Resolving the Discord Update Failed Error [Latest Solutions]

Discord is one of the most popular communication platforms for gamers and communities, offering voice, video, and text chat services. However, sometimes users encounter the frustrating “Update Failed” error when trying to update Discord. This issue can be caused by various factors, including network problems, corrupted files, or conflicts with other software. In this guide, we’ll walk you through several methods to troubleshoot and fix the Discord update failed error effectively.

1. Restart Discord and Your Computer

The simplest and often most effective solution is to restart both Discord and your computer. This can resolve temporary glitches that may be preventing the update from completing.

Steps:

1. Close Discord Completely:
   • Right-click on the Discord icon in the system tray and select Quit Discord.
   • Ensure that Discord is not running in the background by checking the Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Restart Your Computer:
   • Click on the Start menu, select the Power icon, and choose Restart.
3. Reopen Discord:
   • Once your computer has restarted, open Discord and see if the update completes successfully.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is essential for downloading and installing updates. Ensure your connection is stable and not experiencing any interruptions.

Steps:

1. Test Your Internet Connection:
   • Open a web browser and try visiting a few websites to ensure your internet is working.
2. Restart Your Router:
   • Unplug your router, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
   • Allow the router to fully restart and reconnect to the internet.
3. Switch to a Wired Connection:
   • If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable update process.

3. Run Discord as Administrator

Running Discord with administrator privileges can sometimes bypass issues related to file permissions, which may be causing the update to fail.

Steps:

1. Locate the Discord Shortcut:
   • Find the Discord shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
2. Run as Administrator:
   • Right-click on the Discord shortcut and select Run as administrator.
   • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant permission.
3. Attempt the Update Again:
   • Once Discord is running as an administrator, try updating the app again.

4. Delete the Discord Update Files

Corrupted update files can prevent Discord from updating properly. Deleting these files forces Discord to download fresh ones, potentially resolving the issue.

Steps:

1. Close Discord:
   • Right-click on the Discord icon in the system tray and select Quit Discord.
2. Delete the Update Files:
   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
   • Navigate to the Discord folder and delete the Update.exe file.
3. Reopen Discord:
   • Open Discord again, and it should attempt to update itself with fresh files.

5. Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

Sometimes, your antivirus or firewall settings might block Discord from updating. Temporarily disabling them can help determine if they are the cause of the issue.

Steps:

1. Disable Antivirus:
   • Open your antivirus software and look for an option to temporarily disable protection.
   • Choose to disable it for a few minutes while you attempt the update.
2. Disable Firewall:
   • Press Win + I to open Settings.
   • Go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
   • Select your active network and toggle Windows Defender Firewall to Off.
3. Attempt the Update Again:
   • Try updating Discord once more while these protections are disabled.
4. Re-enable Antivirus and Firewall:
   • Remember to turn your antivirus and firewall back on after the update.

6. Reinstall Discord

If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling Discord can resolve any underlying issues with the app that may be causing the update to fail.

Steps:

1. Uninstall Discord:
   • Press Win + I to open Settings.
   • Go to Apps > Apps & features.
   • Find Discord in the list, click on it, and select Uninstall.
2. Delete Discord Folders:
   • After uninstalling, press Win + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
   • Delete the Discord folder.
   • Repeat the process with %localappdata% and delete the Discord folder there as well.
3. Download and Install the Latest Version:
   • Visit the official Discord website and download the latest version of Discord.
   • Install the app and log in to your account.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Discord Update Failed” error and ensure that the app updates correctly. Whether it’s running the app as an administrator, deleting corrupted update files, or reinstalling Discord entirely, these methods provide a comprehensive approach to resolving the issue. Regularly checking your internet connection and ensuring that your antivirus software isn’t blocking updates can also help prevent this error in the future.