How to Fix Discord Stuck on Connecting Forever Fast

Discord is no doubt the most popular VOIP app in the gaming community. With over 90 million registered users, this ever-growing platform has a lot of cool stuff to offer. However, many users are having problems with Discord such as Discord being stuck on connecting. This can be rather frustrating, but it’s not hard to fix it at all. Here is a full guide for you to fix the Discord not connecting issues quickly.

Why Discord connecting forever?

You may wonder why Discord is stuck on connecting while your network is working just fine. Actually, there are a few things that prevent Discord from connecting.

1. Antivirus Software
   Third-party antivirus software is a known cause of various connection problems, especially McAfee.
2. Proxy Server
   Discord is based on a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) , so most proxy servers can not work with it.
3. VPN
   Discord only works on VPNs that have UDP.
4. Conflicting apps
   Many applications interfere with Discord such as Twitch.

Try these fixes:

If you get stuck on the connecting screen, there are a few fixes you should try to help.

• Restart everything
• Disable antivirus
• Disable proxies
• Check your VPN
• Disconnect from work or school Network
• Add an exception for Discord in Malwarebytes
• Change your server region
• Use flushDNs Command
• Remove conflicting apps

Fix 1: Restart everything

If your Discord keep connecting forever, sometimes it can be fixed with a simple restart. It really does the trick for most users.

If you can get past the connecting screen, then great! But if Discord still stuck on connecting, you can try the next fix, below.

Fix 2: Disable antivirus

You can add Discord as an exception to your Firewall and Antivirus software, or you can temporarily disable your Antivirus application to see if the Discord not connecting issue still persists.

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus software or just uninstall it completely.

If you prefer to keep your antivirus software running, please make sure Discord is whitelisted. Alternatively, you can add the entire folder where Discord is installed to its list of exclusions.

Follow the links below to check how to do it:

• Bitdefender
• Norton
• McAfee
• ESET NOD32
• Trend Micro
• Avast
• AVG Antivirus

Then run Discord again to check if the infinite connecting screen is gone.

Note: If you’re using F-Secure, you need to turn off its Browsing Protection, for this feature can cause Discord not connecting issue. You need to toggle off Browsing Protection in F-Secure.

2. Allow Discord to run through Firewall.

1) Type firewall in the search box and click Firewall & network protection.

2) Select Allow an app through the firewall.

3) Click Change settings. Then scroll down the list and tick Discord and select OK.

Fix 3: Disable proxies

Go to your proxy settings, and ensure that no proxies are enabled. Proxies can block Discord, thus causing Discord not connecting issues.

Windows:

1. On your keyboard, press Win + R to open the Run box. Type inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter.

2. Click the Connections tab, then click LAN settings.

3. Select Automatically detect settings, and uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN. Then click OK to apply.

4. Relaunch your Discord to see if the issue still persists.

Mac:

1. Click the Apple logo and select System Preferences, then select Network.

2. From the left pane, select the network service you’re using, then click the Advanced button.

3. Select the Proxies tab then uncheck all protocols under Select a protocol to configure then click OK once done. Make sure you have no Proxies enabled

5. Launch your Discord to test the issue.

Fix 4: Check your VPN

Discord only works on VPNs that have UDP. Some VPNs have the UDP function such as Nord VPN, you can enable UDP to make your VPN work with Discord. (You can get NordVPN coupons and promo codes to get a discount). NordVPN is a well-known VPN around the world. If you purchase it right now, you can get 75% off.

Windows:

• Express VPN
  • Open your Express VPN app > Click the hamburger menu button > Options > Protocol > Choose UDP.
• Nord VPN
  • Open your Nord VPN, then go to Settings > Advanced > Protocol > Choose UDP

Mac:

For Mac users, Prefer UDP over TCP will be on by default. You can check if this option is turned on: go to Preferences > make sure Connection: Prefer UDP over TCP is on.

Fix 5: Disconnect from Work or School network

Discord could be blocked if you’re on a work or a school network. The network administrator is implementing the blocking to prevent you from accessing Discord while on their network. So it’s better you disconnect from those networks, and use your mobile data until you can access a public or home network.

Alternatively, to get past the blocking, whether it’s connection blocking or content blocking, you can use a VPN with a UDP option like Express VPN or Nord VPN.

Fix 6: Add an exception for Discord in Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is a known cause to screw over your Discord. If you’re using Malwarebytes, you can make an exception for Discord.

1. Open your Malwarebytes application.

2. Go to Settings and click the Exclusions tab.

3. Click Add an exclusion and select Exclude a website. Then click Next.

4. Click Exclude a domain and enter the URL: http://cdn.discordapp.com.

5. Click OK to confirm your changes.

Fix 7: Change your server region

If you can get past the connecting screen but Discord is stuck on connecting to the voice channel, you can try changing the region of your server. To change the server region, you’ll need to be an admin of the server.

1. Click the down arrow next to your server’s name to open its drop-down menu.

2. In the drop-down menu, select Server Settings.

3. Select the Server Region option on the right side.

4. Choose another server region and click Save Changes.

5. Try reconnecting your server again.

Fix 8: Using a FlushDNS command

Releasing and Renewing IP and Flushing DNS (Domain Name System) can update your network information and is beneficial for fixing game server connection issues.

1. Type cmd in the Search box, then right click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type each of the following three commands and hit Enter. After running a command, please wait for 5 seconds for the system to respond then run the next one.

ipconfig/release 

ipconfig/renew

ipconfig/flushdns

3. Close Command Prompt and try connecting your Discord again.

Fix 9: Conflicting apps

Your Discord not connecting can be caused by other conflicting software. For example, Twitch is a known application that interferes with Discord.

To check if you’re having an offending app with Discord, you can Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Windows) or Command + Option + Escape (Mac) to end all the background applications.

If your Discord is still stuck on connecting, you need to perform a clean boot to further solve the problem (For Windows):

1. Type msconfig in the Search box and select System Configuration.

2. Click the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services box, then click Disable all.

3. Select the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.

4. Under the Startup tab, select each startup item and then click Disable.

5. Go back to System Configuration, click OK.

Finally, restart your computer to see if the Discord not connecting issue still persists. If everything works out just fine, the great! But you will need to open System Configuration again to enable the services and application one by one to find out the problematic one.

If unluckily these methods above failed to solve your Discord stuck on connecting issue, you can clean reinstall Discord or head to WebRTC Troubleshooter Website to check if anything goes wrong with your computer.

Feel free to leave us a comment if you have any questions or suggestions.

By Via Kuang

Via is a writer for Super Easy. She specializes in modern, realistic lifestyle writing, covering fashion, the arts, travel, books, saving money tips and more. She just loves delving deep into topics that help everyone become a happier, healthier, more productive person. When not writing, she's exploring the beauty of the world -- the real scenic beauty and the intellectual beauty.

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