Rights Management (DRM). This technology restricts how and where you can play your purchased audiobooks, typically limiting them to authorized Audible apps and devices.
- Device compatibility and software conflicts: An outdated operating system on your device, or conflicts with other apps running in the background, can sometimes interfere with Audible's proper functioning. Make sure your device and app are updated to the latest version. That should fix your playback error on Audible and resolve the issues with your Audible app.
Audible Playback Error on Different Devices
The Audible playback error is not limited to a single device. You can face audio playback issues across multiple platforms. The specific troubleshooting options may differ from one device to another.
Audible playback error on Android
Android users can face frequent Audible playback errors. This can be a result of multiple optimisations on your Android device. Restriction on background activities, battery saving modes and other issues can make your Android device face playback errors on Android.
The wide variety of Android devices and manufacturers can also lead to unique compatibility challenges. You can make a beginning with clearing the cache for the app and checking if that resolves the issue. If not, you may check out the other fixes that we have outlined later in this article.
iPhone/iOS Specific Problems
Audible playback is generally stable across iPhones and other iOS devices. However, you may still face a few issues due to a few unforeseen bugs. iCloud sync issues affecting downloaded content, or stricter app sandboxing, can be a few issues that prevent smooth operation under certain conditions.
However, our experience with the Audible app on iOS devices indicated that there are not many issues observed. However, we did find a few issues that we outlined above.
Device Compatibility Issues and System Updates
If you have an older device, it may struggle with the latest updates to the Audible app. It can lead to performance issues and playback errors. There are times a new operating system update on your device can temporarily introduce incompatibilities with the Audible app until Audible releases a patch.
Ensuring your device's operating system is up-to-date, but also stable with the current Audible app version, is a delicate balance.
Common Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Playback Error on Audible
So, we have understood the causes for the Audible playback error. Now, how to fix the Audible playback error? We will now go through a fundamental understanding of how to resolve most of the Audible playback issues and errors.
Most of the solutions featured here are tried and tested.
Check Network Connection
If you want to stream content, you need a strong and reliable internet connection. Audible is not an exception either. If you find your Audible not working, this should be the first point that you need to consider.
Here are a few ways that you can attempt to fix the error:
- Verify your connectivity: Make sure that your WiFi connectivity is strong. If you are using mobile internet for streaming, make sure that your mobile data is active and has a good signal strength.
- Restart your device and app: Sometimes, the errors can creep in due to a few temporary glitches. Completely close the Audible app (force quit if necessary), then restart your smartphone, tablet, or computer. This clears temporary glitches and refreshes your network connection. The method can work effectively if your device has issues like overloaded memory, stale data, or brief communication breakdowns. This reset and refresh option provides a simple yet trustworthy option to fix the Audible playback errors.
- Confirm that Audible servers are working: It may be worthwhile to check if Audible servers are down. Websites like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow allow you to check the real-time status of Audible's servers. If there's a widespread outage, patience is key – the fix is on Audible's end.
Update and Refresh
An outdated app can be another issue that may result in an Audible playback error. Developers release app updates at regular intervals to fix bugs, improve performance, and ensure compatibility.
- Update Audible App to Latest Version: Visit your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS) and search for "Audible." If an update is available, download and install it. This is a crucial step for addressing many playback error Audible messages.
- Refresh Audible Library and Re-download Audiobooks: Sometimes, the local copy of your audiobook might be the issue. Go to your Audible library within the app. You can often refresh your library by pulling down on the screen. If a specific audiobook is causing problems, try deleting it from your device and then re-downloading it. For detailed guidance on re-downloading, you might find our article on how to fix can't download Audible books helpful. This ensures you have a fresh, uncorrupted version of the file.
Clear Cache and Data
Cache is used to speed up the functionality of an app or device. However, when accumulated beyond a limit, the cached data can affect the proper functionality of the app. If any of the files in the cache are corrupted, it can further play havoc with the proper functioning of the app
It is thus practical to clear the cache and data from the app and device at regular intervals. The steps involved in how to clear the cache files depend on your device and operating system.
