This guide covers common issues and solutions for Rhythm Music Player.

Before diving into specific issues, try these general fixes:

1. Restart the app: Close completely and reopen
2. Check permissions: Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Permissions
3. Update app: Ensure you're on the latest version
4. Clear cache: Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Storage → Clear cache
5. Rescan media: Rhythm Settings → Library → Rescan Media

Symptoms:

• Empty library after scanning
• "No songs found" message
• Can't play any music

Solutions:

1. Grant storage permission manually:

   • Android Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Permissions
   • Enable "Files and media" or "Storage"
   • Restart Rhythm

2. Check folder access (Android 14+):

   • You may have granted partial access
   • Re-grant full music folder access

3. Verify music location:

   • Ensure music is in standard locations (/Music, /Download)
   • Check if folders are blacklisted in Rhythm settings

4. Re-scan media:

   • Rhythm → Settings → Library → Rescan Media
   • Wait for scan to complete

Symptoms:

• No playback controls in notification
• Notification doesn't appear

Solutions:

1. Grant notification permission:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Permissions
   • Enable "Notifications"

2. Check notification settings:

   • Ensure notifications aren't blocked
   • Check Do Not Disturb settings

3. Restart foreground service:

   • Stop playback completely
   • Close app
   • Reopen and start playing

Symptoms:

• Song appears to load but no audio
• Playback immediately stops
• Error message appears

Solutions:

1. Check audio format:

   • See Audio Formats Guide
   • Unsupported formats won't play
   • Convert to FLAC or MP3

2. Verify file integrity:

   • Try playing in another app (VLC)
   • Re-download if corrupted

3. Check audio output:

   • Ensure volume isn't muted
   • Try different output device
   • Disconnect/reconnect Bluetooth

4. Clear audio cache:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Storage
   • Clear cache (not data)

Symptoms:

• Crackling or popping sounds
• Intermittent pauses
• Audio cuts out

Solutions:

1. Reduce background processes:

   • Close other apps
   • Disable battery optimization for Rhythm

2. Check storage space:

   • Ensure sufficient free space (500MB+)
   • Clear cache if needed

3. Disable audio effects:

   • Turn off equalizer temporarily
   • Disable bass boost/virtualizer

4. Try different audio buffer:

   • Some devices need larger buffers
   • Check device manufacturer settings

Symptoms:

• Brief silence between tracks
• Album tracks don't flow seamlessly

Solutions:

1. Check format compatibility:

   • Gapless works best with FLAC, MP3, AAC
   • Some formats don't support gapless

2. Verify album metadata:

   • Ensure tracks are tagged as same album
   • Check track numbers are sequential

3. Update ExoPlayer:

   • Update to latest Rhythm version
   • ExoPlayer improvements in newer releases

Symptoms:

• Generic placeholder instead of album art
• Some albums show art, others don't

Solutions:

1. Check embedded artwork:

   • Use MP3Tag or similar to verify art is embedded
   • Embed artwork if missing

2. Enable online artwork:

   • Rhythm → Settings → Online Features
   • Enable "Fetch album artwork from Deezer"

3. Clear image cache:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Storage → Clear cache
   • Rescan media library

4. Check file permissions:

   • Ensure Rhythm can read image files
   • Grant READ_MEDIA_IMAGES permission

Symptoms:

• Wrong song title, artist, or album
• Missing information
• Can't edit metadata

Solutions:

1. Edit metadata in Rhythm:

   • Long-press song → Edit Info
   • Update title, artist, album, etc.
   • Requires storage write permission

2. Use desktop metadata editor:

   • Windows/Mac: Mp3tag
   • Cross-platform: MusicBrainz Picard
   • Re-scan library after editing

3. Check file encoding:

   • Ensure UTF-8 encoding for tags
   • Special characters may cause issues

4. Batch edit:

   • Use MusicBrainz Picard for auto-tagging
   • Match files to online database

Symptoms:

• Edit option greyed out
• Changes don't save
• "Permission denied" error

Solutions:

1. Grant write permission:

   • Android Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Permissions
   • Ensure storage write access granted

2. Check file location:

   • Files on SD card may require special permissions
   • Try moving to internal storage

3. Verify file permissions:

   • Some files may be read-only
   • Check file properties in file manager

Symptoms:

• "No lyrics found" message
• Lyrics screen is blank

Solutions:

1. Enable lyrics sources:

   • Rhythm → Settings → Lyrics
   • Enable LRCLib and embedded lyrics

2. Check internet connection:

   • LRCLib requires internet
   • Verify connection is active

3. Try manual search:

   • Tap "Search lyrics" button
   • Enter artist and title manually

4. Check embedded lyrics:

   • Use MP3Tag to verify lyrics are embedded
   • Embed manually if needed

Symptoms:

