When you try to join a voice channel in Discord, you may see the status “Awaiting Endpoint” and never connect to voice. This error prevents you from hearing or speaking to anyone in the channel. The cause is typically a network routing issue where Discord cannot establish a direct peer-to-peer connection to the voice server. This article explains why the error occurs and provides step-by-step fixes to restore your voice connection.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the “Awaiting Endpoint” Voice Error
- User Settings > Voice & Video > Server Region (Override): Switch to a different region to force a new voice server endpoint.
- Windows Firewall > Allow an app through firewall: Ensure Discord is allowed on both private and public networks.
- VPN or proxy disabled: Turn off VPNs and proxies that interfere with Discord’s UDP voice traffic.
Why Discord Shows “Awaiting Endpoint” for Voice
Discord voice channels rely on a direct UDP connection between your client and a voice server. The “Awaiting Endpoint” message means your client has not received the IP address and port of the voice server after the initial handshake. This usually happens when:
- A firewall or antivirus blocks Discord’s voice traffic (UDP port range 50000-65535).
- A VPN or proxy reroutes your traffic and breaks the peer-to-peer path.
- Your internet service provider uses Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) that prevents direct connections.
- The Discord voice server itself is temporarily unreachable due to regional routing issues.
The error is not caused by your microphone or speakers. It is entirely a network connectivity problem between your device and Discord’s voice infrastructure.
Steps to Fix the “Awaiting Endpoint” Error
Method 1: Change the Voice Server Region
- Open Discord and join the affected server
Make sure you are in the server where the voice channel is located. - Click the channel name at the top of the voice channel
This opens the channel settings panel on the right side. - Select “Overview” from the channel settings menu
If you don’t see it, click the gear icon next to the voice channel name. - Scroll to “Server Region (Override)” and click “Auto”
Change it to a specific region like “US East” or “Europe West.” Wait 10 seconds for Discord to reconnect. - Attempt to join the voice channel again
If the error persists, try a different region.
Method 2: Disable VPN and Proxy Connections
- Turn off any VPN client you are running
This includes commercial VPNs, corporate VPNs, and browser-based VPN extensions. - Disable proxy settings in Windows
Go to Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Turn off “Use a proxy server” and uncheck “Automatically detect settings.” - Restart Discord
Press Ctrl+Q to quit Discord completely, then launch it again. - Join the voice channel
If the error disappears, your VPN or proxy was blocking the connection.
Method 3: Allow Discord Through Windows Firewall
- Open Windows Security
Search for “Windows Security” in the Start menu and open it. - Click “Firewall & network protection”
Then click “Allow an app through firewall.” - Click “Change settings” and then “Allow another app”
Browse to the Discord executable (usually in C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Discord\app-[version]\Discord.exe). - Check both “Private” and “Public” boxes for Discord
Click OK to save. - Restart Discord and test the voice channel
If the error persists, repeat the process for Discord’s Update.exe in the same folder.
Method 4: Reset Discord Voice Settings
- Open Discord User Settings
Click the gear icon next to your username at the bottom left. - Go to Voice & Video
Scroll down to the “Voice Settings” section. - Click “Reset Voice Settings”
A confirmation dialog appears. Click “Okay.” - Restart Discord
Press Ctrl+Q to quit, then open Discord again. - Join the voice channel
This resets all voice-related configurations, including the voice server assignment.
If Discord Still Shows “Awaiting Endpoint” After the Main Fix
Error persists on a specific server only
If the error only happens on one server but not others, the problem is likely with that server’s voice region. Ask the server admin to change the voice region in Server Settings > Overview > Server Region. Switching from “Auto” to a nearby specific region often resolves the issue.
Error occurs after Windows update
A Windows update can reset firewall rules or change network adapter settings. Re-apply the firewall allowance steps in Method 3. Also check if Windows Defender Firewall is turned on. If it is disabled, re-enable it and add Discord again.
Error occurs only on mobile or Wi-Fi
Mobile networks and public Wi-Fi often use CGNAT, which blocks direct UDP connections. On mobile, switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data. On a home Wi-Fi, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, contact your internet service provider and ask for a public IPv4 address.
Discord Voice Connection Methods: Direct vs Relay
| Item | Direct (UDP) | Relay (TCP) |
|---|---|---|
| Connection type | Peer-to-peer UDP | Relayed through Discord server |
| Latency | Low (20-50 ms) | Higher (100-200 ms) |
| Required ports | UDP 50000-65535 | TCP 443 |
| “Awaiting Endpoint” risk | High if UDP is blocked | None (uses TCP) |
| How to force | Automatic | Disable UDP in Voice & Video settings |
The “Awaiting Endpoint” error only occurs with direct UDP connections. If you cannot resolve the error by the methods above, you can force Discord to use the relay mode. Go to User Settings > Voice & Video and turn off “Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority” and set “Audio Subsystem” to “Standard.” This does not directly force TCP, but it reduces UDP dependency. For a guaranteed fix, use a VPN that does not block UDP, or contact your ISP.
Now you can identify and fix the “Awaiting Endpoint” error by adjusting the server region, disabling VPNs, or updating firewall rules. Start with the server region override because it is the fastest test. If the error returns after a network change, re-check your firewall settings. For persistent cases, enabling the relay mode in Discord’s voice settings provides a stable fallback.