- On an Android - Go to your device's Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notifications) > Audible > Storage. Here, you'll typically find options to "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data." Start by clearing the cache. If that doesn't work, try clearing data
- On iPhones, iOS does not have a direct "clear cache" option for individual apps like Android. The most effective way to clear an app's cache on iOS is to uninstall and then reinstall the app.
Cache files can become corrupted due to unexpected app closures, system crashes, or even power fluctuations. When the app tries to access these corrupted cached elements, it might fail, resulting in an Audible playback error.
Clearing the cache simply deletes these temporary files. The next time you open Audible, it will rebuild a fresh, clean set of cache files, often resolving the underlying corruption without affecting your downloaded audiobooks or login status.
Log Out and Back In
It should be a simple and easy and simple option to help fix many issues with the Audible app. If you have any account-related glitches that may cause Audible to have playback issues, this should solve the issues instantly.
This action essentially refreshes your connection to Audible's servers and re-authenticates your account. It can fix issues where your account status isn't being recognized correctly or where a temporary session token has expired.
Reinstall the Audible App
If nothing works as expected, reinstalling your Audible app should be the best solution. This will help get rid of any potentially corrupted installation files. It can also fix any deep-rooted issues that you may be facing.
Here are the steps that can be handy in this context:
On an Android
- Go to your device's Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notifications).
- Find "Audible" in the list of apps and tap on it.
- Select "Uninstall" and confirm.
- Once uninstalled, go to the Google Play Store, search for "Audible," and reinstall it.
- Log in and re-download your audiobooks.
On an iPhone
- Tap and hold the Audible app icon on your home screen until all apps start to jiggle.
- Tap the "X" (or minus sign) on the top-left corner of the Audible app icon.
- Confirm that you want to delete the app.
- Once deleted, go to the App Store, search for "Audible," and reinstall it.
- Log in and re-download your audiobooks.
The Factory Reset Method
Clearing app data and bringing it back to the initial installation status is the key to helping you get rid of playback errors on Audible. This involves clearing the app data completely. Remember that this is a method that may appear to be very drastic.
When to use it:
This step is reserved for stubborn audible playback error android issues where you suspect a deep-seated app configuration problem or a severely corrupted internal database that clearing only the cache couldn't fix. It's often recommended after multiple app crashes or persistent, unidentifiable errors.
Some Common Issues and Error Messages on Audible
Some common Audible playback error messages you may encounter include
- Content Not Available or License Error: These messages often indicate an issue with the Digital Rights Management (DRM) license. This could mean the app failed to verify your purchase, or the license file on your device is corrupted. It may also mean a mismatch in your account authentication. You can fix it by logging out/in, or re-downloading the book. You can also check your device's date and time are accurate. If the problem persists across multiple devices for the same book, it might indicate an issue with the book's license on Audible's server, requiring direct contact with Audible support.
- Try Again in a Few Minutes: This is a classic message that indicates a temporary network issue or server congestion. The app is attempting to stream or download data, But the connection is unreliable. This is common when you're on a public Wi-Fi network, in an area with poor cellular coverage. It can also be the case when Audible's servers are experiencing high traffic. The best immediate action is to wait a few minutes, or move to a location with a better signal. You can switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to test connection stability.
- Download Interrupted or Download Failed: These messages indicate a problem during the process of saving the audiobook file to your device. It can happen due to insufficient storage, a or a faulty internet connection. It can also happen if the app is closed unexpectedly during download. To fix this, make sure that you have plenty of free space, a stable internet connection, and then attempt to resume or re-download the book entirely. As mentioned earlier, downloading in parts (if the book is long enough) can help prevent these errors.
- Numeric Error Codes (e.g., 2000, 20004): This is a very less common for direct Audible app playback. However, sometimes underlying system or server-side issues can result in error codes. They cannot be fixed by you. It can be due to a temporary server problem, an internal API error, or a specific request parameter issue on Audible's end. If you encounter such a code, note it down and consider it a strong indicator to check Audible's official social media channels or status page for widespread outages. You can also contact Audible support with the exact code.
