How to Fix Spotify Error Code 18

Spotify is a popular audio streaming application for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. The best thing is that you can easily stream or listen to your favorite audio, songs, or any music by installing its desktop app on your PC. But occasionally, some users face Spotify error code 18 when they try to reinstall the desktop app with a message that says: “The installer is unable to install Spotify because the files to write to are in use by another process.”

So, if you have also encountered this error and are unable to install and enjoy the music, there are some fixes you can try to solve this problem.

1. Stop Any Spotify Processes Running in the Background

The most common source of this error is the remaining files from the previously installed Spotify application. These leftover files can cause trouble for the new installation resulting in the failing the process. The error message almost clarifies the reason that there are some app’s background processes or services running and preventing to installation of the program.

Open the Task Manager by simultaneously hitting the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
Click the More Details option in the bottom left if your Task Manager was opened in compact mode. This will open the window and display all running processes and services.
Within the Processes tab, search through the complete list and see if there is any active process related to Spotify.
If yes, select each of them one by one and click on End Task to stop each of them.
Exit the Task Manager and try reinstalling the application again.

2. Delete the Old Spotify Folder From AppData

If you previously have the Spotify installed on your current Windows, there will be leftover files still in Local Disk C as is the common case for any PC application. Here’s how to remove the old Spotify folder:

Press the Windows+R keys to launch the Run application.

Typing “%appdata%” and click OK or hit Enter key. This will take you to the AppData folder in File Explorer.
Select the Spotify folder from the list and delete it.
Restart your computer to see if you can now reinstall the Spotify app.
If the method didn’t work, try using %localappdata% to delete the Spotify folder from LocalAppData as well.

3. Exit Steam and Try to Install Spotify

In some situations, the Steam games app may prevent Spotify from being installed on your computer, resulting in error code 18. If the Steam client is running on your PC, stop it completely from the Task Manager.

Launch the Steam client and from the top-left of the application, select Steam.
From the menu, select Exit. Wait for Steam to shut down fully.
To completely remove its working, look in the Task Manager to see if any Steam process is still running in the background and end the task.
Install Spotify again to check out.

4. Enter and Exit Safe Mode

Safe mode allows you to boot your computer with only the essential Windows 10 components. You could be able to determine that the Spotify error code 18 was generated by a third-party program by doing so.

Launch the Run window with the Windows+R keys on your keyboard. Type “msconfig” and hit Enter.
Go to the Boot tab from the top options.
Select Safe Boot from the settings menu. Set it to the Minimal setting and click OK.

Completely boot up your PC in Safe mode after restarting it. This mode will disable all third-party programs.
Check to see if Spotify can be installed. If yes, continue with the process and switch back to normal boot after the app has been installed successfully.
Repeat the first two steps, but this time uncheck the Safe boot option. When you’re finished, click OK.
Restart your computer and start listening to Spotify music.

5. Use the Windows Store App

Are you having trouble using the online installer to install Spotify? You should not be concerned. The Windows Apps Store is an additional alternative for Windows 10 users.

Go to the Start menu and select it.
Scroll down the application list and pick Microsoft Store.
Type the word “Spotify” into the search bar. You should see the program in the search results if it is available in your area.
To install the app on your computer, first click the Get button, then the Install button.

That’s all on how to fix the Spotify error code 18 on your PC. It is a common issue many users face when installing a desktop app. If anytime you see this error on your system, always restart the computer first. Because on many occasions, a simple restart of the PC solves the problem.