5 Easy Ways to Fix Spotify Error Code Access Point 22 in 2024

The Spotify error code: Access 22 prevents PC and Mac users from accessing their Spotify accounts. But what causes this issue and can it be dealt with? The main reason behind this issue is that you are using an outdated version of the Spotify app on your Windows or Mac system. However, that’s not all and there can be many more potential causes.

In this post, we will go over the main causes of the Access 22 issue and step-by-step solutions to each one of these problems. So, if you stay with us till the end you’ll have your Spotify up and running in no time.

What is the Spotify Access 22 Error Code?

The Access 22 error code is an issue exclusive to PC and Mac versions of the Spotify app.  It pops up every time the user tries signing in to their Spotify account, indicating that the user can only access the app if they have the premium version of Spotify.

However, users with premium subscriptions have also faced this error which makes one thing clear: it has nothing to do with having a premium subscription.

What Causes the Spotify Access 22 Error?

One of the main causes of the Access 22 error is using an outdated version of the Spotify app on your computer system. Although the exact cause isn’t identified yet, a Spotify moderator suggested that the issue is sometimes linked to using a version of the Mac or Windows app released before April 2021. Apart from that a few other causes can be:

• Connectivity problems can also be a major cause of the error. Unstable internet connections can disrupt your connectivity to the Spotify servers leading to such errors. Network congestion and weak internet connections are also some other factors to consider.
• Using a VPN can also cause the Access 22 error as when you are using a VPN, security measures within the Spotify app may get triggered and block access to the app. If you are connected to a region where Spotify is unavailable you won’t be able to access it on your system either.
• While cached files can improve your experience by making things load faster, they can also cause minor bugs and errors. This means that having too many cached files or outdated cached data can be a concern.

READ MORE: Spotify Not Working? – Try these 8 Fixes ➜

How to Fix the Spotify Access 22 Error?

While the Spotify Access 22 Error can be frustrating to encounter, there are several workarounds and fixes that can help you get back to enjoying your music quickly. Let’s have a closer look at all 5 fixes.

1. Update Spotify

Since the most common cause of the issue is an outdated app version, the first fix you should try is updating your Spotify to the latest version available. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update your Spotify on Windows and Mac:

1. Open up the Spotify app on your Windows or Mac.
   

   

2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-left corner of the Spotify window.
   

   

3. From the drop-down menu, navigate to Help > About Spotify.
   

   

4. A new window will pop up, displaying the current version of Spotify. If an update is available, you should see a prompt to update Spotify.
   

   

5. Now if you do see a prompt click on it and wait for the update to be downloaded.
   

   

6. Once the update is complete restart Spotify and you should be good to go.

↪ Manually Updating Spotify

You can also manually update Spotify through their website. First, uninstall Spotify by navigating to “Settings” and then “Apps“. Scroll down to find Spotify in the list of apps and click “Uninstall“. After the uninstallation is complete, visit the official Spotify website and download the latest version of the app. Once the download is finished, install the app on your system and complete the setup.

↪ Updating Spotify from the Microsoft Store

If you downloaded Spotify from the Microsoft store you can also update it from there by following these steps:

1. Type in Microsoft Store in the Windows Search bar and open it.
   

   

2. Next, head to your Library from the bottom-left corner and click on Apps.
   

   

3. Click on Get Updates to check for updates for all installed apps, including Spotify.
   

   

4. If Spotify is listed among the apps with available updates, click on the update button next to Spotify to download and install the latest version.

READ MORE: How to Troubleshoot Microsoft Store Not Updating Apps ➜

2. Alternative — Use the Spotify Web Player

If you have updated your Spotify app and are still facing the issue, one quick and simple way to avoid the Access 22 error is to use the Spotify web player rather than the Spotify desktop app. The Spotify web player can be accessed through your browser and since it updates every time you refresh it, you will no longer face the Access 22 error.

However, there are some downsides to using the web player. First and foremost, the web player doesn’t support offline playback so you can’t listen to songs without the internet. On top of that, the performance is also not on par with the desktop app.

READ MORE: How to Fix An Error Occurred in Spotify Web Player? ➜

3. Diagnose Your Internet Connection

If you don’t want to sacrifice performance and features by using the web player, the next thing you can do to make your Spotify app work is to ensure your internet is working smoothly. Check the bars you are receiving on your phone and if you have a wifi connection make sure you are not too far away from the router as wifi signals get weaker as distance to the router increases.

You can perform online speed tests like Fast.com and Ookla to check how well your internet is performing. On the other hand, for PC and laptop users we recommend setting up a wired connection as it’s far more stable and faster compared to a wireless one.

READ MORE: 15 Easy Solutions to Fix Spotify Not Playing Songs [Guide] ➜

4. Clear Cache Data

If you’re using the latest version of the app and still facing the Access 22 error, it could be because of corrupted cache data in the Spotify app. Corrupted cache data can cause your application to think you are using an older version of the app hence causing the Access 22 error. 

To fix this problem you will have to clear cache data. Here is  a step-by-step guide to clearing cache from your Spotify app:

1. Launch the Spotify app and click on your profile in the top right corner.
   

   

2. From the drop-down menu, click on Settings.
   

   

3. Next, navigate to the storage section.
   

   

4. Finally, click the clear cache button to remove previously cached data. Once done, restart Spotify and see if the issue still shows up.
   

   

READ MORE: How to Delete a Playlist in Spotify on Desktop & Mobile [2024] ➜

5. Re-install Spotify

If all the other methods fail it could be that the problem is deep-rooted into the files of your application. For that, you’ll need to re-install the Spotify app.

↪ For Windows

For Windows users, we have already discussed the steps to uninstall and reinstall your Spotify app in Step 1. You can revisit those instructions and follow the steps to reinstall the Spotify app on your Windows computer.

↪ For Mac

For Mac users, start by opening a Finder window. From there, Navigate to “Applications” in the left sidebar. Locate Spotify, right-click on it, and select “Move to Trash“. Afterward, download and install a new copy of Spotify from the official website on your Mac.

READ MORE: What is Spotify Enhance? Here’s How to Use It in 2024 ➜

Enjoy Error Free Music

Encountering errors while trying to listen to music, especially when you want to relax, can be frustrating. While troubleshooting on your own can be annoying, it becomes less of a hassle when the steps are easy, simple, and quick. We hope the steps laid out in our article helped you fix the error in a breeze. Happy streaming!