Can’t click or play any podcasts in Windows Desktop client

  • Unknown's avatar
    skrivtil0a96af31e4 · Member ·

    For the last 3-4 weeks I have not been able to play any podcasts on the Windows client. When I click any of my podcasts in “Podcasts” or any episode in the “Up Next” queue the podcast thumbnail and/or text just blinks for a split second, just like if you click a link … And then nothing happens. This also goes for the 3 dots on episodes and deleting an episode from “Up Next”. I don’t even get an error prompt of any kind.

    What works is manual sorting in “Up next”, and the Desktop Client does sync with my progress on my Android client.

    I have tried to both the Windows store version and the direct download version. I have also tried to uninstall and reinstall. I have also tried to activate the beta version. But with no luck.

    I am on Windows 11 fully updated, and my PocketCasts version is 2.0.9

  • staff-eleanor · Staff ·

    Hi there, @skrivtil0a96af31e4! Thanks for trying the Windows desktop app.
    Could you test using the web player at https://play.pocketcasts.com and let us know if you have the same issues when selecting an episode to play?
    Also, just to confirm, the Android app is working correctly?
    For the desktop app you can also try clearing cache. When the desktop app is open, press alt  so that the top menu bar is displayed. Then, go to help > troubleshooting > clear cache and reload.

  • Unknown's avatar
    skrivtil0a96af31e4 · Member ·

    Thanks for quick reply

    The web player has the same problem for me.
    I’ve tried clearing the cache but sadly that didn’t make any difference.
    The Android app works 100% correctly.

    You asking me to try out the web player lead me to, if the problem can be, that I am using a DNS service (dns.sb) and sometimes a VPN (Surfshark)?

  • staff-eleanor · Staff ·

    Hi, @skrivtil0a96af31e4! Thanks for trying the web player too. Yes, in general, browser extensions, add-ons, and VPNs can cause a conflict with playback.
    Could you test using the web player on a different device or wi-fi connection?

  • Unknown's avatar
    skrivtil0a96af31e4 · Member ·

    The trouble device is my laptop. Because I tried both the app and the web player on my desktop computer which is on the same network, and everything works 100% on there.

    On my laptop I’ve have tried resetting my DNS to standard auto mode. Shutdown my VPN and run the “ipconfig /flushdns” command in Powershell. And in Pocketcasts “Clear cache and reload”. But I still have the same problems.

  • staff-cara · Staff ·

    @skrivtil0a96af31e4 Do you have anything else running on the laptop that might be interfering with the Internet connection? For example, does it have any sort of firewalls or ad-blockers?

  • Unknown's avatar
    skrivtil0a96af31e4 · Member ·

    I only have the built in Windows Firewall and no global network adblock.

    But our back and forth here tells me, that my Windows install may be buggy in a not so obvious way. So I think I will format my laptop with a fresh copy of Windows.

  • staff-donnie · Staff ·

    @skrivtil0a96af31e4 Yes, it’s difficult to say what might be causing the issue since it appears to be limited to your laptop only. VPNs, proxies, firewalls, ad-blockers, and antivirus programs are the usual suspects, but if you’ve tried all of those, there must be something else causing problems.

    If you do try a fresh Windows reinstall, please let us know if that resolves the issue.

  • Unknown's avatar
    skrivtil0a96af31e4 · Member ·

    I have now reinstalled a fresh copy of Windows 11, and installed updates to the OS and the drivers. Installed Pocketcasts as the first piece of software after Bitwarden password manager. And both the Pocketcasts Windows and the web app is working 100%.

    I tried installing my VPN Surfshark, and I think i found at least partly the culprit for my troubles there. After installing Surfshark the first time connecting and disconnecting, Pocketcasts starting acting a bit weird. I had to double or triple click to use the clickable items in up next. Then I completely uninstalled Surfshark, and Pocketcasts worked as expected again. Then I installed Surfshark again and now I can even use Pocketcasts with VPN connected.

    I still think my old Windows installation had some network issues apart from Surfshark.

  • ctdalba · Staff ·

    Hi @skrivtil0a96af31e4

    Thanks for troubleshooting this! I’m glad to hear that Pocket Casts is working as expected after testing in a new fresh copy of Windows 11.

    I still think my old Windows installation had some network issues apart from Surfshark.

    That could also be part of the issue. However, I’m glad that now you know one of the things that were messing up with Pocket Casts.

    Let us know if you find more culprits.

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