Discord Not Loading or Stuck at Loading? Try this!

Discord can get stuck on the loading screen due to several reasons such as a weak internet connection, corrupted cache, or interferences from proxies, VPNs, or strict antivirus and firewall settings. An outdated app version might also cause problems if updates are blocked.

Additionally, while Discord typically updates automatically, third-party tools like antivirus, firewalls, or optimization programs might disrupt the update process. Now, let’s troubleshoot these issues step by step.

Quick Fixes:

• Check Discord Server Status: Before trying multiple steps, confirm Discord’s server status to rule out server issues. I’ll provide the link in the description—check it out. Sometimes, maintenance or back-end issues cause the problem, and you might end up looking for a solution to an error that doesn’t even exist.
• Restart Your Computer and Router: If the server is working fine, the next step is to restart your PC and router together. This clears the cache and temporary files from RAM and virtual memory, which often resolves the issue, as corrupted cache files can cause problems.

1. Reset Network Configuration

Resetting network configuration helps resolve common internet issues like slow speeds or DNS-related problems. By releasing and renewing the IP address, clearing the DNS cache, and re-registering DNS entries, your system refreshes its network settings. This process can fix conflicts or outdated settings that may be causing connectivity issues.

1. Close Discord by right-clicking on the taskbar.
   
2. Click the Windows Start button and type CMD > Run as Administrator.
   
3. Apply the following commands in Command Prompt (As Administrator):
   

   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /registerdns

   

3. Clear Corrupted Cache or Cookies

One effective way to fix Discord getting stuck on loading is by clearing the cache. This removes temporary files causing issues. Let’s clear the cache for both Web Discord and the Discord app, step by step.

Clearing Web Discord Cache and Cookies:

1. Launch the browser you use for Discord, such as Google Chrome.
   
2. Click on the three vertical dots menu “⋮” in the top-right corner of the browser window.
   
3. Click on “Delete browsing data…” in the drop-down menu.
   
4. Select a time range when the issue with Discord started occurring. Remember that this will erase all your data such as login information on different websites.

Select “All time” as the time range and choose all options to delete browsing history, cache, cookies, and temporary files. This clears corrupted data and can fix issues with Web Discord not loading properly.

Clearing Discord App Cache on Windows:

1. Right-click on the Discord icon in the taskbar or tray icon and select “Quit Discord”
   
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the run command dialog box and type the following command, then press Enter.

   %appdata%/discord

   

3. In the Discord Folder, locate and delete the following folders:"Cache", "Code Cache","gpu_cache".
4. Open Discord again to let it create new cache files.

4. Remove Proxy or VPN Configuration on Windows

VPNs or proxies can disrupt Discord by altering your connection. Check your network and internet settings for any proxy or VPN setups, and remove them to restore default settings.

1. Open Windows Settings > Network and Internet.
   
2. Under “Network status,” click on the network (Ethernet/Wi-Fi) properties.
   
3. For LAN settings, click on the Windows Start Button, type “Internet Options,” and open it.
   
4. In the new window “Internet Properties” click on connections.
   
5. To remove any “Dial-up and Virtual Private Network Settings” if available, choose and click on remove.
   A new prompt will pop-up; click on OK.
6. Now in the “Local Area Network (LAN) settings” click on LAN settings.
   
7. Uncheck all tick-boxes except “Automatically detect settings,” and click on OK.
   This ensures you’re not using any proxy and your PC is operating with the default internet settings.

5. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Firewalls or antivirus programs can sometimes block Discord, especially third-party ones. It’s advisable to use Windows Defender, as third-party tools can slow down your PC, especially for gamers, unless you’re an expert. Try temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus to see if it fixes the issue.

Note: Don’t forget to re-enable your Firewall and Antivirus for your security and privacy.

1. Press the Windows key and type “Windows Security” to open the Windows Security Settings.
   
2. In the Windows Security menu, click on “Firewall & Network Protection.”
   
3. Click on “Allow an app through firewall.”
   
4. Click on “Change Settings” to enable modifications.
   
5. Scroll through the list to find “Discord.” Ensure both “Private” and “Public” checkboxes are ticked.
   If Discord is not listed, click on “Allow Another App” and add Discord manually—destination is mentioned below; you can copy-paste.

