Groove Music stops playing tracks, won’t launch, or shows errors — the most common causes are app corruption, missing codecs, Windows permission conflicts, or outdated system components. If Groove Music doesn’t work in Windows 10, this guide walks you through the 10 most likely reasons and practical fixes so you can get your music playing again.
You’ll learn how to diagnose the symptom, perform safe repairs (including reinstalling and resetting the app), fix audio device conflicts, and use PowerShell and Windows tools if necessary.
Key Takeaway
The fastest reliable fix is to reset or reinstall the Groove Music app (via Settings > Apps > Apps & features or PowerShell) and ensure Windows 10 is fully updated and audio drivers are current; if problems persist, check audio device settings, codecs, and app permissions.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| App cache or configuration corrupted | Reset the app via Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Groove Music > Advanced options > Reset. |
| App installation is broken | Reinstall Groove Music using Settings or PowerShell (remove and re-add store package). |
| Windows or app update required | Run Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install updates. |
| Audio driver issues | Update or roll back drivers in Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers. |
| Default audio device misconfigured | Set correct output in Settings > System > Sound and in the Groove player output selector. |
| Missing codecs or media features | Install HEVC/codec packs or enable Media Features via Turn Windows features on or off. |
| Corrupted user profile or permissions | Create a new user profile or run app troubleshooter and check App permissions. |
| Background services disabled | Ensure Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services are running. |
| Interference from other audio apps | Close or uninstall conflicting apps and check Startup items in Task Manager. |
| Microsoft Store or licensing issues | Sign out and back in to the Microsoft Store, clear store cache (wsreset.exe), and reinstall. |
Detailed Fixes for “Groove Music doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. App cache or configuration corrupted
Why this causes the problem:
Groove Music stores cache and configuration data. If these files get corrupted, the app can fail to launch or playback may stop working.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings (press Windows key + I).
- Go to Apps > Apps & features.
- Find Groove Music in the list and click it, then choose Advanced options.
- Click Repair first; test the app after repair.
- If the issue remains, click Reset (this removes app data and resets to defaults).
Notes:
- Reset will clear any local playlists or settings; cloud-synced content remains in OneDrive/Microsoft services.
- If Reset fails, proceed to reinstall steps below.
2. App installation is broken
Why this causes the problem:
Installations can become incomplete due to interrupted updates or disk errors, preventing the app from functioning.
Step-by-step solution:
- Uninstall via Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Groove Music > Uninstall.
- Reinstall from the Microsoft Store:
- Open Microsoft Store, search Groove Music, and click Get or Install.
- If Store install fails, use PowerShell to remove and re-register apps:
- Run PowerShell as Administrator (right-click Start, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
- Remove package: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.ZuneMusic | Remove-AppxPackage
- Reinstall from Store or re-register app packages: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Notes:
- Be careful with PowerShell commands; copy-paste the exact lines.
- If re-registering throws errors, a Store repair or account sign-in fix might be needed.
3. Windows or app update required
Why this causes the problem:
Compatibility issues can arise if Windows or Groove Music is outdated. Newer releases fix bugs and compatibility with codecs and drivers.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any pending updates.
- Open Microsoft Store > Library and click Get updates to update installed apps.
Notes:
- Restart after updates; many issues resolve after a reboot.
4. Audio driver issues
Why this causes the problem:
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can break playback across apps, including Groove Music.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start, choose Device Manager).
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click your audio device and choose Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If problems started after a driver update, choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
- Alternatively, download drivers from the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website and install manually.
Notes:
- If you have Realtek/Conexant drivers, OEM drivers may work better than generic Microsoft ones.
- After driver changes, restart Windows.
5. Default audio device misconfigured
Why this causes the problem:
If Windows is sending audio to the wrong device (e.g., HDMI monitor, Bluetooth headset not connected), Groove will play but you hear nothing.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Output, choose the correct device from the drop-down (e.g., Speakers).
- Click App volume and device preferences and ensure Groove Music (when open) is set to the intended output.
- Also check the Groove player (if it shows an output control) and set the correct device.
Notes:
- Plugging/unplugging USB audio devices can change the default; set a persistent default if needed.
