Spotify Error Code 13 usually appears while installing or reinstalling Spotify on Windows, with a message that the installer could not create necessary files. The most useful first repair is a clean reinstall: remove Spotify, delete only its leftover folders in AppData, restart Windows, then install a fresh copy using the other official route—Spotify’s website or Microsoft Store. There is no confirmed single cause for the code, so if that fails, check security controls and Windows account or Store issues.
What Spotify Error Code 13 means
Error 13 is associated primarily with the Windows desktop installer, not with music playback or account login. A historical Spotify Community report quotes an installer message saying necessary files could not be created. Spotify does not provide a current dedicated Error 13 definition in its general support documentation, so the wording is useful evidence of an installation failure, not proof of one specific cause.
Leftover or corrupted Spotify data, blocked write access, security software, an incomplete installer download, or a Microsoft Store problem are all possible. Do not assume the code means a particular firewall, registry, or Windows permission fault. These instructions are for Windows installation failures; a Store code such as 0x80131500 is a separate error.
Before changing Windows settings
- Note the full error text, when it appears, and whether you installed Spotify from its website, Microsoft Store, or an organization’s software portal.
- Spotify lists Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 or newer among supported desktop platforms. Check the current supported-device requirements if your Windows version is older.
- Try Spotify’s web player and check whether other websites work. If the web player works while installation fails, Spotify and your account are probably reachable; that points toward a local Windows or installer issue, but does not prove its cause. Spotify has a web-player help page for browser problems.
- Use only Spotify’s official download route or the Microsoft Store. Do not reuse an installer that may have downloaded incompletely.
- Reinstalling removes downloaded music and podcasts stored for offline listening; you will need to download them again. It does not mean your account playlists are deleted. See Spotify’s reinstall instructions.
Try a clean reinstall
A routine uninstall can leave local Spotify data behind. If the error returns after a normal reinstall, remove the remaining Spotify folders before installing again. Spotify’s official reinstall guide covers uninstalling and reinstalling; the AppData cleanup below is a targeted troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed fix.
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- Close Spotify and the installer. If Spotify remains open, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. End Spotify or Spotify Installer processes if present, then restart Windows.
- Uninstall Spotify. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on some Windows versions), select Spotify, and choose Uninstall. If it is the Store version and is not listed there, check the Microsoft Store library or use Windows’ built-in app repair and removal options rather than deleting registry entries.
- Remove only Spotify’s leftover folders. Press Windows+R, enter
%AppData%, and press Enter. If a folder namedSpotifyis there, delete that folder. Repeat with%LocalAppData%and delete a Spotify folder if present. Skip nonexistent folders. Recent Community troubleshooting also points to leftover Spotify data in the Roaming and Local AppData locations; this is community guidance, not an official Error 13 diagnosis. - Restart Windows again. This helps release files that may have been locked during the failed installation.
- Install a fresh copy. Download Spotify again from its official reinstall route or install it through Microsoft Store. Do not run a saved copy of the old installer.
Deleting the Spotify folders can clear local cache and settings, so limit deletion to folders clearly named Spotify. Never delete AppData itself or use a registry cleaner for this error.
If Error 13 continues
Switch installation source
Spotify for Windows is available through its website and Microsoft Store. If the direct installer fails, open Microsoft Store, search for Spotify, confirm it is the official listing, and select Get or Install. If Store installation fails, try the direct Spotify installer instead. Spotify Community’s Windows troubleshooting guide recommends testing the alternative distribution; neither is universally better.
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Check Microsoft Store if that version fails
- Close and reopen Microsoft Store, then install available Windows updates.
- In Store, open Library > Get updates to update Store components.
- For Spotify, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Spotify > Advanced options, then choose Repair if available. Use Reset only if Repair does not help; reset clears the app’s local data.
- To reset the Store cache, press Windows+R, enter
wsreset.exe, and select OK. Wait for the blank Command Prompt window to close and Store to reopen, then retry. Microsoft documents this cache-reset step in its Microsoft Store error guidance.
For more Store-app checks, see Microsoft’s Microsoft Store app troubleshooting page. Microsoft also provides install or removal troubleshooting for programs that Windows cannot install or uninstall.
Check security software and device policy
Look at your antivirus quarantine or detection history and Windows Security notifications for a blocked installer. Controlled Folder Access, endpoint protection, or a school or workplace policy may also restrict writes. Check that Spotify is allowed through the firewall if the app installs but cannot connect; Spotify’s playback troubleshooting guidance discusses firewall access for connection problems. A firewall is not established as the usual cause of Error 13, which is reported during file creation.
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Do not leave antivirus or firewall protection disabled. If you choose to test whether a security product is blocking installation, follow that vendor’s instructions, use only the official installer, pause protection only for the brief test, and re-enable it immediately. Add an exception only if the vendor or your administrator confirms it is safe. On a managed computer, ask IT rather than bypassing policy.
Try elevation once, then test the Windows profile
If you downloaded the official standalone installer, right-click it and choose Run as administrator, then approve the User Account Control prompt. This is a limited test for an elevation issue, not a universal fix. If the same error appears, do not keep elevating it.
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If possible, test installation in another Windows account. If Spotify installs there, the original profile’s local data or permissions may be involved. If it fails in both accounts, a device-wide installer, security, Windows, or policy problem is more plausible. Do not broadly change permissions on Program Files, the registry, or the Windows drive; Microsoft warns that extensive permissions changes can cause further problems in its Windows app troubleshooting guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When Error 13 is probably not the right fix
- Spotify installs but will not play: troubleshoot network access, offline mode, cache, and firewall separately using Spotify’s not-playing guide.
- The app will not open: a clean reinstall and trying the other official Windows distribution are reasonable next tests. Avoid old or unofficial builds; an older version can introduce separate problems.
- The error is on Android or iPhone: Windows AppData steps do not apply. Follow the platform-specific steps in Spotify’s reinstall guide.
- Microsoft Store shows a different numerical code: troubleshoot that Store code specifically rather than treating it as Spotify Error 13.
Use the web player while the desktop app is unavailable
Open open.spotify.com in a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or Safari. If it fails, try a private window or another supported browser. Some browser playback issues involve protected-content or DRM support; Spotify explains browser-specific checks in its web-player help. This is a temporary way to listen, not a repair of the Windows installer.
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When to contact support
Escalate if the official website installer and Microsoft Store version both fail, a second Windows account makes no difference, security software repeatedly quarantines the installer, or Windows cannot install other applications either. Provide the exact error wording, Windows version, installation source, and the troubleshooting steps already tried. For a work or school PC, contact its administrator before changing security or permissions.
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