So, you just wanted to chill with your friends on Discord, maybe hop into a game or two. But then—bam! It hits you with the dreaded “Update Failed” message. Again. And again. And again. If you’re stuck in an endless update loop, don’t toss your PC out the window just yet. We’ve got your back!
Why Is Discord Stuck in an Update Loop?
Before we dive into the fixes, let’s understand what’s going on.
- Corrupted files: Sometimes, an update messes up during the download.
- Permissions: Discord isn’t allowed to do the update properly on your system.
- Antivirus or Firewall: Your computer might be blocking it.
- Internet issues: Your connection might be unstable or cutting off.
- Background tasks: An old version could be running in the background and spoiling the party.
Now that we know the usual suspects, let’s fix it one step at a time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Update Loop
1. Completely Close Discord
Just hitting the X button doesn’t really close Discord. It keeps running in the background. You have to actually kill it.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find anything labeled Discord.
- Right-click and select End Task.
Now Discord’s really out of the way. Time to start the fixin’.
2. Delete the Update File
This is where the problem usually hides. Deleting the update file forces Discord to download it again.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type %localappdata% and hit Enter.
- Open the Discord folder.
- Find and delete a file called Update.exe.
Don’t worry—Discord will make a new one when it needs to. No harm done here.
3. Run Discord as Administrator
This one’s simple and often works like a charm.
- Right-click on the Discord shortcut.
- Select Run as administrator.
If the issue was a permissions hiccup, that should fix it. Boom.
4. Check Internet Connection
Silly, right? But you’d be surprised how often this is the real culprit.
Make sure you’re not connected to a weak WiFi signal or using a VPN that’s slowing you down.
You can also try restarting your modem or router. Sometimes a fresh connection is all you need.
5. Turn Off Your Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily
We’re not saying go wild and browse sketchy websites without protection—but sometimes your antivirus freaks out over Discord updates.
- Turn it off just for a moment.
- Launch Discord and see if it updates properly.
- If it works, add Discord to your antivirus’ “safe list.”
And make sure to turn it back on right after. Safety first!
6. Clear Discord Cache
Discord stores temporary files to make things smoother. But when those files get messed up, chaos happens.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type %appdata% and press Enter.
- Open the Discord folder.
- Delete everything inside the folder (don’t worry, nothing important will be lost).
This gives Discord a fresh start. It will recreate those files when needed.
7. Uninstall and Reinstall Discord
If all else fails, this old-school method still works wonders.
- Go to Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program.
- Find Discord and click Uninstall.
- After uninstalling, delete these folders (if they’re still around):
- %appdata%\Discord
- %localappdata%\Discord
- Download the latest version from discord.com and install it.
Fresh, clean, and probably working now.
Other Tips and Tricks
- Check for Windows updates – Sometimes it’s not Discord but your operating system that’s being a diva.
- Allow Discord through Windows Firewall – Go to firewall settings and make sure Discord isn’t being blocked.
- Use the Discord web app – If you still can’t get the desktop version to work, get on Discord through your browser.
Preventing Future Update Loops
Okay, you fixed it (woohoo!). But how do you make sure it doesn’t happen again? Easy:
- Keep Discord updated regularly. Don’t hit “Later” 100 times.
- Allow it through your antivirus and firewall from the start.
- Shut down Discord properly before turning off your PC to avoid corruption.
- Keep your internet stable. No sketchy WiFi allowed.
One Last Thing…
If you’ve tried everything above and you’re still stuck, don’t stress too much. Reach out to Discord support or check community forums like Reddit. You’re not alone. Tons of people run into this issue, and new fixes pop up all the time.
But most of the time? One of those steps up there does the trick. Fast. Easy. Pain-Free. Like magic.
Now, Go Chat It Up!
You’re back on Discord! Time to hop into your favorite server, chat with your crew, and maybe drop a few memes. Hopefully, the “Update Failed” loop is a thing of the past for you now.
Good luck and happy Discord-ing!