Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMost Android music-player failures have three separate causes: the app cannot read your audio files, it cannot obtain usable artwork metadata, or Android is stopping background work. Start with the player’s Music and audio (sometimes Audio) permission, rescan the library, verify the files and storage location, then remove battery and unused-app restrictions. Playback, track discovery and album art are independent, so fixing one does not necessarily fix the others.
Quick diagnosis
| What you see | Likely cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| The library is empty or missing recent files | Audio permission was denied or revoked; the library has not been rescanned; files are outside indexed storage; a .nomedia marker hides the folder |
Grant the player’s audio permission, reopen it and run its rescan command |
| Files on an SD card do not appear | The card is not mounted, or access to removable storage is restricted | Check the card in Android’s storage settings and confirm the player can access its music folder |
| Songs play but covers are blank | No embedded image, inaccessible image path, or unusable artwork metadata from the player | Inspect the file’s embedded cover and the player’s artwork cache or download setting |
| Music stops after the screen locks | Battery restrictions, a manufacturer sleeping-app list, or Android’s unused-app optimization | Set the player to Unrestricted battery use where available and review unused-app controls |
Menu wording differs between Samsung, Pixel and other Android devices, and between software versions. If a label is not identical, look for the equivalent permission, battery or unused-app control rather than assuming the option is absent.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When songs are missing from the library
1. Grant the current audio permission
Android 13 and later use granular media permissions. An app targeting Android 13 or higher must request READ_MEDIA_AUDIO to read audio files created by other apps; the older assumption that one broad storage permission covers every file is no longer reliable. If the request was denied during setup, revoked later, or changed during an Android update, the player can show an incomplete library or no tracks at all.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Open Settings and go to Apps (or App management).
- Select the music player.
- Tap Permissions.
- Allow Music and audio, Audio, or the equivalent entry. On Android 13 and later this is the permission that provides
READ_MEDIA_AUDIOaccess. - Return to the player. Force-close it from the app-info screen or recent-apps view, launch it again and accept any in-app media-access prompt.
Do not grant a permission to a different player by mistake. Check the exact app name and, if Android shows a list of allowed media categories, ensure audio is included.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Strong Adsorption】The inspiration of the silicone phone suction case comes from the adhesive force of the octopus. Each suction cup phone mount is 3.15 inches long and 2.17 inches wide, with 24 independent suction cups providing a stronger and more stable suction force, so you don't have to worry about your phone falling during use.
- 【Back of Phone Suction Grip】Remove the adhesive film on the phone suction cup and stick it on the phone case. You can then fix the phone on any smooth surface, which is very convenient. (The phone suction cup cannot be removed and reused after being attached to the phone case. It is recommended to attach it to a regular phone case, not a valuable one.)
- 【Widely Used】Our non-slip silicone phone sticky grip mount attaches to almost any flat phone case and make it compatible with common mobile phones such as iPhone and Android.You can shoot, watch videos or video calls in the kitchen, gym, dance studio, bathroom and other places.
- 【Capture the Wonderful Picture】Whether you are a TikTok creator or just like to share videos and photos, this phone suction cup can help you hands-free capture wonderful videos and photos for sharing with friends.
- 【Note】You can fix the phone suction cup on a smooth surface such as a mirror or glass. If necessary, wipe the suction cup with a damp cloth to obtain stronger suction. Before releasing your hand, make sure the phone is firmly fixed. (Not applicable to rough walls, wooden surfaces, and other uneven surfaces)
2. Rescan after permission changes
Permission changes do not guarantee that a player immediately rebuilds its index. Use the player’s Rescan, Refresh library, Scan media or similarly named command. Some apps place it under Settings, Library or a three-dot menu. Let the scan finish before judging the result; a large library or a slow SD card can take several minutes.
If there is no scan button, force-close and reopen the app, then leave it open while Android’s media index is updated. Avoid repeatedly clearing data during this stage: clearing data can remove playlists, play counts and app-specific settings without repairing a storage-access problem.
3. Confirm the actual file location
Use a file manager to verify that the songs still exist and that their names and extensions are intact. Players generally index common audio formats, but support differs by app. A file copied into an application-private folder, a messaging-app cache, or an arbitrary hidden directory may not be included in the player’s scan.
Recommended Free Tools
- Move or copy a test track into a normal music folder on internal storage, then rescan.
- Check that the file has a supported extension and is not a zero-byte or partially downloaded file.
- Look for a
.nomediafile in the folder or one of its parent folders. Android uses this marker to tell media scanners to ignore media below that location. Remove the marker only if you intentionally want those files indexed. - Check that the folder is not hidden by a player-specific exclusion, filter, playlist view or “show downloaded files only” setting.
