Spotify Android App not connecting to Moode Spotify renderer

[Tillerman]

Wonder if someone can perhaps help. I have been running Moode on a RPi 2B for the last 2 years without any problems. Until I upgraded our 3G WiFi Router to a 4G (LTE) WiFi Router a few days ago. The problem – the Spotify App on my Android phone simply does not connect to the Moode Spotify Renderer. The Spotify App actually picks up and shows the Moode Spotify renderer under Devices, but when selected it says "Connecting…" and nothing happens after that.

I don’t think the problem is with Moode or the Renderer settings, but rather related to the new Router / LAN settings. Setting up Moode to work with the new Router I first tried the Automatic (DHCP) IP address allocation. I have since setup Moode with a Static IP address. The RPi is connected to the WiFi Router with a Cat6 Ethernet cable. So there is no obvious network problem – Moode connects to the internet, my phone connects to Moode, and the Spotify App picks up the Moode Spotify renderer, but simply does not complete the connection.

I have cleared the Spotify App cache. I have re-installed the App. The App settings have not changed. I simply don’t know what to do or try next.

Here is the basic Moode System Information
moOde release = 8.2.5 2023-01-20
RaspiOS = 11.6
Linux kernel = 5.15.84-v7+ #1613
Platform = Pi-2B 1.1 1GB
Architecture = armv7l (32-bit)
System uptime = up 15 minutes
Timezone = Africa/Johannesburg
Current time = 2024-01-27 21:52:57

Host name = moode
Ethernet address = 192.168.1.2
Ethernet MAC = b8:27:eb:f4:71:d4
WLAN address = unassigned
WLAN MAC = no adapter
WLAN country = US
WLAN AP SSID = Moode
WLAN AP chan = 6
WLAN AP router = Off

I have searched this forum for similar problems and there was one user who seemed to have the same problem after changing Routers on his LAN. But he disappeared before any solution was proposed.

[Falco]

Weird problem, but I'll give it a go.

Is there a specific reason you're still running MoOde 8.2.5?

Have you tried to update to the latest version as I know there have been problems with Librespot (which provides for spotify connect), but I cannot recall which version of MoOde that was.

Maybe try on a separate SD card with a fresh install and see if that helps?

[Tillerman]

Thanks Falco. No reason for still running 8.2.5 except I am very scared to upgrade. Just to get Moode running on my setup was a daunting project and steep learning curve at my age.
I was actually thinking to upgrade next. Maybe on a separate SD card is a good idea, but it looks like it can be done under Configuration settings without flashing to a SD card again? Never tried that before.
I will report back.

[TheOldPresbyope]

Thanks Falco. No reason for still running 8.2.5 except I am very scared to upgrade. Just to get Moode running on my setup was a daunting project and steep learning curve at my age.
I was actually thinking to upgrade next. Maybe on a separate SD card is a good idea, but it looks like it can be done under Configuration settings without flashing to a SD card again? Never tried that before.
I will report back.

By my count moOde 8.3.7 is the 8th release since 8.2.5. The relnotes.txt file shows over 100 UPD entries in that span, where an UPD entry denotes a significant bump in code, including two bumps to the version of the included shairport-sync code and one to the Linux kernel.

It isn't clear that any of these changes would cause your problem to go away but it's always good to be up to date. Besides bug fixes, there's some nice new features.

I'm not sure you can use the in-place-update process to get your current player all the way up to 8.3.7 but even if you could I'd recommend you keep your existing uSD card safe and flash moOde 8.3.7 to a new card.

My only caveat is that changes have occurred in the webUI as Tim refactors his code. There has been a reorganization of the placement of some of the configuration options. It's pretty logical, actually, but can be confusing if you've got the old scheme memorized.


There's a help page on the Spotify website which discusses Spotify Connect. A couple of their suggestions look like they might possibly apply to your case...or not.


Regards,
Kent

[Tillerman]

Thank you for all the pointers Kent. I was not aware of the help page on the Spotify website.

You were right - the Update on the Configuration page did not work. It gave the following message when running the CHECK option:
Date error comparing This: 2023-01-20 to Available: None

So, I was forced to do a complete new installation. First upgrading the Raspberry Pi Imager, then downloading and flashing the new image to SD card (supplying a userid and password and enable SSH), booting up and follow the new setup procedures. It is a bit confusing to supply a userid and two passwords, but you never really use them anywhere?

Anyway, all is good (fantastic) now. Moode 8.3.7 is running smoothly and I can again connect to the Spotify renderer as before from my phone. Thank you guys for helping.

I renamed the renderer to "Moode 8.3.7" as a reminder not to fall behind in updates in the future.

Regards,
Jerry

[Falco]

Thank you for all the pointers Kent. I was not aware of the help page on the Spotify website.

You were right - the Update on the Configuration page did not work. It gave the following message when running the CHECK option:
Date error comparing This: 2023-01-20 to Available: None

So, I was forced to do a complete new installation. First upgrading the Raspberry Pi Imager, then downloading and flashing the new image to SD card (supplying a userid and password and enable SSH), booting up and follow the new setup procedures. It is a bit confusing to supply a userid and two passwords, but you never really use them anywhere?

Anyway, all is good (fantastic) now. Moode 8.3.7 is running smoothly and I can again connect to the Spotify renderer as before from my phone. Thank you guys for helping.

I renamed the renderer to "Moode 8.3.7" as a reminder not to fall behind in updates in the future.

Regards,
Jerry

Ah, good to hear, enjoy!

And did you follow the Setup Guide, it contains a guide for basic setup but also some tips & tricks for further setup.
https://github.com/moode-player/moode/bl.../setup.txt

[Nutul]

It is a bit confusing to supply a userid and two passwords, but you never really use them anywhere?

Happy you had everything working again, anyway, It is not confusing, as you are activating TWO different things at once:

access to your wi-fi network (the SSID and the password, just as on every device you want to connect to your wi-fi)

AND

moode system / SSH connection itself (userid + password, just like you do on your laptop/PC with Windows / MacOS / Linux)

[Tillerman]

Yes Falco - the latest one (I upgraded everything to the latest). It differs substantially from the Setup Guide I used 3 or 4 years ago when I installed Moode for the first time. So much easier now. Thank goodness.

[Tillerman]

It is a bit confusing to supply a userid and two passwords, but you never really use them anywhere?

Happy you had everything working again, anyway, It is not confusing, as you are activating TWO different things at once:

access to your wi-fi network (the SSID and the password, just as on every device you want to connect to your wi-fi)

AND

moode system / SSH connection itself (userid + password, just like you do on your laptop/PC with Windows / MacOS / Linux)

What was confusing was the fact that Moode forced me to supply a SSID password, despite not having a wifi dongle on the RPi or even access to the wifi. I actually entered a fictitious password and Moode accepted that. The RPi is connected to the Router with an ethernet cable. No wifi connection that requires a password.
Anyway - Moode is happy and I am happy!

[Tim Curtis]

Are you referring to the popup message that appears on the Network Config screen?

Thats the password for the built in WiFi Access Point, not your home WiFi. Its always a good idea to have this password set in case you ever want to access moOde without a network connection.