You assign a role color to a member in Discord, but the member’s name in the server member list still appears gray instead of the color you set. This happens because Discord has specific display rules that override role colors in certain situations, such as when the member has a higher-priority role with no color or when the server uses the “online” status display mode. This article explains the exact causes of this problem and provides step-by-step fixes to make role colors appear correctly in the member list on both desktop and mobile.
Key Takeaways: Discord Role Color Not Showing in Member List
- Server Settings > Roles > Default Permissions > Display role members separately from online members: Enables role color display in the member list sidebar.
- Server Settings > Roles > Role priority (drag to reorder): The highest-priority role determines the displayed color in the member list.
- User Settings > Accessibility > Role Colors (Desktop only): Turn on “Show role colors in member list” if it is disabled.
Why Discord Role Colors Do Not Appear in the Member List
Discord uses a layered priority system to decide which role color appears next to a member’s name. By default, the member list shows colors based on the member’s highest-priority role that has a color set. If the highest-priority role has no color (the default gray), then no color shows, even if a lower-priority role has a bright color.
The Role Priority Stack
Roles are ordered from top (highest priority) to bottom (lowest priority) in the Server Settings > Roles list. The highest role with a color defined wins. If you assign a color to a role that is lower in the list, but a higher role has no color, the member list will show the higher role’s gray.
Display Mode Setting
Discord has a server-level setting that changes how members appear in the list. The default setting “Do not display role members separately” shows all members in a single list sorted by status. When this is active, role colors are hidden. You must switch to “Display role members separately from online members” to show role colors in the sidebar.
User-Specific Accessibility Setting
On the Discord desktop app, there is a user-level accessibility option called “Show role colors in member list.” If this is turned off, no role colors will appear for any server. This setting is independent of server settings and can override them.
Steps to Fix Role Color Not Showing in the Member List
- Open Server Settings
Right-click your server icon in the left sidebar and select “Server Settings” from the context menu. If you are on mobile, tap the three-dot menu next to the server name and choose “Settings.” - Go to Roles
In the left menu of Server Settings, click “Roles.” You will see a list of all roles in your server, ordered by priority from top to bottom. - Check the role priority order
Drag the role that has the desired color to a position above any other roles that the member has. The highest role in the list that has a color set will be the one shown. If the member has multiple roles, ensure the colored role is higher than any role that is gray or has no color. - Assign a color to the highest-priority role
If the member’s highest role is gray, click that role in the list, scroll to the “Role Color” section, and pick a color. Click “Save Changes” at the bottom. The member list will update immediately. - Enable role display mode in Server Settings
In Server Settings, go to “Roles” and click the “Default Permissions” tab at the top. Scroll down to the “Member List” section. Change the setting from “Do not display role members separately” to “Display role members separately from online members.” This forces the member list to show role colors for all members. - Turn on role colors in User Settings (Desktop only)
Click the gear icon next to your username at the bottom left. Go to “Accessibility” in the left menu. Under the “Role Colors” section, toggle on “Show role colors in member list.” This setting is not available on mobile or the web version. - Refresh the server or restart Discord
Press Ctrl+R (Cmd+R on Mac) to reload Discord. If the color still does not show, close Discord completely and reopen it. This forces the client to re-read the role data from the server.
If Discord Still Has Issues After the Main Fix
Role Color Shows in Chat But Not in Member List
This is the most common symptom. It almost always means the “Display role members separately” setting is off. Go back to Server Settings > Roles > Default Permissions and switch that setting on. The member list will then use role colors.
Color Changes Do Not Apply to Existing Members
When you change a role’s color, existing members with that role should update within seconds. If they do not, the member might have a higher-priority role that overrides the color. Check the role list order and move the colored role above any gray or default roles. Also, ask the member to refresh Discord by pressing Ctrl+R.
Mobile Member List Always Shows Gray Names
The Discord mobile app (iOS and Android) does not have the accessibility setting for role colors. However, it does respect the server-level display mode. If you have enabled “Display role members separately” in Server Settings, mobile should show role colors. If it still shows gray, force-close the app and reopen it. If the issue persists, the mobile app version may have a temporary bug — check for updates in the App Store or Google Play Store.
Bot or Integration Roles Are Gray
Bots and webhooks often have a special system role that is gray by default and cannot be colored. You can create a new role with a color, assign it to the bot, and make sure that role is higher in priority than the bot’s default role. The bot’s name in the member list will then show the new role’s color.
Discord Role Display Settings: Server Level vs User Level
| Item | Server-Level Setting | User-Level Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Server Settings > Roles > Default Permissions | User Settings > Accessibility |
| What it controls | Whether the member list uses role colors or a flat list sorted by online status | Whether the user sees role colors at all on the desktop app |
| Effect on mobile | Yes, affects mobile member list | No setting on mobile — mobile always shows colors if server setting is on |
| Default value | Do not display role members separately (colors hidden) | On (role colors shown) |
| How to change | Select “Display role members separately from online members” | Toggle “Show role colors in member list” on or off |
Role colors in Discord’s member list are controlled by two layers: the server’s display mode and the user’s accessibility setting. The server setting must be set to show role members separately for any colors to appear. The user setting must be on for the desktop client to display those colors. On mobile, only the server setting matters. If a role color does not show, check both the role priority order and these two settings in sequence.