Testing one known-good file in a standard music folder separates an indexing problem from a damaged or unsupported file. If that test track appears while the original folder does not, the folder location or its visibility rules are the likely cause.
Rank #2
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
4. Check removable storage
For music on a microSD card, open Android’s storage settings and confirm that the card is mounted and shows a normal capacity. A card that is unmounted, read-only, failing, or encrypted for another device cannot be indexed reliably. Android’s storage rules can also restrict access to mounted SD-card content even when a file manager can see the card.
With the player closed, remove and reinsert the card only according to the device manufacturer’s safe-removal procedure. Reopen the player after Android reports that the card is ready, then run a scan. If the card is visible in a file manager but the player cannot select its music directory, look for an in-app Choose folders or Storage access control and grant access to the card’s music folder.
When album art is missing
Playback and artwork can fail independently
A track can play perfectly while its cover remains blank. Android media controls display metadata supplied by the player, including album-art information such as METADATA_KEY_ALBUM_ART_URI. The player may have no embedded image to expose, may point to an image path it can no longer read, or may fail to provide usable artwork metadata even though the audio stream works.
Inspect embedded artwork first
- Open the track’s details in a tag editor or file manager that can display media metadata.
- Check whether the file contains an embedded cover image and whether it is attached to the correct album.
- Test another file from the same album. If only one file lacks art, its tags or embedded image are probably different.
- If every file from an album lacks art, check the player’s album-art download setting and its network or cache status.
Embedded art is carried inside the audio file, so it normally remains available when the device is offline. Online artwork is fetched by the player and may disappear after a cache is cleared, a server lookup fails, or the app cannot access the network. A player can also show artwork in its own library while exposing none to Android’s lock-screen or Bluetooth controls if it does not publish the required media metadata.
Rank #3
- Secure Hold: Our PopSockets adhesive phone grip gives your cell phone a secure, comfortable hold in hand to help prevent drops while texting, taking photos, or scrolling on the go. Designed to stick firmly to most phone cases and devices.
- Hands-Free Made Easy: Easily turn your PopSocket into a phone stand to prop up your phone anywhere, perfect for watching videos, video calls, or following recipes. A must-have phone holder that keeps your device secure and ready for anything.
- Compatibility: Works with all phones, tablets, and Kindles. Sticks best to smooth, hard plastic cases and may not adhere to silicone or textured cases. Easily swap your PopTop to change up your style.
- Black PopSockets: Simple, refined, and endlessly versatile. A timeless essential for any phone.
- Travel Must-Have for People On the Go: A must-have travel accessory for flights, flying, airports, air travel, airplanes, planes, international trips, cruises, and long travel days. Key gadget for your airport haul, travel accessories and must-haves.
Repair the source rather than repeatedly clearing caches
If the image is absent, add a correctly tagged cover with a metadata editor and save the file, then rescan the album. If the image exists but is not shown, refresh the player’s artwork cache or use its Download artwork or Rebuild artwork command. Clearing an app cache can force a new lookup, but it will not create an embedded image and may remove locally cached covers that were working offline.
When artwork is stored as a separate image, keep the image in a folder the player can read and use the file name and folder conventions that the player documents. An image path that worked before a move to an SD card can become inaccessible after the move, leaving sound playback unaffected.
When playback stops after the screen locks
Remove battery restrictions
Android and device manufacturers limit background activity to extend battery life. Samsung states: “If music apps on your phone or tablet are not allowed to run in the background, your audio may stop if the phone or app goes to sleep.” The exact controls differ, but the usual path is:
- Open Settings and select Apps.
- Choose the music player and tap Battery or Battery usage.
- Select Unrestricted when that choice is available. Other devices may call the alternatives Optimized and Restricted.
- On Samsung devices, also inspect Battery and device care for Background usage limits, Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps, and remove the player from those lists.
Unrestricted operation can increase battery consumption. Use it for a player that must continue through long listening sessions, and return to an optimized mode if background playback is not important.
Rank #4
- [360 ° Flexible Rotation Design] Comes with a rotatable lanyard ring that supports 360 ° free rotation, effectively solving the problem of twisted and tangled lanyards
- [Wide compatibility] The ultra-thin 0.02-inch design does not block the charging port at all, and both wired and wireless charging can be used directly without removing the pad. Compatible with most smartphones such as iPhone, compatible with various wristbands, lanyards, crossbody straps, and keychains
- [Durable and Portable Material] Premium rust-resistant stainless steel material with good flexibility, which not only avoids scratching the phone case, but also has excellent anti rust and anti fading performance
- [Multi scenario Practical] Paired with a lanyard or wristband, hands-free use can be achieved. The phone is within reach and not easily dropped, ideal for daily commuting and outdoor activities. Suitable for full coverage phone cases, does not support half coverage phone cases
- [Quality Service] If you find any damage or other issues with the product upon receipt, please contact us immediately. We will handle it quickly
Check the player’s background playback design
Modern Android playback is normally coordinated through a media session and a playback foreground service. Android’s media architecture uses a MediaSessionService and a media-playback foreground service so audio can continue while another app is in front or the display is off. A player that does not maintain its media session correctly may lose playback controls or fail to resume even after battery restrictions are removed.
