How to Fix the Discord Update Failed Loop (Windows and Mac)

You open Discord, the little window says Checking for updates, then Update failed, then Retrying in a few seconds, and the cycle never ends. The app never actually opens. This update loop is one of the most common Discord problems on Windows, and it usually comes from a corrupted update file, a blocked connection or leftover data from an old install.

Below are the fixes that work, ordered from quickest to most thorough. Try them one by one and test Discord after each. There is also a short section for Mac users at the end.

Quick-fix summary

Fix	When it helps
Check discordstatus.com	Discord’s own servers are having trouble
End all Discord processes and restart	A stuck background process is blocking the update
Run Discord as administrator	The updater cannot write its files
Turn off VPN or proxy	The update download is being blocked or rerouted
Allow Discord in your antivirus	Security software is quarantining update files
Clear the Discord cache	Corrupted cached data
Rename Update.exe	You need Discord working right now (temporary)
Clean reinstall	Nothing else has worked

1. Check if Discord itself is down

Before changing anything on your PC, rule out a problem on Discord’s side.

Also read: How to Disable Twitter Sound Effects On iPhone And Android?

1. Visit discordstatus.com in your browser.
2. If any component shows an outage or degraded performance, wait for it to be resolved and try again later.
3. Also open discord.com/app. If the web version loads and works, your account is fine and the issue is with the desktop app.

2. Close every Discord process and restart

Discord often keeps running in the system tray even after you close the window. A hidden process can lock the update files.

1. Right-click the Discord icon in the system tray (near the clock) and choose Quit Discord.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
3. Select every Discord entry and click End task.
4. Restart your PC and open Discord again.

3. Run Discord as administrator

If the updater does not have permission to replace its own files, it keeps failing.

1. Make sure Discord is fully closed (step 2).
2. Open the Start menu and find Discord.
3. Right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
4. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.

4. Check your internet and turn off VPN or proxy

VPNs, proxies and some office or college networks can block or slow the update download, which the updater sees as a failure.

1. Disconnect any VPN app.
2. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and make sure no manual proxy is turned on unless you need it.
3. Restart your router if your connection has been unstable.
4. If possible, try a different network, such as a mobile hotspot, just for the update. Once Discord updates, you can switch back.

5. Allow Discord through your antivirus

Some third-party antivirus programs flag Discord’s update files and quietly block them. Windows Security can occasionally do the same.

1. Open your antivirus and check its quarantine or blocked items list for anything from Discord. Restore it and add Discord to the allowed list or exclusions.
2. If you are not sure, pause the antivirus for a few minutes, run the update, and turn it back on immediately afterwards.
3. For Windows Security, open it from the Start menu, go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings, and switch Real-time protection off briefly. Windows turns it back on automatically after a while, but turn it on yourself as soon as Discord has updated.

Never leave protection off. Only do this when you have downloaded Discord from its official website.

6. Clear the Discord cache

Corrupted cache files are a frequent cause of the loop. Clearing them does not delete your messages or servers, which are stored online.

1. Quit Discord completely and end its processes in Task Manager.
2. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\discord and press Enter.
3. Delete the Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache folders.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin and open Discord again. You may need to log in again.

7. Rename Update.exe (temporary workaround)

If you need Discord working right now, for example before a game or a class, you can stop it from trying to update for the moment.

1. Close Discord fully.
2. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Discord and press Enter.
3. Right-click Update.exe, choose Rename and change it to something like Update-old.exe.
4. Open the most recent version folder in the same location (its name includes a version number) and launch Discord.exe from there.

This is not a long-term fix. Without updates you miss security patches and new features, and an outdated client may eventually stop working. Rename the file back to Update.exe once you have time to try the next step.

8. Try compatibility mode

Discord’s own support pages suggest this if the app or installer still refuses to start.

1. Go to %localappdata%\Discord and open the most recent version folder.
2. Right-click Discord.exe and choose Properties.
3. On the Compatibility tab, tick Run this program as an administrator and Run this program in compatibility mode for. Try Windows 8, then Windows 7.
4. Click Apply and launch Discord.

9. Do a clean reinstall

This is the most reliable fix. A normal uninstall leaves old files behind, so remove those too.

1. Quit Discord and end all Discord processes in Task Manager. On the Startup apps page in Task Manager, disable Discord as well.
2. Uninstall Discord from Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
3. Press Windows + R, type %appdata% and press Enter. Delete the Discord folder.
4. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata% and press Enter. Delete the Discord folder there too. If Windows says a file is in use, end the remaining Discord processes and try again.
5. Restart your PC.
6. Download a fresh installer from discord.com/download and run it.

Discord stuck updating on Mac

Mac users can hit the same loop. The fixes are similar: check discordstatus.com, turn off any VPN, then clear the cache.

1. Quit Discord (Command + Q).
2. In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Application Support/discord and press Return.
3. Move the Cache, Code Cache and GPUCache folders to the Trash and empty it.
4. Open Discord again.

If that does not work, drag Discord from the Applications folder to the Trash, empty it and install the latest Mac version from discord.com/download.

Frequently asked questions

Will reinstalling Discord delete my chats or servers?

No. Messages, servers and friends are tied to your account and stored on Discord’s servers. You only need to log in again, and some local settings such as keybinds may reset.

Why does Discord update so often?

Discord pushes small updates frequently and checks for them every time the app starts. Usually this takes a few seconds. It only becomes a loop when something blocks or corrupts the download.

Is it safe to rename Update.exe?

Yes, as a short-term measure. It simply stops the updater from running. Rename it back or do a clean reinstall soon, so you keep getting security fixes.

Can I use Discord while I fix the app?

Yes. Open discord.com/app in a browser such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox and log in. It is a handy backup while you sort out the desktop app.

Wrapping up

For most people, the Discord update loop is fixed by closing every Discord process, running the app as administrator or clearing its cache. If those do not help, a clean reinstall that removes both Discord folders almost always does the trick. Keep the web version handy as a backup, and remember to switch your antivirus and VPN back on once Discord is running normally.

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