Discord is a well-known IM and VoIP social media platform where community members can form groups or servers where they can interact privately. Unfortunately, avid users will often leave the program running for days, sometimes weeks, without closing it since there is always a role to manage or a screen to share. In these cases, you will run into an overwhelmingly frustrating update loop if you do not know how to update Discord.
I Cannot See an Update Button on the Discord App Window
Since you need software updates for your apps to function normally, you need an efficient way of checking whether your system is running the latest version of the application. After all, some updates offer security improvements and failing to get them can leave you susceptible to many nefarious things and breakdowns.
The lack of a dedicated update button on the Discord app could be alarming if you got the program recently. Whether running it on a Mac, Linux or Windows system, there is nothing to press to kickstart the process. Still, no update button, no problem!
How to Update Discord on PC and Mobile Devices
Method 1: Refreshing from the Discord Window
Since the Discord window is similar across the three major operating systems, refreshing the application tends to do the trick in most cases. First, press Ctrl + R on Windows/Linux or Command + R on a Macon your keyboard, which will prompt the program to check for updates automatically.
Afterward, it will download, and you can restart your PC to begin the installation process.
Method 2: Relaunch Discord
Windows OS:
- You can open the Task Manager window by pressing Ctrl +Alt +Del and selecting the option from the list. Alternatively, you can right-click on your taskbar and choose the program. Next, close any instances of Discord apps currently running.
- You can launch Discord by double-clicking the Discord icon, the shortcut on your desktop or the Start Menu.
- As the program starts, it does an automatic Discord update check, downloads any recent files from the server and installs them.
- If there are updates available, you will see a compiled list of new or updated features and any changes after completing the process.
Mac OS:
- Assuming you are not running a Hackintosh, you can shut the program down by going to its settings window while on the app. Alternatively, you can open your Activity Monitor and close any running instances of Discord.
- Once done, you can relaunch the program as you would if the PC woke up from a cold boot.
- Like a Windows OS, the Discord update will run automatically and download and install the program. So, the program will start with the necessary bug fixes installed.
Mobile Devices
Updating Discord on your phone is pretty simple. Typically, your phone will check for updates on the various apps installed on your mobile device. Plus, you are not likely to run into errors here.
- Head to the PlayStore for Android or Apple Store for iOS and check if an update button is available.
- On both operating systems, you will get the latest version of the Discord app once the download process is complete.
Still Stuck on an Update Loop?
The methods discussed above may not always work. The looping update error tends to occur when you are constantly on the program and rarely close it. You can try out the following fixes when you fail to get the recent version by relaunching or reloading.
1. Reinstall Discord
Windows OS:
- Close the app and any Discord process running, as discussed in the relaunching method.
- Navigate to the Control Panel, using the Windows search box, head over to Programs, then Program Features.
- Uninstall Discord.
- Go to where the program was installed and delete all Discord-related files and folders. If you want to be thorough, you can check out our guide on deleting your Discord account from your PC or phone, but it may not be necessary.
- Access the official website and locate the download button. Next, click on the downloaded file to install Discord. When it runs for the first time, the Discord installer will check for updates and ensure you have the latest one running.
Image Source: Discord.com
Mac OS:
- Close the program from your Activity Monitor, as described in relaunching Discord for Mac PCs.
- Find Discord folder locations by entering the following address in the Finder application of the OS.
- ~/Library/Application Support, and
- /Library/Application Support
- Delete the folders with their files or drag them to Trash.
- Open the Applications folder, delete the Discord icon, or drag it to Trash.
- Head over to the official website and download the program.
- Like the Windows OS steps, you can launch Discord, which will download and install any necessary updates.
2. Check the Network Settings on Your Mac
Network configurations can hinder Discord application updates on a Mac OS. Try the two methods below.
Image Source: It.umn.edu
Renew Your IP Address
- Go to System Preferences and choose Network.
- Select your current network connection and choose the Advanced option.
- Open the TCP/IP tab, Renew DHCP Lease, save, and then close the settings window.
- Prompt Discord to start.
Change Your Current DNS to the Google Public DNS
- Follow the first and second steps of the previous method.
- Open the DNS tab and add the required entries to the DNS Servers section.
- Save and launch the Discord app.
3. Use the Appropriate Permissions on Windows
You can update Discord by right-clicking on the Discord shortcut, then selecting Run as Administrator. This option will give the Discord app the necessary permission to update when it starts automatically. Hence, you can close it and then start it up with Administrator rights.
4. Disable Windows Defender to Run the Update
Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus system of your OS, can mistake the update Discord process as malicious. Disable Windows Defender temporarily through the necessary steps before updating Discord when the options above fail. Remember to go back to Windows Security to enable the program after you finish the Windows relaunching process we covered.
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