How to Fix Discord ‘Update Cancelled’ on macOS

When you try to update Discord on your Mac, the update process may stop with the error message “Update Cancelled.” This usually happens because the Discord app cannot download or apply the update file. The cause can be network restrictions, missing disk permissions, or a corrupted update cache. This article explains why the error occurs and provides step-by-step fixes to complete the update successfully.

Why Discord Shows “Update Cancelled” on macOS

The “Update Cancelled” error appears when Discord’s auto-updater cannot complete its task. The most common technical cause is a corrupted update file in Discord’s cache folder. When the app tries to download a new version, it stores temporary files in a hidden folder. If that folder becomes corrupted or if the download is interrupted, the updater cancels the process.

Another frequent cause is insufficient disk permissions. macOS restricts what apps can write to the Applications folder. If Discord does not have the correct permissions, it cannot replace the old version with the new one. Additionally, a strict firewall or proxy can block the update server, causing the download to fail silently.

The Update Cache Folder

Discord stores its update data at ~/Library/Application Support/discord/. Inside this folder, the modules and update subfolders contain temporary files. If any of these files are incomplete or damaged, the updater stops and shows “Update Cancelled.”

macOS Permissions and Gatekeeper

macOS Gatekeeper and System Integrity Protection (SIP) can interfere with app updates. If Discord was installed from the App Store or a downloaded DMG, its permissions may not allow it to modify the application bundle. This is especially true if you moved Discord to the Applications folder manually without proper privileges.

Steps to Fix Discord Update Cancelled on Mac

Follow these steps in order. Each step addresses a specific cause. Test the update after each step before moving to the next.

Step 1: Quit Discord and Clear the Update Cache

1. Fully quit Discord
   Right-click the Discord icon in the Dock and select Quit. Or press Command+Q while Discord is active.
2. Open Finder and go to the Library folder
   In Finder, click Go in the menu bar, then hold the Option key. Click Library when it appears.
3. Navigate to the Discord cache folder
   Open the folder path: Application Support/discord/. You will see several folders including modules, update, and Cache.
4. Delete the update cache
   Drag the update folder to the Trash. Also delete the modules folder. Empty the Trash.
5. Restart Discord
   Open Discord from the Applications folder. It will attempt to download the update again. If the error persists, continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Reinstall Discord Completely

If clearing the cache does not work, the application itself may be corrupted. A fresh install removes all damaged files.

1. Uninstall Discord
   Drag the Discord app from the Applications folder to the Trash. Also delete the entire ~/Library/Application Support/discord/ folder.
2. Download the latest version
   Go to discord.com/download and download the Mac version. Choose the DMG file.
3. Install Discord
   Open the DMG file and drag Discord to the Applications folder. Launch Discord and log in. The update should now proceed without the error.

Step 3: Check Internet Connection and Firewall

A weak or blocked connection can cause the update to cancel mid-download.

1. Test your internet speed
   Visit fast.com or speedtest.net. Ensure your download speed is above 1 Mbps.
2. Disable VPN or proxy temporarily
   If you use a VPN, turn it off while updating. VPNs can interfere with Discord’s update server.
3. Check macOS Firewall settings
   Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall. Click Options. Ensure Discord is allowed to accept incoming connections. If Discord is not listed, add it by clicking the plus button and selecting Discord from the Applications folder.
4. Restart your router
   Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Retry the Discord update.

Step 4: Grant Full Disk Access to Discord

macOS may restrict Discord from writing to the Applications folder. Granting Full Disk Access can resolve this.

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security
   Scroll down to Full Disk Access.
2. Add Discord to the list
   Click the plus button. Navigate to Applications and select Discord. Click Open.
3. Restart Discord
   Quit and reopen Discord. Try the update again.

If Discord Still Shows “Update Cancelled” After the Main Fix

If the error persists after trying all steps above, the issue may be with your macOS version or a third-party security tool.

Discord Update Cancelled After macOS System Update

After upgrading macOS, Discord’s permissions may reset. Repeat Step 4 to re-grant Full Disk Access. Also clear the update cache again as described in Step 1.

Antivirus or Security Software Blocks the Update

Some security apps like Little Snitch or Avast can block Discord’s update process. Temporarily disable the security software, then try the update. If it works, add an exception for Discord in the security app’s settings.

Discord Update Cancelled on Mac with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)

Discord runs natively on Apple Silicon. However, if you have Rosetta 2 installed and are running an Intel version of Discord, the update may fail. Uninstall Discord completely, then download the universal DMG from the official site. This version works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Discord Update Methods: Manual vs Automatic

Item	Automatic Update	Manual Update (Reinstall)
How it works	Discord checks for updates on launch and downloads them in the background	User downloads the latest DMG from discord.com and installs over the old version
Cache required	Stores temporary files in ~/Library/Application Support/discord/update/	No cache needed; replaces the entire app bundle
Permission issues	Can fail if Discord lacks write access to Applications folder	Works even with restricted permissions because user drags the app manually
Best for	Users who want seamless updates	Users who see the “Update Cancelled” error repeatedly

The “Update Cancelled” error on macOS is usually caused by a corrupted cache or permission restrictions. Clearing the update folder and reinstalling Discord are the most reliable fixes. If the problem continues, check your firewall and security software. After resolving the error, Discord will update automatically in the future without interruption. For persistent issues, consider using the manual download method from the official site.