Discord join messages go to a channel you pick in your server settings, not automatically to every channel
When someone joins your Discord server, Discord can announce it with a message. By default, this message appears in a channel called the system channel — usually the first channel created when you set up the server. You can change which channel gets these messages, turn them off entirely, or let Discord pick a random channel each time. The setting lives in your server settings under the System Messages tab, and you need server administrator permissions to change it.
Join messages are different from welcome messages you might write yourself. A join message is automatic — Discord sends it without you typing anything. A welcome message is something you or a bot writes manually to greet new members. You can have both, or just one, or neither.
Key Takeaways
- Join messages are automatic announcements Discord sends when someone joins your server, and they appear in whichever channel you choose in server settings.
- You need administrator permissions on the server to change where join messages go or turn them off.
- The system channel setting controls join messages, leave messages, boost notifications, and other automatic Discord announcements all in one place.
- You can pick a specific channel, let Discord choose a random channel each time, or disable join messages completely.
- Join messages are separate from welcome messages you write yourself — you can use both, one, or neither.
How to change the system channel in Discord
Open Discord and go to the server where you want to change join messages. Click the server name at the top left to open the dropdown menu, then select Server Settings. On the left sidebar, click System Messages. You will see a dropdown labeled "System Messages Channel" — this is where join messages go.
Click the dropdown and choose the channel where you want join messages to appear. You can pick any text channel in your server. If you want join messages to go to a channel that does not exist yet, you will need to create it first by going to the Channels section in Server Settings and clicking the plus icon.
Once you pick a channel, Discord will start sending join messages there when ready. If you change your mind later, you can come back to this same menu and pick a different channel.
Turning off join messages completely
If you do not want join messages at all, go back to the System Messages Channel dropdown and select No channel. This stops Discord from announcing joins in any channel. The setting takes effect right away — the next person who joins your server will not trigger a join message.
Turning off join messages does not affect other automatic announcements like server boosts or member milestones. Those have their own settings in the same System Messages tab. If you want to keep those but only disable joins, you can do that separately.
Using random channels for join messages
Discord has an option to send join messages to a random channel each time someone joins. This is useful if you want to spread announcements across multiple channels instead of concentrating them in one place. To enable this, go to System Messages in Server Settings and toggle on Send to a random channel. Discord will then pick from your available text channels at random for each new join.
Random channel mode only picks from channels that Discord can actually send messages to — it will not pick channels where the bot or Discord itself lacks permission to post. If you have very few text channels, random mode might pick the same channel multiple times in a row just by chance.
What permissions you need to change join messages
Only people with the Administrator permission or the Manage Server permission can change where join messages go. If you try to open Server Settings and do not see the System Messages tab, you do not have the right permissions. Ask a server owner or administrator to change the setting for you, or ask them to give you the Manage Server permission.
Bots can also change system message settings if they have the Manage Server permission. Some bots let you control join messages through commands instead of the settings menu — check your bot's documentation to see if it offers that option.
The difference between join messages and welcome messages
A join message is automatic — Discord sends it without anyone typing anything. A welcome message is something you or a bot writes and posts manually. You might use a welcome message to explain server rules, point new members to important channels, or give them a friendly greeting that feels more personal than Discord's automatic announcement.
Many servers use both. The automatic join message lets everyone know someone new arrived, and the welcome message gives that person specific instructions or a warm greeting. You can also use a bot to send a direct message to new members instead of posting in a channel — that keeps the welcome private between the bot and the new person.
Where join messages appear if you do not change the setting
If you never change the system channel setting, Discord picks one for you automatically. Usually this is the first text channel created in your server, often called #general. If that channel gets deleted, Discord moves join messages to the next available text channel.
This default behavior can clutter a busy channel with announcements. If your #general channel is where members have conversations, join messages might get lost in the noise. That is why most servers move join messages to a dedicated channel like #introductions or #welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send join messages to multiple channels at once?
No, Discord only lets you pick one channel for join messages. If you want announcements in multiple places, you would need to use a bot that watches for joins and posts to several channels. Many Discord bots offer this feature — search for "welcome bot" in your server's bot marketplace.
Do join messages show the person's username or profile picture?
Yes, Discord's automatic join message includes the new member's username and avatar. The message says something like "Username joined the server." You cannot customize what the automatic message says, but you can write your own welcome message that includes more details or a personal touch.
What if I want to welcome new members but do not want everyone to see the announcement?
Create a private channel or use a bot that sends direct messages to new members instead of posting in a channel. This way the new person gets a welcome without a public announcement. You can also turn off join messages and only use a manual welcome message that you post yourself when you notice someone new.
Can I change join messages on a server where I am not the owner?
Only if the owner or another administrator gave you the Manage Server permission. If you do not have that permission, you cannot access Server Settings. Ask an administrator to change the setting for you or to grant you the permission.
Do join messages count toward Discord's message history?
Yes, join messages are stored in your channel history like any other message. If you scroll back through a channel, you will see them. You can delete them individually if you want, but they will reappear when new people join unless you turn off join messages entirely.