Proactive Tips to Minimize Future Audible Headaches
Of course, the third-party downloaders can be an excellent option, and KeepBeats (more on that later) offers you excellent functionality. A few ways can help you minimize everyday frustrations, even within the Audible app.
The tips here are meant not only about fixing the errors, but also to prevent such occurrences. We assume the tips below should help you achieve a smoother listening experience. They can help you avoid scenarios like “Audible not playing”.
Storage Management
Insufficient storage or slow storage can be a real cause that can hamper your Audible listening experience. This is one of the common causes behind the Audible playback error. If your device is low on space, it can struggle to download new books, cache audio streams, or even create temporary files necessary for app operation.
Actions
- Regularly check the available storage on your device.
- Delete the old photos, videos, and unused files.
- Keep at least 1 to 2 GB free if you are downloading multiple audiobooks,
downloading new books, caching audio streams, or even creating temporary files necessary for app operation.
Background App Management
Modern smartphones have apps running consistently in the background. This can cause conflicts between apps. It can be a convenient option, but some apps may aggressively consume system resources such as RAM, CPU, and battery. This is particularly relevant for "audible app not working" symptoms after your device has been idle.
- Android battery optimization: Android devices often have aggressive battery optimization settings that can suspend apps running in the background. To prevent your "audible playback error android" after your screen goes off: Go to Settings > Apps > Audible > Battery (or "Battery Usage"). Change the setting from "Optimized" or "Restricted" to "Unrestricted" or "Don't optimize." This tells your Android system to allow Audible to run freely.
- iOS Background App Refresh: While iOS is generally better at managing background apps, ensuring Audible is allowed to refresh is important. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Ensure this setting is enabled globally and then specifically for the Audible app. While it doesn't prevent aggressive app killing, it ensures the app stays somewhat active for better responsiveness.
System and app updates
Keeping your device's operating system and the Audible app itself updated is crucial for security and performance. Developers constantly release patches to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and introduce new features.
Check for the app updates at regular intervals. However, sometimes, a very new OS update might temporarily introduce unforeseen bugs with some apps.
If you update your OS and immediately experience "why is Audible not working," check Audible's social media or support forums to see if others are reporting similar issues and if Audible is preparing an app patch. Generally, staying updated is best practice.
Best Solutions for Audible Playback Error
Well, the fixes above should ideally fix most of the issues you may be facing with Audible playback. However, if there are more complex concerns like DRM restrictions or more deep rooted glitches, you need to have a more robust approach to fix the issues. One of the best solutions should be to convert your Audible audiobooks into a universal file format like MP3.
When you use the default functionality of an app for listening to your Audiobook, you are always at the mercy of the app and the service provider. This is true in the case of Audible as well. You will be consistently bogged down by the app's functionality, device compatibility, and the ever-present risk of a "why is Audible not working" moment.
When you convert the audiobooks to MP3 or any other file format, you get the true ownership of the content (though not in the legal sense!) We agree that Audible is an exceptional platform, but the limitations make it a little difficult to work with.
Of course, you can find a good number of audiobook converter tools that offer you an exceptional level of performance and efficiency. However, we found KeepBeats Audio converter to be an excellent and powerful tool for most of your practical purposes, like DRM removal.
Why is Conversion to MP3 an Excellent Solution?
The DRM protection on Audible is designed to provide protection to copyrighted content. That should be understandable from the point of view of a content creator. This gets rid of the possibility that the Audible content is used for commercial purposes.
The DRM protection ensures that the audiobooks are playable only on Audible or any other Audible-compatible devices. This is often the underlying reason for persistent playback errors on Audible messages, especially when switching devices or if the DRM handshake fails.
Converting your Audible audiobooks to a standard format like MP3 effectively removes these DRM restrictions and converts the specialized Audible file format into a universally playable one. This means your audiobooks become ordinary audio files, free from the constraints of the Audible app.
You can then play them on any MP3 player, media software, or device without encountering audible playback error messages related to DRM or app malfunctions. It's a permanent fix that puts you in control.
