You’re about to message your friends on Discord when you notice that you can’t get past the home screen. It’s frustrating when a network platform doesn’t work properly. And many users have encountered this specific problem with Discord. It is especially common among Windows 10 users. Fortunately, there are many simple solutions and tips that you can apply to your device that can solve the problem.
In this article, you will learn how to resolve the Discord stuck startup issue.
Disable firewall and antivirus for Discord
There are several reasons why Discord may not work on your desktop. Firewalls and antivirus programs are there to protect your computer from threats. However, sometimes they can select apps that do not cause any harm and block them. Your firewall and antivirus software may identify Discord as one of those threats.
Here’s how to disable Windows antivirus to use Discord:
- Select the “Start” option (the Windows logo) at the far left at the bottom of the toolbar.
- In the search bar, type “Windows Security.” Click on the application that produces the search.
- Click “Virus & Threat Protection” and then “Manage Settings.”
- You can disable “Real-time Protection” to disable the antivirus.
After you have disabled the antivirus program, it is time to do the same with the Windows firewall:
- From the Start button, click “Settings” and then “Update & Security.”
- Click “Windows Security” and finally “Firewall and network protection.”
- Click “Windows Security Settings” and then disable the “Microsoft Defender Firewall” option.
- Run the Discord app as usual.
Disabling your antivirus and firewall leaves your computer vulnerable to potential cyber risks and threats. If you choose this solution, only use verified applications and open trusted websites. Alternatively, you can toggle the antivirus and firewall when you’re done using Discord.
If your firewall is connected to another network and not just your computer, you may not have the option to disable it. In this case, talk to your administrator to see if they allow you to safely turn off the firewall. You may also need to disable any other antivirus software installed on your computer.
Close games and apps in the background
Your problem with Discord may be that the app does not have enough memory to start. Your best solution to this problem is to close all games and other apps that play in the background and drain your RAM when you run Discord. It’s worth noting that this solution is not ideal if you want to play games while chatting on Discord at the same time.
Here’s how to close your background apps and games:
- Select the “Start” option from the Windows toolbar and then select the “Settings” option.
- Click “Privacy” and then “Background Apps.”
- Navigate to “Background Apps” and uncheck the “Allow apps to run in the background” p.
This process can give you enough RAM to launch the Discord app. But let’s say you’re determined to play games while using Discord simultaneously. In that case, you can try to open them after running the Discord app. However, if RAM was the main issue, there is a chance that the game may not open or may lag.
Updating your Discord app
Discord constantly releases new updates to refresh the platform, making it run efficiently and smoothly while adding new features. If it does not open, it could be because your previous version is not supported. Updating Discord may be the answer to overcoming the home screen you’re stuck on.
Here’s how to update the Discord app on a Windows desktop:
- Open the Discord app on your desktop.
- From the home screen, type the command “Ctrl + R” to ask the app to check for updates and install them automatically.
In case this method doesn’t work, you can still update Discord from the system tray. Here’s also how to do it:
- Open the Discord app.
- Go to the system tray in the lower right corner of your desktop toolbar, next to the clock.
- Right click on the Discord app icon from the list. Click the up arrow to see an expanded list if it is not available.
- After right-clicking on the icon, select “Check for updates”.
- Reopen the Discord app.
The same issue may persist when opening Discord on your phone. Here’s how to update the platform through your Android device:
- Open the “Playstore” application.
- Type “Discord” in the search bar and then select search.
- Tap the app that appears and then tap “Update” if the option is available.
If you are using an iPhone or iOS device, follow the steps below:
- Open the App Store from your iPhone.
- Select the profile option located in the upper right corner of the interface.
- Scroll through the list of your apps until you find the Discord app, and then tap “Update.”
Once you update the app on your mobile device or desktop, you will be able to use it regularly again without any problems.
Frequent questions
Is Discord not safe for my computer?
Discord is a trusted application with millions of users around the world. Installing the app on your phone or desktop and using the platform in your internet browser is perfectly safe.
Why won’t Discord start on my desktop but not on my mobile device?
Many have noticed that Discord has more frequent problems on Windows 10 than on other operating systems such as iOS or Android. It could be because the Windows firewall and antivirus identify Discord as unsafe even though the app is not a threat.
Take off the discord and start
The home screen issue with Discord can make it impossible to talk to your friends while playing your favorite games, resulting in a less enjoyable user experience. Updating the app, disabling the firewall and antivirus programs, and closing other games in the background are possible solutions you should consider to fix the home screen. Sometimes faulty apps can be a problem on Discord’s side. In such cases, it is best to wait until the company resolves it.
Did the above tips help you resolve the initial issue with Discord? Did you simply need to update your application or was it a particular problem with Windows? Let us know in the comments p below.
