- What clearing the Discord cache does (and doesn't) delete
- Clear the Discord cache on Windows
- Clear the Discord cache on a Mac
- Clear the Discord cache on iPhone and iPad
- Clear the Discord cache on Android
- Clearing the cache for Discord in a web browser
- Discord cache problems clearing usually fixes
- When clearing the Discord cache isn't enough
- Keeping Discord tidy if you run a busy server
- Frequently asked questions
To clear your Discord cache, quit Discord fully, then delete the contents of the Cache folder: %appdata%/discord/Cache on Windows or ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache on a Mac. On Android, use your phone's app storage settings. The detail people miss: closing the window isn't enough, so quit Discord from the system tray first.
Discord quietly stores copies of images, videos, emojis and other bits it has already loaded, so it doesn't have to fetch them again. That's handy until the stored copies go stale or corrupt. Then you get blank windows, pictures that won't load, an app that hogs disk space or one that won't open at all. Clearing the cache is usually the first fix I'd try.
There isn't one big Clear Cache button that works everywhere, so this guide splits the job by device: Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. The folder paths come from Discord's own Troubleshooting Guide.
What clearing the Discord cache does (and doesn't) delete
Your messages, servers, friends and settings belong to your Discord account, not to the cache on your device. Clearing the cache removes the temporary files Discord saved locally, so it'll redownload images and media as you scroll. The app might feel a touch slower for the first few minutes while it rebuilds.
What it won't do is sign you out of other devices or remove anything you've posted. That's the difference between clearing the cache and wiping the whole app, which I cover further down.
Clear the Discord cache on Windows
Discord's Troubleshooting Guide gives the Windows cache location as %appdata%/discord/Cache. Here's how to reach it:
- Quit Discord completely. Closing the window isn't enough, so right-click the Discord icon in the system tray near the clock and choose Quit Discord.
- Press the Windows key and R together to open the Run box.
- Type %appdata%/discord/Cache and press Enter.
- Select everything inside the Cache folder and delete it.
- Empty your Recycle Bin if you want the space back straight away, then open Discord again.
If Windows says a file is in use, Discord is still running in the background. Discord's installer help suggests opening Task Manager and ending every Discord process there, then trying again.
Clear the Discord cache on a Mac
On a Mac, Discord's guide lists the cache folder as ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache.
- Quit Discord from the menu bar, or press Command and Q while it's open.
- Open Finder, choose Go from the top menu, then Go to Folder.
- Paste ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache and press Return.
- Move the contents of the Cache folder to the Bin.
- Empty the Bin, then reopen Discord.
Clear the Discord cache on iPhone and iPad
Discord's Troubleshooting Guide describes a cache option inside the iOS app that's aimed at voice problems:
- Open Discord and tap your avatar to reach your settings.
- Scroll down and tap Voice.
- Scroll to Developer Settings and tap Cache Actions, then Clear Caches.
For a wider clear-out on an iPhone, the reliable route is deleting the app and installing it again from the App Store. You'll need to sign back in afterwards, so make sure you know your password and have your two-factor app to hand first.
Clear the Discord cache on Android
On Android, the cache is managed through your phone's own settings rather than inside Discord. Menus vary by phone maker and Android version, but the usual path looks like this:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Go to Apps, then find and tap Discord.
- Tap Storage, or Storage and cache.
- Tap Clear cache. Avoid Clear storage or Clear data unless you're happy to sign in again, as that wipes the app's local settings and login too.
If you're also short on space because of chat apps, my guide to clearing WhatsApp storage works on the same principle and can free up a lot more.
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Clearing the cache for Discord in a web browser
If you use Discord at discord.com rather than the app, its stored files sit inside your browser, not in the folders above. Every browser words this differently, but the idea is the same: open your browser's privacy or site settings, find the stored data for discord.com and clear it. You'll be signed out of Discord in that browser, so have your login details and two-factor app ready. I'd only clear the data for discord.com rather than your whole browser, which would sign you out of everything else too.
Discord cache problems clearing usually fixes
| What you're seeing | Does clearing the cache help? |
|---|---|
| Images or avatars not loading | Often, because Discord fetches fresh copies |
| App taking up lots of storage | Yes, temporary files are the usual culprit |
| Blank or grey window on launch | Often, and if not, a reinstall comes next |
| Voice cutting out on iPhone | Try the Clear Caches option under Voice |
| Messages missing | No, messages live on your account, not in the cache |
When clearing the Discord cache isn't enough
If the app still misbehaves, Discord's guide suggests checking you're on the latest version and, if needed, reinstalling it from discord.com. On Windows, Discord's installer help goes a step further for stubborn cases:
- Quit Discord from the system tray and end any Discord processes in Task Manager.
- Delete the %AppData%/Discord and %LocalAppData%/Discord folders.
- Restart your computer.
- Download Discord again from discord.com and install it.
That removes everything Discord stored on that computer, including your local settings, so you'll sign in again afterwards. Only download Discord from discord.com or your device's official app store, never from a mirror site.
Keeping Discord tidy if you run a busy server
If you moderate a server packed with images, GIFs and video clips, your cache fills up faster than most people's. I'd clear it every few months, or whenever storage warnings pop up. It's the same habit I'd recommend for any app your business leans on: phone-side slowdowns are often storage problems in disguise, which is something I explain in more detail in my guide to why WhatsApp Business keeps lagging.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clear my Discord cache?
Quit Discord, then delete the contents of the Cache folder: %appdata%/discord/Cache on Windows or ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache on a Mac. On Android, use Settings, Apps, Discord, Storage, Clear cache.
Will clearing the Discord cache delete my messages?
No. Your messages, servers and friends are stored with your account, not in the cache on your device.
Is it safe to clear Discord's cache?
Yes. The cache only holds temporary copies of things Discord has already loaded, and the app rebuilds it as you use it.
How do I clear Discord's cache on iPhone?
Discord's guide describes a Clear Caches option under Voice, then Developer Settings, then Cache Actions. For a full clear-out, delete and reinstall the app.
Why does Discord say a file is in use when I delete the cache?
Discord is still running in the background. Quit it from the system tray or end its processes in Task Manager, then try again.
