Quick answer
“Friend Request Failed”: their friend request settings don’t allow you, so ask them to add you instead. “Hm, didn’t work”: retype the exact username, every letter, number, underscore and period, or add them from their profile in a shared server. Still failing? Ask them to send you the request.
Which message do you see?
Does this match what you see?
- Discord says “Friend Request Failed.”
- Discord says “Hm, didn’t work. Double check that the username is correct.”
- Your request sits in Pending and nothing happens.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on Discord Support’s add-friends page and “Blocking & Privacy Settings”, read on November 7, 2026.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Why adding a friend fails.
- Their friend request settingsCheck this first
People can limit requests to friends of friends or server members, or turn them off.
- A wrong usernameCheck this first
Discord says it must match exactly, including numbers, underscores and periods.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Copy the username straight from their profile instead of typing it.
- Check whether you share a server or a mutual friend.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Add a friend by username
Discord’s steps for sending a friend request.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap the chat bubble (top left).
- Tap Add Friends > Add by Username.
- Enter the username and tap Send Friend Request.
Android
- Tap the chat bubble (top left).
- Tap Add Friends > Add by Username.
- Enter the username and tap Send Friend Request.
Computer (browser)
- Click the Discord logo (top left) and open the Friends tab.
- Click Add Friend, type or paste their username, and click Send Friend Request.
- Check it under Pending.
Did it work? The request shows as pending.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Add them from a shared server or group chat
Avoids typing the username at all.
iPhone & iPad
- In a group chat, tap their profile; in a server, open a text channel and tap them in the Members list.
- Tap Add Friend.
Android
- In a group chat, tap their profile; in a server, open a text channel and tap them in the Members list.
- Tap Add Friend.
Computer (browser)
- Open their profile in a server or group chat, click View Profile, then Send Friend Request.
- Or right-click their name or a message and choose Add Friend. There’s no pop-up; check Pending.
Did it work? The request shows as pending.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
“Friend Request Failed”: they’re not accepting requests from you
Discord says this means the user isn’t accepting friend requests, so they’ll need to add you. Their Friend Requests setting may be off, or limited to Friends of Friends (you need a mutual friend) or Server Members (you need to share a server).
Our note: if you can’t reach them any other way, they may have limited who can contact them, or blocked you. Respect that.
“Hm, didn’t work”: check the username
Discord says the username must match exactly, including every number, letter, underscore and period. Our tip: usernames aren’t the same as the display name people show in servers, so ask for the username or copy it from their profile. If it still fails, ask them to send you a request.
Cancel a pending friend request
- Computer: Discord logo > Friends > Pending, then the X next to the request.
- Mobile: You > Your Friends > Friend Requests, then the X next to the sent request.
Choose who can send you friend requests
Go to User Settings > Content & Social > Friend Requests and turn on the options you want: Everyone (which includes the other two), Friends of Friends and Server Members. Want to stop DMs too? See your DM settings.
Error messages and what they mean
These are the messages as people report seeing them. The exact wording on your screen can differ by app version, language and region, so match the meaning, not every word.
Seeing a different message? Try the error message decoder.
Friend Request Failed- What it usually means
- Discord says the person isn’t accepting friend requests (their Friend Requests setting doesn’t allow you).
- What to do
- Ask them to add you instead.
Hm, didn’t work. Double check that the username is correct.- What it usually means
- The username was typed or pasted incorrectly.
- What to do
- Enter the exact username, or ask them to send you a request.
How to know it worked
- Your request was sent, or you know why it can’t be.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Trying to message them instead? See DM not going through.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Friend Request Failed” mean on Discord?
Discord says the person isn’t accepting friend requests, so they’ll need to add you.
What does “Hm, didn’t work” mean on Discord?
Discord says the username was entered incorrectly. It must match exactly, including numbers, underscores and periods.
How do I cancel a friend request on Discord?
On a computer: Friends > Pending > X. On mobile: You > Your Friends > Friend Requests > X.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- How to add a friend on Discord (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Blocking & Privacy Settings (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 7 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 7 May 2027. Editor: Michael Michael. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 7 November 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Discord. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.