How To Fix Spotify Error Code 18: Unable To Install [Solved]

It’s no doubt that Spotify is right now the leading music streaming service. Compared to every other music streaming service, Spotify has a vast music collection. Not just collection, but the sound quality is also great on Spotify.

The music streaming service is right now used by millions of users and it also has a dedicated app for desktop users. The desktop app is made to make things easier for users to stream music. However, just like every other music streaming apps on the desktop, Spotify also has few problems.

Lots of users have reported that they are getting Spotify error code 18 while trying to install the Spotify app on the desktop. The full error message reads – “The installer is unable to install Spotify because the files to write are in use by another process. Please make sure Spotify is not running and retry.

Spotify Error Code 18

So, the error message clearly states that the Spotify installer is unable to install Spotify because there’s already an ongoing process on the background. Since the error message itself tells everything about the error message, fixing the problem is easy.

Spotify Error Code 18

So, in this article, we are going to share some of the best methods that would help you fix Spotify error code 18 from the desktop application. Let’s check out how to fix Spotify error code 18.

When The Spotify Error Code 18 Occurs?

Spotify Error Code 18 mostly occurs when the Windows installer finds that the files that the app was trying to write on your computer are already there. It also happens when the files that the Spotify installer wants to write are in use by another process.

This error mostly happens if any users try to reinstall the Spotify computer application after having previously installed. As we all know, when we uninstall apps from our Windows or Android, there are some files left behind. It may be something related to the process, registry, etc.

So, we need to find that particular leftover and install the app again to solve this error. Therefore, we are going to list down several methods which could help you to fix Spotify error code 18 from your computer.

How To Fix Spotify Error Code 18?

As we have mentioned earlier, there are several methods available to fix out the Spotify error 18 from your Windows computer. You can try all of them to check whether the problem still persists.

1. Using Task Manager

If you want to fix the error code 18 in no-time, then you need to utilize the Windows Task Manager. Basically, the Windows task manager shows us all running processes, and we need to check whether any process related to Spotify is still running or not.

Step 1. First of all, open Task Manager on your computer and then check the Process tab.

Open Task Manager

Step 2. Under the process tab, check whether any process related to Spotify is running or not. If you find any process, then right-click on it and select ‘End Task’

Step 3. Now close the task manager and open the Spotify installer.

If the error was caused because of the running process, then you won’t get the error code 18 anymore. However, if it still shows the error, then follow the next methods.

2. Deleting Registry

As we have already mentioned above, some types of files remain even after we uninstall the app from the computer. The uninstalled app might have added some keys to the registry which might be the reason behind the error code 18 on Spotify. So, the best thing is to use a registry repair like CCleaner which can effectively scan and fix registry files.

Step 1. First of all, download CCleaner on your Windows computer and then launch the app.

Download CCleaner

Step 2. Now you need to click on the ‘Registry’ and it will open up the registry scanner.

Step 3. In the next window, you need to click on ‘Scan for issues’ and wait until CCleaner completes the scanning process.

Select ‘Registry’ and then click on ‘Scan for Issues’

Step 4. CCleaner will display if it finds anything wrong with the registry files. Uses just need to click on the ‘Fix selected issues’ to fix the problem.

Next, click on ‘Fix Selected issues’

Now, close CCleaner and restart your Windows computer. After the restart try installing the Spotify again and you won’t get the error code 18 anymore.

3. Using System Cleanup

System Cleanup is another best feature that comes with the Windows 10 operating system. The feature helps users to get rid of the temporary files that are left by the uninstalled apps. Well, this might solve the Spotify error code 18 issue, but these things can help. So, it’s better to try your luck on this one.

Step 1. First of all, go to the Settings and then click on ‘System’

Click on ‘System’

Step 2. Now under the System, click on ‘Storage’. Under the Storage section, click on ‘free up space’ and it will open the scanner.

Under the Storage, click on ‘Free up space’

Step 3. Now just wait for a few seconds until the program scans your computer for temporary files. Once done, you will get the options to remove junk files.

Remove the junk files

So, this is another best method that you can use to fix error code 18 on Spotify. If the above method hasn’t fixed your problem, then follow the next one.

4. Check Whether the Steam Client is running or not.

Let me tell you, Spotify and Stem both utilize the same technology to prevent hackers & invaders away from the platform. Sometimes, the Spotify installer mistook Steam as the Spotify, and this is where the problem begins. So, the best option is to check whether the Steam client is running or not. If it was running while installing Spotify, then Steam might be the culprit.

If Steam is running in the background, then Spotify can’t launch the .exe files. So, you need to check and close the Steam client if it’s running. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1. First of all, check on your notification area for the Steam icon.

Step 2. If it was missing from the notification area, then open task manager and check for Steam.

Step 3. If the Task Manager lists any process related to the steam close it.

After closing the Steam, run the Spotify installer. This time the installation will go on and you won’t get the Spotify error code 18 again.

5. Deleting The App Data

Sometimes, deleting the app data also seems to fix the Spotify Error Code 18 issue. We are going to share the easiest method to delete the app data from your computer.

Step 1. First of all, press the Windows Logo and R button simultaneously. This will open up the RUN dialog box.

Step 2. Under the RUN dialog box, type in %appdata% and then click on ‘OK’

Type ‘%appdata%’ on the RUN Dialog box

Step 3. It will open up a new folder that will show you junk files and folders along with few temp files. So, select all and delete it.

Note: Make sure to clear your Recycle bin after deleting the files. Now restart your computer and run the Spotify installer. The installation will surely go on this time.

6. Boot In to and out of Safe Mode

Well, we understand that booting our computer in to and out of Safe Mode doesn’t make sense. However, few users have claimed that they have fixed the error code 18 by doing so. So, here in this method we are going to boot our computer into the safe boot and then out of it. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1. First of all Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This will open up the RUN Dialog box. There you need to type in msconfig and then press Enter.

Type ‘msconfig’ on RUN dialog box

Step 2. Now you will see the System Configuration Panel. There you need to select the ‘Boot’ Tab.

Step 3. Now under the Boot Option, you need to check the ‘Safe Boot’ and click on ‘Apply’ then ‘Ok’

Under the Boot options, select ‘Safe Boot’ and then on ‘Apply’

Step 4. Restart your computer and when your computer boots into safe mode repeat steps number 1 and 2. This time under the Boot option, uncheck the ‘Safe Boot’ option.

Boot In to and out of Safe Mode

Now restart your computer. That’s it, you are done! Now when your computer boots up, run the Spotify Installer. This will probably fix the Spotify Error Code 18.

It’s worth to note that Spotify Error Code 18 is not a significant issue. Sometimes, a simple restart can also fix the error code from happening. I hope this article helped you! Share it with your friends also. If you have any doubts related to this, let us know in the comment box below.

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