8 Ways to Fix Discord Update Failed Error (2025 Guide)

Discord is a critical communication hub for gamers, communities, and professional teams. When you encounter a persistent “Update Failed” error, it often means the installation files are corrupted or security software is blocking the update.

The fixes below are prioritized by effectiveness and ease of use, starting with the simplest way to resolve the issue: force-killing the app and clearing its corrupted local data.

Phase 1: Quick Fixes (The Most Common Solutions)

1. Close and Relaunch with Elevated Permissions

A simple reboot often clears temporary glitches.

• Force Close: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager (Windows). Find all processes named “Discord” or “Discord Updater,” click on them, and select End Task.
• Run as Administrator: Right-click the Discord shortcut and select Run as administrator. This grants the app the necessary permissions to download and install new files in protected system folders.

2. Bypass Corrupted Files (The AppData Flush)

The most frequent cause of the “Update Failed” error is a corrupted update or cache file stored in your system’s AppData folder. Clearing this data forces Discord to download a fresh, clean copy.

1. Close Discord completely (check Task Manager, Step 1).
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type %appdata% and hit Enter. This opens the AppData folder.
4. Find and Delete the entire folder named Discord.
5. Restart the Discord client. It should now perform a fresh, successful update.

3. Check and Rename Update Files

If the updater is stuck on a specific file, renaming the update folder can trick Discord into re-downloading it.

1. Close Discord completely (check Task Manager, Step 1).
2. Press Windows Key + R and type %localappdata% and hit Enter.
3. Find the folder named Discord.
4. Inside the Discord folder, find the folder named Update. Right-click it and Rename it to something like Update.old.
5. Relaunch Discord.

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Phase 2: System and Security Checks

4. Verify Internet Stability and VPN Status

A momentary drop in connection can corrupt the downloaded update package.

• Check Connection: Ensure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is stable by browsing a few demanding websites.
• Disable VPN/Proxy: If you use a VPN or custom proxy server, temporarily disable it. These services often interfere with Discord’s connection to its content delivery network (CDN).

See also: Comparing 6 Free VPN Apps for iOS Devices: A Detailed Analysis

5. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Interference

Windows Defender or third-party antivirus suites can sometimes misidentify the new update file as a threat and block the installation, causing the “Update Failed” error.

• Temporarily Disable: Temporarily disable your antivirus software and the Windows Firewall.
• Run Discord as Administrator (Step 1).
• If the update succeeds, immediately re-enable your antivirus and firewall.

6. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Discord relies on core system files, and corruption here can halt an update.

1. Press Windows Key and search for “CMD.”
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. In the black window, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
4. Allow the scan to complete. This tool checks and repairs critical Windows files.
5. After the scan, restart your PC and try updating Discord again.

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Phase 3: Final Resort

7. Perform a Clean Reinstallation

If the AppData flush (Step 2) fails, a clean reinstall is necessary to remove all traces of the corrupted installation.

1. Uninstall Discord: Go to Windows Settings $\to$ Apps $\to$ Installed apps, find Discord, and click Uninstall.
2. Delete AppData: Manually delete the Discord folders in both %appdata% and %localappdata% (refer to steps 2 and 3).
3. Download and Install: Download the latest installer directly from the official Discord website and run it.

8. Check System Requirements

While Discord is highly compatible, ensure your Windows version is up-to-date and supported.

• Discord officially supports Windows 7 and later, but modern updates are optimized for Windows 10/11. If you are on an older, unsupported version of Windows, the latest Discord updates will likely fail.

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FAQs

Question	Answer
Why is Discord stuck on “downloading update 1 of 1?”	This indicates a problem during the download or verification phase. It is almost always solved by closing Discord and then deleting the AppData cache folder (See Step 2).
Why does Discord keep saying “Update Failed” on Windows 11?	This often points to a conflict with Windows 11’s enhanced security features (like Windows Defender or SmartScreen). Running Discord as an Administrator or temporarily disabling security software (Step 5) usually fixes this.
How long should I wait for Discord to update?	Under normal circumstances with a stable connection, Discord should update in under 30 seconds. If it remains stuck on “Checking for Updates” or “Downloading 1 of 1” for more than two minutes, the process has failed, and you need to apply the fixes above.
Will clearing AppData delete my server settings or messages?	No. Your account, server memberships, messages, and settings are stored on Discord’s servers. Clearing AppData only removes local temporary files and cache.

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