Discord is stuck on Update Failed, and you can't even get into the app. Start with a complete shutdown, then work through the connection checks and installation repairs below. Windows and Mac fixes come first, with mobile download help in the answers at the end.
Completely close Discord and reopen it
This stops Discord processes left running in the background. On Windows, open Task Manager. Terminate every Discord process, including background processes.
On Mac, open Activity Monitor using Spotlight. Terminate every Discord process there. Wait 30 seconds. Reopen Discord to retry the update.
Check the service and your connection
Open Discord Status to check active incidents and component availability. If an incident affects connectivity or downloads, wait for it to be resolved. Retry Discord after the service recovers.
If there is no relevant incident, open a few ordinary websites to test your connection. Run an internet connection test. Connect to another available network. Retry Discord on that connection.
If other websites also fail, fix the internet connection before deleting Discord's files.
Download a fresh installer
A fresh installer is the next installation repair to try. Open Discord's official download page.
Under Windows, choose x64 or ARM64 to match your computer. For a Mac, choose macOS.
On Windows 10 or 11, right-click DiscordSetup.exe and select Run as administrator. Complete the Windows authorization prompt to continue installation. On Mac, install Discord using the fresh download.
If installation still fails, clear the desktop cache next. Save the full removal of Discord's local files for the clean reinstall steps below.
Clear the desktop cache
Use this when Discord still cannot update after reopening it and retrying the installer. Clearing the cache removes less local data than a clean reinstall.
Quit Discord completely. On Windows, press Win+R. Enter %appdata%/discord/Cache to open Discord's cache folder.
On Mac, open Finder > Go > Go to Folder. Enter ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache to open the cache folder. Delete the contents of that Cache folder. Reopen Discord to retry the update.
Remove VPN and security blocks
A VPN, unnecessary proxy, or security filter blocking Discord prevents the installer or updater from connecting. Disconnect your active VPN using its connection controls. Retry the Discord installer or updater.
If you use an unnecessary Windows proxy, open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Open the configured manual-proxy controls. Switch Use a proxy server off, then save the change. If an unnecessary setup script is configured, disable Use setup script too.
On macOS 13 or later, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Network. Select your active service, then open Details > Proxies. Disable the unwanted configured proxy or automatic proxy configuration. Save your changes, then retry Discord.
Check your antivirus, parental-control, or security software for a Discord block. Add Discord to that product's allowed applications using its allowlisting controls. The menu labels depend on the product. If the correct exception is unclear, contact the security vendor.
Retry the download or update after allowing Discord. On a work or school device, ask the administrator to review required proxies or locked security settings before changing them. Organization-managed restrictions take precedence where local exceptions are prohibited.
Try another DNS provider
Discord recommends changing DNS providers when an update loop or download cannot connect. Record your existing DNS settings before replacing them. On Windows 10 or 11, open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Open your active adapter's Properties.
Open its IPv4 Properties. Select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the replacement DNS servers. Save the changes.
On macOS 13 or later, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Network. Select your active network service. Open Details > DNS. On macOS 12 Monterey, use Apple menu > System Preferences > Network > your connection > Advanced… > DNS instead.
Use the add button to enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Save your changes. Retry Discord. If the update still fails, check your operating system's support below, then cleanly reinstall the app.
Make sure your computer supports current Discord
Current Discord requires Windows 10 or later or macOS 12 or later. Discord has announced that support for macOS 12 Monterey ends on September 17, 2026, so a Mac still on Monterey needs macOS 13 or later to keep receiving client updates. Upgrade an unsupported operating system before reinstalling the current client. Linux requirements depend on the distribution.
Discord ended support for 32-bit Windows on June 15, 2024. Search Start for about.
Open About your PC to inspect System type. A 32-bit Windows installation needs a supported 64-bit operating system to receive current Discord updates.
Need access while you repair the app? Select Open Discord in your browser on Discord's website, then sign in. A supported desktop browser bypasses the broken installation.
Cleanly reinstall Discord on Windows
This removes local settings and cached sessions, so be ready to sign back in.
- 1.Close Discord and terminate its remaining processes in Task Manager.
- 2.Uninstall Discord. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Discord, and select More > Uninstall. On Windows 10, open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select Discord, and choose Uninstall.
- 3.Press Win+R, enter
%appdata%, and delete the Discord folder inside it. - 4.Press Win+R again, enter
%localappdata%, and delete the Discord folder there too. - 5.Restart Windows.
- 6.Download a fresh installer from Discord's official download page and reinstall Discord.
Rebuild the installation on Mac
Leftover Discord application files are another cause of persistent installation and update failures. Quit Discord with Command+Q. Stop any remaining Discord processes in Activity Monitor. In Finder, press Shift+Command+G to open Go to Folder.
Enter ~/Library/Application Support to open your user application-support folder. Delete its Discord folder if present. Use Go to Folder again to open /Library/Application Support. Delete the Discord folder there if present.
Remove Discord from Applications. Empty Trash. Restart your Mac. Reinstall Discord from its official download page.
If updating still fails after a clean installation on either Windows or Mac, open Discord's support request page. Select Sign in. Sign into your Discord support account. Submit a ticket with the update error, your operating system, screenshots, and the fixes you have already tried.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I update Discord on Android or iPhone?
On Android, open Google Play Store. Tap your profile icon. Open Manage apps & device. Under Updates available, select See details. Tap Update beside Discord. On iPhone or iPad, open App Store. Tap My Account or your photo. Open App Updates. Tap Update beside Discord. On older supported iOS versions, pending updates appear directly on the account screen.
What if Discord's mobile download stays stuck?
Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data, or from cellular data to Wi-Fi, then retry the store download. On iPhone or iPad, touch and hold Discord's Home Screen icon. Choose Prioritize Download. On Android, touch and hold Google Play Store. Open App info > Storage & cache. Tap Clear cache. Reopen the store and retry.
Which phones support current Discord updates?
Discord requires Android 7 or later or iOS 16 or later. Android devices must ship with Google Play Services.
Can turning off hardware acceleration fix Update Failed?
No. Hardware acceleration troubleshooting applies to loading or performance problems after Discord opens. It does not repair an updater that prevents the app from opening.