What Discord cache is and why you might clear it
Discord cache is temporary data that Discord stores on your computer — images, messages, voice clips, and other files you have already downloaded. Discord keeps this cache so it does not have to read the same files again, which makes the app load faster. Over time, this cache folder can grow to several gigabytes and slow down your computer or cause Discord to run poorly.
You might clear your cache if Discord is crashing, if images are not loading, if the app feels slow, or if you want to free up disk space. Clearing cache is safe — Discord will straightforward re-read what it needs the next time you use it. You will not lose your messages, servers, or account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Discord cache lives in a hidden folder on your C: drive that you can find by typing a specific path into File Explorer.
- You can clear cache while Discord is running, but closing the app first prevents Discord from re-creating files while you delete them.
- The cache folder is named AppData, and inside it you will navigate to Local, then Discord, then Cache.
- After you delete the cache folder, Discord will create a new one automatically the next time you open the app.
Close Discord completely before you start
Discord will continue to write to the cache folder while it is running, which means new files may appear while you are trying to delete old ones. Close Discord by clicking the X button on the window. Do not just minimize it — make sure it is fully closed.
Check your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). If you see the Discord icon there, right-click it and select Quit Discord. This ensures Discord is not running in the background.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the cache folder
Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E, or by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. You should see your C: drive and other folders listed on the left side.
At the top of the File Explorer window, you will see an address bar showing your current location. Click on it and paste this path exactly as written:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Discord\Cache
Replace "YourUsername" with your actual Windows username. For example, if your username is "Sarah", the path would be C:\Users\Sarah\AppData\Local\Discord\Cache. Press Enter and File Explorer will take you directly to the Discord cache folder.
If you see an error message saying the folder does not exist, Discord may not have created a cache yet, or it may be stored in a different location. In that case, you can skip to the next section.
Select and delete all files in the cache folder
Once you are inside the Cache folder, you will see many numbered folders and files. Select all of them by pressing Ctrl + A. Everything in the folder will highlight in blue.
Press the Delete key on your keyboard. A dialog box will ask if you want to delete these items. Click Yes or Delete to confirm. The files will move to your Recycle Bin, so they are not permanently gone if you change your mind.
If you get an error saying a file is in use, it means Discord is still running in the background. Close Discord completely and try again. If the error persists, restart your computer and repeat the steps above.
Empty your Recycle Bin to free up space
Deleting files moves them to your Recycle Bin, which still takes up disk space. To actually free up that space, right-click your Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin. The cache files will now be permanently removed from your computer.
If you do not see a Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, you can empty it from File Explorer. Open File Explorer, right-click Recycle Bin in the left sidebar, and select Empty Recycle Bin.
Restart Discord and let it rebuild the cache
Open Discord normally by clicking its icon on your desktop or in your Start menu. Discord will start fresh and begin building a new cache as you use it. You may notice that images and files load slightly slower the first time you view them after clearing cache — this is normal and only happens once per file.
Your messages, servers, friends list, and all other account data remain unchanged. Only the temporary cached files are gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my messages or server history?
No. Cache only stores temporary copies of images, videos, and other files you have already downloaded. Your actual messages, server data, and account settings are stored on Discord's servers and are not affected by clearing cache.
How often should I clear Discord cache?
There is no set schedule. Clear cache when Discord is running slowly, when images are not loading properly, or when you want to free up disk space. Many people clear it once every few months, but it depends on how much you use Discord.
What if I cannot find the AppData folder?
AppData is a hidden folder by default. If the path does not work, try typing the path directly into the address bar at the top of File Explorer rather than navigating through folders. Make sure you replace "YourUsername" with your actual Windows username.
Can I clear cache while Discord is open?
Technically yes, but closing Discord first is safer. If Discord is running, it may be writing to the cache at the same time you are deleting it, which can cause errors or incomplete deletion. Always close Discord before clearing cache.
Will Discord run faster after I clear the cache?
It may, especially if the cache folder had grown very large. However, clearing cache is not a may provide fix for all performance problems. If Discord is still slow after clearing cache, the issue may be something else, like insufficient RAM or a slow internet connection.