C:\Users\Xplody\AppData\Local\Discord\

Find the discord.exe file, choose it, and click on open as mentioned in the image.

Check Third-Party Antivirus Settings

Images may be different from what you have. We’re highlighting Windows Defender settings, but if you’re using any other third-party antivirus like Avast, Kaspersky, or others, find the same settings and apply them:

1. Open your third-party antivirus software and navigate to the settings or firewall section.
   
2. Look for an option to manage exceptions or exclusions.
   
3. Add “Discord” to the list of allowed or trusted applications.
   
4. Save your changes and restart your computer.
   

Switch to Windows Defender

If you are using a third-party antivirus, consider switching to Windows Defender for a simpler setup.

1. Open Windows Security and go to “Virus & Threat Protection,” and ensure Windows Defender is active.
   
2. Now open the Control Panel by clicking on the Windows Start Button and typing “Control Panel” > Uninstall Programs.
   
3. Find the Third-Party Antivirus, Right-click on it and uninstall it.
   Follow the screen prompt to properly uninstall it.

After making these changes, launch Discord to see if the connection issue is resolved.

6. Reinstall Discord App (or Update Browser)

If the issue is with the Discord application, completely uninstall the app from your system, then download the latest version from the official website and reinstall it. Many users have reported this method resolves the problem for them.

Updating Your Browser

1. Launch the browser you use for Discord (e.g., Chrome).
2. Click on the three vertical dots “⋮” (Menu) in the top-right corner > Help > About Google Chrome.
   
3. In “About Chrome” (or the equivalent in your browser), check for updates.
   
4. If an update is available, it will automatically update your browser or follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Reinstalling the Discord Desktop App

First, we will uninstall Discord using the built-in uninstall feature to remove Discord. Windows’ built-in features are straightforward and often sufficient for removing applications.

1. Open the Control Panel from the Start Menu.
   
2. Navigate to Programs and then Programs and Features.
   
3. Find and select Discord from the list of installed programs.
   
4. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove Discord from your computer.

Re-download and Install Discord

1. Now go to the official Discord downloading page.
   
2. Click on the download button for your operating system.
   
3. Once downloaded, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Discord.

7. Fix DNS Problems

Sometimes default DNS providers can also be unreliable, causing slow responses or failing to connect. Additionally, custom DNS settings with filters or security features might accidentally block Discord. Switching to Google’s DNS or another reliable option can help fix these issues.

1. Open the Windows Settings by clicking on the Windows icon.
   
2. Once in the Windows menu, find the Network and Internet Settings.
   
3. Click on Change Adapter Options; it will pop up a new window of Network Connections.
   
4. Choose the Network Adapter that you’re using, e.g., Ethernet for LAN users, and WiFi or other device users may see a WiFi Adapter.
   
5. Right click > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
   
6. Double click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and find the option Use the following DNS server addresses:
   
   
7. Check the option “Use the following DNS server addresses:” and enter the Preferred DNS Server and Alternate DNS Server values provided below. This step ensures your system uses the specified DNS servers for better reliability and connectivity.
8. Restart your PC and launch the Discord to see if the problem is resolved or not.

8. Use a Free DNS Service (Cloudflare Warp Tool)

If the issue persists, your ISP’s assigned IP address might be flagged temporarily. In that case, try using a free VPN like Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 tool—it’s fast and well-optimized.

1. Visit Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 Tool.
   
2. Click on the download button for your operating system (Windows, Mac, etc).
   

Install and Configure the VPN

1. Once downloaded, double-click on the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the Cloudflare Warp Tool.
   
2. Launch the 1.1.1.1 tool and toggle the switch to activate the VPN from the tray icon.
   
3. Launch the Discord App.
4. Verify if the loading issues are resolved while using the VPN.

9. Contact Your ISP (Internet Service Provider)

If the issue persists after trying everything, contact your ISP. Let them know you’ve tested with and without a VPN, cleared the cache, flushed DNS, renewed the IP, and reinstalled Discord. Ask them to check for blocks on Discord, refresh your connection, or move you to a server that works with Discord. This should fix the problem.