6. Missing codecs or media features
Why this causes the problem:
Groove relies on Windows codecs for formats. Missing codecs (or missing Media Feature Pack on N/KN editions) cause unsupported formats to fail.
Step-by-step solution:
- Check if you run Windows 10 N/KN: open Settings > System > About, check Edition.
- If N/KN, download and install Media Feature Pack from Microsoft for your Windows build.
- For specific formats (HEVC, FLAC, etc.), install codec packages from the Microsoft Store (search “HEVC Video Extensions”) or reputable codec packs.
Notes:
- Avoid third-party codec packs from untrusted sites; prefer Microsoft Store or OEM codecs.
7. Corrupted user profile or permissions
Why this causes the problem:
User settings, app permissions, or profile corruption can prevent Groove from accessing music folders or media libraries.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Privacy and check Music library permission; ensure Groove Music is allowed.
- Try creating a new local user account:
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
- Sign in, open Groove in the new account and test.
- If the app works under a new user, migrate your files or repair the original profile.
Notes:
- Always back up music files before migrating or deleting profiles.
8. Background services disabled
Why this causes the problem:
Essential services like Windows Audio must run for sound playback.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
- Locate Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- Ensure the Status is Running and Startup type is Automatic. If not, right-click and select Start (or Properties to set startup type).
- Restart the services if they are running but sound not working.
Notes:
- Some third-party optimization tools disable services; check those tools if you used any.
9. Interference from other audio apps
Why this causes the problem:
Audio routing apps, virtual audio devices, or exclusive-mode settings in another program can block audio.
Step-by-step solution:
- Close apps that may lock audio (DAWs, Skype, Discord, streaming tools).
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and check Startup tab; disable unnecessary audio-related startup items.
- In Sound control panel (right-click speaker icon > Sounds > Playback tab), select your device, click Properties > Advanced, and uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
- Test Groove again.
Notes:
- If you use virtual audio cable software, ensure it’s configured correctly or temporarily uninstall to test.
10. Microsoft Store or licensing issues
Why this causes the problem:
If the Store app has a corrupted cache, or your Microsoft account isn’t properly signed, app installation or licensing checks may fail.
Step-by-step solution:
- Sign out and back into the Microsoft Store:
- Open Microsoft Store > Profile icon > Sign out, then sign in again.
- Clear the Store cache: press Windows key + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter.
- Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter:
- Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter.
- Reinstall Groove after clearing cache.
Notes:
- Licensing problems are rare for Groove but common for paid Store apps.
Maintenance and prevention
- Keep Windows updated and create a restore point before major changes: Control Panel > Recovery > Create a restore point.
- Maintain periodic backups of your music library (use OneDrive, external drives, or NAS).
- Avoid installing random codec packs; prefer official codecs or apps from the Microsoft Store.
- If you rely on Groove for large collections, consider alternative players (MusicBee, foobar2000) for advanced library management but use Groove for Store-synced content.
FAQ
How do I recover playlists or library data after resetting Groove Music?
If playlists were cloud-synced to your Microsoft account or OneDrive, sign back into the same account and Groove should resync; if local-only, recover from backups or use file-recovery tools before overwriting the drive.
Can I use Groove Music without the Microsoft Store?
Groove is a UWP app that installs via Microsoft Store; you need the Store to install or update it. For offline alternatives, use third-party players (e.g., MusicBee or VLC).
Why does Groove show “file format not supported” for some music?
That indicates a missing codec; install the appropriate codec extension from the Microsoft Store or convert files to a supported format (MP3, FLAC, AAC, etc.).
Is Groove being phased out — should I switch to another app?
Microsoft has reduced emphasis on Groove but it still works. For advanced features and continued updates, many users move to third-party players; choose based on your needs (streaming vs. local library).
How can I diagnose if the problem is Windows or the app itself?
Try playing audio in another app (e.g., VLC) — if other apps play sound, the issue is likely Groove; if none play, it’s a system or driver issue.
Conclusion
Most Groove Music failures in Windows 10 stem from app corruption, driver or codec problems, or Store/account issues; resetting or reinstalling the app and ensuring Windows and audio drivers are up to date will resolve the majority of cases. If Groove Music doesn’t work in Windows 10, follow the steps above in order — from easy resets to driver and Store fixes — to get your music playing again.
