For listeners

Trouble hearing a station?

If a station won't start, keeps buffering, cuts out after a few minutes, or plays with no sound, the cause is very often a privacy, security, or data-saving setting on your device or network rather than a problem with the station itself. Most are quick to sort out.

Quick checks iPhone, iPad, Mac Android Windows and browsers Networks Outages

Good to know

Each station runs its own show.

We provide the hosting behind many internet radio stations, but each station runs its own programming, player, and app. For questions about a station, its schedule, or its app, contact the station directly through its website.

How to use this checklist

One setting at a time.

Menu names vary a little between devices and software versions. If you can't find a setting where we describe it, open your Settings app, tap the search bar, and type the setting's name.
Change one setting at a time, then try the station again. If it doesn't help, turn the setting back on and move to the next one.
These features protect your privacy and your data, so wherever possible we show you how to turn them off for just one network or one website instead of everywhere.

Start here

Start with the quick checks.

Sound is on. Your volume is up, the browser tab isn't muted, and audio is going to the speaker or headphones you expect, not a Bluetooth device in another room.
Press play. Browsers and phones don't start audio on their own anymore, so a player can look ready but sit paused. Tap or click the play button yourself.
Refresh or restart. Reload the page or close and reopen the app. If your device has been on for a long time, restart it.
Everything is up to date. Update your browser, your listening app, and your device's operating system.
Try a different network. On a phone, turn off Wi-Fi and try the station over cellular data. If it works there, the cause is your Wi-Fi network, so skip to Network settings below.
Try a different browser or a private window. A private window (Incognito in Chrome, InPrivate in Edge, Private in Safari and Firefox) turns off most extensions. If the station plays there, a browser setting or extension is the cause.
Try a different device on the same network. If it works there, the cause is a setting on the device that isn't working.
Silence can be planned. Some stations don't carry certain programs or commercials online, so a quiet stretch may be on purpose. Wait a few minutes, or check the station's schedule.

iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple devices.

iCloud Private Relay (check this first)

iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature included with paid iCloud+ plans. It sends your Safari browsing, your website lookups, and some traffic from other apps through Apple's relay servers so websites can't see your exact location. It is one of the most common reasons a station won't connect, stalls, or drops on Apple devices, and many people have it turned on without realizing it.

Turn off Private Relay on iPhone or iPad. Open Settings → tap your name → iCloud → Private Relay, and turn it off. You may be offered Turn Off Until Tomorrow, which is a handy way to test.
Or turn it off for just one Wi-Fi network. Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the (i) button next to your network → turn off Limit IP Address Tracking.
For cellular data. Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → turn off Limit IP Address Tracking.
On a Mac. Apple menu → System Settings → click your name → iCloud → Private Relay → Turn Off. To turn it off for one network only: System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details next to your network → turn off Limit IP address tracking.
Check Safari's Hide IP Address. On iPhone or iPad: Settings → Apps → Safari → Hide IP Address → Off. On a Mac: Safari → Settings → Privacy → uncheck Hide IP address.

Other Apple settings to check

Safari tracking and cookie settings. These can stop some web players from loading or connecting. On iPhone or iPad: Settings → Apps → Safari (on older versions, Settings → Safari) → turn off Prevent Cross-Site Tracking and Block All Cookies. On a Mac: Safari → Settings → Privacy.
Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection. On iPhone or iPad: Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced. If this is set to All Browsing, change it to Private Browsing or Off. On a Mac: Safari → Settings → Advanced.
Tap play yourself. Safari blocks audio from starting on its own, so a player can look ready but sit paused. Always tap the play button. On a Mac, you can allow it for a site: Safari → Settings → Websites → Auto-Play → Allow All Auto-Play.
Content blockers and extensions. Ad blockers and privacy extensions can disable the player. On iPhone or iPad: Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions. On a Mac: Safari → Settings → Extensions. Turn them off temporarily or allow the site.
Low Data Mode. This pauses background network activity and can make a station stall. On iPhone or iPad: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to your network → turn off Low Data Mode. For cellular: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Mode → Standard. On a Mac: System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details → turn off Low Data Mode.
Low Power Mode. This limits background activity and can stop audio when your screen locks. Turn it off under Settings → Battery (on a Mac, System Settings → Battery).
Screen Time restrictions. Web content filters, especially on a child's device, can block internet radio sites. Check Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Lockdown Mode. This extreme security mode blocks some web technologies that players rely on. Check Settings → Privacy & Security → Lockdown Mode. If you need to keep it on, you can exclude a specific website in Safari's website settings.
School or work devices. Check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. A management profile there may be filtering your connection, and only the school or employer that installed it can change it.
Mac security apps. Third-party firewalls, network monitors, and antivirus web protection can block internet radio. Pause them briefly to test, then turn them back on.

Phones and tablets

Android devices.

Private DNS. On most phones: Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → More connection settings → Private DNS. If a provider hostname is entered (often an ad-blocking or filtering service), choose Automatic and tap Save. If the station still won't play, try Off.
Data Saver. On most phones: Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver. On Samsung: Settings → Connections → Data usage → Data saver. Turn it off, or leave it on and give your listening app or browser unrestricted data.
Battery Saver. Turn off Battery Saver (called Power saving on Samsung) in your Battery settings.
Battery restrictions for your listening app. Settings → Apps → choose the app you listen with (or your web browser) → App battery usage (on Samsung, Battery) → Unrestricted. This is the most common reason audio stops when the screen turns off.
Samsung sleeping apps. In Battery settings, open Background usage limits and make sure your listening app or browser isn't listed under Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps.
Chrome settings. Chrome → three-dot menu → Settings → Privacy and security → Use secure DNS, and turn it off or set it to use your current provider. Under Site settings, make sure Sound is allowed.
Other browsers. In Samsung Internet, check the ad blockers and Smart anti-tracking settings. In Firefox, set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Standard. In Brave, turn Shields down for the site.
VPN, ad-blocking, and DNS apps. Pause apps such as AdGuard, Blokada, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, or any VPN, then test. Also check Settings → Network & internet → VPN (on Samsung, Connections → More connection settings → VPN) for an always-on VPN.
Parental controls and managed phones. Google Family Link, work profiles, and school-managed phones can block internet radio sites. Only the parent or organization that set them up can change them.

