Quick answer
Check Discord’s status page for an outage. Then fully close Discord (on Windows, make sure it’s gone from Task Manager), wait 30 seconds and reopen it. Stuck loading? Clear Discord’s cache, try running it as administrator, and turn off Hardware Acceleration. Still broken? Reinstall from discord.com or your app store.
Pick your problem
- “Your message could not be delivered”A DM won’t go through.
- Voice stuck on RTC Connecting or No RouteYou can’t join or stay in voice.
- Mic, sound, camera or screen shareNobody hears you, or you hear nothing.
- Can’t log in or lost 2FAForgot your password or lost your authenticator.
- Account hackedSpam sent from your account, or settings changed.
- Account disabled or suspendedCheck your standing and appeal.
- Cancel Nitro or get a refundNitro, Server Boosts and Discord’s refund rules.
- Friend request failed“Friend Request Failed” or “Hm, didn’t work”.
- Notifications not workingNo push alerts, or one server stays silent.
- “You are being rate limited”Error 1015 and how long to wait.
- Verification requiredVerify your phone or email; invalid number errors.
- Age verificationConfirm your age, fix a wrong result, or unlock an age ban.
- Discord on PS5 or XboxConnect and transfer voice to your console.
- Delete or disable your accountTake a break, or leave for good.
- Invite invalid or can’t join a serverExpired invites, the 100-server limit and server bans.
- Report or block someoneHarassment, scams and what happens after you report.
- Change your usernameUsername, display name and server nickname.
- Contact Discord SupportSubmit and track a ticket.
Common Discord problems this guide covers
- Discord won’t open, or opens to a grey or blank screen.
- It’s stuck on the loading screen or keeps updating.
- The installer or an update fails on Windows or Mac.
- The mobile app won’t install or keeps failing.
- Discord works on your phone but not your computer, or the other way round.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on Discord Support’s “Discord Troubleshooting Guide”, read on November 7, 2026. File paths are for the Windows and Mac desktop apps.
Why Discord stops working
Match what you see to a row.
| What you see | Likely cause | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Fails everywhere; friends have the same problem | A Discord outage | Is Discord down? |
| Stuck on the loading screen or a grey screen | Cache or the app’s state | Fix 2 and Fix 3 |
| Won’t install or update on a computer | Damaged install, antivirus or VPN | Fix 4 |
| Mobile app won’t install or keeps failing | Storage, cache or an old OS | Fix 5 |
| Only voice, DMs or login are broken | A feature-specific problem | Pick your problem |
- A Discord outagePossible
Discord’s guide says to check its Status page first.
- A stuck cache or app stateCheck this first
Discord suggests clearing the cache and temporary files for loading freezes.
- A damaged installPossible
Discord suggests a clean reinstall for corrupt installations.
- Your connection, VPN or firewallPossible
Discord suggests a speed test, a different DNS server, and checking VPN and firewall interference.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Try Discord in a web browser at discord.com. If it works there, the problem is the app on your device.
- Run a speed test, and try a different network if you can.
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: Fully restart Discord
Discord’s first common step.
iPhone & iPad
- Close the Discord app fully, wait 30 seconds, and reopen it.
Android
- Close the Discord app fully, wait 30 seconds, and reopen it.
Computer (browser)
- Close Discord completely. On Windows, open Task Manager and make sure no Discord process is left (end it if so). On Mac, quit it from the menu bar or force quit it.
- Wait 30 seconds, then reopen Discord.
Did it work? Discord loads normally.
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: Clear Discord’s cache (computer)
Discord suggests clearing the cache and temporary files for loading-screen freezes.
Computer (browser)
- Fully close Discord first.
- Windows: open the folder %appdata%/discord/Cache and delete its contents.
- Mac: open ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache and delete its contents.
- Reopen Discord.
Clearing the cache doesn’t delete your messages or servers; they’re stored on Discord’s servers. You may need to log in again.
Did it work? Discord gets past the loading screen.
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.
Fix 3: Run as administrator and turn off Hardware Acceleration
Discord lists both for loading-screen freezes.
Computer (browser)
- Windows: right-click Discord and choose Run as administrator.
- If Discord opens, go to User Settings > Advanced (or Voice & Video > Video) and turn off Hardware Acceleration, then let Discord restart.
Did it work? Discord loads and stays open.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 4: Reinstall Discord on Windows or Mac
Discord’s fixes for installation and update problems.
Computer (browser)
- Force quit Discord (Task Manager on Windows, Activity Monitor on Mac).
- Windows: delete Discord’s folder in AppData. Mac: delete ~/Library/Application Support/discord.
- Turn off any proxy or VPN while installing, and check your firewall isn’t blocking Discord.
- Download a fresh installer from discord.com and install it. On Windows, run the installer as administrator; Discord also suggests temporarily disabling antivirus during installation.
Our note: if you turn off antivirus to install, turn it back on immediately afterwards, and only use the installer from discord.com.
Did it work? Discord installs, updates and opens.
Did Fix 4 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 4. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 5: Fix the mobile app
Discord’s steps for mobile installation problems.
- Make sure your phone has enough storage.
- Android: clear Discord’s cache in your device’s app settings.
- Uninstall Discord and reinstall it from the official app store.
- Check your phone and its OS version are compatible.
Did it work? The app installs and opens.
Did Fix 5 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 5. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Files, photos or videos won’t upload
Discord says the maximum file upload is 10MB if you don’t have Nitro; with Nitro you can upload bigger files (Discord’s page doesn’t give the figure). Our tip: if your file is bigger, compress it or share a link to it instead.
Discord lists JPEG, MP3, MOV and MP4 (video encoded with H264, HEVC/H265 or AV1) as the most common file types. It says an image larger than 10MB is shared as a download instead of shown in the chat, and that if sensitive-content (NSFW) scanning is on, a flagged image is blocked.
Not sure how big your file is? Check it with our Upload Checker, which reads the size on your device.
Is Discord down?
Discord’s Troubleshooting Guide says to check its Status page for outages, and to search its support forum and check Discord’s official X (Twitter) account for known issues. If Discord is down, there’s nothing to fix on your side: wait and try again later.
System requirements
- Discord lists Windows 10 or later, or macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.
- It recommends at least 4 GB of RAM.
- To update, check App Settings in Discord, or download a fresh install from discord.com.
Think it’s a bug? Report it properly
Discord separates troubleshooting issues (fixed by settings or standard steps) from bugs (needing its developers). To report a bug, Discord asks you to:
- Capture screenshots or recordings and any error messages.
- Note the exact steps that reproduce it and your system specs.
- Check whether others report the same thing.
- Submit it through Discord’s support site: see contact Discord Support.
How to know it worked
- Discord opens, loads your servers and stays open.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Not sure if the app is down for everyone? Run the Is it down or just me? tests.
- Only one feature is broken? Use Pick your problem above.
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
Why won’t Discord open?
Fully close it (check Task Manager), wait 30 seconds and reopen. If it’s stuck loading, clear Discord’s cache, run it as administrator, turn off Hardware Acceleration, or reinstall.
How do I know if Discord is down?
Discord says to check its Status page, its support forum and its official X account.
Does clearing Discord’s cache delete my messages?
No. Messages and servers are stored on Discord’s servers; you may just need to log in again.
What are Discord’s system requirements?
Discord lists Windows 10 or later, or macOS 11 or later, and recommends 4 GB of RAM.
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.
- File Attachments FAQ (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Discord Troubleshooting Guide (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
- 12 November 2026: Added a section on file upload limits (10MB without Nitro) and common file types.
- 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.