Discord Stuck on Starting: Causes and Fixes (Windows, Mac)
Discord stuck on starting? End every Discord process, check its status, then delete both Discord folders and reinstall. Fixes for Windows, Mac, phone.
Published October 18, 2026
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If Discord is stuck on "Starting", fully quit it from Task Manager or Activity Monitor, check Discord's status page, then reopen it. If it still hangs, delete Discord's two data folders and reinstall. Try them in that order, from least to most work.
Discord's help pages tie install and update problems to stray processes, damaged installs, security software and network settings. Use the table to pick the fix that matches your system, then follow the steps below it.
Why Discord gets stuck on starting
Discord stuck on starting usually traces to a stray Discord process, a corrupt install, antivirus or network settings, or a Discord outage. The table lists each cause with Discord's fix.
| Cause | Fix | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Discord is down | Check the status page and wait | Discord troubleshooting guide |
| A hidden Discord process is still running | End every Discord process, wait 30 seconds, reopen | Discord troubleshooting guide |
| Corrupt or half-updated install (Windows) | Delete both Discord folders and reinstall | Windows corrupt installation |
| Installer fails (Windows) | Run the installer as administrator, turn antivirus off during installation | Discord troubleshooting guide |
| Endless update (Mac) | Delete the Discord folders, reinstall, then try Google Public DNS | macOS install and updating errors |
| App crashes on a phone | Update the OS, free storage, reinstall from the official store | Mobile crashing and installation |
Fix Discord stuck on starting on Windows
Start by quitting Discord completely. Discord says stray processes can hide in the system tray or Task Manager, so check both and end every Discord entry. If the loading window comes back, do a clean reinstall.
Discord's own steps for a corrupt installation:
- Close Discord in the system tray and end all Discord processes in Task Manager.
- Press Start + R, type
%appdata%, press Enter, and delete the Discord folder. - Press Start + R again, type
%localappdata%, press Enter, and delete the Discord folder there too. - Restart your PC.
- Download Discord again from Discord's site and install it.
Delete both folders, not just one. If Windows says a file is still in use, end every Discord entry in Task Manager, including the one in the Startup tab, and try again.
If the new install still hangs, Discord says to set the app (the newest version folder inside %LocalAppData%/Discord) to run as administrator and set Compatibility to Windows 7 or 8, trying both. For installer failures, its troubleshooting guide also lists running the installer as administrator and turning antivirus off temporarily during installation.
If Discord opens but freezes on its loading screen, the guide suggests clearing the cache, running Discord as administrator and disabling hardware acceleration in User Settings, Advanced.
Fix Discord stuck on starting on Mac
Discord's macOS page describes an endless update as a sign of a failed install or update, and its fix is a full reinstall. Quit Discord with Command+Q, end any leftover Discord entries in Activity Monitor, remove the Discord folders, and reinstall.
From Discord's macOS page:
- Quit Discord and end every Discord process in Activity Monitor.
- In Finder, press Shift+Command+G and delete the Discord folder in
~/Library/Application Support. Do the same in/Library/Application Supportif a Discord folder is there. - Drag Discord from Applications to the Trash and empty it.
- Restart the Mac and download Discord again.
If a clean install still loops, the page points at your network. It recommends setting your DNS to Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, plus two IPv6 addresses) in Network settings, and if that fails, using Renew DHCP Lease on the TCP/IP tab. The page uses the older "System Preferences" wording, so on a recent macOS look under System Settings, Network.
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Discord stuck on starting on a phone
Discord's mobile guide suggests restarting the phone, installing the latest OS update, and getting the app only from Google Play or the Apple App Store, since it is not offered anywhere else.
Then check free storage and try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. On Android only, the guide has you clear cache and data for the Google Play Store app, which means signing in to your Google account again. It also lists turning off automatic playback of GIFs, animated emoji and stickers under Settings, Accessibility.
When it still will not start
If a clean reinstall fails, send Discord a request at dis.gd/contact, which the Windows and Mac pages name as the next step. Include your operating system, any error text and what you already tried; Discord's troubleshooting guide asks for screenshots, error messages, steps to reproduce and system specifications when you report a problem. Meanwhile you can use Discord in a browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Discord in a browser while the app will not start?
Yes. Sign in to Discord in a browser and you can use your account without the desktop app. Some features can behave differently from the app, and Discord's troubleshooting guide suggests trying a different browser if the web version misbehaves. It is also a useful check: if the web version works, the problem is with the installed app, not your account.
How do I clear Discord's cache?
Close Discord fully, then clear the Cache folder. Discord's troubleshooting guide lists %appdata%/discord/Cache on Windows and ~/Library/Application Support/discord/Cache on Mac. It lists clearing the cache among its fixes for loading-screen freezes, and it is lighter than a full reinstall, so try it before deleting the Discord folders.
What are Discord's system requirements?
Discord's troubleshooting guide lists Windows 10 or newer, macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer, and 4 GB of RAM recommended. Its older macOS page still says 10.11 and up, so go by the newer guide. Below those versions, check Discord's requirements before reinstalling again.
Do I lose anything by deleting the Discord folders?
You remove Discord's app files and local data on that computer, so expect to sign in again after reinstalling. Discord's troubleshooting guide advises backing up your Discord settings and data before trying installation fixes, so note down any settings you changed.
Sources
- Discord Support, Discord Troubleshooting Guide
- Discord Support, Windows corrupt installation
- Discord Support, Windows installer errors
- Discord Support, macOS install and updating errors
- Discord Support, Troubleshooting mobile crashing and installation issues
- Discord, Discord Status
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