How to Fix Discord Not Opening

When Discord doesn’t open, it often gets stuck on a blank screen, freezes at startup, or fails to open despite multiple attempts. This problem usually happens because of corrupted app data, damaged cache files, or conflicts with other apps or processes running in the background.

Other reasons might include an outdated Discord version, wrong system time or date settings, or interference from antivirus or firewall software.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.

1. Task Kill Discord (32 bit) from Task Manager

Sometimes, Discord processes running in the background can stop the app from starting. Ending the “Discord (32 bit)” task in Task Manager stops all background processes completely, allowing a fresh restart of the app. This step helps to remove any issues from stuck processes.

1. Press Windows key + X and select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, go to the Processes tab.
3. Locate discord.exe.
4. Select discord.exe and click End Task.
5. If multiple instances appear, end all discord.exe processes.

2. Run Discord as Administrator

Running Discord as an administrator allows it to access important system resources and avoid limitations set by regular user permissions. This step can fix problems caused by a lack of permissions, especially when Discord needs to work with system files, install updates, or connect with other applications.

1. Right-click the Discord shortcut on your desktop and select “Open File Location” or navigate to the installation folder.

   

2. In the Discord folder, right-click Discord.exe and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check “Run this Program as an Administrator” and click “Apply” to save your changes.

   

5. Click “OK” to close.
6. Check if this fixes the issue with Discord.

3. Log in to Discord via Web

Using the web version of Discord can avoid problems caused by bad app data or cache files. Logging in through a browser refreshes your account and helps you see if the issue is with the desktop app, making it easier to fix.

4. Disable VPN

Some VPNs can disrupt Discord’s connection by using servers that Discord considers suspicious or unsuitable. Turning off the VPN solves this issue, enabling Discord to connect directly and reliably to its servers.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Network > VPN.
   
3. Disable any connected VPN.

5. Adjust the Date/Time on Your PC

Keeping your PC’s date and time accurate is essential for syncing with Discord’s servers. If the system clock is incorrect, it can cause login problems and stop the app from starting or working correctly. Setting the correct date and time helps ensure smooth communication with Discord’s servers and fixes connection errors.

1. Press the “Windows” + “I” keys together.
2. Click on the “Time and Language” option.
3. Switch on the “Set Time Automatically” toggle.
4. Open the Discord app and check if the issue persists.

6. DNS Reset

Resetting your DNS can fix connection problems that stop Discord from opening. This process clears old or corrupt DNS data, making sure the app can connect to Discord servers smoothly and work correctly again.

1. Press the “Windows” + “R” keys together.
2. Type “cmd” and press Enter.

   

3. Enter this command and press Enter:

   ipconfig/flushdns

   

4. Wait for the process to finish, open the Discord application, and check if the issue continues.

7. Uninstall Discord and Delete AppData Contents

Uninstalling Discord and deleting its AppData clears out any bad files or settings causing problems. This way, when you reinstall Discord, it starts fresh with default settings, free from leftover issues.

1. Hold the Windows key and press R.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
   
3. Find the Discord app in the list, select it, and confirm any prompts. Note: If you get a message that Discord can’t be uninstalled because it’s running, follow steps in Method 1 or 2 to end the task, then uninstall it.

   

4. Now the Discord app should be uninstalled.
5. Hold the Windows key and press R.
6. Type %appdata% and press Enter. If it doesn’t open or folders aren’t visible, do this: Hold the Windows key and press E, select View from the top, check Hidden items, and try again.
   
7. Locate the Discord folder, right-click it, and select Delete. Confirm any additional prompts.

   

8. Once done, reboot your computer.

8. Install Discord PTB

Switching to Discord PTB (Public Test Build) can help fix some issues in the regular version. It works separately with its own setup and data files. This lets you use a new version of Discord, without any bad files or settings that might be causing the main app to fail. It’s a good way to find out if the problem is with the current app setup or the system.

1. Download the Discord PTB setup from this link.

   

2. Open the downloaded setup and install Discord PTB.
3. Run the PTB Version, let it update, and use it like the regular Discord.
4. Log in to your account and see if the issue still exists.