KeepBeats Audible Converter – A Review
KeepBeats should be one of the excellent options for converting and downloading Audible files into a file format that you prefer. It is designed specifically to help you regain control over your purchased audiobooks by converting them into universally playable formats.
KeepBeats Audible Converter is an effective tool for audiobooks. You can use it to convert and remove DRM restrictions without quality loss. It is highly user-friendly. It retains the integrity of your audio files. That should also make sure that your listening experience remains premium.
But without the headache of constant audible playback issues. You can learn more about its capabilities and how it stacks up against other options in our comprehensive Audible converter review.
Features of KeepBeats Audible Converter
KeepBeats Audible Converter is equipped with a huge suite of features that make it a promising tool. It can help you address Audible playback error issues.
Some of the best features available on KeepBeats Audible Converter include:
- Lossless Conversion: One of the most important features. You can convert Audible AA/AAX/AAXC files to common audio formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, and WAV. You can do this without any loss of original audio quality. This means your listening experience remains as intended by the creators.
- DRM Removal: KeepBeats specifically targets and removes Audible's DRM protection. This is the game-changer. It will free your audiobooks from the restrictive ecosystem. That will allow true playback freedom. For more on this, check out our guide on Audible DRM removal.
- Batch Conversion: Got a large library? KeepBeats allows you to convert multiple audiobooks simultaneously. This will save you significant time and effort.
- Retain ID3 Tags and Chapter Information: Crucially, KeepBeats preserves essential metadata such as title, artist, album, and even chapter markers. This ensures your converted audiobooks are well-organized and easy to navigate, just like within the Audible app.
- Fast Conversion Speed: The software is optimized for speed, allowing you to convert lengthy audiobooks quickly.
- User-Friendly Interface: Even if you're not tech-savvy, KeepBeats is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, making the conversion process straightforward.
- Offline Playback: Once converted, your audiobooks are regular audio files. This means you can play them on any device without an internet connection or the Audible app, completely eliminating any "Audible not working" issues due to network problems.
- Solve Playback Errors Caused by File Corruption or DRM Incompatibility: By creating clean, DRM-free files, KeepBeats directly solves problems related to corrupted downloads within the Audible app and bypasses all DRM-related playback restrictions. This gives you peace of mind that your audiobooks will always play when and where you want them to. If you're specifically interested in how to get your Audible books into a universally playable format, our guide on Audible to MP3 conversion provides more in-depth information.
Steps to Avoid Audible Playback Error with KeepBeats
The steps involved in downloading Audible audiobooks and converting them into your desired file formats are quite easy. You do not need to have high-end technical knowledge when using the tool.
Step 1. Download and install KeepBeats
Download KeepBeats from the official website. The tool is available for both Windows and Mac devices. You can choose the one based on your specific needs. Also, you can choose the free trial to get used to the tool before opting for a subscription plan.
Step 2. Choose Audible
From among the different services available, choose Audible. Sign in to your Audible account. You may also create a new account if needed.
Step 3. Search for the audiobook that you want to download
Use the search feature to find the Audible audiobook that you wish to download. This will bring up the option to configure the download parameters. These would include audio resolution, file formats, and other related details.
Step 4. Download the audiobook
Click on Download Now or click on the download icon to begin downloading the audiobook. You can also choose to schedule the download for later.
Conclusion
The frustration of an audible playback error can be disturbing. The constant worry of "why is Audible not working?" can dampen the joy of immersing yourself in a great story.
As we've explored, you can use common troubleshooting steps to fix them. But a deeper understanding of Audible playback issues, particularly those rooted in DRM, helps get a complete fix.
However, respect the principles of content ownership and use the powerful tools like KeepBeats Audible Converter. Thus, you can move beyond temporary fixes. You gain the freedom to enjoy your entire Audible library on any device, anytime, anywhere, free from technical hiccups or proprietary restrictions.
No more puzzling over "why am I getting a playback error on Audible," no more wondering "is Audible down" when it's just your device playing up. Take control of your audiobooks today and ensure your listening journey is always seamless and satisfying.