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Discord Not Opening – How To Troubleshoot and Fix This

Discord not opening is a common issue that many users face. When you try to launch Discord but it doesn’t open or load, it can be frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try and fix this problem.

Why Is Discord Not Opening?

There can be various reasons why Discord is not launching on your computer:

  • Corrupted App Data: Local cache and data files related to Discord may have become corrupted. This prevents the app from opening properly.
  • Background Apps Interference: Other apps running in the background may interfere with Discord launching.
  • Outdated Windows: If you don’t have the latest Windows updates, incompatibilities can prevent Discord from working.
  • Proxy Connection Issues: If you are connected via a proxy server, connectivity issues may block Discord.
  • Antivirus Blocking: Some antivirus programs mistakenly detect parts of Discord as a threat and block it.

Troubleshooting Steps To Fix Discord Not Opening

Here are the top troubleshooting steps to resolve Discord not launching on your system:

1. Restart Your Computer

The simplest initial step is to restart your PC. This will clear any background processes or temporary glitches that could be preventing Discord from launching properly.

  • Close all open programs and windows.
  • Click the Start menu and select Restart.
  • Wait for your computer to shut down and start back up.
  • Try opening Discord again once restarted.

2. Update Windows

Having the latest Windows updates is important to fix compatibility issues.

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security.
  • Click on Check for updates. Install any available updates.
  • Restart your computer after the updates finish installing.
  • Attempt to open Discord again.

3. End Discord Process in Task Manager

Sometimes Discord may be running in the background without you realizing. Ending the task can help launch it properly again.

  • Press CTRL + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  • Click the Processes tab.
  • Look for any process named Discord under Apps.
  • Select the process and click End task.
  • Start Discord again and see if it now opens.

4. Uninstall and Reinstall Discord

If other troubleshooting steps don’t work, fully removing Discord and installing a fresh copy can resolve launch issues.

  • Open Control Panel > Uninstall a program.
  • Find and uninstall Discord. Click Yes to confirm.
  • Download and install Discord again from the official website.
  • Try running the newly installed Discord.

5. Clear Discord Cache and AppData

Corrupted Discord files can prevent the app from opening correctly. Clearing this data forces a fresh load.

  • Close Discord using Task Manager if running.
  • Open File Explorer > This PC > Local Disk (C:).
  • Navigate to:
  • AppData > Roaming > Discord
  • AppData > Local > Discord
  • Delete the Discord folders you find here.
  • Restart Discord – cached data will be rebuilt.

6. Check Proxy Settings in Windows

Proxies can interfere with Discord’s ability to connect to its servers. Turn off proxy usage in Windows as a test.

  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
  • Toggle Use a proxy server to Off.
  • Try opening Discord – if it now works, you know the proxy was causing issues.

7. Allow Discord Through Your Firewall and Antivirus

Security software can sometimes block legitimate apps like Discord. Add exceptions for Discord.

  • Open your antivirus and firewall settings.
  • Find the option to add exclusions or allowed apps.
  • Add Discord as an allowed/trusted app.
  • Try launching Discord again.

Fix Discord Not Opening Using Safe Mode

If the above steps don’t resolve Discord not launching, you can try booting Windows into Safe Mode. This isolates issues caused by third-party apps and drivers.

Here is how to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode and test Discord:

  1. Close all open apps and windows on your PC.
  2. Click the Start menu and select the Power button > Restart.
  3. As your computer is restarting, hold down the Shift key. Keep holding Shift until you see the Windows startup/boot options.
  4. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Your PC will restart again.
  5. After restarting to the Startup Settings screen:
    • Press 5 or F5 on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode with Networking.
  6. Log into Windows once it finishes restarting in Safe Mode.
  7. Try launching Discord now. If it starts up properly, you know a third-party app or driver in normal mode was interfering.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

A few other things to try if the above steps don’t successfully fix Discord not opening for you:

  • Update your graphics card drivers – display conflicts can prevent apps from launching.
  • Temporarily disable your antivirus – re-enable after testing Discord.
  • Use the Discord web app – helps determine if the overall app is working.
  • Contact Discord support if available in your country for personalized troubleshooting assistance.

I hope this guide gives you several effective troubleshooting steps to resolve Discord not launching or opening on your Windows 10 computer! Let me know in the comments if any of these solutions worked for you or if you have further issues getting Discord to run.

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