Breaking the Discord Update Failed Loop: A Comprehensive Guide to Troubleshooting and Fixing Update Issues

Discord, the popular communication platform, is known for its smooth updates and seamless user experience. However, sometimes users get caught in a frustrating loop: the dreaded “Discord Update Failed” message. This can prevent you from accessing the platform, communicating with friends, or participating in your favorite communities. If you’re struggling with this issue, don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through detailed steps to identify, troubleshoot, and ultimately fix the Discord update failed loop, getting you back online in no time.

Understanding the Discord Update Process

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s important to understand the basics of how Discord updates work. Discord utilizes a process where it automatically downloads and installs updates in the background. This usually happens when you launch the application or when a new version is released. If something goes wrong during this process, it can lead to the “Update Failed” error and the perpetual loop of attempts and failures.

Common reasons behind the Discord update failing loop include:

• Internet Connection Issues: An unstable or weak internet connection can interrupt the download process, leading to failures.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software might mistakenly block Discord’s update processes, preventing it from downloading and installing updates.
• Corrupted Discord Installation Files: Damaged or incomplete installation files can cause update failures.
• Incompatible Operating System or Hardware: While less common, older operating systems or hardware might struggle with newer Discord versions.
• Administrator Permissions: Lack of necessary administrator privileges can prevent Discord from performing updates.
• Discord Server Outage: In rare cases, an issue with Discord’s own servers might cause update problems.
• Third-Party Software Conflicts: Other applications running on your computer could be interfering with Discord’s update process.
• Disk Space Issues: Lack of sufficient free space on your hard drive can halt the update process.
• DNS Problems: Issues with your DNS settings can prevent Discord from properly connecting to its update servers.

Troubleshooting Steps: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s tackle the issue head-on. Here’s a comprehensive set of troubleshooting steps to help you break free from the update failed loop:

1. Basic Checks and Initial Steps

Before we move into advanced solutions, let’s start with the basics:

• Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can resolve many temporary software glitches, including problems with the Discord update process. Reboot your computer and try launching Discord again.
• Restart Your Router/Modem: Your internet connection might be the culprit. Power cycle your modem and router by unplugging them from the power source for at least 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Wait for your internet to reconnect before trying Discord again.
• Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working correctly. You can test your connection using online speed test websites or by trying to access other websites. Check if you’re connected via wifi or ethernet, and if you’re using wifi, consider trying ethernet for a more reliable connection.
• Check Discord Status: Visit the official Discord Status page (usually status.discord.com) to check if there are any ongoing server-side issues. If Discord’s servers are down, you’ll need to wait until they’re back online before trying to update.
• Run Discord as Administrator: Right-click on the Discord shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This gives Discord the necessary permissions to install updates. This is a crucial step to try in order to eliminate permission related errors.

2. Network and Firewall Issues

If basic checks don’t resolve the problem, let’s look into network and firewall issues:

• Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus: Sometimes, your security software may falsely flag Discord updates as a threat. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus, then try updating Discord again. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting. The steps to disable differ based on your specific software. You can usually find the option in your program settings, often labeled as “disable protection” or a similar term.
• Add Discord as an Exception: If disabling your firewall/antivirus works, it’s better to add Discord as an exception to prevent future conflicts. This process varies depending on your software. Typically, you’ll find an option to “allow programs through firewall” or “add exceptions.” Add Discord’s main executable file (usually Discord.exe in the AppData folder) to the allowed list. This method makes sure Discord can pass through the security wall while still maintaining the protection of the security programs.
• Flush DNS Cache: Outdated DNS cache can cause issues connecting to Discord servers. You can flush the DNS cache using the following steps:
  • Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”) and type `ipconfig /flushdns` then press Enter.
  • macOS: Open Terminal (search for “Terminal”) and type `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder` then press Enter and enter your password when prompted.
• Try a Different DNS Server: Consider switching to a public DNS server like Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). You can change your DNS server in your operating system’s network settings. This can sometimes provide a more direct and stable connection to Discord servers.

