Your Apple Music Operation Stopped?

Wondering why Apple Music operation stopped? Let’s find out together!

Apple Music is one of the most popular apps among users, but it often causes problems, especially when you try to play music but get an operation stopped message.

Stay invested throughout our guide and let’s start unwrapping what’s causing the issue as well as the solution.

Typically, Apple Music operation stops when there is any issue with the music file or with the streaming services on the app software or your device.

The solution requires an individual approach against all suspected possibilities, in order to restore the operation.

Why Operation Stopped On Apple Music?

The Apple Music app occasionally displays the “operation stopped” message when there is a problem with the particular audio file or due to a device or app bug.

However, there are several other factors as well that might also affect the Apple Music app and it’s best to display them all.

Here’s why Apple Music’s operation simply stops:

Poor network connection
Issues with Apple Music App
Bugs or glitches in your device
Outdated device software version
Dolby Atmos audio app problem
Apple account or settings fault

These are the reasons why Apple Music stops so let’s jump into the solution straight away!

How To Fix When Apple Music Operation Stopped?

Tip: Follow the below solutions in chronological order!

Quick Testing First!

Now that you are unsure of what is causing you to get the message, perform a quick test by playing multiple files on your device.

If you only get the “operation stopped” message on a single audio file, the app does not support that file format, or the file data is corrupted.

If you’re having trouble with the app, keep troubleshooting…

1. Force Close Apple Music App

The settings of the Apple Music app frequently experience bugs and glitches that could negatively impact the functionality of the app.

Maybe that’s why you are seeing an operation failed message on the screen and the solution is to simply force close the app for a refresh!

Here is how to force close the Apple Music app:

Make sure the Apple Music app is opened in the background.
Then navigate to the app switcher screen on your device.
Locate the Apple Music app by swiping right or left to discover.
Swipe up on the Apple Music app to force close it from the memory.
Then reopen the Apple Music app and test playing your music.

Reminder: Again test by playing different musical files to determine whether the issue appears on all of them or on only a number of songs.

2. Restart Your Music Device!

If force closing the app does not solve the issue and Apple Music keeps saying operation stopped, restart your streaming device.

As sometimes the device won’t get a proper network connection due to system issues, you may encounter the “operation stopped” error.

Simply turn OFF and ON your device (not only restart)!

To Shutdown and not only restart your device you need to hold the Power button and then accordingly to the model, swipe or tap on the power off button.

This will ensure that all services are restarted so you can then open the Apple Music app and check whether the error is gone.

3. Optimize Network Connection

The internet connection is one of the most-important aspects for when the Apple Music operation fails upon streaming online music from the app.

In this method, we will optimize the network connecting by checking how you’re connected and testing whether there is an internet.

With your device connected to WiFi or 4G/5G, test surfing the web!

In addition, to refresh the network connection follow the steps below:

For WiFi on the device: Go to device Settings > WiFi > Turn OFF > Turn ON
Reboot the WiFi Router: Unplug from power > Wait for 5 minutes > Reconnect
Cellular Data on the device: Go to Settings > Cellular Data > Turn OFF > Turn ON

Quick Tip: Try using your cellular data on your device if you are using WiFi and still receiving the "operation stopped" error message.

Most users find that this fixes their device’s issues.

4. Update your Music Device!

The “operation failed” message appears when something with the app went wrong and it’s quite common for devices running outdated software.

Both on Android and iOS devices with the Apple Music app, it’s important to keep the OS version up to date for a stable app operation.

How to Update Apple Device Firmware:

Navigate to its Settings.
Tap on the General.
Select Software Update.
Wait for the “Checking for Updates”.
Install any discovered update.

How to Update Android Device Firmware:

Go to Settings and select System.
From there go to System Update.
Wait for the Update Status checker.
Follow the on-screen steps to update.

Tip: Enable the “Automatic Updates” on your device to stay up to date!

5. Stop the Lossless Audio Settings (iOS)

The lossless audio feature improves audio quality, but it can also cause problems with audio files.

However, the solution is simple and you just have to turn off the settings for the lossless feature to fix the “operation failed” in the Apple Music app.

Here is how to turn off the Lossless audio settings:

Go to the device Settings.
Scroll down to find Music.
Then go to Audio Quality.
Turn off the Lossless Audio.
Reopen the Apple Music app.
Play the same audio fails now.

Note: There is no such option on Android devices so jump to the next step!

6. Check Apple Music Subscription

The next step is to make sure that your Apple Music account subscription is active.

In case the membership is expired or is experiencing any holds, then that is the cause of the operation stopped message on your Apple Music app.

Let’s find out what’s wrong!

Here is how to check for an Apple Music subscription:

Navigate to your device Settings.
Tap on your Apple Account Name.
Then tap on the Subscriptions tab.
Tap on the name of your subscription.
Inspect whether it’s active and paid.

Info: If you see no subscription for Apple Music, the app should be able to play local files but when streaming (internet-based), the operation will fail.

7. Turn OFF Dolby Atmos (iOS)

In addition to the lossless audio feature, the Dolby Atmos feature on iOS devices is also proven to impact the playout from the Music app.

The solution is to turn off the Dolby Atmos settings on your device to see if the “operation stopped” message still appears without modification.

Note: Make sure your device must have a good network connection!

Here is how to turn off the Dolby Atmos from an Apple device:

Navigate to the device Settings.
Tap on the Music.
Then tap on the Dolby Atmos.
Change the status of Dolby Atmos to OFF.
Exit from the Settings.
Open the Apple Music app.

Tip: In case the problem is persistent after disabling the Dolby Atmos feature, simply restart your iOS device and test again.

Sometimes it takes the system a reboot to apply the tweaks.

8. Reinstall The Apple Music App

The final step is to attempt uninstalling and then reinstalling the Apple Music app since this is the best-working method when Apple Music operation could not be completed.

It’s possible that the app isn’t properly installed or there is corrupted data, which is causing all this fuss!

Here is how to reinstall the Apple Music app:

First Uninstall the Apple Music app from the device.
On iOS, remove the app from the home screen by holding it.
On Andoird, remove apps from the Storage > Apps menu
Then reach into the App Store or Google Play Store.
Find the “Apple Music” app and freshly download the platform.
Open the app and test streaming both online and local songs.

Still, Getting The Same Message?

If you have already tried everything from the guide, then next seek professional assistance from Apple Support.

They will surely provide you with a workaround or even further, locate what’s causing the problem on your device. Good luck!

Quick Recap:

Whenever you experience an Apple Music operation stopped message, force close the app, restart your device, and update the device software. Then (on iOS) turn off the Lossless and Dolby Atmos settings, or reinstall the Apple Music app on any device!

Finn Wheatley

Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.

Apple Music Operation Stopped? – Here’s How to Fix