How to unblock Discord with a VPN

Why is Discord blocked?

Discord is a widely accessible messaging app, originally built for gamers and streamers. Since its launch, the app has expanded in popularity to become a go-to communication platform for educators, fandoms, and music or tech enthusiasts. Therefore, it would seem a bit strange for Discord to face restrictions, right? Well, not exactly. If you’re someone who wonders, “Why can’t I access Discord?” it’s probably because of these reasons:

• You try to access Discord in mainland China, Iran, North Korea, Oman, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, or Turkey — the countries that have blocked Discord within their territory.
• You may have violated Discord’s Terms of Service.
• Your local network administrator may have imposed a restriction on the app.

The most common reason for Discord blocking is geographical restrictions imposed by governments that have a questionable (or non-existent) relationship with freedom of speech. Since Discord is a communication tool well suited for large communities, censorship-prone countries may choose to block it, limiting access to information and opinion-sharing.

Why is Discord blocked by network administrators?

The reasons why some local network administrators (particularly in school networks) may block Discord include security concerns, bandwidth usage, and limited productivity. For example, Discord may be blocked in certain educational institutions (their local online networks) because the app’s servers may be too distracting. 

Another reason why you may see Discord blocked in schools is compliance with regulations such as the Children's Internet Protection Act — a legislation that imposes internet filters to protect students from harmful content in the US. And it’s not just schools, too — some businesses may also choose to restrict access to Discord on their local networks (mainly to enhance employee productivity).

How to get your Discord unblocked

The best option to get your Discord unblocked is to download and set up a VPN. With a VPN connection, users can quickly change their virtual location, easily bypassing government-issued Discord blocks. Here’s how it works.

How a VPN for Discord works

Using a VPN for Discord unblocking works by utilizing the VPN’s location server feature. A typical VPN provider has numerous servers (either physical or virtual) that redirect traffic through different countries. When a user connects to a VPN server in a specific country (for example, Spain), the VPN routes the internet traffic through that server, giving the user's device a new IP address. The new IP address makes it appear as though a person is browsing from that country (in this case, Spain), bypassing regional restrictions or blocks that may affect Discord. And all it takes is just one or two mouse clicks, making this process a piece of cake for the user.

Does VPN secure Discord chat?

Unfortunately, VPN doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption for Discord chats. And the app does not use end-to-end encryption for messages and VoIP, meaning everything you share on it gets stored in Discord servers. However, while VPN can’t prevent that, it can still enhance your online privacy by changing your IP. Using a VPN’s IP changing (also known as IP masking) feature, users can access Discord without exposing their actual location. That makes this benefit particularly helpful to journalists, political refugees, and human rights activists in war zones and countries that enforce censorship.

Is using a VPN for Discord legal?

Using VPN for Discord is allowed as long as you don’t use it to breach Discord’s Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or other policies. While Discord's rules don't specifically mention VPN use, they prohibit actions like circumventing bans or engaging in harmful activities.  So if you use a VPN to bypass Discord’s ban, promote financial scams, or otherwise violate platform rules, you may be subject to penalties such as account suspension or legal action.

Please note that using NordVPN services for any illegal activities is strictly prohibited and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure your use of NordVPN services complies with all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using NordVPN.

What are the other ways to unblock Discord?

Besides using a VPN, you can use a proxy server to unblock Discord in your location. A proxy server is an intermediary server between a user's device and the internet. When someone connects to the internet through a proxy, their device sends requests to the proxy server, which then forwards those requests to the destination website or service on your behalf (in this case, Discord). The response is then sent back to the proxy, which forwards it to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Contrary to a VPN, proxy servers do not usually use encryption and work only on a browser. In addition, using proxy server services from unknown sources may put you at risk, since some free proxy server providers log and sell user data. If you’re thinking of using a proxy server instead of a VPN, consider using NordVPN proxy servers rather than relying on unknown providers. Or, get yourself a NordVPN subscription to encrypt your online traffic and browse with additional security features, such as Threat Protection Pro™.

Is Discord safe to unblock?

The fact that some countries and networks may block Discord can prompt a question: Is Discord safe? And if so, is it safe to unblock? The answer to the second question is yes. Meanwhile, the safety of the app may depend on the user’s vigilance. While Discord is safe to use, malicious actors may exploit the app to commit cyberattacks.

Although rare, cases of so-called Discord malware and Discord scams can leave victims with hijacked accounts, stolen credentials (such as email and password), or viruses. And even though the number of such instances is relatively small, platform visitors are encouraged to exercise caution while on public servers. 

To learn more about how to recognize a hacked Discord account and how to safeguard against cyber threats on other messaging apps, check out our other blog articles.