Discord is great when it works. You click the icon. You expect memes, voice chat, and your friends yelling “join VC.” Then Discord says it is updating. Then it says it again. And again. Welcome to the Discord Update Failed loop. It is annoying, but it is usually easy to fix.
TLDR: The Discord Update Failed loop usually happens because Discord cannot replace its update files. This can be caused by a stuck process, bad cache files, antivirus blocking it, or a weak network connection. Start by closing Discord fully, running it as admin, and deleting the update folders. If that fails, reinstall Discord cleanly.
What Is the Discord Update Failed Loop?
The update failed loop happens when Discord tries to update, fails, restarts, and tries again. It is like a hamster wheel, but for software. The app never reaches the login screen. You may see a small Discord window that says “Update Failed — Retrying in…”
This issue happens most often on Windows. But it can also happen on Mac. The good news is that your account is safe. Your servers are safe. Your messages are safe. The problem is almost always on your device.
Why Does Discord Get Stuck Updating?
Discord updates itself often. That is normal. New features, bug fixes, and security patches arrive all the time. But sometimes the update process trips over its own shoelaces.
Common causes include:
- Discord is still running in the background. It may look closed, but it is not.
- Windows permissions are blocking the update. Discord needs access to its own files.
- Antivirus software is being too protective. It may block the updater.
- Cache files are broken. Old temporary files can cause weird behavior.
- Your internet connection is unstable. Discord cannot download the update correctly.
- Discord servers are having trouble. Rare, but it happens.
Now let’s fix it. Start with the easy stuff. Then move to the stronger fixes.
1. Restart Your Computer
Yes, it sounds basic. Yes, it works shockingly often. A restart clears stuck background processes. It also refreshes network services.
Close everything. Restart your computer. Then open Discord again. If it updates normally, great. You are done. Go enjoy your voice chat victory lap.
If the loop returns, continue below.
2. Check If Discord Is Down
Before you battle your PC, check if Discord itself is having a bad day. Go to the Discord status page in your browser. Search for Discord status. Look for problems with the API, gateway, or media services.
If Discord is down, you cannot fix that from your couch. Make tea. Touch grass. Wait a little. Then try again.
3. Fully Close Discord in Task Manager
Discord loves running in the background. It can keep processes alive even after you close the window. If the updater cannot stop those processes, the update may fail.
Here is how to close it fully on Windows:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Task Manager will open.
- Look for Discord.
- Also look for Update.exe.
- Right click each one.
- Choose End task.
- Open Discord again.
This fix is quick. It is also one of the most effective. Think of it as telling Discord, “Stop. Breathe. Try again.”
4. Run Discord as Administrator
Sometimes Discord needs permission to update files. Windows may say, “Hmm, no.” Running as administrator can solve that.
Follow these steps:
- Close Discord fully.
- Right click the Discord shortcut.
- Click Run as administrator.
- Choose Yes if Windows asks.
If Discord updates, you found the issue. You can also make this permanent.
- Right click the Discord shortcut.
- Click Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply.
Small warning: Only do this for apps you trust. Discord is fine if you downloaded it from the official website.
5. Rename the Discord Update File
This is a classic fix. Discord uses a file called Update.exe. If that file is broken, the update loop may continue forever. Renaming it forces Discord to create a fresh one.
Do this on Windows:
- Close Discord in Task Manager.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type %localappdata%.
- Press Enter.
- Open the Discord folder.
- Find Update.exe.
- Rename it to UpdateOld.exe.
- Open Discord again.
Do not worry. You are not deleting your account. You are only nudging Discord to rebuild its updater. It is like replacing a squeaky wheel.
6. Clear Discord Cache
Cache files are temporary files. They help apps load faster. But sometimes they get messy. A broken cache can cause update issues and launch problems.
Here is how to clear Discord cache on Windows:
- Close Discord fully.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type %appdata%.
- Press Enter.
- Open the discord folder.
- Delete these folders if you see them: Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache.
- Restart your computer.
- Open Discord.
This does not delete your servers. It does not delete your friends. It just clears old junk files. Digital spring cleaning. Very fancy.
7. Check Your Internet Connection
Discord needs a stable connection to download updates. If your connection drops, the update can fail. Then the loop begins.
Try these quick checks:
- Open a website in your browser.
- Restart your router.
- Switch from Wi Fi to Ethernet if possible.
- Move closer to the router.
- Turn off VPN temporarily.
- Try a mobile hotspot as a test.
If Discord works on another network, your main network may be the problem. Your router might need a restart. Or your DNS settings may be acting like a goblin.
