10 Effective Fixes for Discord Stuck on Checking for Updates in Windows 11

Discord is a popular communication platform that receives regular updates to enhance user experience and fix bugs. However, some users may encounter an issue where Discord gets stuck on the checking for updates screen, preventing them from accessing new features and bug fixes. This problem can be caused by network issues, VPN interference, server problems, or conflicts with the existing installation. If you're facing this issue, don't worry! We have compiled a list of effective fixes to help you resolve the Discord update problem on Windows 11.

1. Examine Your Network Connection

First and foremost, check your network connection. Discord requires an active internet connection to check and download updates. Open a website or launch a web-based app to verify if your PC is connected to the internet. Additionally, restart your router to clear the cache and establish a fresh connection with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). After restarting your PC and reconnecting to the internet, launch Discord and check if it can now check and download updates.

2. Check Discord Servers

If Discord servers are undergoing maintenance, the app won't be able to access the latest updates and will remain stuck on the checking screen. To check the status of Discord servers, visit their official status page. However, if the outage is not widespread, it may take some time for it to be reported. In such cases, you can visit third-party sites like DownDetector to check recent reports about Discord server outages.

3. Run Discord as Admin

Sometimes, the Discord app may not have the necessary privileges to check and download updates. In such cases, you can resolve the issue by running Discord as an administrator. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Find the Discord app in the list, right-click on it, and select “End Task.”
  3. Press the Windows key, type “Discord,” and click on “Run as administrator.”
  4. Click “Yes” in the User Account Control window.

4. Disable VPN For Sometime

If you're using a VPN service, it may interfere with Discord's ability to establish connections and download updates. Temporarily disable your VPN connection to see if it resolves the issue. You can disable the VPN from the system tray icons area or through the Settings app if you have a manual VPN connection.

5. Disable Antivirus Program

Overzealous antivirus programs can sometimes prevent apps from connecting to the internet and downloading updates. Temporarily disable your antivirus program and check if Discord can now check and download updates. You can disable the antivirus program through the Virus & Threat Protection settings in the Windows Security app.

6. Delete the Discord AppData Folder

Corrupt AppData folder contents can hinder Discord from checking and downloading updates. To fix this, you can delete the Discord AppData folder and force Discord to recreate it. Follow these steps:

  1. Close the Discord app using Task Manager.
  2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “%localappdata%” and press Enter.
  3. Right-click on the Discord folder and click on the Delete icon.
  4. Re-launch Discord with admin rights.

7. Renew the DHCP Lease

Renewing the DHCP lease will assign a new IP address to your router, which can help resolve network-related issues. Use the Command Prompt to renew the DHCP lease:

  1. Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
  2. Click “Yes” in the User Account Control window.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig/release
  4. Execute the following command: ipconfig/renew
  5. Close the Command Prompt window and restart your PC.

8. Reset Network Connection

If all else fails, you can reset the network connection using the Settings app. Here's how:

  1. Press the Windows key, type “network reset,” and press Enter.
  2. Click on the “Reset now” button.
  3. Restart your PC.

9. Download Discord From Official Site

If the automatic update check fails repeatedly, try downloading the latest version of the Discord app directly from the official website. Many users have reported fixing update issues by reinstalling the app. Download the executable file and install Discord on your PC. You can also try using the Alpha or Beta versions of the app, but keep in mind that they may have some glitches and instability.

10. Use the Web Version

If the Discord app still refuses to bypass the update check screen, you can utilize the web version instead. Visit the official Discord website and log in with your account to access all the features without the need for the desktop app.

By following these ten effective fixes, you should be able to resolve the issue of Discord getting stuck on checking for updates in Windows 11. Start by examining your network connection, checking Discord server status, and running Discord as an administrator. If necessary, delete the Discord AppData folder, renew the DHCP lease, reset the network connection, or download Discord from the official site. With these solutions, you'll be back to using Discord with the latest updates in no time.