Windows and web browsers

Windows computers and web browsers.

These browser settings also apply to Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave on a Mac.

Tracking prevention. In Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Tracking prevention → change Strict to Balanced, or add the site as an exception. In Firefox: set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Standard, or click the shield icon in the address bar and turn protection off for the site. In Brave: turn Shields down for the site. In Chrome: if you block third-party cookies, allow them for the site under Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies.
Secure DNS. In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Security → Use secure DNS. In Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Security → Use secure DNS. In Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → DNS over HTTPS. Turn it off or switch to your current provider, especially if a filtering or family-safe provider is selected.
Sound and autoplay. In Chrome: right-click the tab and choose Unmute site, and check Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings → Sound. In Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Media autoplay → Allow. In Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Autoplay. Also check the Windows volume mixer to make sure your browser isn't turned down.
Browser extensions. Ad blockers and privacy extensions such as uBlock Origin, AdBlock, Ghostery, and Privacy Badger are frequent culprits. If the station plays in a private window, turn extensions off one at a time or allow the site.
Antivirus and security software. Security suites such as Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, and ESET include web protection, connection scanning, and firewalls that can interrupt or block internet radio. Pause web protection to test, then turn it back on, or add the site as an exception.
Firewall for media players. If you listen in a media player such as VLC, Winamp, or foobar2000: Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall, and make sure the player is allowed.
Metered connection. Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → click your network → turn off Metered connection.
Proxy and VPN. Settings → Network & internet → check Proxy and VPN. Unless your workplace or school requires one, no proxy should be turned on. Pause any VPN while you test.
Family and workplace controls. Microsoft Family Safety filters and work- or school-managed computers can block internet radio sites. Only the family organizer or IT department can change them.

Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPNs

Network settings.

School, college, workplace, and public Wi-Fi

Networks at schools, universities, offices, libraries, hospitals, hotels, airports, and cafés are almost always protected by firewalls and content filters you can't see or change. They often block internet radio and other online audio and video as a whole category, allow only a narrow set of approved connections, limit bandwidth for audio and video, or require you to sign in on a welcome page first. School-issued Chromebooks, laptops, and tablets often carry the same filters even when you take them home.

Sign in to the network. Open your browser and visit any website to bring up the welcome or sign-in page, then accept the terms.
Test on cellular data. If the station plays there, the network is blocking it.
Ask the IT department. Network administrators can usually allow a station. If they need technical details, the station you're listening to can provide them.
Follow the rules. Please respect your organization's network policies. We can't help with getting around them.

Home Wi-Fi and your internet provider

Restart your modem and router. Unplug both for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
Router security and parental controls. Many routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems include web filtering, threat protection, or parental controls, often managed in a companion app, that can block internet radio sites.
Network-wide ad blockers. Tools such as Pi-hole, NextDNS, or AdGuard Home can block internet radio for every device in your home.
Internet provider security features. Many providers add threat protection or parental controls to your service, which you can manage in their app or online account.
Wi-Fi signal. Move closer to your router or test with a wired connection. Guest Wi-Fi networks can also be restricted.

Cellular data

Signal and data plan. A weak signal, or a plan that slows your speed after a monthly limit or during busy times, can interrupt listening.
Carrier features. Check your carrier's app or account for data-saving features or content filters, which are common on family and children's lines.

VPNs on any device

Pause your VPN and test. VPNs route your traffic through other servers, which can slow the station down, make you appear to be in another country, or cause your connection to be treated as proxy traffic. Many VPN apps offer split tunneling, which lets you exclude your listening app or browser while keeping the VPN on for everything else.

Bigger picture

Is it a wider internet outage?

Sometimes the problem isn't your device, your network, or the station, but somewhere in between: your internet provider's local or regional network, or a large service such as Cloudflare, Amazon Web Services, or Google that much of the internet depends on. Common signs are other websites and apps also failing, the problem starting suddenly, neighbors on the same provider having trouble, or stations playing on cellular data but not on your home or office internet.

Check your internet provider. Most providers post outages in their app and on their website when you sign in, usually under Support or Outages, and many will text you outage alerts if you sign up. For example, Xfinity customers can use the Xfinity app or the Status Center on xfinity.com. Red, orange, or blinking lights on your modem often mean it has lost its connection.
Check what others are reporting. Search for your provider on Downdetector. A sudden spike in reports from your area usually means a local outage.
Check the major internet services. Cloudflare's status page shows problems by location. The Cloudflare Radar Outage Center lists confirmed internet disruptions around the world. IODA, run by Georgia Tech, tracks outages by country, region, and provider.
Run a speed test. Try speedtest.net or fast.com. Internet radio needs very little bandwidth, so if the test fails, shows speeds far below your plan, or shows a very high ping, the problem is your connection.
Check with the station. Stations usually post known problems on their website or social media. If you contact them, tell them which device and browser or app you are using.

If there is a wider outage, the only remedy is to wait for the affected provider to restore service. In the meantime, switching to cellular data often works because it uses a completely different provider and route.

Thinking about starting a station of your own? Contact us →

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