8. Disable VPN or Proxy
VPNs are useful. Proxies can be useful too. But they can also confuse Discord updates. If Discord cannot reach the update servers, it may fail.
Turn off your VPN. Turn off any proxy settings. Then try Discord again.
On Windows, you can check proxy settings like this:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network and Internet.
- Click Proxy.
- Turn off manual proxy if you do not need it.
If Discord updates after this, your VPN or proxy was blocking it. You can later add Discord as an exception in your VPN app if it supports that.
9. Check Antivirus or Firewall Settings
Antivirus programs protect your computer. That is good. But sometimes they get dramatic. They may block Update.exe, even when it is safe.
Temporarily disable your antivirus and try Discord. Do this only for a short test. If Discord updates, add Discord to your antivirus allow list.
You may need to allow these files:
- Discord.exe
- Update.exe
You can usually find them in:
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Discord
Also check Windows Firewall:
- Open Windows Security.
- Click Firewall and network protection.
- Click Allow an app through firewall.
- Make sure Discord is allowed.
10. Delete Discord Local App Data
If the updater is still stuck, it is time for a stronger cleanup. Discord stores files in two main places. One is AppData. The other is LocalAppData. Removing these forces a fresh setup.
Follow these steps carefully:
- Close Discord fully in Task Manager.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type %appdata% and press Enter.
- Find the discord folder.
- Delete it.
- Press Windows + R again.
- Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
- Find the Discord folder.
- Delete it.
- Restart your PC.
Then download Discord again from the official Discord website. Install it fresh. This is often the final boss fix. And yes, it usually wins.
11. Reinstall Discord Cleanly
If you only uninstall Discord the normal way, some broken files may stay behind. A clean reinstall removes them.
Here is the clean way:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Find Discord.
- Click Uninstall.
- Delete the Discord folders from %appdata% and %localappdata%.
- Restart your computer.
- Download the latest Discord installer.
- Install Discord again.
This gives Discord a fresh start. No old updater. No rotten cache. No weird leftover files. Just clean, shiny Discord energy.
12. Fix Discord Update Failed on Mac
Mac users can also get stuck. The steps are a little different, but still simple.
Try this:
- Quit Discord completely.
- Open Activity Monitor.
- Search for Discord.
- Force quit any Discord process.
- Open Finder.
- Click Go in the top menu.
- Click Go to Folder.
- Type ~/Library/Application Support.
- Delete the discord folder.
- Reinstall Discord from the official website.
Also check your Mac security settings. Go to System Settings, then Privacy and Security. Make sure Discord is not being blocked.
13. Try Discord in a Browser
If you need Discord right now, use the browser version. Go to the Discord website and log in. This does not fix the desktop app, but it gets you back online.
This is helpful if your group is waiting. You can still chat. You can still join voice. You can still pretend your microphone was “being weird” while you fix the app later.
14. Scan for Malware
This is less common, but worth mentioning. Malware can damage app files or block connections. If Discord keeps failing after every fix, run a security scan.
Use Windows Security or another trusted antivirus. Let it scan your system. Remove anything suspicious. Then reinstall Discord again.
How to Prevent the Update Loop in the Future
You cannot stop every software bug. But you can reduce the chances of this happening again.
- Shut down Discord properly. Do not force close it during updates.
- Keep Windows or macOS updated. Old system files can cause problems.
- Use a stable internet connection. Updates hate flaky Wi Fi.
- Do not block Discord in antivirus tools. Add it to the allow list if needed.
- Avoid cleaning tools that delete random app files. Some are too aggressive.
- Restart your computer sometimes. Yes, really. It helps.
Which Fix Should You Try First?
If you want the fastest path, try this order:
- Restart your computer.
- End Discord in Task Manager.
- Run Discord as administrator.
- Rename Update.exe.
- Clear Discord cache.
- Disable VPN, proxy, antivirus, or firewall blocks.
- Delete Discord AppData folders.
- Reinstall Discord cleanly.
This order starts easy and gets stronger. You do not need to delete everything first. Give the simple fixes a chance. Sometimes Discord only needs a tiny push. Sometimes it needs a full spa day.
Final Thoughts
The Discord Update Failed loop looks scary, but it is usually just a stuck updater. Most people fix it by closing Discord fully, running it as admin, or clearing old files. If those fail, a clean reinstall almost always does the trick.
So take a deep breath. Your servers are not gone. Your friends are still there. The memes are waiting. And with a few clicks, Discord should stop spinning in circles and get back to doing what it does best: helping people talk, game, laugh, and argue about who forgot to mute their mic.