If your Discord is stuck in a never-ending “Update Failed, Retrying” loop, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, but there are several ways to fix it. Follow the steps below to get Discord working again.
1. Restart Your Computer
Before trying anything complex, restart your computer from the Start menu. Many Windows users unknowingly have Fast Startup enabled, which means shutting down the PC doesn’t fully reset the system. A restart forces Windows to refresh system processes, which may resolve the issue.
2. Kill the Discord Update Process
If a restart doesn’t work and you need to access Discord immediately, try this:
Open Task Manager (Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager).
Find Discord Update in the Processes tab.
Right-click it and select End Task.
Try launching Discord again.
3. Rename or Remove the Discord Updater
If the problem persists, bypass the updater:
Open File Explorer and type %appdata% in the address bar, then press Enter.
Navigate to Local > Discord.
Find the Update.exe file.
Rename it to something like Update_old.exe or delete it.
Try launching Discord again.
Important Note
Bypassing the updater means Discord won’t update. This is a temporary fix, and you should resolve the root cause.
4. Check for Antivirus Interference
Some antivirus programs block Discord’s updates. This includes third-party software like Avast, Kaspersky, and even Windows Defender. Try the following:
Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall.
Try updating Discord.
If that works, consider uninstalling third-party antivirus software, as Windows Defender is sufficient for most users.
Alternatively, uninstall Discord completely and reinstall it after disabling the antivirus.
5. Ensure Windows is Up to Date
Sometimes, outdated Windows versions lack essential components for Discord updates.
Open Settings (Win + I).
Navigate to Windows Update.
Click Check for Updates and install any available updates.
Restart your PC and try updating Discord again.
Conclusion
If your Discord is stuck in an update loop, try restarting your PC, ending the update process, renaming the updater, disabling antivirus software, or updating Windows. One of these solutions should help you get back into Discord smoothly.