Discord is one of the most popular VoIP chat programs out there right now. The program started as a dedicated comms app for gamers but has evolved into a much more multipurpose platform.
However, like every other tech product, Discord also suffers from the occasional bugs and glitches at times. In this article, we’re talking about the message failed to load error on Discord.
Why does this happen?
There are several reasons why you could be seeing this error, but the most common one, more often than not, is internet connectivity issues on your end. Other reasons include
- Discord is down.
- Incorrect DNS settings.
- Corrupt Discord installation.
Also read: Discord screen share no audio: 12 Fixes
How to fix this?
Here are a few solutions that you can try out to help solve the error.
Restart everything
Restart the Discord app, your device and your networking equipment. Restarting devices can fix a bunch of seemingly random issues, including your messages not loading properly.
Discord is overloaded
Several users had reported that the error occurred when Discord was overloaded and resolved itself after some time. If you think this might be the case, you can wait for an hour or two and try again later.
Run Discord as Administrator
Try running Discord with administrator privileges to check if that resolves your issue. Right-click on the Discord icon either on the desktop or the start menu and choose the Run as Administrator option.
Check your internet connection
Discord requires an active internet connection to work. If you have an unstable internet connection, chances are you’re going to miss out on notifications. Suppose you’re on WiFi check to see if you’ve got internet access and strong signals. If you’re on mobile data, check to see if data is enabled and that you’ve got good network coverage.
Disable any firewalls
If you’re using any third-party firewalls, now’s the time to disable them to see if Discord is being blocked by them. The same goes for any third-party antiviruses.
If your Windows firewall is blocking Discord, refer to this guide to see how you can unblock the program.
Restart from the Task Manager
Try quitting the Discord process from the Task Manager and relaunching it to see if that solves your problem.
Step 1: Right-click the Taskbar and click on Task Manager.
Step 2: Find the Discord process and end it using the End task button in the bottom right.
Now restart Discord, and it should work just fine.
Also read: Discord update failed: 7 Fixes
Clear DNS settings
Sometimes incorrect DNS settings can hinder Discord’s connection to the internet. Here’s how you can reset them.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R and type in cmd, and hit enter.
Step 2: Type in ipconfig /flushdns to reset DNS settings to default.
Now try restarting Discord, and it should work just fine.
Delete Discord folders
DIscord saves its resource files in the AppData and LocalAppData directories. By deleting these folders and restarting Discord, you can force the program to rebuild these files, resolving any problems in the process.
Step 1: Open the Run prompt using Windows Key + R, type in %appdata% and hit enter.
Step 2: Delete the discord folder in the directory.
Now repeat these steps with %localappdata% and restart Discord.
Update Discord
The issue you’re facing may have already been fixed in an update you haven’t installed yet. Once you’ve launched Discord, press Ctrl + R. Discord will restart, download any pending updates, and probably fix the Discord won’t open issue.
Reinstall Discord
If all else fails, your best bet is to reinstall Discord from scratch.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X to open the Quick Access menu and click on Apps & Features.
Step 2: Find Discord in this list and click on Uninstall.
Once the program has been removed, restart your PC, reinstall Discord and try launching it again. The Discord won’t open issue should be fixed.
Also read: How to fix Discord No Route error?
