Discord Update Failed Loop? 14 Fixes (That Actually Work)

Are you stuck staring at a grey window because of the Discord Update Failed Loop error? It is a huge headache. You just want to launch the app and talk to your gaming group, but the timer keeps restarting. Most basic tips online tell you to reboot your router. Sadly, that almost never fixes the problem.

We spent time testing real answers from the community to find out what actually stops this endless cycle. Below, we list 14 proven steps that force the app to load properly. We included everything from a quick folder trick to a deep network reset. Just follow these easy instructions, and you will be back in your voice channels in no time at all.

Why Are You Stuck in the Loop?

Discord runs a quick check for new updates each time you click the icon. Usually, this happens in a flash, and you are ready to chat. But when you see that timer stuck on a loop, one of these three things is almost always at fault:

• Your connection is blocked: Maybe your computer isn’t talking to Discord properly. If your network settings are acting up, a hidden proxy is running, or Discord’s main servers are having a bad day, the app won’t be able to fetch the new files.
• Your security is too strict: Apps like Windows Defender or Kaspersky are built to be suspicious. Sometimes they get a little too overprotective and shut down the update because they mistakenly mark it as a dangerous file.
• The app data is mangled: Discord hangs onto a bunch of small, temporary files to help it boot up quickly. If these files get scratched or jumbled, the updater gets totally lost. It doesn’t know what to do, so it just wipes the attempt and restarts the timer over and over.

We know exactly what is causing the headache, so let’s get your app fixed.

Part 1: The Fast Detours (Standard Fixes)

Work through these steps in order. These are the fastest, easiest detours to get you back online.

Step 1: Check the Discord Server Status:

The Pre-Flight Check.

If Discord’s main servers are down, no amount of local file deletion will fix the loop. You must check this before touching any system files.

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to discordstatus.com.
3. Look at the API status. If there is a major red spike or a note saying “API Outage,” you just have to wait.
4. If all systems are green, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: The 2GB ‘Delta Package’ Rule:

The Storage Check.

You might think Discord is a small app, so it does not need much space. But, Discord updates download as squeezed files called “delta packages.”

To open these files, Discord actually needs up to 2 GB of free space on your C:\ drive for a little while. If your hard drive is totally full, the update just stops without telling you why, and this starts the endless loop.

The Fix: Open File Explorer, look at your C:\ drive, and delete some big files or old downloads. Just make sure you have at least 2 GB of free space before you try to open Discord again.

Step 3: Switch to Discord Canary or PTB

(Temporary Bypass)

Gamers are usually in a hurry to join a game or voice call. If you do not have time to fix the problem right now, this is your 60-second rescue.

Discord offers official test versions called Discord PTB (Public Test Build) and Discord Canary. Because these versions save into totally different folders on your computer, they completely ignore any broken files stuck in your normal Discord folder.

1. Go to the official Discord download page.
2. Scroll down and download Public Test Build or Canary.
3. Install it and log in. This will get you into your voice chat right away, and you can fix your main app later.

Step 4: The App Version Bypass Trick:

The Updater Shortcut.

When the main update screen is stuck in a loop, the actual Discord app file is usually sitting safely inside a hidden folder. This trick completely skips the broken updater.

1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
2. Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
3. Scroll down and open the Discord folder.
4. Look for a folder with the highest version number (like app-1.0.9172) and open it.
5. Find the Discord.exe file inside this folder and double-click it.

This opens the app directly and totally ignores the update loop.

Step 5: Rename the Update.exe File:

The Name Trick.

If the update file is broken, it will just keep failing. By changing the file’s name, Discord will think the updater is missing. It will then download a brand new, working file right from the internet.

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
3. Open the Discord folder.
4. Find the file named Update.exe.
5. Right-click it, choose Rename, and change it to UpdateX.exe.
6. Open Discord normally.

Step 6: Toggle Administrator Permissions Settings

Running a program as an Administrator lets it change files on your PC. But, many users on Reddit say that running Discord as an Admin is actually what started their endless loop.

