Quick Summary
The 'DISCORDAPIERROR' indicates a problem with Discord's Application Programming Interface (API). This generally means that the application is either having trouble sending or receiving data from Discord's servers properly.
Common Causes
- Discord Server Issues: Discord's servers may be experiencing outages or maintenance, leading to API errors. This is often temporary and affects many users.
- Network Connectivity Problems: An unstable or interrupted internet connection can prevent the application from reliably communicating with the Discord API. This can be a local issue or a problem with your internet provider.
- Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Firewall or antivirus software settings might be blocking Discord's access to the internet or the API, causing communication failures.
- Outdated Discord Client: Using an outdated version of the Discord client can lead to compatibility issues with the latest API changes, resulting in errors.
- Corrupted Discord Files: Damaged or corrupted files within the Discord application installation can prevent it from functioning correctly and accessing the API.
- Conflicting Applications: Other applications running on your system may sometimes interfere with Discord's functionality and its ability to use the API.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Check Discord Status Page
Step 1: Visit the official Discord Status page (status.discord.com) in your web browser.
Step 2: Review the page for any ongoing incidents or maintenance announcements that might be causing the API error. If issues are present on Discord's end, there is likely nothing you can do, and you'll have to wait until it's resolved.
Method 2: Restart Your Internet Connection
Step 1: Power cycle your modem and router. Unplug both devices from the power outlet.
Step 2: Wait for approximately 30 seconds.
Step 3: Plug the modem back into the power outlet and wait for it to fully initialize.
Step 4: Plug the router back into the power outlet and wait for it to fully initialize.
Step 5: Restart your computer and relaunch the Discord application.
Method 3: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Caution: Disabling your firewall or antivirus can expose your system to security risks. Only disable these temporarily for troubleshooting purposes, and re-enable them immediately afterward.
Step 1: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.
Step 2: Relaunch Discord and see if the error persists.
Step 3: If the error is resolved, configure your firewall or antivirus to allow Discord to access the internet, or whitelist the Discord application.
Step 4: Re-enable firewall / antivirus.
Method 4: Update Discord
Step 1: Close Discord completely. Make sure it's not running in the system tray.
Step 2: Relaunch Discord. It should automatically check for updates and install them.
Step 3: If Discord does not automatically update, you can try downloading the latest version from the Discord website (discord.com/download) and reinstalling it.
Method 5: Clear Discord Cache and Local Storage
Step 1: Close Discord Completely.
Step 2: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 3: Type %appdata% and press Enter.
Step 4: Locate and delete the Discord folder.
Step 5: Press Windows Key + R again.
Step 6: Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
Step 7: Locate and delete the Discord folder here as well.
Step 8: Restart your computer and launch Discord.
Method 6: Reinstall Discord
Step 1: Uninstall Discord from your computer's Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS).
Step 2: Delete any remaining Discord folders in %appdata% and %localappdata% (Windows) or ~/Library/Application Support/ (macOS).
Step 3: Restart your computer.
Step 4: Download the latest version of Discord from the official website (discord.com/download).
Step 5: Reinstall Discord.
Method 7: Close unnecessary apps
Step 1: Close any applications that might be interfering with Discord, especially those that use similar API connections (streaming software, gaming overlays, other voice chat applications).
Step 2: Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) for resource-intensive processes and close any that are not essential.