- Joining a Discord server by clicking an invite link
- Joining a Discord server with the plus button on desktop
- Joining a Discord server on your phone
- Finding public Discord servers to join without an invite
- When a Discord server invite says invalid or expired
- Discord servers that make you apply or have invites paused
- The Discord server limit and other reasons you can't join
- What to do after you join a Discord server
- Frequently asked questions
To join a Discord server, click or tap the invite link and accept it, or click the plus button at the bottom of your server list, choose Join a Server and paste the link or code. The thing that trips people up: invites last 7 days by default, so an old link may have simply expired.
Almost every Discord server is reached through one thing: an invite. A course creator drops a link in a welcome email, a podcast host pins one under an episode, a friend pastes one into a text. Once you know how invites behave, joining takes seconds, and when a link refuses to work you'll know why within a minute.
Here I'll cover the three routes Discord's help centre describes: clicking an invite, pasting one into the app, and browsing public servers. Then I'll go through the error messages, the servers that make you apply first, and a few things worth doing once you're inside.
Joining a Discord server by clicking an invite link
If someone has sent you an invite, this is the fastest way in. The link usually starts with discord.gg or discord.com/invite, followed by a short code.
- Click or tap the invite link wherever you received it.
- Discord opens the invite in the app, or in your browser if the app isn't installed.
- If you don't have an account yet, Discord asks you to create one first.
- Check the server name and icon on the invite screen so you know it's the community you expected.
- Accept the invite. The server appears in your server list on the left.
According to Discord's help article, opening a link directly on desktop also lets you adjust a couple of settings, such as your nickname and activity status, before you accept.
Joining a Discord server with the plus button on desktop
Sometimes the link arrives somewhere you can't click, like a slide in a webinar or a printed handout. In that case, paste or type it into the app:
- Open Discord on your computer or in a browser.
- Scroll to the bottom of the server list on the far left and click the plus button.
- Choose Join a Server.
- Paste the full link or just the invite code into the box.
- Click Join Server.
Joining a Discord server on your phone
The mobile app works the same way, just with taps:
- Tap the invite link if you have one, and Discord opens it for you.
- Or open the Discord app, find the plus button in the server list and tap it.
- Tap Join a Server.
- Enter the invite link or the code at the end of it.
- Accept the invite to finish.
Menus vary by app version, so if the plus button is in a slightly different spot, look for the option to add or join a server in the server list.
Finding public Discord servers to join without an invite
Not every server needs a personal invite. Discord has a Discover area for public communities, and its help pages describe how it works:
- Click the Discover option at the bottom of the server list on desktop.
- Browse the categories, or search by topic if the search option shows for you. Discord's newer help article says search in this area may only be on desktop for now.
- Click a server to preview its public channels before you commit.
- When you're happy, press Join at the top of the screen.
Discord's Server Discovery article says only Community servers appear there, so a small private group won't show up, however hard you search. For those, you'll always need an invite from someone inside.
When a Discord server invite says invalid or expired
This is the problem I hear about most. Discord's Invalid Invite Links article explains what each message means:
| Message you see | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Unknown or Expired | The link has lapsed. Ask the server for a fresh invite. |
| Invalid | The code may be wrong or cut short. Codes are case sensitive, so check every letter. |
| Banned | The server has banned you. Only that server's admins can lift it. |
Expiry catches people out because of the default. Discord's main invites help article says invite links last 7 days unless whoever creates them changes it, and they can also limit how many times a link can be used. So a link from an old newsletter or a social post may simply have run out. If you're the one sending invites to your customers or community, set a longer expiry and no use limit before you publish it anywhere permanent.
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Discord servers that make you apply or have invites paused
Two server settings can stop you joining even with a working link:
- Apply to Join: some servers ask you to answer a few questions first. Discord's help says administrators must review and approve each application before you can join, so you'll wait until someone approves it.
- Paused invites: admins can pause invites, often during a spam wave. Nobody can join until they switch invites back on, so try again later or message the person who invited you.
The Discord server limit and other reasons you can't join
Discord's help article says you can join or create up to 100 servers. Nitro raises that to 200. If you've hit the cap, you'll need to leave a server you no longer use before joining another. A few other checks:
- Make sure you're logged in to the account you meant to use, especially if you share a device.
- Copy the whole link, with nothing missing at the end.
- Update the Discord app, then try again.
- If you're under the age Discord or the server requires, some servers won't let you in.
What to do after you join a Discord server
Once you're in, a few minutes of setup makes a busy server much more pleasant, especially if you joined for a course, a membership or a brand community:
- Read the rules or welcome channel. Many servers ask you to react to a message or pick roles before more channels appear.
- Change your nickname for that server if you'd like to be recognised, for example by your business name.
- Adjust notifications for the server so you're not pinged by every message.
- Introduce yourself in the channel the admins suggest.
Many communities run alongside other chat apps. If your group also talks on WhatsApp, my guide to finding someone on WhatsApp helps you connect there too, and if the organiser is easier to reach on Facebook, here's how to find someone on Messenger.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a Discord server with a code?
Click the plus button at the bottom of your server list, choose Join a Server, type or paste the code and click Join Server. On mobile, tap the plus button and enter the code the same way.
Why does my Discord invite say invalid?
The code may be mistyped or incomplete, and invite codes are case sensitive. If it says expired instead, the link has lapsed and you'll need a new one from the server.
Can I join a Discord server without an invite?
Yes, if the server is a public Community server listed in Discover. Open Discover at the bottom of the server list, browse or search, preview a server and press Join.
How many Discord servers can I join?
Discord's help says up to 100 servers, or 200 with Nitro. Leave one you don't use if you've hit the limit.
How long does a Discord invite last?
By default, 7 days. Whoever creates the invite can change how long it lasts and how many times it can be used.