The Fix is a simple switch:

• If you normally just click Discord to open it: Right-click the Discord icon and choose Run as administrator.
• If you already set Discord to always run as Admin: Right-click the icon, go to Properties > Compatibility tab, and uncheck the box that says “Run this program as an administrator”.

Step 7: Clear the AppData Cache (Windows & Mac):

The ‘Squirrel.exe’ File Lock.

Corrupted temporary files are a massive cause of infinite loading screens. However, Discord’s updater framework is actually called Squirrel. Even if Discord is closed, background processes named Update.exe or Squirrel.exe often keep the files “locked”. If you try to delete the folder while these run, Windows throws a frustrating “Folder in use” error.

For Windows Users:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Details tab.
3. Find and right-click Squirrel.exe, Update.exe, and Discord.exe, then select End Task to force-quit them.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
2. Find the discord folder, right-click it, and select Delete.
3. Press Windows Key + R again, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter.
4. Find the Discord folder here, right-click, and select Delete.

For Mac Users:

Big tech blogs often forget about Mac! To clear your Discord cache on an Apple computer, open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and type ~/Library/Application Support/discord/. Delete this folder to get the exact same fresh start.

Note: Doing this will sign you out of Discord. You will need your email and password to log back in.

Part 2: Advanced Solutions (When Standard Fixes Fail)

If you have tried the basic fixes above and the update is still stuck, your problem might be a little deeper. Here are the tested ways to fix a stubborn Discord Update Failed Loop that just will not stop.

Step 8: Temporarily Turn Off Antivirus:

The Security Check.

Sometimes, strong antivirus programs think a safe Discord update is a bad file. Many Reddit users say that the update loop happens because programs like Kaspersky or Windows Defender are quietly blocking the connection.

1. Open your Antivirus program.
2. Find the option to Pause Protection or turn off Real-Time Scanning.
3. Open Discord and let it finish updating.
4. Important: As soon as Discord opens and works, turn your Antivirus back on right away!

Step 9: The Google DNS Switch & Flush:

The Full Network Reset.

Sometimes, the internet connection your service provider gives you is blocking Discord’s update server. Just refreshing your current connection will not help if the server itself is the problem. You need to switch to a better server before you refresh.

1. Press the Windows Key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open your Network Connections.
2. Right-click the internet connection you are using (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose Properties.
3. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
4. Select the circle that says “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
5. In the top box (Preferred), type 8.8.8.8. In the bottom box (Alternate), type 8.8.4.4. (These are Google’s safe public servers). Click OK.

1. Now, click the Windows Start menu, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator.
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns into the black box and press Enter.

Step 10: Disable Windows Proxy Server Settings

Sometimes Windows proxy settings silently intercept the update ping from Discord. Turning this off allows a direct connection.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run command.
2. Type inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter.
3. Go to the Connections tab at the top.
4. Click the LAN settings button near the bottom.
5. Uncheck the box that says Use a proxy server for your LAN.
6. Click OK, then open Discord.

Step 11: Run the Discord Updater in Windows Safe Mode

When standard file deletions fail, booting into Safe Mode stops any hidden background apps from interfering with Discord.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Boot tab.
3. Check the box for Safe boot and select the Network circle below it.
4. Click OK and restart your PC.
5. Once in Safe Mode, open Discord. It will likely fail to update (this is normal).
6. Open msconfig again, uncheck Safe boot, restart your PC normally, and the loop will magically be broken.

Step 12: Resolve TLS Protocol Conflicts:

Advanced Network Fix.

This is a massive hidden cause that top blogs miss entirely. Discord requires modern security protocols to connect to its servers. If Windows has deactivated certain cryptographic protocols, the update will loop silently.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Scroll down the long list until you see the Security section.
4. Ensure the boxes for Use TLS 1.2 and Use TLS 1.3 are heavily checked. (This solves the loop for users on older Windows profiles or strict enterprise networks).
5. Click Apply, then OK, and restart Discord.

Step 13: Run a Fresh Setup File Over Your Existing Install

If all else fails, don’t jump to a full uninstall just yet. The Reddit community highly recommends a “Dirty Install.” This forces the updater to overwrite the broken loop while keeping you logged in.

