Updated: Jun 11, 2023
If you're having trouble opening Discord and you see a "Discord Update Failed" or "Starting Loop" error, there's a good chance it's because your network connection is off. In this case, Discord will keep trying to update the app and the error will keep popping up.
However, if your internet connection is fine and you're Discord is still stuck on starting, there could be a problem with the "Update.exe" file. This file might have become corrupted and is unable to connect with the Discord server.
TL;DR
This is a guide on how to fix the Discord stuck on starting error in Windows and Mac. The error occurs when Discord tries to update the app, but the network connection is off. The guide provides several solutions to fix the issue, including renaming the Discord update file, checking if Discord is down, checking your internet connection, running Discord as an administrator, disabling your antivirus temporarily, turning off VPN, and installing the update to a different folder.
Table Of Contents
How to Fix Discord Stuck On Starting Error in Windows & Mac?
Rename the Discord Update File.
Check if the Discord is down.
Check your Internet connection.
Run Discord as Administrator.
Disable your Antivirus temporarily.
Disable VPN
Install the update to a different folder
Try Discord on another browser
How to fix Discord Update Failed Error?
If you're experiencing errors with Discord stuck on starting then follow the steps below and I am 100% sure your issue will get fixed. We've got everything covered.
1. Rename the Discord Update File
If you're facing problems with the Discord update and the application fails to open, there might be an issue with the update file. One way to fix it is by renaming the file, which will prompt Discord to download a fresh version of the 'Update' file.
Below are the steps to rename the file and fix the Discord update failed issue:
Open the Command prompt by pressing Windows + X and choosing "Terminal (Admin)" or PowerShell (Admin).
Use the following command to rename the Discord Update file:
taskkill /f /im discord.exe
3. Now open the Run Window by pressing Windows + R and typing %LocalAppData%\Discord
4. Now rename the Update.exe to UpdateBackup.exe
5. Close Discord from your sidebar and restart it.
This should Fix your Discord Update issue. If you're still having problems then continue reading.
2. Check if Discord is down
If you're experiencing issues with Discord updating, it's possible that Discord's service may be temporarily down. To check the Discord status details, visit the Discord Status page or search for the hashtag DiscordDown on Twitter.
If you see recent tweets about Discord being down, it's likely that you'll need to wait until the service is back online. Keep in mind that there are several reasons for Discord to be down, including server maintenance or new features being implemented.
It can be difficult to determine whether the issue is on your end or if it's a larger Discord outage.
3. Check your Internet Connection
If you're experiencing Discord update failed errors, one possible reason is a network issue.
To troubleshoot this, you can try resetting your network configurations by using the Command Prompt or Powershell.
Press Windows + X
Choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Powershell (Admin)
Type the commands given below
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsAfter that, restart your computer and see if the issue persists. If it does, try turning on Airplane mode or restarting your Wi-Fi router.
You can also try opening Discord on a different device to see if the issue is specific to your computer.
4. Run Discord as Administrator
If you're facing issues with Discord updates failing, running Discord as an administrator might help fix the issue.
When you run an application as an administrator, it gives the application all the necessary permissions to run smoothly on Windows.
To run Discord in "Administrator Mode" follow the steps below:
Right Click on the "Discord" icon
Then click on Run as Administrator
Yes, it is that simple lol. You can also do it by clicking on "Windows Icon" in the search bar. Then search for Discord and click on "Run as Administrator".
5. Disable your Antivirus Temporarily
Sometimes, antivirus software or Windows Defender may interfere with the Discord update process and cause it to fail. If you have antivirus software installed, try temporarily disabling it by accessing its settings.
If you're using Windows Defender, you can turn off Real-time protection by following the steps below:
Open the settings application by pressing the Windows+i key or from the start menu.
Click on the Update & Security tab.
Navigate to Privacy & Security → Windows Security
In the Windows Security application
Head over to Virus & Protection and turn off Real-time protection.
After following the steps given above, try running Discord as an administrator again. When the update succeeds you can turn on Virus Protection back again.
6. Turn off VPN
If you're facing the Discord Update Failed issue while using a VPN, turning it off may help resolve the issue. VPNs can sometimes cause slow network connections and interrupt the connection between your Discord client and the server.
To turn off your VPN, open your computer's Task Manager, locate your VPN program, right-click on it, and select "End Task". This will instantly turn off your VPN.
7. Install Update To A Different Folder
To fix the Discord update failed issue, you can try installing the update to a different folder. The folder location is usually in the local app data folder.
To change the folder location, follow these steps:
Example: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local
Follow the steps below to change the folder location:
Press Win+R to open the Run utility (The same thing we did in method 1)
Search %localappdata%
Create a new folder named "Discord1".
Search for the "Discord" folder and copy the contents of that folder to our newly created folder.
4. Delete the original "Discord" folder.
5. Restart Discord and check if the issue is fixed.
Restart Discord and this should fix your issue. If the issue persists keep scrolling. If you are using Mac then the best way is to just restart your Mac and that can easily fix your problem.
8. Try Discord on another browser
In addition to accessing Discord through the desktop app, you can also use the web browser to access the platform. This can be particularly helpful if the Discord app isn't working properly, causing the update to fail.
I think you already know how to do that. If not here's how:
Search Discord in your browser
Log-in to Discord
Enter credentials & 2-FA if required
Click on the login button
Once you're logged in, you can use Discord normally without being stuck in the "Update Failed - Retrying" loop.
FAQ
Why is the Discord 'stuck on starting' error occurring?
The Discord 'stuck on starting' error can occur due to various reasons such as outdated software, server issues, or corrupt files. Clearing the Discord cache or updating the software can often resolve the issue.
How to fix the discord update failure?
If you are experiencing a Discord update failure issue, there are several solutions you can try. Some of the best workarounds are listed in this blog post. Running Discord as an administrator, disabling antivirus temporarily, turning off VPN, and trying Discord on another browser are some ways that can help fix the issue.
How do I stop Discord from getting updated automatically?
Unfortunately, Discord does not offer an option to stop automatic updates. The app will check for and apply the required updates when starting the application. Optional updates will be displayed at the top right corner of your Discord app friends page.
What to do if the Discord update fails on Mac?
If you are facing a Discord update failure issue on a Mac, the easiest way to fix it is to restart the device. This should resolve the issue, but if not, you can try restarting the device again.
