Discord Not Opening: Here’s How to Fix it Easily

Are you a gamer who loves to chat with friends while playing? If so, you’re probably familiar with Discord, the popular voice and text chat application. However, there may be times when you encounter the frustrating issue of Discord not opening. Don’t worry, though! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various troubleshooting techniques to help you fix the Discord won’t open error on Windows 10.

Why is Discord Not Opening?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s explore some of the common reasons why Discord may refuse to open:

1. Discord is being blocked by another program, such as antivirus software.
2. Discord’s servers are experiencing temporary outages.
3. Another game is running on your device, causing conflicts with Discord.
4. Discord files are corrupt, damaged, or missing.
5. Windows-related issues, such as insufficient hardware space or an overloaded CPU.

Now that we have a better understanding of the potential causes, let’s explore the solutions to get Discord up and running again.

Solution 1: Close Discord from Task Manager and Restart It

One of the simplest and most effective solutions is to close Discord from the Task Manager and then restart it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and find the Discord application.
3. Click on it and then click the End Task button at the bottom-right corner to kill the background Discord process.
4. Restart Discord and see if it opens and functions properly.

If the above method doesn’t work, you can also use the Command Prompt to kill the background Discord process:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command line: taskkill /F /IM discord.exe, and press Enter to end the Discord process.

Solution 2: Use SFC to Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can also cause Discord not to open. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair any corrupted files. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and type cmd or Command Prompt.
2. Select Command Prompt to open it.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
4. Wait for the scanning process to complete. The tool will automatically repair any corrupted system files it finds.

Solution 3: Clear AppData and LocalAppData

Clearing the AppData and LocalAppData folders associated with Discord can often resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%, and hit Enter to open the AppData folder.
2. Locate the Discord folder, right-click on it, and select Delete to remove it.
3. Press Windows + R again, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter to open the LocalAppData folder.
4. Find the Discord folder and delete it.
5. Relaunch Discord and see if it opens.

If this doesn’t solve the Discord won’t open issue, you can try uninstalling Discord and clearing AppData and LocalAppData before reinstalling it. To uninstall Discord:

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
2. Find Discord from the list, right-click on it, and choose Uninstall to remove it.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Once uninstalled, clear the AppData and LocalAppData folders as mentioned earlier. Then, download and reinstall the latest version of Discord from the official website.

Solution 4: Log in to Discord with the Web Version

If the Discord app on your Windows 10 computer is not opening, you can try logging in to Discord using the web version. Here’s how:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the Discord official website.
2. Click onLogin and enter your account information to log in to Discord in your browser.
3. Once you’ve successfully logged in, try opening the Discord app on your computer again to see if it starts normally.

Solution 5: Disable Proxies to Fix Discord Not Opening on Windows 10

Proxy settings can sometimes interfere with Discord and prevent it from opening. To disable proxies on Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type control panel, and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet, then select Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Properties window, click on the Connections tab.
4. Click on the LAN settings button.
5. Uncheck the box that says Use a proxy server for your LAN.
6. Check the box that saysAutomatically detect settings.
7. Click OK and then Apply to save the changes.
8. Relaunch Discord and see if it opens without any issues.

Solution 6: Reset DNS to Solve Discord Won’t Open Issue

Resetting the DNS (Domain Name System) can help resolve Discord not opening problems. Follow these steps to reset DNS:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig/flushdns and hit Enter to reset the DNS.
3. Restart your computer and try opening Discord again.

Solution 7: Correct the Date/Time to Fix Discord Stuck on Starting

Incorrect date and time settings can sometimes cause Discord to get stuck on the starting screen. Here’s how to correct the date/time:

1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
2. Choose Time and Language from the options.
3. Make sure the Set time automatically option is turned on.

By ensuring the correct date and time settings, you can resolve the issue of Discord getting stuck on the starting screen.

Solution 8: Update Discord or Update Windows 10

Outdated versions of Discord or Windows 10 can cause compatibility issues and prevent Discord from opening. It’s essential to keep both Discord and your operating system up to date. Here’s how:

To update Discord:

1. Press the Windows key, type Discord, and open the first result.
2. Discord will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will download and install it for you.

To update Windows 10:

1. Press the Windows key and type Windows Update.
2. Open the Windows Update settings.
3. Click on Check for updates and wait for the process to complete.
4. If any updates are found, install them and restart your computer if necessary.

By keeping Discord and Windows 10 updated, you can ensure a smooth experience and avoid any issues with Discord not opening.

Conclusion

Discord not opening can be a frustrating issue for gamers who rely on it for communication. However, by following the troubleshooting techniques outlined in this comprehensive guide, you should be able to resolve the issue easily. Remember to close Discord from the Task Manager, clear AppData and LocalAppData, disable proxies, reset DNS, correct the date/time, and keep Discord and Windows 10 updated. By taking these steps, you can ensure that Discord opens smoothly and enjoy uninterrupted gaming communication with your friends.

Remember, technology can be complex, but with the right guidance, you can navigate any challenge. If you encounter any other Discord-related issues, refer to our detailed guides for quick fixes and solutions. Stay connected, stay gaming!