How to Fix Discord Error 20012 — Installation Failed [2026]

Discord Error 20012: Installation Failed

This error typically occurs when corrupted discord installation files. Below you'll find 5 proven fixes to resolve it.

What Causes Discord Error 20012?

Discord error 20012 (Installation Failed) can be triggered by several issues:

Corrupted Discord installation files
Previous Discord not fully uninstalled
Antivirus blocking installation
Insufficient permissions
Windows Installer service issues

How to Fix Discord Error 20012 — Step by Step

Completely remove old Discord

Press Win + R > %appdata% > delete the Discord folder.
Press Win + R > %localappdata% > delete the Discord folder.
Restart your computer, then reinstall Discord.

Run installer as Administrator

Right-click the Discord setup file > Run as administrator. This ensures it has full permissions to install.

Disable antivirus temporarily

Your antivirus may quarantine Discord files during installation. Temporarily disable it, install Discord, then re-enable and add Discord to the exceptions list.

Clear Windows temp files

Press Win + R > %temp% > delete all files in the folder (skip any in use). Then retry the installation.

Reinstall via Discord PTB

If the main installer fails, try Discord PTB (Public Test Build) from discord.com/api/downloads/distributions/app/installers/latest?channel=ptb&platform=win&arch=x64. PTB uses a different installer that often works when the main one doesn't.

Still Getting Error 20012?

IT Cares can diagnose and fix this error remotely — usually in under 30 minutes.

Call (581) 398-1270 Book Remote Session

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Discord error 20012 happen?

Leftover files from a previous Discord installation conflict with the new installer. A complete cleanup of AppData folders fixes it in most cases.

Do I lose my Discord data?

No. Your messages, servers, and friends list are stored on Discord's servers, not your computer. Reinstalling only affects the local app.

Can I use Discord Web while fixing this?

Yes. Visit discord.com/app in any browser for full Discord access while you fix the desktop app.

Why does antivirus flag Discord?

Discord's auto-updater and overlay features trigger some antivirus heuristics. These are false positives — Discord is safe.

What if none of the fixes work?

Try installing Discord Canary (the alpha version). If even Canary fails, there may be a deeper Windows Installer problem — run sfc /scannow first.

How to Fix Discord Error 20012 — Installation Failed