• Lyrics appear too early/late
• Highlighting doesn't match audio

Solutions:

1. Adjust sync offset:

   • Tap lyrics settings icon
   • Use +/- buttons to adjust timing
   • Save offset for this track

2. Try different source:

   • Switch between LRCLib and embedded
   • Some sources have better timing

3. Edit .lrc file:

   • Use LRC editor to fix timestamps
   • Save corrected version

Symptoms:

• "App not installed" error
• Installation blocked
• "Package conflicts" error

Solutions:

1. Check signature match:

   • Updates from different sources have different signatures
   • Uninstall and clean install if switching sources

2. Enable unknown sources:

   • Settings → Security → Install unknown apps
   • Enable for your browser/file manager

3. Clear download cache:

   • Delete old APK files
   • Re-download update

4. Sufficient storage:

   • Ensure 100MB+ free space
   • Clear unnecessary files

Symptoms:

• No update notifications
• Update check fails

Solutions:

1. Check update settings:

   • Rhythm → Settings → Updates
   • Enable automatic update checking

2. Verify internet access:

   • GitHub access required
   • Check firewall/VPN settings

3. Manual check:

   • Settings → About → Check for updates
   • Download manually if needed

Symptoms:

• Widget shows old song
• Play/pause button doesn't work
• Widget appears frozen

Solutions:

1. Restart widget:

   • Remove widget from home screen
   • Re-add widget

2. Check battery optimization:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Battery
   • Set to "Unrestricted" or "Not optimized"

3. Verify widget permissions:

   • Widget requires notification access
   • Grant in app permissions

4. Update WorkManager:

   • Update to latest Rhythm version
   • Widget updates improved in recent releases

Symptoms:

• Widget appears stretched or cropped
• Controls cut off

Solutions:

1. Resize widget:

   • Long-press widget → Resize handles
   • Drag to correct size

2. Try different layout:

   • Remove and re-add widget
   • Choose appropriate size (2x1 to 5x5)

3. Launcher compatibility:

   • Some launchers have widget sizing issues
   • Try different launcher or legacy widget

Symptoms:

• Music doesn't resume when connecting Bluetooth
• No auto-play behavior

Solutions:

1. Enable auto-resume:

   • Rhythm → Settings → Playback
   • Enable "Resume on Bluetooth connect"

2. Grant Bluetooth permission:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Permissions
   • Enable Bluetooth access

3. Check device pairing:

   • Ensure Bluetooth device is properly paired
   • Reconnect if needed

Symptoms:

• Sound plays from wrong speaker
• Can't switch to Bluetooth
• Audio output stuck

Solutions:

1. Select output manually:

   • Rhythm player → Audio output icon
   • Choose desired device

2. Restart Bluetooth:

   • Turn Bluetooth off and on
   • Reconnect device

3. Clear audio cache:

   • Restart Rhythm
   • Disconnect all Bluetooth devices
   • Reconnect desired device

Symptoms:

• "Backup failed" error
• No backup file created

Solutions:

1. Check storage permissions:

   • Ensure write access granted
   • Verify destination folder exists

2. Sufficient storage:

   • Ensure adequate free space
   • Backups can be several MB

3. Try different location:

   • Use internal storage instead of SD card
   • Some folders may have restrictions

Symptoms:

• Playlists don't appear after restore
• Settings not restored
• "Invalid backup file" error

Solutions:

1. Verify backup file:

   • Ensure file isn't corrupted
   • Check file size is reasonable

2. Compatible version:

   • Restore from backup created by similar Rhythm version
   • Major version differences may cause issues

3. Manual restore:

   • Export playlists as M3U/PLS
   • Import one by one

If nothing else works:

1. Backup important data:

   • Export all playlists
   • Save settings screenshots

2. Clear app data:

   • Settings → Apps → Rhythm → Storage
   • Clear cache → Clear data

3. Reinstall app:

   • Uninstall Rhythm completely
   • Download fresh APK
   • Install and set up again

⚠️ Warning: This erases all app data, playlists, and settings!

For developers or persistent issues:

# Capture Rhythm logs
adb logcat | grep "chromahub.rhythm"

# Save to file
adb logcat -d > rhythm_log.txt

# Filter for errors only
adb logcat *:E | grep "chromahub.rhythm"

Share logs in GitHub Issues for debugging.

• Telegram Group: Live community help
• GitHub Discussions: Q&A forum

• GitHub Issues: Report bugs

When asking for help, provide:

• Android version (e.g., Android 14)
• Device model (e.g., Pixel 7)
• Rhythm version (Settings → About)
• Detailed description of issue
• Steps to reproduce
• Screenshots/logs if possible

Pro tip: Check FAQ for quick answers to common questions!