Fix Discord Server Verification Level Not Enforcing Email Verification

You set your Discord server verification level to require email verification, but members with unverified emails can still join and access the server. This problem occurs when the server verification level is not enforced due to cached permissions, outdated role settings, or a conflict with admin bypass privileges. This article explains why the verification level fails to block unverified email users and provides step-by-step fixes to enforce email verification properly.

Why Discord Server Verification Level Fails to Enforce Email Verification

Discord server verification levels control who can join your server based on account requirements. The Email verification level requires all members to have a verified email address on their Discord account before they can join the server. However, this setting can be bypassed in several ways. The most common cause is that members with the Administrator permission are exempt from verification level restrictions. If any role, including the @everyone role, has the Administrator permission, members with that role can join regardless of their email verification status. Another cause is that the verification level setting might not apply retroactively to members who joined before the change. Additionally, Discord’s caching system can delay the enforcement of new verification settings for up to 15 minutes. Finally, if the server uses a custom invite link with a bypass setting, that invite may override the verification level.

Steps to Fix Discord Server Verification Level Not Enforcing Email Verification

1. Check Current Verification Level Setting
   Open your Discord server. Click the server name at the top left. Select Server Settings from the dropdown. In the left sidebar, click Moderation. Under Verification Level, confirm that Email is selected. If not, select Email and click Save Changes. Wait at least 15 minutes for the change to propagate.
2. Remove Administrator Permission from Roles
   In Server Settings, click Roles in the left sidebar. Click the @everyone role. Scroll to General Permissions. Uncheck Administrator. Repeat this for any other role that has Administrator enabled. Roles with Administrator bypass all verification levels. After saving, members with those roles will now need email verification to join.
3. Verify Role Hierarchy and Permissions
   In Server Settings > Roles, check the role hierarchy. Roles higher in the list can override permissions of roles below them. Ensure that no role above the @everyone role has the Manage Server or Kick Members permission, as these can also bypass verification in some cases. Drag roles to reorder them if needed.
4. Remove Custom Invite Link Bypass
   Go to Server Settings > Invites. Review all active invites. If any invite has Temporary membership enabled, disable it. Temporary invites can bypass verification levels for new members. Delete any invites that were created before the verification level change. Create a new invite that does not have the temporary setting.
5. Check Explicit Content Filter Settings
   In Server Settings > Moderation, under Explicit Content Filter, select Scan media from all members. This setting enforces email verification for all members, including those who joined before the verification level was changed. While this filter is primarily for content scanning, it also forces Discord to recheck member verification status.
6. Kick and Reinvite Affected Members
   If members with unverified emails are still in the server, you must remove them and have them rejoin. Right-click a member in the member list. Select Kick. Confirm the action. After kicking all affected members, send a new invite link. When they click the invite, Discord will check their email verification status. If their email is not verified, they will be prompted to verify before joining.
7. Clear Discord Cache
   Sometimes Discord caches old settings. Close Discord completely. Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to open Task Manager. End any Discord processes. Press Windows + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter. Delete the Discord folder. Restart Discord. Log back in and recheck the verification level setting.

If Discord Still Fails to Enforce Email Verification After the Main Fix

Members With Unverified Emails Can Still Join via Direct Invite

Even after setting Email verification level, members can bypass it if they receive a direct invite from an existing member. This is because Discord allows existing members to invite anyone unless you disable the Create Invite permission. To block this, go to Server Settings > Roles > @everyone. Under General Permissions, uncheck Create Invite. Now only members with roles that have this permission can create invites. You can also use Server Settings > Moderation > Verification Level and choose High (email + phone) to require both email and phone verification. This is stricter and blocks more bypass attempts.

Verification Level Resets After Server Settings Change

If you edit other moderation settings, Discord may reset the verification level to None. Always double-check the verification level after making any changes to Moderation or Roles. To prevent accidental resets, make verification level changes last. Save all other settings first, then set the verification level to Email.

Members With Administrator Permission Still Bypass After Removal

If you removed Administrator from a role but members still bypass verification, check if they have Manage Server permission. This permission also bypasses verification levels in some server configurations. Go to Server Settings > Roles and review each role. Uncheck Manage Server for any role that should not bypass verification. Also check the @everyone role for this permission.

Discord Server Verification Levels: None vs Low vs Medium vs High

Item	None	Low	Medium	High
Requirement	No restrictions	Verified email on Discord account	Registered on Discord for at least 5 minutes	Verified email and verified phone number
Enforcement	Immediate join	Blocks unverified email accounts	Blocks accounts less than 5 minutes old	Blocks unverified email and phone accounts
Bypass by Administrator	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Recommended for	Private test servers	Public servers with basic safety	Servers prone to spam raids	High-security servers

Setting the verification level to Email is the minimum requirement to enforce email verification. However, if you have members with Administrator permission or custom invites, those bypass the setting. After removing Administrator from all roles and disabling custom invite bypass, the Email verification level will block unverified email users. For stronger enforcement, set the verification level to High, which requires both email and phone verification. Always test the setting by asking a friend with an unverified email to attempt to join. If they cannot join, the fix is working.