How to Fix a Discord Update Failed Loop

Running into a never-ending “Update Failed” loop on Discord? You’re not alone. This issue usually pops up when Discord can’t download or install an update correctly. The good news? It’s fixable. Here’s a no-fluff guide to get Discord running again fast.

1. Close Discord Completely

Sometimes Discord stays running in the background and interferes with updates.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Find all processes named Discord.exe.
• Right-click and choose End Task.

2. Run Discord as Administrator

This gives Discord the permissions it needs to complete the update.

• Right-click the Discord shortcut.
• Select Run as Administrator.
• If the update completes, you’re good to go.

3. Clear the Discord AppData Folder

Corrupted cache or leftover files often cause update loops.

• Press Win + R, type %appdata%, and hit Enter.
• Find the Discord folder and delete it.
• Repeat the process with %localappdata% and delete the Discord folder there too.

Then, try launching Discord again.

4. Check Your Internet & Firewall

A weak connection or firewall blocking Discord’s update server could be the culprit.

• Restart your router or switch to a more stable connection.
• Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and relaunch Discord.
• If that works, add Discord to the exception list of your security software.

5. Reinstall Discord (The Clean Way)

If all else fails, a clean reinstall usually solves it.

• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program and remove Discord.
• Delete both %appdata%\Discord and %localappdata%\Discord folders again.
• Download the latest installer from the official Discord website.
• Install it fresh.

6. Bonus Fix: Use the Discord PTB or Canary Versions

If the main app won’t update, try the Public Test Build (PTB) or Canary versions of Discord. These are alternate versions with the same features, just on different update channels.

• Download PTB
• Download Canary

Final Thoughts

The Discord update loop is annoying, but it’s usually a quick fix with the right steps. Try each solution in order, and one of them should get you back online. Still stuck? Leave a comment below with your setup details and we’ll help troubleshoot.