How to Fix “Discord Update Failed” Error? (Best Methods)

Discord is a popular way to talk to each other, and gamers and remote teams often use it. A lot of trouble can be caused by the famed “Discord Update Failed” error, though. This guide will show you 10 good ways to deal with this common issue.

What Does the “Discord Update Failed” Error Mean?

Before getting into the fixes, it’s crucial to understand the nature of the problem. The Discord Update Failed error typically occurs during the updating process of the Discord application. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors such as improper installation, interference from antivirus programs, or problems with the Discord server.

How to Fix “Discord Update Failed” Error?

It’s possible that the following steps will help you fix the “Discord Update Failed” error:

Method 1: Run as Administrator

An easy fix for the Discord Update Failed error could be fixed by starting the program with administrative rights. This lets the updater change things on your device, so get the new Discord update and run it.

Make sure you remember that your local account needs to be a supervisor for this to work. If not, you will need to know the master password.

• Type “Discord” into the search bar in the menu of Windows 10.
• Right-click on the Discord app that you see in the list of results; it’s usually near the top, next to Best Match. From the choice that appears, choose “Run as administrator” from this point on.
• If the User Account Control (UAC) asks you to let Discord run and make changes to the device, hit “Yes.” This is needed so that the app can be updated.

Method 2: Disable Windows Defender

Sometimes, Windows Defender might prevent Discord from updating. To disable it, follow these steps:

• Open the Start Menu and type ‘Windows Security’.
• Click on ‘Virus & Threat Protection’.
• Under ‘Virus & Threat Protection Settings’, click on ‘Manage Settings’.
• Turn off ‘Real-Time Protection’.

Remember to enable it back once the update is complete.

Method 3: Disable Antivirus

It is known that antivirus software can mess up your computer by blocking apps and services from running properly or messing with your internet connection. Turning off your security software for a short time can help you figure out if it’s the cause of the Discord Update Failed error.

Keep in mind that this way is not suggested because it is risky to use your computer without any security. You should only do it if you know the risks and have a backup of your system in case something goes wrong.

• In the toolbar, right-click on an empty spot and select Task Manager.
• If the Task Manager started up in small mode, click the “Mode details” button to make the details bigger.
• Use the header button at the top of the window to move to the Start-up tab.
• From the list, find your antivirus program and click on it once to pick it.
• In the bottom right corner of the window, click the “Disable” button. This will stop the app from starting up when you turn on your device.
• Turn your computer off and on again, then open Discord to see if the problem shows up again. As long as Discord can update correctly, it’s likely that your security software was to blame.

Method 4: Check If Discord Is Down

Discord’s servers might have gone down, forcing a Discord update to stop working. It happens infrequently, but technical issues sometimes cause the servers to go down briefly.

To determine whether the platform is actually down, go to Discord’s Status page and check the platform status. This website also displays the status of several Discord features, such as the “Search” and “Payments” functionalities. If Discord is actually offline, you will have to wait until the business resolves the issue and brings it back online. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to resolve the situation.

Method 5: Clear Discord’s Cached Data

Discord caches several files to enhance your app experience. This cache can become corrupt at times, causing the program to experience a variety of unpredictable difficulties. This could be the situation for you, and your update issue is most likely the result of a faulty app cache. In this scenario, clearing your Discord cache will cure the issue. If you’re using Windows, launch “Run” by pressing Windows+R, then enter the following path.

%appdata%\discord

Delete the following subfolders from the open folder: “Cache,” “Code Cache,” and “GPUCache.”

To clear Discord’s cache on a Mac, open a Finder window and select Go > Go to Folder. Enter the following route and then press Enter.

~/Library/Application Support/discord/

Delete the following folders from the open folder: “Cache,” “Code Cache,” and “GPUCache.”

Your Discord cache has now been cleared. Relaunch the software on your Windows or Mac computer and allow it to update.

Method 6: Manually Install the Newest Version of Discord

If none of the other solutions work, download and install the most recent version of Discord on your computer by hand. The app syncs everything with your online Discord account, so you won’t lose any of the data you’ve saved, like chats, servers, and other things.

Open Settings, then Apps, and then Apps & Features to get rid of Discord on Windows 11. On the list, find Discord. Click the three dots next to it and select “Uninstall.” At the prompt that comes up, choose “Uninstall.”

Method 7: Reinstall Discord

If none of the above solutions work, you might have to bite the bullet and reinstall Discord. Here’s how:

• Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
• Find Discord in the list, right-click on it, and select ‘Uninstall’.
• Download the latest version from the Discord website and install it.

• Uninstalling Discord won’t delete your data and chats. They are linked to your account and will be available once you log in again.

Method 8: Use VPN

Sometimes, your network might block Discord updates. A way around this is to use a VPN. If you don’t use a firewall, proxy, or VPN, internet connection problems can force Discord to enter an update failed loop. Check whether you can access Discord’s web interface from their official website. If you still don’t have internet, try rebooting your router/modem or contacting your ISP.

Method 9: Rename the Update.exe file

Discord troubleshooters discovered an issue with the application’s update.exe file. We recommend that you try to rename this file in order to successfully update Discord to the latest version.

1. Go to your AppData folder. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard, then paste “C:\Users\Username\AppData” without quotation marks. Make sure you replace Username with your local account username. Alternatively, launch File Explorer and navigate to This PC → C: → Users → Username → AppData.
2. Open the Local directory. Inside, locate and open the Discord folder.
3. Right-click the Update.exe file and select Rename.
4. Input UpdateX.exe (keep in mind that this is case-sensitive) and press Enter. You may try running Discord again, preferably as an administrator, following the instructions above.

Method 10: Contact Discord Support

Don’t be afraid to contact Discord’s customer service team if you need more help. They are there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Also Read: Here’s How To Get Discord On Xbox In 2024

In Closing

Ten good ways to fix the issue “Discord Update Failed” have been shown to you. Always remember that you shouldn’t give up if one method doesn’t work. Don’t give up on the other choices; you’ll get there in the end!

FAQs

Is it possible to make the Discord app update itself?

Yes, you can force Discord to update by reinstalling it or by manually downloading the latest version from the Discord website.

What can I do to stop Discord from updating itself?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop Discord from updating automatically as it’s a built-in feature of the application.

Does uninstalling Discord delete my data and chats?

No, uninstalling Discord won’t delete your data and chats. They are linked to your account and will be available once you log in again.