To clear the Spotify desktop cache on Windows, open the app, go to Settings › Storage, and click Clear cache. Spotify caches streamed audio aggressively and stores offline downloads in full, so on a heavy listener's PC the Spotify folder routinely reaches 10–20 GB. Clearing the cache reclaims that space without losing your account, playlists, or anything you've explicitly downloaded — those are managed separately. This guide is for Windows users whose drive is filling up and who've spotted Spotify as a major culprit.

TL;DR

  • Clear the streaming cache in-app: Settings › Storage › Clear cache.
  • Cached songs re-stream next time you play them — nothing is lost permanently.
  • Offline downloads are separate; remove them by toggling Downloaded off per playlist.
  • Set a cache size limit on the same Storage screen to stop future bloat.
  • For a stuck or oversized app, delete the Storage and Data subfolders under %localappdata%\Spotify.

What is the Spotify cache on Windows?

The Spotify cache is a store of temporary audio data the app saves while you stream, so replaying a track doesn't re-download it. It is distinct from offline downloads, which are permanent files you choose to keep. On Windows the cache lives under %localappdata%\Spotify\Storage, and Spotify lets it grow to a default cap that can easily reach double-digit gigabytes for active listeners. Clearing it is safe: it only removes re-downloadable streaming data, never your library, playlists, or login.

How to clear Spotify's streaming cache

Clearing the cache from inside the app is the safest method and takes under a minute.

  1. Open the Spotify desktop app.
  2. Click your profile avatar in the top right, then Settings.
  3. Scroll down to the Storage section.
  4. Click Clear cache.
  5. Confirm when prompted.

This wipes the streaming cache without touching anything you explicitly downloaded. The next time you play those tracks, Spotify simply re-streams and re-caches them. On the same Storage screen you can also cap the cache size — useful if you tend to forget this step.

How to remove Spotify offline downloads

Downloaded playlists and albums are a separate, permanent store, so clearing the cache won't remove them. Delete them per-playlist instead:

  1. Open each playlist or album you've downloaded.
  2. Find the green Downloaded indicator near the top.
  3. Toggle it off — Spotify deletes those files immediately.

Only Premium accounts can download in the first place, so Free accounts have nothing in this bucket and only ever need the cache clear above.

What if Spotify is still huge afterward?

If the app misbehaves (won't play, stuck syncing) or the folder stays large even after clearing the cache, reset its local data:

  1. Fully quit Spotify — right-click the system-tray icon and choose Quit.
  2. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Spotify, and press Enter.
  3. Delete the Storage and Data subfolders — these hold cache and temporary files.
  4. Optionally, open %appdata%\Spotify (settings); delete it only if you're fine reconfiguring preferences.
  5. Relaunch Spotify — it rebuilds a clean cache automatically.

Do not delete the entire %localappdata%\Spotify folder wholesale unless you intend to reinstall the app.

Which Spotify storage is which?

Data type Where it lives Safe to clear? What happens after
Streaming cache %localappdata%\Spotify\Storage Yes Re-streams on next play
Offline downloads Managed in-app per playlist Yes (toggle off) Re-download to listen offline
App settings %appdata%\Spotify Yes, with caution You re-enter preferences
App binaries %localappdata%\Spotify (root) No Forces a reinstall

Is it safe to clear the Spotify cache?

Yes. Clearing the streaming cache only removes re-downloadable audio data — your playlists, liked songs, account, and login all stay intact. Removing offline downloads is also reversible: you can re-download any playlist with Premium. The only irreversible action is deleting the app binaries under %localappdata%\Spotify, which forces a reinstall — so stick to the Storage and Data subfolders unless you mean to reinstall.

FAQ

Will clearing the Spotify cache delete my playlists?

No. Your playlists, liked songs, and account live on Spotify's servers, not in the local cache. Clearing the cache only removes temporary streamed audio, which re-downloads when you next play it.

Why is Spotify using 10–20 GB on my PC?

Spotify caches streamed audio aggressively and stores offline downloads in full. Heavy listeners accumulate gigabytes of both. Clearing the cache and removing unused downloads usually reclaims most of that space.

Does clearing the cache delete my offline downloads?

No. Offline downloads are a separate, permanent store. To remove them, open each downloaded playlist and toggle the green Downloaded switch off.

How do I stop Spotify from filling up my disk again?

On the Settings › Storage screen, set a cache size limit. Spotify will then automatically discard older cached audio once it hits that cap.

Is it safe to delete the Spotify AppData folder?

Deleting the Storage and Data subfolders under %localappdata%\Spotify is safe and forces a clean cache rebuild. Deleting the whole folder removes the app binaries and requires a reinstall.

Reclaim the rest of your drive

With Spotify trimmed down, tackle the other big offenders. How to clear the Discord cache on PC clears another notorious app-cache hog, while deep cleaning Windows 11 and 10 without third-party utilities and how to safely empty the Downloads folder on PC cover the native sweep. To understand where app caches like Spotify's accumulate, read what is the AppData folder and can I delete it; to find the biggest files fast, how to use TreeSize Free maps your whole drive. On mobile, the clear Spotify cache on Android without losing songs guide does the same job, and Cleanor handles photo, video, and app clutter on iPhone with everything processed locally on your device.