Fix Spotify Overlay Not Working on Windows 11 [UPDATED 2024]

Written By Farhan Max

Music exerts a powerful influence on human beings, and it helps boost memory, build task endurance, and lighten your mood. Music reduces anxiety and depression, stave off fatigue, improves your response to pain, and helps you work out more effectively.

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Spotify app is the go-to app for most people when it comes to streaming music, because it’s available across all operating systems, supports podcasts and all your songs are in the palm of your hand whenever you need it. However, several Windows users are complaining that the latest update has broken the overlay feature.

Controlling the media playback using the song notification feature is one of the reasons why many users switched to Spotify so this may leave some of you frustrated.

Don’t worry, once you finish this guide, you will be able to experience Spotify the way it’s meant to be experienced with a perfectly working Spotify overlay.

With that said, let’s dive in!

Why is my Spotify Overlay Not Working on Windows Not Working

Spotify overlay is not working or showing up on Windows 11 because music control is disabled by default on the new Windows 11 OS. Microsoft is updating its design and optimizing it for the new Windows 11. So, they decided to move it to the Action center.

Spotify overlay helps users control the music easily by using media keys on the keyboard.

On Windows 10, you can use this feature on different applications, such as YouTube, Spotify, etc. That gives users a better user experience.

Microsoft decided to change the app overlay setting on the new Windows. In the new Windows 11, the design is completely changed.

Microsoft moved the display overlay feature to the Action center on Windows 11. You can find it on the Action center or right over the taskbar. To access it a shortcut, use Win + A on your keyboard.

Though Microsoft is updating the Spotify design and optimizing it for the new Windows, it’ll probably push out in the future minor cumulative updates.

So, keep patience until Microsoft solves the problem or gets alternative ways to minimize the current situation. The following section will describe some effective solutions that you can try until the issue is resolved.

Follow our guide to fix Spotify stuttering on android devices.

How to Fix Spotify Overlay Not Working on Windows 11

You can fix Spotify on Windows 11 overlay by simply using a Microsoft Store app called Modern Flyout. You can also restart, clear cache data or run a troubleshooter. If you are looking for more ways to fix your favorite Spotify notifications, I have listed some solutions below.

Here, I will describe the step-by-step process of bringing back the feature. It replicates the original feature in Windows 10.

So, without further ado, let’s jump to know the solution.

Here are the steps to fix the Spotify overlay not working on windows 11:

Use ModernFlyout App

Using the ModernFlyout app, you can get back the Spotify overlay. The ModernFlyout app allows a customizable flyout with a modern UI.

The flyout supports Audio Flyout, Media session Flyout, Brightness, Airplane Mode, etc. Each Flyout can be customized or disabled independently.

You can get the ModernFlyout application on Windows 11 Microsoft Store. After installing the application, the Spotify, YouTube, and other media overlay are returned to your Windows 11 system.

Check out our separate post on how to change equalizer on Spotify PC.

Here are the steps to use the ModernFlyout app on Windows 11:

  • Go to Microsoft Store. microsoft-store
  • Type ModernFlyout on the search bar and select the search result to open the application details page. modernflyout
  • Click on the Get button next to the icon to download the app. After clicking the Get button, the app will automatically start to download. get-button-to-download-the-app
  • Wait until the download and install process is complete.
  • Click on the Open to run the application. run-the-application

Now, try to increase/decrease the volume or switch the song with media keys while listening to music and see the magic.

Note: Make sure to enable the Run as Startup option if it was disabled. By default, the option is enabled. run-as-startup

2. Reinstall Spotify

If you noticed this feature stopped working properly after installing the latest Spotify version, you can try reinstalling it on your Windows 11 device. Keep in mind that you will be logged out of your Spotify account during the uninstall process.

This will also delete Spotify’s cache folder so all your preferences will be deleted.

Follow the instructions below to reinstall Spotify:

  • Launch Control Panel.
  • Locate the Spotify icon and click on it.
  • Select the Uninstall button on the top right side to uninstall the Spotify app.uninstall-spotify
  • Launch any browser software, visit the Spotify homepage, download and install the latest version of the app.

On the other hand, if your Overlay is working fine but your music keeps stuttering, you can get rid of the bug by using the Spotify web version. The only downside of this is that you won’t be able to enjoy Spotify features like overlay or modern design.

Final Thoughts

The media session feature is no longer supported on Windows 11 due to their new design modifications.

Windows 11 came out a few months ago. So it is very usual to have some features missing in such a situation. Hopefully, Microsoft will solve this problem very soon.

However, if you are familiar with the Spotify overlay, you can download and use the ModernFlyout app from Microsoft Store. The  ModernFlyout app is an alternative solution and I bet the app will amaze you.

Alright, that’s all for now, folks. I hope you find this post useful and insightful as well.

Thanks for staying with me until the end. See you next one.

About The Author
Farhan Max is a tech geek with a particular interest in computer hardware. He's been fascinated by gaming since childhood and is now completing his undergraduate studies while researching and testing the latest tech innovations. Alongside his love for all things geeky, Farhan is also a skilled photographer.

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