3. Discord Installation File Issues

Corrupted or incomplete installation files can prevent Discord updates. Let’s address that:

• Completely Close Discord: Make sure Discord isn’t running in the system tray or background before proceeding. Right-click the Discord icon in the system tray and select “Quit Discord.” Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) on Windows to ensure that all Discord processes are terminated. On macOS, use Activity Monitor (Cmd + Space, then search for Activity Monitor) to force quit the application and all related processes.
• Delete the Discord Update Folder: Navigate to the following folder in your file explorer:
  • Windows: `%appdata%\discord`
  • macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Discord`

  Delete the “Update” folder inside it. Sometimes, the folder contains partially downloaded or corrupted update files that cause further errors. Removing it forces Discord to re-download the updates from scratch.

• Reinstall Discord: If removing the update folder doesn’t help, a complete reinstallation might be necessary. Uninstall Discord using your operating system’s application uninstaller. Then, download the latest installer from the official Discord website. During the re-install process, ensure that you download the installer file from an official source and always run the installation with administrator rights.
• Check for conflicting programs: Sometimes, other applications running in your system may have issues with Discord and its update processes. Check your running applications in the Task Manager or Activity Monitor and try to close any unnecessary or suspicious programs before reinstalling. Programs that often interfere with Discord include screen recorders, overlay programs, and programs that hook into other processes.

4. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above methods haven’t resolved your issue, here are some more advanced troubleshooting steps:

• Check System Compatibility: Ensure that your operating system meets Discord’s minimum system requirements. While this is rarely the problem, check the official discord page for the minimum system requirments. If you are running a very old operating system, the issue might be compatibility with new discord updates. If that’s the case, consider upgrading your operating system.
• Run Windows System File Checker (SFC): On Windows, corrupted system files might contribute to Discord update issues. Run the System File Checker tool. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type `sfc /scannow` then press Enter. SFC will scan your system and try to repair corrupted files. Restart your computer after the scan is completed.
• Perform a Clean Boot: A “clean boot” starts your system with only essential services and drivers running. This helps identify if a third-party program is causing conflicts. You can perform a clean boot by opening System Configuration (msconfig) on Windows or using Safe Mode on macOS. Follow the instructions from Microsoft support on how to do a clean boot for each particular version of windows. This can help you find if a certain driver or software conflict is causing the discord update failure loop.
• Disk Space Check: Make sure your hard drive has enough free space. Discord updates and installations require space. If the disk drive is full, try to free up some space by deleting unnecessary files. Lack of sufficient space can impede Discord from installing updates.
• Check for Malware: Malicious software can interfere with various system processes, including updates. Perform a full system scan using a reputable antivirus program. Always make sure to download the antivirus software from the official site. Malware and viruses can also cause problems with your internet connection which also effects the Discord update process.
• Check for driver updates: An outdated driver can sometimes cause incompatibility issues with some software. Consider updating your network adapter drivers and graphics card drivers. Make sure that you download the latest drivers from the official manufacturer website of your devices.

5. Contacting Discord Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and still can’t fix the update failed loop, it’s time to contact Discord support. They can provide personalized assistance and potentially identify unique issues that might be affecting your specific setup. Provide them with detailed information on the troubleshooting steps you’ve taken, as well as any relevant error messages. The more information you provide, the quicker they will be able to assist you.

Preventative Measures for Future Updates

To minimize the chances of encountering the “Discord Update Failed” loop in the future, consider these preventative measures:

• Keep Your Operating System Updated: Regularly install system updates for your operating system (Windows or macOS) to ensure you have the latest security patches and compatibility updates.
• Maintain a Stable Internet Connection: When running updates, try to have a stable and fast internet connection. Preferably, do not use wifi if you have ethernet available.
• Periodically Scan for Malware: Conduct regular malware scans to ensure the security of your system.
• Keep Discord Updated: Make sure Discord is on the latest version, unless it has specific issues. The newer version usually have better bug fixes and security patches.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your security software and other applications.

Conclusion

The Discord Update Failed loop can be frustrating, but by systematically working through the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can usually identify and fix the problem. Remember to start with the basics, and gradually move to more advanced solutions. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Discord support for assistance. With a little patience and persistence, you can get back to using Discord smoothly and enjoy the platform without interruptions.

By following the steps mentioned in this guide you can solve the discord update failed problem. Remember to always follow the troubleshooting steps in order, one by one and do not skip any steps, especially the basic ones, as this would help diagnose the root cause of the problem faster. Always ensure you have a stable internet connection when using discord and make sure that all programs and your OS is up to date. By following these steps you can minimize discord update errors and use the program without problems.