Discord Stuck on Checking for Updates? How to Fix It

There's nothing quite like opening Discord for a call and watching it spin on "Checking for updates" forever. If you run a community or a small team on Discord, it can feel like the whole day has stalled.

The steps below come from Discord's troubleshooting guide, its Windows installer and corrupt installation articles, its macOS install and updating article and its DNS article. I've kept them in the order that does the least damage first.

Why Discord gets stuck checking for updates

Discord's own pages point to a few causes. A broken or half-finished installation is one. A network setting that stops the updater from reaching Discord is another, and Discord specifically names an update loop as one of the problems a DNS change can help with. Firewalls, proxies and VPNs can also get in the way.

That's useful, because it means the fix is usually a short list of checks, not a mystery.

Quitting Discord completely before you try again

Closing the window isn't enough. Discord warns that stray processes can hide in the system tray or Task Manager, and a leftover process can keep the updater stuck.

1. On Windows, open Task Manager, find every Discord entry and end it. Check the Startup tab too.
2. On a Mac, press Command and Q, then open Activity Monitor and end any Discord processes.
3. Wait about half a minute and open Discord again.

Turning off a proxy or VPN while Discord updates

Discord's update problem list includes disabling any proxy or VPN while installing, and checking your firewall settings. If you use either, switch it off for the update, let Discord finish, then switch it back on.

On a Mac, Discord's connecting-screen help also says to check no proxies are enabled in your network settings, and on Windows to untick the proxy option in the Internet Options LAN settings.

Changing your DNS provider to fix a Discord update loop

This is the step many people miss. Discord says changing your DNS provider is one of the first things it recommends for several service issues, and the list includes being stuck in an update loop. It names Google Public DNS and Cloudflare as the two it typically suggests.

• On Windows, you change DNS in the properties of your active network connection: Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, Change adapter settings, then the connection's Properties.
• On a Mac, open Network in System Preferences, pick your connection, choose Advanced, then the DNS tab.
• On a phone, Discord suggests using the Cloudflare app for ease. It also says you don't have to use Cloudflare's VPN service to take advantage of its free DNS option.

Discord's page says the exact addresses can change over time, so copy them from Google's or Cloudflare's own website rather than from a random post.

Reinstalling Discord on Windows when it won't update

If the quick steps fail, Discord's installer errors article gives a clean reinstall. It deletes local Discord files, so you'll need to log in again afterwards.

1. Close Discord in the system tray and end every Discord process.
2. Press the Windows key and R, type %appdata% and press enter, then delete the Discord folder.
3. Do the same with %localappdata%.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Download and install Discord again from Discord's website.

Discord adds that in some cases you may need to set the Discord application to run as administrator, and try Compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 8 (it says to try both). Make sure every copy of Discord, including a browser tab, is closed first.

Reinstalling Discord on a Mac that never finishes updating

On a Mac the pattern is the same, with different folders. Discord says an endless update or an unexplained install error is often improved by a complete reinstall.

1. Quit Discord with Command and Q and end any Discord processes in Activity Monitor.
2. In Finder, press Shift, Command and G, and go to ~/Library/Application Support. Drag the Discord folder to the Trash.
3. Repeat for /Library/Application Support. Discord says there may not be a Discord folder there, and that's fine.
4. Drag Discord from the Applications folder to the Trash and empty it.
5. Restart your Mac and download Discord again from its website.

If a reinstall doesn't help, Discord suggests the cause may be your network. It describes setting your DNS to Google Public DNS, and, as a further step, renewing your Mac's DHCP lease from the TCP/IP tab in your network's Advanced settings.

Clearing the cache when Discord updates but stays slow

Sometimes Discord does finish updating but then hangs or loads oddly. Clearing local data is a separate job from reinstalling, and my guide to clearing the Discord cache covers each device.

Checking whether the problem is your wider internet connection

If other apps are also struggling, it may not be Discord at all. If video is also buffering, my explainer on why YouTube lags might help you spot a network cause. Then test your speed and try a different network if you can.

When Discord is stuck on updates and nothing works

Discord says to contact its support team if the problem continues after the DNS change and reinstall steps. Tell them your system (Windows or Mac and the version), which steps you've already tried and what the app shows on screen. If you run a community, post a short holding message elsewhere so your members know where to find you meanwhile.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Discord stuck on checking for updates?

Discord's help pages point to a damaged installation, a network setting such as DNS, a proxy or VPN, or a firewall blocking the updater.

Will changing my DNS fix Discord's update loop?

Discord lists being stuck in an update loop among the problems a DNS provider change can help with, and it recommends Google Public DNS and Cloudflare.

Do I lose anything if I reinstall Discord?

Deleting Discord's local folders removes local app data, so you'll log in again. Your servers and account stay with your Discord account.

How do I reinstall Discord on a Mac?

Quit Discord, delete its folders in your Library Application Support locations, move the app to the Trash, restart and download it again.

Should I turn off my VPN when Discord updates?

Yes. Discord's update problem list says to disable proxy or VPN during installation.

What if Discord still won't update?

Contact Discord's support team through its Help Center and tell them your system and the steps you've tried.