9 Fixes to Resolve Lock Screen Music Player Issues on iPhone

ByJim Miller

Having a music player widget on your iPhone lock screen is convenient for controlling your music playback. However, it can be frustrating when the lock screen music player doesn't show up or stops working. Don't worry, we have some troubleshooting tips that should help you fix this issue. Let's explore them!

1. Restart Your Music App

Sometimes, temporary issues with your music app can prevent you from interacting with the lock screen music player. To resolve this, simply restart your music streaming app. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the app switcher, then swipe upwards on your music app to close it. Reopen the app and play any song. Check if the lock screen music player is now working as intended.

2. Disconnect Audio Peripherals

If you're using headphones to listen to music, the problem may lie with your headphones rather than the lock screen widget. This issue can occur with both wired and wireless headphones. To test this, disconnect all audio peripherals and see if the lock screen music player starts working again.

3. Disable and Re-Enable Lock Screen Widgets

If you're facing issues with other widgets on your lock screen as well, you can try disabling and re-enabling the lock screen widgets on your iPhone.

  1. Open the Settings app, go to Face ID & Passcode, and enter your lock screen passcode.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and turn off the toggle for Lock Screen Widgets. Wait a few seconds and then turn it back on. Check if the issue persists.

4. Enable Notifications for the Music App

If you've disabled notifications for your music app, it may prevent the lock screen music player from appearing. To enable notifications:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to tap on your music app.
  2. Tap on Notifications and enable the Allow Notifications toggle. If it's already on, turn it off and then back on.

5. Unlink Focus Mode From Lock Screen

Linking focus modes with your iPhone's lock screen can sometimes cause problems with the lock screen widgets. To unlink your focus profile:

Long press on your lock screen and tap on your Focus profile at the bottom. Tap on your linked profile to unlink it from the lock screen.

6. Force Restart iPhone

A force restart can resolve many issues on your iPhone. Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears. Wait for your iPhone to reboot and check if the lock screen music player is working again.

7. Update the Music Streaming App

If you haven't updated your music streaming app in a while, bugs and glitches may be causing the lock screen music player to stop working. Update the app to the latest version to see if that resolves the issue.

8. Try Another Music App

If the lock screen music player still isn't working even after updating the app, try using a different music streaming app. This will help determine if the problem is specific to the app you're currently using or if it's a more general issue.

9. Check for iOS Updates

If none of the previous solutions work, the issue could be related to the iOS version you're using. Check if there are any pending updates for your iPhone by going to Settings > Software Update. Ensure you're using the latest stable version of iOS to avoid any compatibility issues.

Remember, having a functional lock screen music player enhances your music experience on your iPhone. By following these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to resolve any issues and get back to enjoying your favorite tunes hassle-free.