Test with a locally stored track, the screen locked, headphones disconnected and the player left in the background. If local playback continues but a particular streaming source stops, the source, network or account session is a separate issue. If every source stops only when the display sleeps, focus on battery and manufacturer background controls.
Prevent Android from pausing an unused player
Google Android Help says that when an app has not been used for a long time, Android may revoke its permissions and stop it from running in the background. Open the player’s app-info page and look for Unused apps, Pause app activity if unused or an equivalent setting. Disable that optimization for a player you use intermittently but still expect to run during playback.
Review this setting after a long period without opening the app. Otherwise Android can revoke audio access again, recreating both a missing-library problem and a background-playback failure.
Best Value
- 【PKYAA Double Sided Silicone Suction Phone Case Mount】PKYAA With Double Sided 40 Strong and Reliable individual suction cups, PKYAA provides a thicken and upgraded universal silicon suction mount for your phone.
- 【Friendly to Content Creators】If you are a content creator or an online influencer, you can create videos anywhere with this suction mount completely hands free with this silicone cell phone mount for cases.
- 【HANDS-FREE & Adhere to Mirrors】This Double Sided silicone suction phone case mount allows you to stick your phone to the mirror easily. No longer holding your phone in one hand to watch video tutorials while making up.
- 【Strong Grip on the Smooth Surface】You can easily hang your phone anywhere with a smooth surface. All you do is you clean off your phone and smooth surface. It is STURDY and it not only sticks to mirrors, it also sticks to windows, it sticks to refrigerators, tiles and other clean, flat surfaces.
- 【Press Down Firmly Every 30 Minutes】Use your palm or fingers to press the phone down firmly and check it's secure before letting go. Apply even pressure for a few seconds to allow the suction cup to adhere properly. To maintain the grip and prevent accidental falls, it's a good practice to periodically reapply pressure to the suction cup.
A complete troubleshooting sequence
Use this order when more than one symptom appears:
- Confirm the player’s Music and audio or Audio permission, specifically
READ_MEDIA_AUDIOaccess on Android 13 and later. - Force-close and reopen the player, then run its library rescan.
- Verify that a test file exists, uses a supported extension and is stored on mounted internal or SD-card storage.
- Check for a
.nomediamarker, folder exclusion or player filter hiding the music. - If tracks play without covers, inspect embedded artwork and refresh the player’s artwork cache or download feature.
- If playback stops with the screen off, set the player’s battery mode to Unrestricted where available and remove it from sleeping-app lists.
- Review unused-app controls so Android does not revoke permissions during a long period without use.
After each change, test one local track and one album with known artwork. Changing one variable at a time makes it clear which setting solved the problem.
When another music player is the better fix
Replacing the app is reasonable when it repeatedly loses its index, cannot access a mounted SD card, fails to expose lock-screen controls, or offers no usable artwork tools. Compare players on the capabilities that directly affect these failures:
| Capability | What to verify before switching |
|---|---|
| Android 13+ permissions | The app requests and retains granular READ_MEDIA_AUDIO access instead of relying on an obsolete broad-storage assumption |
| SD-card indexing | It can select and rescan folders on mounted removable storage, including after a reboot or card remount |
| Artwork handling | It reads embedded covers, can refresh or download online art, and publishes usable album-art metadata to Android controls |
| Background reliability | It documents or supports continued playback under Android battery optimization and manufacturer sleeping-app controls |
| Media-session behavior | Lock-screen, headset and Bluetooth controls show the current track and can resume playback through Android’s media session |
Install only after confirming that the device has enough free storage and that your files remain in a location the new app can read. A replacement player cannot recover tracks that were deleted or an SD card that is failing; it only changes how the files are indexed and controlled.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Quick Recap
What to remember
- On Android 13 and later, granular audio permission is the first check for an incomplete library.
- Rescanning cannot find files hidden by
.nomedia, unsupported locations, unmounted cards or player filters. - Album art is metadata, not part of the audio stream; sound can work while artwork fails.
- Battery restrictions and sleeping-app controls are the main causes of stopping after screen lock.
- Android can revoke permissions and stop background activity for apps it considers unused.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