1. Do not uninstall your current broken Discord.
2. Go to the official Discord website in your browser.
3. Download the fresh Discord setup file.
4. Run the installer right over your broken version. It will usually patch the missing files without wiping your settings.

Step 14: The Clean Reinstall:

The Fresh Start.

If you have tried all 13 steps above and you are still stranded, the entire application file structure is too corrupted. You need a full clean start.

1. Open the Windows Start menu, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.
2. Click Uninstall a program.
3. Find Discord, right-click, and select Uninstall.
4. Repeat Step 7 of this guide (Delete the %appdata% and %localappdata% Discord folders) to remove leftover junk.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Go to the official Discord website, download the fresh installer, and run it.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Not sure which path to take based on your specific system? Use this interactive diagnostic flowchart to pinpoint exactly which fix your system needs based on the exact errors you are seeing.

Real User Evidence & Tips

Instead of guessing what works, we looked at tips from real users who fixed this problem:

• The App Bypass is Best: Most people on the Discord Reddit page agree that going straight to the %localappdata%/Discord/app-1.0.xxx folder is the fastest way to skip the Discord Update Failed Loop completely.
• Antivirus Blocks: Many online chats show that strict antivirus programs quietly stop the update from finishing. Always check your antivirus quarantine folder to see if it blocked a Discord file.
• School or Work Wi-Fi Problems: If you are using a school, work, or restricted home internet network, changing your DNS (Step 9) works very well. These specific networks often block the web links Discord uses to download updates.

How to Stop This From Happening Again

Fixing the loop is great, but preventing it from ruining your next gaming session is even better. Here is how to keep your Discord travel itinerary smooth for the long term:

• Allowlist Discord: Go into your Antivirus or Firewall settings and add Discord to your “Exclusions” or “Allowed Apps” list. This stops the security software from scanning and blocking the update packets in the future.
• Don’t Force Quit: When you shut down your PC, let Discord close naturally. Ripping the power cord out while Discord is quietly writing a cache file is the fastest way to corrupt your data.

By following this guide, you should be out of the loop and back in your voice channels. If you found this guide helpful in solving your software roadblocks, bookmark this page for your next digital expedition!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my Discord keep saying update failed?

This usually means Discord does not have permission to change files on your computer. Windows might be blocking it. Other common causes include a full hard drive, a strict antivirus program, or corrupted cache files left over from older updates.

How to fix Discord infinite loop?

The easiest way is to skip the broken updater completely. Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and find the Discord folder. Delete the Update.exe file inside. You can also just open the folder named app- (followed by some numbers) and double-click the Discord app inside it to launch it directly. If that fails, try starting your PC in Safe Mode.

Why won’t Discord update end?

Discord uses a hidden program called Squirrel to download and apply updates. Sometimes, another app on your computer locks the old Discord files in place. When this happens, Squirrel cannot replace them with the new files. It will not give you an error message. It just fails, deletes the downloaded file, and tries again in an endless loop.

How do I force Discord to update?

Look at the bottom right corner of your screen near the clock. Right-click the small Discord icon and click Check for Updates. If the Discord window is already open on your screen, you can press Ctrl + R (Cmd + R on Mac). This refreshes the app and forces it to look for patches. If the screen is completely frozen, close Discord using Task Manager and open it again.

How to fix Discord installation has failed?

This happens when leftover files from an old Discord install block the new one. You need to delete those old files first to get a clean slate.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%, and delete the discord folder.
2. Do the exact same thing for %localappdata%.
3. Right-click the new DiscordSetup.exe file you downloaded and select Run as administrator.

If the installer still crashes after doing this, you might need to download the latest Microsoft .NET Framework or run the installer while your PC is in Safe Mode.

About the Author: As the publisher behind buzbusiness.com, I don’t just rewrite manuals—I spend my time researching, testing, and fact-checking complex technical bugs. With a deep background in troubleshooting software errors—from fixing endless update loops to resolving stubborn game client crashes—I focus on finding real, verified solutions to the internet’s most frustrating roadblocks.