If you manage a Discord server, you may want new members to automatically receive a specific role when they join. Manually assigning roles to each new user is time-consuming and easy to forget. Discord does not include a built-in setting to auto-assign roles upon join, but you can achieve this using a bot. This article explains how to use a bot to automatically apply a role to every user who joins your server, covering setup, configuration, and common pitfalls.
Key Takeaways: Auto-Assigning a Role on Server Join
- Bot selection: Choose a reliable bot like MEE6 or Carl-bot that supports autorole functionality.
- Server permissions: Ensure the bot has the Manage Roles permission and its role is above the target role in the role hierarchy.
- Autorole command: Use the bot’s specific command (e.g.,
!autorole @RoleName) to set the auto-apply role.
What Is Autorole and What Do You Need?
Autorole is a feature provided by Discord bots that automatically assigns a specified role to a user when they join a server. The role can be anything: a default member role, a role granting access to certain channels, or a role that prevents spam. To set up autorole, you need three things:
- A Discord server where you have the Manage Server permission.
- A bot that supports autorole, such as MEE6, Carl-bot, or Dyno.
- The bot must have the Manage Roles permission and its role must be positioned above the role you want to auto-assign in the server settings role list.
The bot listens for the guildMemberAdd event. When a new user joins, the bot checks your configured autorole setting and applies the role. No manual intervention is needed after initial setup.
Steps to Set Up Auto-Assign Role with MEE6
MEE6 is one of the most popular Discord bots for autorole. Follow these steps to configure it.
- Invite MEE6 to your server
Go to the MEE6 website (mee6.xyz) and click Add to Discord. Select your server from the dropdown and authorize the bot. Ensure you grant the Manage Roles permission during authorization. - Open MEE6 Dashboard
After adding the bot, go to the MEE6 dashboard. Select your server from the list. You may need to log in with your Discord account again. - Navigate to Autorole module
In the left sidebar, click Modules. Find the Autorole module and click Enable. If it is already enabled, skip this step. - Configure the role
Click the gear icon next to Autorole. In the settings, select the role you want to auto-assign from the dropdown. You can also choose whether to apply the role only to new members or also to existing members who rejoin. Click Save. - Test the setup
Have a user who is not currently in the server join using a new invite. The bot should assign the role within a few seconds. Check the member list to confirm.
Steps to Set Up Auto-Assign Role with Carl-bot
Carl-bot is another excellent option that offers more granular control. Here is how to configure it.
- Invite Carl-bot to your server
Visit the Carl-bot website (carl.gg) and click Invite. Select your server and grant the required permissions, especially Manage Roles. - Open Carl-bot dashboard
Go to carl.gg and log in. Select your server from the dashboard. - Go to Autorole settings
In the left menu, click Modules, then Autorole. Click the toggle to enable it. - Set the role and options
Select the role from the dropdown. You can also set a delay before the role is applied, which is useful for verification systems. Click Save. - Verify with a test join
Ask a friend or use an alt account to join the server. The role should appear automatically.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
Bot Does Not Assign the Role
The most common reason is that the bot’s role is below the target role in the server role list. Discord enforces role hierarchy: a bot can only assign roles that are lower than its highest role. To fix this, go to Server Settings > Roles. Drag the bot’s role above the role you want to auto-assign. Also verify that the bot has the Manage Roles permission enabled in Server Settings > Integrations > Bot.
Role Is Assigned but User Cannot See Channels
If the auto-assigned role does not grant channel access, check your channel permissions. The role may not have the Read Messages or View Channel permission for the channels you want. Edit the channel permissions and add the role with the necessary permissions.
Multiple Bots Conflict
If you have more than one bot trying to assign the same role, they may overwrite each other or cause errors. Use only one bot for autorole. Disable the autorole module on all other bots.
Bot Goes Offline After Server Boost Expires
Some bots have premium features that require a server boost or subscription. If the autorole feature stops working after a boost expires, check the bot’s dashboard for any premium requirements. You may need to switch to a free alternative like Dyno’s basic autorole.
MEE6 vs Carl-bot vs Dyno for Autorole
| Feature | MEE6 | Carl-bot | Dyno |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free autorole | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delay before role | No | Yes (up to 10 minutes) | Yes (up to 60 seconds) |
| Role on rejoin | Configurable | Configurable | Configurable |
| Web dashboard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premium required for extra features | Yes (for multiple roles) | No | Yes (for custom bot responses) |
After setting up autorole, you can now welcome new members with the correct role automatically. Test the configuration with a new user to confirm. For advanced setups, consider using a bot that supports multiple autoroles or conditional roles based on user verification status.