Discord not working with VPN: 5 FIXES you need to try

Discord is one of the biggest messaging apps around, but it’s still blocked in some countries. A VPN will help you use it, but what if it fails? Our fixes guide explains what to do if your VPN isn’t working with Discord.

If you’ve connected to a VPN and can’t use Discord, we suspect the service has blacklisted the server you’re trying to use. Below, we run through 5 ways to fix it.

Can I use Discord abroad?

Most of the time, the answer is yes. However, as some select countries have blocked Discord entirely, you might need a VPN to continue using your account. A VPN spoofs your location, which means Discord services will think you’re in a supported country even if you’re not.

Countries that have restricted access to Discord include China, Oman, Egypt and Iran.

Why is Discord not working with my VPN?

Discord is still a region-locked service. If the app identifies your IP address and sees that you’re not in a supported country, Discord will lock up and you won’t be able to message your contacts. By using one of our VPNs, you’ll get a temporary IP address that lets you unlock Discord from anywhere in the world.

Discord fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you can’t send and receive messages through the Discord app, check that you’re using the most recent version of your VPN.

From a computer, go to your VPN Settings screen and look for Update.

On an Android device, you can update your VPN using the Play Store.

From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your user profile.

2. Swap to another server

We suggest disconnecting from your current server and trying another for Discord. Make sure you pick a server that originates from a country that fully supports the app – the UK or US, for example. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Message Customer Support

The VPN services we recommend have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If you’re experiencing difficulties with Discord abroad, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching servers doesn’t fix your problem, completely uninstall your VPN and reinstall it. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and the Discord app and try messaging in a community again.

5. Speed test your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN one more time. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a thorough reset by restarting your router.

More Discord fixes:

Clear your cache and cookies. In a Chrome browser, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you’re using an Apple computer with Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Incorrect credentials could be the reason Discord isn’t working when you travel abroad.

Check the VPN servers. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be to blame. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy, Atlas VPN and PureVPN) are transparent about this.

Check your firewall allows VPNs. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

Best VPNs for Discord

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.90 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.41 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.61 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers worldwide	160 in 94 countries
📈 Bandwidth allowance	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices supported at once	5

If the VPN you have at the moment isn’t letting you use Discord, try ExpressVPN for 30 days. Our own connection tests prove this is one of the best VPNs around, and it’s fast regardless of where you’re based. To use Discord from anywhere, simply open up ExpressVPN and connect to a server in a supported country.

This popular VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, which means sites (including the desktop version of Discord) won’t know what you’re up to. Every ExpressVPN member has access to more than 150 servers in over 90 countries around the world.

Our verdict: Comparing VPNs for messaging apps, our team has identified ExpressVPN as one of the best for Discord. A great pick if Discord isn’t working with your VPN.

Try ExpressVPN today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.29 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.89 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.99 per month (54% off)

🌎 Number of servers worldwide	5,200+ in 59 countries
📈 Bandwidth allowance	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices supported at once	6

NordVPN lets you use region-locked apps from anywhere, which is ideal if your current VPN isn’t working with Discord. It hosts over 5,000 servers in more than 50 countries, and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption.

NordVPN won’t keep tabs on how you’re using it, so privacy is guaranteed. We really enjoy the CyberSec add-on, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers the risk of your device being infected with malware.

Our verdict: NordVPN is easy to set up with Discord. In our own speed tests, it only took a couple of minutes to load up the software, log in and connect to a suitable server.

Try NordVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: $9.95 per month
• 1-year subscription: $3.99 per month (save $71.40)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: $1 per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers worldwide	5,700 in 100+ locations
📈 Bandwidth allowance	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices supported at once	10

If you’re in a country that blocks Discord, we recommend Ivacy. This trusted VPN is one of the most affordable options, and it supports 256-bit encryption which keeps cybercriminals away. Ivacy also offers public wi-fi security to protect devices against malware when connecting to public hotspots.

This Discord-friendly VPN enforces a strict no-logs policy, which prevents your valuable personal data from being sold to third parties. By downloading the software today for Discord, you get instant access to over 5,000 VPN servers in over 100 locations around the world. A single Ivacy subscription covers up to 10 different devices at once.

Our verdict: a well-equipped VPN that we recommend for Discord users. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll have no trouble sending messages.

Try Ivacy today

Atlas VPN

• 1-month subscription: £9.83 per month
• 1-year subscription: £2.69 per month (73% off with code BIGDEAL)
• 2-year subscription + 3 months extra: £1.49 per month (85% off with code BIGDEAL)

🌎 Number of servers worldwide	750+
📈 Bandwidth allowance	Does not limit bandwidth per user
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices supported at once	Unlimited

We’ve confirmed that Atlas VPN is a reliable shield against online threats, and it can unlock Discord. This VPN comes with a tracker blocker that battles against ads, suspicious websites and phishing links. We think it’s a great choice if you want to enjoy Discord outside a supported country.

Other features of this trusted service include a data breach monitor that alerts you if your personal details have been exposed. Atlas VPN has a no-logs rule, along with a network kill switch that pauses the service if your connection becomes unstable. Users will enjoy over 750 unique servers all over the world.

Our verdict: If Discord is your go-to messaging app, Atlas VPN will easily unlock everything for you.

Try Atlas VPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $12.45 per month
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription: $2.29 per month (82% off)

🌎 Number of servers worldwide	6,500+ in over 78 countries
📈 Bandwidth allowance	Does not limit bandwidth per user
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices supported at once	10

PureVPN is one of our favourites to recommend for those that want to enjoy Discord. It’s easy to use, and members have access to optimised servers specifically designed to reduce load times.

With this VPN, data is encrypted and you’re completely anonymous while messaging on Discord. There’s a 24-hour support team, so you can reach out if you have a question. PureVPN is a great VPN that allows you to bypass geo-locked apps without a fuss, even if you’re not currently based in a supported country.

If you’re not fully convinced by this VPN after trying it out, you can easily take advantage of the brand’s 31-day, money-back guarantee.

Our verdict: this awesome VPN provides over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries around the world. For Discord, it could be a perfect fit.

Try PureVPN today Prices and information correct at time of publication. Please note that we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. For more details, please review our affiliate policy.